The New York Islanders took Michael Dal Colle with the 5th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Dal Colle absolutely ripped up the OHL. He even put up 93 points the year he was drafted. There’s an old expression to explain Dal Colle’s current play, “life comes at you fast.”
It’s safe to say Michael Dal Colle is a complete bust and will never pan out to be the top 5 pick that the Islanders thought he was. But, this doesn’t mean he can’t serve a big purpose on the team. What are the expectations for Michael Dal Colle during the 2020-2021 season?
Become a Top 9 Forward
Michael Dal Colle should have a few goals in mind this year, but this one is the biggest for him. Dal Colle must beat out Leo Komarov or Andrew Ladd for the final forward spot. Every Islander fan knows there are just two forward spots up for grabs this year.
One is the left-wing on the third line, and the other one is the right-wing on the third line. I assume Kieffer Bellows or Oliver Wahlstrom will take the right-wing spot. This leaves the left-wing spot in play for anyone to take it. Dal Colle must take this spot, it will boost his career momentum a ton.
Join the PK Unit
Everyone knows that Dal Colle only still has a spot because of his defensive play. This fact just makes it stranger that Dal Colle isn’t on the penalty kill. I don’t know if it’s the fact that Barry Trotz just doesn’t trust him enough or that there are millions of better players than him. But, this should be one of Dal Colle’s major goals this season. He needs to join the penalty kill unit. If he can prove his worth on this unit, he can surely make another team when his contract ends.