UNIONDALE, New York (Ticker) - The New York Islanders are hoping right wing Robert Nilsson will have the same offensive touch as his father.
The Islanders on Tuesday signed Nilsson, the 15th overall pick in the 2003 draft, to a three-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Regarded as one of the top European forward prospects in his draft class, the 20-year-old Nilsson is the son of former NHL player Kent Nilsson, who had 264 goals and 686 points in 553 career games with the Atlanta and Calgary Flames, the Minnesota North Stars and Edmonton Oilers.
"I feel I'm ready to test myself against the NHL, so I'm really excited about signing a contract, coming to Long Island and being part of the Islanders," Nilsson said. "I'm coming to camp with the goal of making the team. I know it will be a challenge, but I'm ready for it."
Nilsson, who broke Swedish Elite League records set by NHL All-Stars Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund with eight goals and 21 points in 41 games as a 17-year-old in 2002-03, had two goals and four assists in 23 games with Djurgardens of the SEL last season.
At the 2005 World Junior Championships, Nilsson finished second on the Swedish team with four points, including three assists.
"Robert adds another offensive dimension for us," Islanders general manager Mike Milbury said. "I like our forwards a lot, but I would consider Robert - even though he's just 20 years ago and still developing - as gifted a playmaker as anyone on our team. He opened the eyes of a lot of people at the World Junior Championships. We have monitored his progress closely and feel Robert has the physical ability to make the jump right into the NHL."