Why So Defensive?

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 4^th 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.

2^nd 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.

3^rd 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.

 

4^th round selection: D Loic Leduc of Cape Breton (QMJHL).  6-6, 194-lb. RH shot.

A big defensemen with large wingspan.

5^th 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.” 

6^th 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.

7^th 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 4^th 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 1^st 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 Notes:

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.”