- Cole Eiserman is chasing an Islanders roster spot after signing his entry-level deal in March
- His college and AHL coaches point to the same weapon: an NHL-caliber shot
- Read below for what Rocky Thompson wants fixed before camp opens
Cole Eiserman keeps hearing the same thing about his game, and he has no problem with it.
Ask anyone who has coached the Islanders forward prospect what he does best and the answer never changes. Jay Pandolfo, who had him at Boston University, called him “a sniper.” Rocky Thompson, who ran his bench in Bridgeport last season, told NHL.com’s Tracey Myers that it is “an NHL-level shot, for sure.”
The shot has been his calling card since juniors. Watch Eiserman pick his corner for Team USA at the World Juniors:
Eiserman turned 20 on Aug. 29 and walks into camp as part of a young group the Islanders assembled in a hurry. Matthew Schaefer won the Calder Trophy last season at 19. Victor Eklund, Daniil Prokhorov and Kashawn Aitcheson all came out of that same 2025 draft class, and Peter DeBoer took over behind the bench in April.
Speaking at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in July, Eiserman was asked what the mood around the franchise feels like right now.
“There’s a new coach and it seems like there’s a lot of buzz around the Islanders, which is pretty cool especially with ‘Schaef,’ Eklund and Aitcheson, (Malte) Gustafsson, all these young guys. It’s cool everyone’s coming at the same time-ish, which is important for all of us.”
The No. 20 pick in 2024 put up 28 points (18 goals, 10 assists) in 32 games at BU last season before signing his three-year entry-level contract on March 18 and reporting to Bridgeport.
He managed nine points in 12 AHL games and got into two Calder Cup playoff contests. Thompson, now an assistant on DeBoer’s staff, liked the flashes but wants one habit gone before the shot translates.
“In college, when I was watching him a little bit, he played on the perimeter at 5-on-5, and I think with his physical ability and strength, he could be a huge asset in the middle of the ice. You just don’t want to be on the perimeter at the NHL level. The players are too good at checking.”
Pandolfo said the rest of the game showed up during a scoring drought at BU, when Eiserman leaned into checking and defensive work rather than chasing goals that would not come.
Eiserman gets his first live look on Sept. 13, when the Islanders rookies visit New Jersey, with a rematch in East Meadow two days later.
