New York Islanders fans are buzzing with excitement about Daniil Prokhorov’s potential. The 18-year-old winger from Krasnodar, Russia, was the Islanders’ second-round pick in the 2025 draft (42nd overall), and he made a strong impression at the development camp with his excellent skating, game awareness, intensity, and personality.
Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 218 pounds, Prokhorov uses his size and strength to battle for the puck near the net, while also showing remarkable agility for his frame. Fans were captivated by his camp performance, and the Islanders’ management has been impressed with him for some time, as has their cross-town rival, the New York Rangers.
In an interview with RB Sports Hockey, Prokhorov shared insights into the draft, revealing he had strong conversations with the Islanders and that the Rangers had intended to pick him just after the Islanders’ choice. Ultimately, the Islanders took him at 42, pushing the Rangers to select winger Malcolm Spence at 43.
Prokhorov was arguably the best player at the Islanders’ development camps, though he still has work to do to reach the NHL level, especially in improving his two-way game and becoming a more consistent and dependable winger. The key question remains: How good will he become? Could he develop into a player like Valeri Nikshkin?
Selected 42nd overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Sarnia Sting, Prokhorov has spent the past two seasons with KHL junior team St. Petersburg Dynamo, recording 20 goals, 27 points, and seven assists in 43 games. He now faces a decision about whether to continue in the KHL or transition to North American hockey.
Last season, Islanders prospect Jesse Nurmi chose to come to North America to play junior hockey after being picked by the London Knights in the 2024 CHL Import Draft. Nurmi’s move paid off, as he won the Memorial Cup and gained valuable experience ahead of his first season with the Islanders organization. Given the cultural and style differences—such as language barriers and rink sizes—it would make sense for Prokhorov to follow a similar path.
One challenge is the age of the players Prokhorov competes against. While the MHL age maxes out at 20, Prokhorov could also jump to the KHL this season. His size gives him an advantage in playing against men, as his physical style is one of his biggest strengths.
A representative for Prokhorov has yet to respond to media inquiries. Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and breaking news about the Islanders and their exciting young talent.
Fan Take: Daniil Prokhorov’s development is a must-watch storyline because his unique blend of size and skill could bring a new dimension to the Islanders’ lineup. If he reaches his potential, he might not only impact the team’s future success but also influence how larger, agile forwards are valued and developed in hockey.
