Most of the talk coming out of Long Island this season revolved around the team’s troubled financial circumstances and budding superstar John Tavares. However, since the Isles returned from the Olympic break winger Blake Comeau looks like the star on the precipice of emerging.
The New York Islanders drafted Comeau in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft with modest expectations. Coming from the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, the native of Saskatchewan showed decent size, snarl and an ability to distribute the puck.
In parts of three seasons with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers he harnassed his playmaking ability and became a consistent threat in his third full season. Now in his second season with the Islanders, he appears ready to turn the corner as he potted three goals in two games before the break and nine points in seven games since his brief vacation.
If he continues to play well with Tavares and breakout winger Matt Moulson, his points totals will rise consistently. Their line possesses the classic combination of sniper, power forward and playmaker with all three players gelling nicely together.
While thinking Comeau will maintain a 98 point pace next season may be a lofty expectation, something around 50-60 points would not be out of the question. At the moment he holds a modest four-game point streak which he should get every chance to extend.
Over the past week, Comeau outproduced Ilya Kovalchuk, Simon Gagne and Brenden Morrow just to name a few. Only six percent of Yahoo! Leagues own the recently turned 24-year-old which will not last.
The shrewd fantasy GM would grab him as soon as possible and ride a hot first line left wing down the stretch. Scott Gordon and the Islanders certainly can give him the extra opportunities with slim playoff hopes which shrink with every loss.
