Throughout the New York Islanders’ history, the draft has been the most effective way for the team to acquire talent. Some of the best players in franchise history, like Denis Potvin, Mike Bossy, and Brent Sutter, were all selected by the Islanders in the draft. Without drafting these players, they wouldn’t have anywhere near the success they’ve had. There would be no early ’80s dynasty, and no deep playoff runs during the late 2010s and early 2020s.

While the Islanders have hit on many draft picks, there have been many times when they swung and missed on picks. There was no bigger miss than when they selected Robert Nilsson with the 15th overall pick in the 2003 draft. But what happened during Nilsson’s time on the Island caused him to be the worst draft pick in Islanders history.

Robert Nilsson less than stellar career in the NHL

During the 2003 draft process, Nilsson was one of the most intriguing prospects. He was the son of former NHLer Kent Nilsson, who holds the record for most points in a season by a Swedish-born player. He was praised for his skating ability and his ability to make plays thanks to tremendous stick handling and on-ice vision. During his three years in the Leksands IF program, he recorded 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points. When the Islanders selected him, he appeared to be the future top-line left winger.

After being drafted, Nilsson spent two more seasons overseas in Sweden and Switzerland, where his stock as a prospect continued to grow. During those two years, he tallied 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points. That strong play continued at the international level when he registered 12 goals and 22 assists for 34 points in 37 games for Team Sweden.

However, once Nilsson finally arrived in North America, the problems began to surface. After signing his entry-level deal in August, he made the opening night roster for the Islanders to start the 2005-06 season. But many were quick to realize that Nilsson was having a hard time adjusting to the NHL game. He wasn’t able to handle the grit and physicality that the NHL style of play has that Europe lacks. This caused them to send Nilsson down to Bridgeport for 29 games in hopes the adjustment would be more effortless. He ultimately was recalled towards the end of the season.

At the start of the 2006-07 season, Nilsson failed to make the club out of camp and was once again sent back to Bridgeport. Unlike the previous season, he was never able to earn a call-up and played with the team until the Islanders traded him to the Oilers as part of a package for Ryan Smyth. Over his 53 games on Long Island, he racked up six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. A far cry from the top-line winger the Islanders thought they landed.

What makes this pick even worse is who was taken after him. Within the next five picks, future NHL stars like Zach Parise, Ryan Getzlaf, and Brent Burns were all selected. All players that would’ve filled the top line void Nilsson ended up creating. Also taken later in that round were guys like Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards, Brian Boyle, and Corey Perry. All potentially impactful players the Islanders missed out on.

Although he help the Islanders land a decent player in Smyth, it’s not enough to erase what could’ve been. Nilsson will go down as the biggest bust in Islanders history.