The 2014 NHL Entry Draft: Isles Edition

With the NHL Draft set for Friday, your New York Islanders are looking to upgrade their current player roster.  Whether it be by pick or trade, the Isles should do well with the results of the day.  Per B.D. Gallof, "The only ay the #5 pick is dealt by Isles they are able to move forward - otherwise they will pick at that 5th spot.  Isles no longer rebuild comfortable, accumulating picks.They need to laser select a quality NHL prospect OR gain quality player thru deal."  The option to move back is there as well, but the drop off is said to significant later in the round.  A few weeks ago, I gave my choice for NHL goalies, defensemen & forwards the Isles should make a play for in free agency or by trade.


6/25 UPDATE:  Per Arthur Staple, "Isles have been working the phones since 12:01 AM to touch base with numerous FAs, Matt Niskanen and Brad Richards believed among them.  As to one of their own players, appears that Isles RFA Anders Lee will be taking his QO on a one-year deal for next season."
 

If Garth Snow keeps the 5th overall pick & with Aaron Ekblad off the board early, my drafting choices are:

Sam Reinhart, C, Kootenay, WHL.  At 6'1, 186#, Reinhart is calm attacker with good vision, hands and instincts.  He has captained 2 gold medals with Team Canada and scored an impressive 105 pts in the WHL last season.

Michael Dal Colle, LW, Oshawa, OHL.  Another big forward at 6'2, 183#, Dal Colle is a strong skater who plays a solid two way game.  He has been named OHL all-rookie, OHL all-star and has a 2013-14 Gold Medal with Team Canada.  In 13-14, Dal Colle scored 95 pts. in 67 gp.

Nicholas Ritchie, LW, Peterborough, OHL.  At 6'3, 236#, Ritchie is a prototype power forward who has great agility & can skate well in addition to his physical game.  He had 74 pts in 64 games last season.

William Nylander, RW, Sodertalje/Div 2-Sweden.  Described as "Dynamic," the 5'11, 181# Nylander is a skilled player with great hands who can use his speed to distribute the puck very well, but needs improvement defensively.  With seven different league & Intl. teams last season, Nylander totaled 53 pts. in 81 gp.

Adrian Kempe, RW, Modo Jr., Sweden-Jr.  The 6'2, 187# bullish LW has a tenacious work ethic and an imposing physical game with a solid fore check.  Kempe's heavy shot was good enough for 52 pts. in 88 games for Modo & Intl. play.

My outside shot is Thatcher Demko.  The top ranked North American goaltender from Boston College.  This U.S. born keeper has 2 internation silver medals and secured a solid 2.24 gaa with a .919Sv% last ssn in 24 gp.

###

Snow has also hinted that he is willing to move the 5th overall pick if the right deal can be made.  If quality prospects are packed with that pick, the Islanders could get themselves a key piece to their playoff puzzle.  It's unlikely that guys like Strome, de Haan or Lee would be moved, but rumors of rostered players like Josh Bailey could add the necessary value to close the deal.  Per Darren Dreger, "NHL gm's say Islanders forward Josh Bailey is a trade target. 9th overall in 2008. Under contract thru 2017-18. Would take a lot to get him." 

After signing JaroHalak, Garth Snow traded for Dan Boyle's rights in hopes of adding a top defensemen to the roster, but that doesn't seem to be happening.  On 6/18, Pierre LeBrun revealed on Twitter that, "Isles GM Garth Snow says he's now shopping Dan Boyle's rights, having been unable to sign the pending UFA defenseman."  Darren Dreger added, "Told Boyle is intrigued by Isles offer and interested, but remains undecided. Still firm on a 2 year deal."  Dreger continued, "For the record, the Islanders did offer Boyle a 2 yr deal. Not sure on the $, but he's likely to make upwards of $5 mil per as a ufa."  Hopefully Snow can flip his negotiating rights, even though time winding down fast. The Isles should look to add a quality D-man via trade and look to free agency for a top forward.  

It was also revealed that Snow attempted to re-sign Evgeni Nabokov as Halak's back up.  Per Garth Snow on Nabokov, "We offered him a 1 year deal that he turned down. It looks like he will become a free agent."  With Nabby moving on, Snow will need to look elsewhere for a solid back up to share some of the burden in net with Halak.  Not adding Boyle or resigning Nabokov is OK with me. I respect both as players, but there are better fits available by trade or FA for Isles.  Don't forget that Ray Emery was an Isles target on July 1st of last year and the team is familiar with Al Montoya.  These guys aren't on the top of my list, but they may indeed get a look.

Teams with a surplus at a specific position or an unhappy player are the way to go for Snow and the Islanders to make a deal.  It is also important to keep in mind that current Isles defender/s could likely be moved with a healthy Visnovsky & Reinhart most likely joining the team.  It's unfortunate, but guys like Donovan may find themselves on the bubble.

With names like Hiller, Raanta, Vokoun, LaBarbera, Giguere, Lindback, Niskanen, Parenteau, Jokinen, Koivu, Thorton available as free agents or not being offered contract extensions, there will be opportunities for other teams to make a play for their services.  For what its worth, there are rumors that players like Evander Kane, Patrick Sharp, Dion Phaneuf are being shopped around for a trade as well.

With the new CBA, as of June 25 at 12:01 a.m. ET, teams can now start talking to pending UFAs from other clubs ahead of July 1.  While no formal offers can be made before July 1, it does give GM's a chance to see who is interested.

Isles Notes:

I'll see you at the NVMC for the Islanders 2014 NHL Draft Party on Friday June 27th @ 7:00 pm.  Ryan Strome and Calvin de Haan will be on hand to sign autographs on the concourse outside the teamstore.

Isles will visit @NHLDevils on October 2 at 7 PM for a preseason game from @PruCenter. Also faceoff Sep 26 @barclayscenter.

To download your New York Islanders 2014-15 schedule to your phone, tablet or computer, click here.

Taylor Cammarata has been invited to USA Hockey's world junior evaluation camp.

Per Chris Botta, "Said on SBJ podcast that Barroway/partners trying to buy 80% of Isles. Some took it to mean he's paying 400 mill for 80%. Uh, no.  Charles Wang's valuation of the Islanders franchise is $400 million."

As draft day got closer, teams announced that certain free agents would not be re-signed and news spread of others wanting to be traded.  Jason Spezza wanted a trade from Ottawa, but not to the NYI or FLA, CBJ, NSH.  They were all on his no trade list.  Why the Isles would want a declining and often injured Spezza is beyond me anyway.  It was another jab at the organization's ego, but hardly an issue.

NHL Notes:

Chicago Blackhawks will be the Washington Capitals' opponent at the 2015 Winter Classic. 

Blake, Forsberg, Hasek, Modano, Burns & McCreary elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.