Simon Holmström

July 2023 – After a breakout season in Bridgeport in 2021-22, Holmstrom spent the majority of 2022-23 with the Islanders. Playing in 50 games and scoring six times. He should have a spot on the Islanders roster come October and may even contend for a third line role. Holmstrom is due to become an RFA in 2024. James Iacovone

February 2023 – The 21-year-old has developed reasonably well for a late first-round pick. He appears to have made the NHL for good now as he’s been a fixture on the Islanders’ fourth line since late November. He only has five points on the season but his production should improve as he adapts to the league and gets a bigger role. His work ethic and two-way game will make him a great fit for the bottom six for years to come. Graham Montgomery

June 2022 – Holmstrom’s three goals tied for Bridgeport’s top playoff sniper and he finished with four points in six games. This is encouraging after a 68-game, 43-point AHL campaign. He should get a good look at training camp. Mark Allan

March 2022 – A surprise 23rd-overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, Holmström continues to learn the minor-pro ropes in his third and best turn with Bridgeport of the AHL. In 50 games with the baby Islanders, the 20-year-old Swede has 24 points in 50 games. The shifty two-way RW features above-average skating and stickhandling as well as a good wrist shot, strong work ethic and a team-first mindset. Mark Allan

October 2021 — Holmstrom was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL out of training camp. Mark Allan

July 2021 – The 20-year-old is expected to be back in Bridgeport for a third time after a mixed-bag 2020-21. Besides posting just a goal and an assist in 11 outings for HC Vita Hästen in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s second-best pro hockey league), Holmström had four scores and three helpers in 24 AHL games, matching his point-per-game pace from the previous season. Intriguingly, he had five assists in as many games at the WJC tournament. Mark Allan

March 2021 – Although the Isles raised eyebrows when they took the Swede 23rd overall at the 2019 draft, Holmström is beginning to make that look better with two goals and three points in a recent three-game stretch for Bridgeport. The winger stands second on the Sound Tigers so far with four points and 12 shots on goal. He’ll need time to crack the NHL roster, but looks like he will someday. Mark Allan

January 2021 – Holmström had a solid five assists in as many outings in his first appearance in the WJC U-20 tournament. The snake-bit Swedes, though, were eliminated in a quarter-final by the Finns and fellow Islanders’ prospect Matias Rajaniemi, with a 3-2 comeback victory. Holmström, who has added 11 pounds, is expected to return to Bridgeport, where he had 15 points in 46 games as an AHL rookie. Mark Allan

December 2020 – Holmström was named to Team Sweden for the World Junior Championship Under-20 tournament, which most people consider to be the WJC. Holmstrom skated for his country at the WJC U-16, U-17 and U18 levels, totaling three goals and three assists in seven outings at the eldest tournament. After earning a goal and an assist in seven games while on loan to Vita Hästen in Sweden’s second-best hockey league, he could easily regain his confidence against players his own age. Fellow Islanders’ prospect Mattias Rajaniemi was named to Finland’s WJC U-20 roster. Mark Allan

November 2020 – Anticipating the launch of NHL training camps early in December, the Islanders recalled Holmström from Vita Hästen. While he posted just two points in 11 games in the Allsvenskan (Sweden’s version of the AHL), Holmstrom got real game experience when many others are not on the ice. Mark Allan

October 2020 – A slow start while on loan to Vita Hästen of the Allsvenskan didn’t prevent Holmström from being invited to Sweden’s world junior camp. The 19-year-old managed a goal and an assist in his first seven outings in his homeland’s second-best hockey league. Those games and being part of the camp is invaluable experience. Playing in the WJC in Edmonton would be icing on the cake. Mark Allan

August 2020 – The Islanders loaned the 19-year-old to Vita Hästen of the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second-best hockey league. Ineligible for the current NHL playoffs, the youngster needs to play, which won’t happen in the NHL or AHL before December. The Allsvenskan, in which Holmstrom has never played, resumes play Sept. 11. Back in the familiar surroundings of his homeland, the surprise 2019 23rd-overall draft pick will hopefully gain confidence after a 15-point, 46-game AHL debut as an 18-year-old. Mark Allan

May 2020 – Holmström’s unimpressive stats as a rookie AHLer do not reflect well on where the NYIs drafted him (23rd overall), but they’re not surprising. Making the cross-Atlantic jump at 18 to face North American pros for the first time is daunting for all but the most mature and dazzling Europeans. You wouldn’t know from eight goals and 15 AHL points in 46 games that the Swede is a good skater and stickhandler with impressive character and high compete level who plays a strong tw0-way game. He’ll need all those attributes whenever the AHL resumes play. Mark Allan

February 2020 – Considering he’s still 18, playing against men and making his North American début, it’s not surprising the skilled Swede has begun slowly in the AHL. After 41 outings for Bridgeport, the 6-1, 183-pound RW has eight goals but just four assists. Expectations should be tempered during the rest of his rookie pro schedule because he played only once in the Swedish Hockey League in his draft year due to off-season hip surgery, a broken thumb and a concussion. The Isles looked past that to see his good skating, crafty mitts and strong positional play. They’ll give Holmström every chance to succeed, although it could take awhile. Mark Allan

June 2019 – Holmström has been drafted 23rd overall by the Islanders.  Jokke Nevalainen

June 2019 – Holmström was officially measured at 6-foot-0.75 and 193 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine.  Jokke Nevalainen

February 2019 – A year ago, Holmström was seen as a high first-rounder after a great season in the SuperElit as a 16-year-old. But this season has been very difficult for him because he’s had multiple injuries and hasn’t been able to play much because of them. He had a hip surgery in the summer leading up to his draft season, broke his thumb in the first half of the season, and then suffered a concussion in the second half. It’s very unfortunate he’s missed so much time due to injuries during these crucial development years. Holmström is an excellent playmaker from the wing. He has very good vision, and he can make crisp passes. He also has a great shot which makes him a dual-threat. He’s a very talented skater who combines speed with agility. Holmström could be a faller in the NHL Entry Draft because of the injury concerns. But if he’s still available in the second round, his upside is definitely worth a selection there.  Jokke Nevalainen