Ruslan Iskhakov leads the Bridgeport Islanders with 12 goals and 16 assists this season and recently his two-goal game was the difference in the team winning and losing. Against the Charlotte Checkers on Jan. 7, he found the back of the net twice including the overtime winner to give the Islanders a 3-2 overtime win, the team’s first victory since Dec. 29 against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Without question, he’s been the best skater on the team and the most NHL-ready forward among the prospects on the American League Hockey (AHL) team. The 22-year-old has a burst of speed and can both create scoring chances with his passing and find the back of the net with quick shots on the net. Iskhakov eventually can play in the New York Islanders’ bottom six and notably provide a spark on the wing if not this season, by the start of next season.
On an offense that has struggled this season, scoring only 2.43 goals per game, Iskhakov has been the bright spot. The offense isn’t built around him and it makes many who watch the Islanders wonder why not. He can become the focal point of the offense and help the team climb out of last place in the Atlantic Division.
Related: Islanders’ Prospect Ruslan Iskhakov Is Finding His Scoring Touch
Even with the 3-2 overtime win over the Checkers, they have a 10-19-3 record and with 23 points, they trail the next-best team in their division by 11 points. So, there’s a good argument for the team to make adjustments and build the offense around Iskhakov.
Iskhakov’s Development Taking Another Step
If the Islanders make Iskhakov the key player, he’ll be put on notice and it will be hard for the NHL to ignore his ability. He’s a smaller skater at 5-foot-8 and weighing only 170 pounds and that alone will be a tough obstacle for the team to call him up to the next level with smaller players often struggling in the bigger, harder-hitting pro game. That said, Iskhakov has a similar skillset to Mathew Barzal and could look a lot like him when he becomes a pro.
Sure, Barzal is a tough player for any prospect to be compared to. He’s been the most dynamic forward on the Islanders for the past eight seasons and this season, he’s a point-per-game player and having an All-Star-caliber season. That said, Iskhakov is the fastest forward on the team and makes a noticeable difference when he has space to operate. Moreover, he is a pass-first player who makes his linemates better, a trait that has defined Barzal’s career.
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