Breaking out
Isles’ Alexandrov has taken his game to new level in second half of rookie season
Nikita Alexandrov is settling in just fine.
After a frustrating start to his major junior career in Canada, the skilled German pivot has turned heads late in the season and taken his game to another level in the playoffs.
The 17-year-old chalks up his elevated play to being more comfortable in his surroundings, gaining confidence in his game and the play of his linemates.
“It was really different than in Europe,” he said. “The style of hockey is so different. Here, it’s a smaller rink. You have to get used to it. I think, now, I’m in a good spot here.”
Alexandrov didn’t score until his 16th game of the season when he had three goals and an assist on Nov. 4, as the Islanders defeated the Phoenix 5-4 in overtime in Sherbrooke, Que.
He added two more goals to finish 2017 with five. He only scored once in January, but tallied five goals and six assists in February.
He has hit a new gear in the playoffs, scoring six times in 11 games and is tied for the team lead in points (13) with veterans Pascal Aquin and Daniel Hardie.
“His confidence has grown by leaps and bounds,” head coach and general manager Jim Hulton said before Tuesday’s practice at the Eastlink Centre.
Hulton said there was no panic inside the team’s brass during the first half with the rookie’s production. He said the chances were there, but the youngster was snake-bitten.
“He hit probably eight or 10 posts,” Hulton said. “You kept thinking ‘OK, this kid is on the brink of a bust out’. We’d see it in flashes during the regular season in the second half but not consistently. He’s been terrifically consistent here in the playoffs.”
The second-half boost in production also coincided with Brett Budgell reporting to the team. The duo had chemistry in training camp and quickly rekindled it once put back together in 2018.
Cam Askew, who has rounded out the line during the playoffs, has had a good vantage point for his young linemate’s growth.
“Ever since I got here at Christmas I’ve seen improvement in him every day,” Askew said. “He’s a great player. He’s so good for his age.”
And a good kid off the ice, noted the veteran.
Hulton said Alexandrov, who he calls a modern day 200-foot player, is attacking in all three zones, throwing more hits and is willing to learn.
The Islanders left for Quebec on Wednesday afternoon. They play Game 1 of their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semifinal with the top-ranked Blainville-Boisbriand Armada on Friday at 8:30 p.m. Atlantic.
Alexandrov is not eligible for this year’s NHL draft because his birthday is one day after the Sept. 15 deadline. He doesn’t get caught up in the fact scouts may be noticing him more as they came to watch others in the post-season.
“It doesn’t really matter now to me. I just want to play hockey and have fun here.”
Hulton said he expects to hear from scouts during the offseason as NHL teams plan for the 2019 draft.
“He’s moving himself way up on that finders’ list,” he said, noting a cautious level of excitement within the organization. “If where he ends off can be his starting point for next year, the future is pretty bright for all of us.”