The New York Islanders
2012 Draft Party was a blast.
As always, the Islanders
made players available at different stations for autographs and photos. I got to play fan boy when I got my jersey
signed by Calvin de Hann, Aaron Ness, Jon Landry, Casey Cizikas, Brock Nelson,
Ryan Strome, Johan Sundstrom, David Ullsttrom, Andrey Pedan, Mike Halmo, Nino
Niederreiter and Matt Donovan. There
were tons of giveaways and games along with a huge merchandise sale as well.
I enjoyed seeing several
familiar faces and got to meet a few more people who are as passionate about
the Islanders as I am. It was another
great event by the Organization.
On to the Draft ….
The New York Islanders had
picks 4, 34, 65, 103, 125, 155 and 185 in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
New York Islanders selected D Griffin Reinhart with the 4th pick
overall in the first round. B.D. Gallof
said, “Reinhart, according to ISS, has two way ability, good attitude, always
trying to refine game, has hard shot.
Was told he has incredible hockey sense. Ability to see thru plays, make
sound decisions & has offensive punch.”
Reinhart is regarded as a
large, solid, positional defensemen with good size and strength giving him the
edge in one-on-one situations. His
ability to jump into the developing play gives him an added offensive
potential, rare in a strong defensive-minded player of his size.
His weaknesses include;
lack of physicality, endurance and skating.
With time at the pro level, he will have to get stronger and add
endurance. With these additions, his
weaknesses should be addressed and overcome to help him develop into a top pair
defensemen.
This was a good pick by
the Islanders and looking at the Islanders defensive situation with Streit,
Hamonic and MacDonald, Reinhart will have a shot to make the team with
defensive assets like de Haan, Donovan, Ness and Pedan pushing for a roster
spot as well. Additional assets on
defense are Mayfield, Kichton and Russo, which will be pushing for a spot in
the near future.
Anthony Stabile has pointed out to me that Griffin is only 18 so he is only eligible to play in Juniors or the NHL. So its likely he'll be back in Edmonton. This is an important aspect to consider when looking at his development, so I would agree.
Anthony Stabile has pointed out to me that Griffin is only 18 so he is only eligible to play in Juniors or the NHL. So its likely he'll be back in Edmonton. This is an important aspect to consider when looking at his development, so I would agree.
2nd round
selection, Per Arthur Staple: D Ville Pokka of Karpat in Finland. 5-11, 187-lb, RH shot,
considered good two-way D prospect.
He is a good skater and
has an ability to join the developing play.
He’s also a good shooter and strong passer with good vision and the
ability to move through traffic with ease.
Pokka needs to bulk up to reach his top four defensive potential.
3rd round
selection: D Adam Pelech, Erie (OHL). 6-2, 210-lb, LH shot. Good size.
Pelech is described as
simple and effective in his approach to the game. He is known to be a shutdown, positional d-man with good reach to
neutralize opponents.
4th round
selection: D Loic Leduc of Cape Breton (QMJHL). 6-6, 194-lb. RH shot.
A big defensemen with
large wingspan.
5th round
selection: D Doyle Somerby of Mass. HS. (to Boston U.) 6-4, 230-lb.
Scout’s take on espn.go.com,
“He’s got great size, as a forward turned D-man, so he’s a pretty good puck
mover. He’s more of a stay-at-home defenseman, but a big, rangy kid. Good
smooth stride for a kid his size and good speed in flight.”
6th round
selection: D Jesse Graham of Niagara (OHL). 5-11, 170, Offense skills.
Good two-way defender with
good hands and hockey sense. Strong at skating the puck away from
dangerous situations.
7th round
selection: D Jake Bischoff of Grand Rapids (MN) HS.
Good overall game, strong
balance and strong stick skills.
The New York Islanders
finished the draft by selecting seven defensemen in seven rounds of the 2012
NHL Entry Draft. Per the New York
Islanders, The Isles “picked 7 defensemen from 6 different leagues; 4
Canadians, 2 Americans, 1 Fin. 3 of them stand 5'11" while the rest go
from 6'2"-6'5." I did say it was a deep defensive draft and more than just the Islanders went that way as well.
Prior to the Islanders 4th
pick, Commissioner Gary Bettman had a trade to announce for the New York
Islanders.
Before the Draft, Islanders General
Manager, Garth Snow spoke to some season ticket holders and promised he would
do his best to acquire a veteran defensemen via trade to start the season. He felt acquiring one via free agency would
be a tough sell, as it has been for the Islanders over the past few seasons.
Snow felt this would be the best way for his team to head into the July 1st
Free Agent period.
With that, Garth Snow and the
New York Islanders acquired D Lubomir
Visnovsky from the Ducks for a 2013 2nd-round pick. Per Arthur Staple, Visnosky turns 36 in August, has one year left
at a $5.6m cap hit ($3m actual salary). Was 6-21-27 in 68 GP for Anaheim coming
off an injury-plagued season.
Visnovsky is a reliable,
experienced defensemen with an offensive flair. In 2010-11 prior to his injury, he had a career best season going
18 and 50 for 68 pts in 81 games with a +18 rating. Over his 12 year NHL career, Visnovsky has 117 and 333 for 450
pts.
Visnovsky was Selected by Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round, #118 overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has played
for the L.A. Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks. In 2001, Visnovsky was voted to the NHL
all-rookie team. Visnovsky played for
Slovokia in World Championships winning a Silver Medal in 2000, Gold in 2002
and Bronze in 2003.
Isles Notes:
Per Arthur Staple, GM Garth Snow said he has no plans to chat with Allan
Walsh, PA Parenteau's agent, while at draft. PAP likely headed elsewhere in FA.
Per Christian Arnold, Isles
announced tix on sale for prospect scrimmage on Thursday, June 28. Will be @
Ice Works instead of the Coliseum this year.
Apparently the Colisieum was booked for the dates the team wanted to run
the scrimmage next week.
Per Bridgeport Sound
Tigers, Since 2006, nearly 50% of all Isles
draft picks have played at least one game for the Sound Tigers.
@HennyTweets is
reporting that Isles defender Steve Staios has joined the Maple Leafs
org as a scout.
Malcolm Subban and Brendan
Gaunce are first members of OHL Bulls to
be first round NHLDraft picks since Branislav Mezei in 1999 (Isles
selection at #10 overall in 1999 NHL Entry
Draft.)
NHL announces 2013 draft to be held in New Jersey and
the 2014 draft to be held in Philadelphia.
The New York Rangers take C Cristoval "Boo" Nieves from The Kent School (CT)
and Baldwinsville, NY. Someone I
profiled in my draft preview as an interesting late first, second round pick.
Per Bob McKenzie, “I would
expect first official face-to-face NHL-NHLPA meeting/CBA bargaining session to
happen by end of week, prior to July 1.”
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