Cole Eiserman

February 2025 – For the New York Islanders’ first-round selection in the 2024 NHL entry draft, the World Junior Championship ended in elation. He won gold with the United States in his first U20 Tournament and helped the USA win their first-ever back-to-back gold medals. Eiserman took on a slightly smaller role than he is used to, spending most of the tournament as the 13th forward, but he embraced the role and chipped in with a few critical goals. He finished the tournament with seven points in seven games despite his decreased role with the team. Since returning from the World Juniors, Eiserman has produced pretty well. In his second game back, he recorded a hat trick and four points and has since added three more goals in three other games. There is no doubt that Eiserman is the real deal offensively, and he creates opportunities by moving his feet, driving the net, and, of course, with his incredible shot. He still has some work to do on his defensive and transition game. Still, with just under the point-per-game pace with Boston University in his freshman season, there are many positives for Islanders fans and fantasy managers. William Langstaff

December 2024 – Eiserman has been a bright spot on a Boston University team that has taken a step back this season from last. Entering the 2024-25 season, there were some questions regarding his play beyond just his shot, but he has seemingly quieted those doubters. Eiserman leads the team in goals with nine and is tied for second in points with 15 through 16 games played. He has created many chances by moving his feet and pushing the pace of the game on the rush but he also works well from his spot at the top of the circle in the offensive zone. Eiserman has solidified himself as the top prospect for the Islanders. He will now join Team USA in the U20 World Junior Championship tournament, where the Americans will attempt to win back-to-back gold medals for the first time. William Langstaff

August 2024 – Eiserman recently participated in the World Junior Summer Showcase for the Team USA White squad. He played in three games for the USA but only scored one goal. He will now turn his attention to the upcoming season at Boston University, where he hopes to cement himself as a play driver at the NCAA level and officially earn a spot on the roster for the World Junior Championship. William Langstaff

June 2024 – Eiserman was selected at 20 and easily became the top prospect on the Island. Pat Quinn

November 2023 – It is no secret that Eiserman has the best shot in the 2024 draft class. It is powerful, accurate and given time and space, is nearly guaranteed to be a given goal. Eiserman has found particular success on the power-play, where he can take full advantage of the extra ice to punish any PK unit that doesn’t give him his due respect. This alone is likely to see him land quite high on draft day, as his release is NHL-ready. Seeing Eiserman playing trigger-man on an NHL team’s first PP unit is not far. However, when you zoom away from his core strength, Eiserman carries with him a few key flaws. Particularly, he’s got a lot of work to do in his skating. While effective off the rush and in odd-man opportunities, he lacks the edgework and explosiveness to create separation from defenders who focus on him. His weak stride also doesn’t make him much for a forechecking threat and far too often, leaves him behind play which leads to penalties taken. His playmaking is currently underutilized as pucks tend to end up behind the net or frozen shortly after receiving the puck. Going forward, Eiserman will need to develop some extra layers to his game in some way. Whether by improving his passing game, skating, or defensive ability, Eiserman needs to evolve his game to match his current reputation as an “elite-level prospect”. Fortunately, he has plenty of time to do so. David Saad (November Rankings: 5th overall)