Your New York Islanders fell short last year when they were
eliminated in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games.
Your New York Islanders put on a tremendous 11-2-4 run
towards the end of the season and made the playoffs for the first time since
the 06-07.
No matter which sentence fits your idea of the Islanders
playoff appearance this season, you know that they improved as a team and did several
things right. Their improvement through
adversity, especially to close the season can not be ignored.
Although Evgeni Nabokov was a huge reason the Isles were
able to reach the playoffs, he also was 2 & 4 with a .842 Sv% & a 4.44
gaa while in the playoffs. Despite
their improved defensive play, the Isles patchwork defense needs an upgrade as
well as their top two forward lines. John
Tavares needs a bonafide top forward on his line. This will allow him more room and open up the Isles offense. Last summer, the Isles went all in on D, how about this summer?
This summer, your New York Islanders will have the 15th pick
in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Additional 2013 draft picks include the 76th, 106th, 116th, 136th,
166th and 196th.
Although their biggest need is on the blue line, and in net,
the Isles have a deep stock at the position.
Quality forwards may be the way to go this summer, because there are some talented
guys available if the Isles hold their 15th position. There are at least two defensive prospects that stand out to me as well,
but I don't see a 1st round pick used for a goaltender. Maybe a second round pick, but the Isles don't have one of those. Garth Snow has said he might trade up, back or
trade the pick outright if the offer was right, lets look at a few scenarios
that the Isles could do with using the pick.
Bo Horvat, C, London Knights, OHL, 6-0, 206#:
Horvat had 33 goals and 61 pts in the OHL this season with
London. Well known for being a smart,
gritty, two way player, Horvat has a strong defensive game and a quick release
on his shot. Among the forwards
available, he is said to be the most NHL ready.
Anthony
Mantha, RW, Val D'QR, QMJHL, 6-4, 190#:
Mantha reached the 50 goal mark this season with Val D'OR this season. As a forward with good size and skills to match, he can also power by defenders on his way to the net without being called flashy.
Darnell Nurse, D, Soo Greyhounds, OHL, 6-4, 185#:
Nurse is an active and hard nosed defense men with positional
awareness on the blue line. With his size and skill already playing close to an
NHL game, he could fit in well with the future Isles defensive core.
Max Domi, C, London Knights, OHL, 5-9, 195#:
With NHL bloodlines, Max Domi is a skilled center men that
was able to put up 49 and 87 points in his first two seasons in the OHL despite
his smaller size. Much like his dad, Domi is an energetic player who is
tenacious on the ice and makes his team mates better as they feed off his
energy.
Valentin Zykov, LW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar, QMJHL, 6-0, 208#:
Zykov had 40 goals and 70 points in the first QMJHL this
season. Solid on his feet with good skating, Zykov is said to be a character
guy who shouldn't be compared to players who make it all about themselves.
Nikita Zadorov, D, London Knights, OHL, 6-4, 200#:
Standing an impressive 6-4, Zadorov is what NHL teams are
looking for on defense. Although he will need more experience before reaching
the pro level, with the right "schooling," he could be a punishing
and powerful force on defense.
Pavel Buchnevich, LW, Cherepovets, KHL, 6-1, 161#:
Touted as a pure goal scorer and complete offensive talent,
Buchnevich has the potential to be a top NHL forward. Will his Russian roots
affect his draft selection hopes?
Zach Fucale, G, Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL, 6-1, 181#:
Fucale is probably the consensus pick for best goaltender in
the draft and his resume shows it. He
has won all-rookie, all-star, goaltender and players awards, including an Ivan
Hlinka gold medal, QMJHL champion award and CHL cup.
The top players in the Isles system on offense right now are
Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson, Nino Niederreiter, Kirill Kabanov and Anders
Lee. Defensive players include Calvin
deHaan, Griffin Reinhart, Matt Donovan, Aaron Ness, Ville Pokka, Adam Pelech,
Scott Mayfield. The top prospects in
net are Kevin Poulin and Anders Nilsson with Mikko Koskinen. The rest of the system has several good
prospects, but all are far from even the AHL level at this time. Although a few of the prospects, namely
Brock Nelson & Matt Donovan could crack the line up out of training camp,
infusing too much inexperience could set this team back instead of help it
surge forward.
The chance that the Isles are approached to trade the pick
for an NHL level prospect or for interesting salary cap moves is also a real
possibility. Nino has been in the news again for the wrong reasons and perhaps Poulin could be traded if the right deal came along. If we did lose players with upsides like that, I would hope for a lot in return. The Islanders have
talented prospects that could be packaged with picks to bring more high level
talent to the team as well. I think
trades will need to be made and something will have to be given up to get the
battle ready players that are needed in the line up now. We wont really know what the picture starts
to look like for the Isles until after the NHL Entry Draft, Free Agency period
opens and the time leading up to camp reveals how the market is looking. Technically, better quality players should
be available for less because several teams need to shed salary and have too
many assets.
Going into the NHL Entry Draft weekend, here is my veteran free agent want list
for the Isles to fill from:
F:
David Clarkston, RW, age 29 Grit
& scoring touch would compliment the Isles.
Mike Ribeiro, C, age 33 Scoring
touch, special teams.
Patrik Elias, LW, age 37 Scoring
touch, Veteran leadership, winner, Some. to prove.
Daniel Briere, RW, age 35 Scoring
touch, Veteran leadership, Something to prove.
Bryan Bickell, LW, age 27
Big, Strong, Offensive
awareness, Strong in playoffs.
Pascal Dupuis, RW, age 34 Veteran
play maker, winner.
D:
Keith Yandle, D, age 26 Offensive
defense men with strong +/-.
Rob Scuderi, D, age 34 Veteran
defender could use change of scenery.
Ian White, D, age 29 Offensive upside when healthy,
strong +/-.
The goalies listed below are talented & expendable on
the teams they currently play for.
G:
Jaroslav Halak, age 28 Solid
veteran could respond well to opportunity w/ Isles.
Ray Emery, age 30 Ready to breakout, better than a
back up.
Ryan Miller, age 32 Solid veteran, Reborn, sound example for
prospects, winner.
With Bernier off the market and going to Toronto, where will the Isles look for a net minder capeable of big things? I would prefer to stay away from Luongo or Bryzgalov. I feel for different reasons, both would become a distraction to a team that needs to focus on themselves as a team and look ahead to their collective future.
Its all been said by myself and countless others. The Isles have made strides last year, but
there weaknesses were also evident.
While drafting well is important, Garth Snow needs to feel the Islanders
growing pains while maintaining his core group. That means adding a few veteran pieces from out of house are
necessary to take the next step. I
believe certain prospects will step up soon, but in my opinion, a top Forward
and defense men is needed badly for Long Island. A solid, veteran goaltender who is ready to take the starting
position and fight for it must be counted on to win big games and do better in
the playoffs as the team matures until their prospects are ready.
I trust in Garth Snow and I hope quality moves that make
sense can be made to improve our team.
But I also hope a big name or coveted player can be won over to our side
to quiet some of the unsatisfied in Islander country.
In the end, we just want to win for a little while and capture
another cup. A changing of the guard.
Is that so wrong?
Notes:
See you at the Isles Draft Party! Get your free tickets here.
Thanks to Chris Peters for some well written insight on eligible draft prospects.
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