The 2015 NHL Entry Draft, New York Islanders Part 2

On Friday night, Mathew Barzal told Garth Snow, "You guys came outta nowhere" while backstage at the NHL Draft. Snow replied with, "That's what we do".

Snow shocked a lot of people by trading Reinhart and then an additional pick for what later turned out to be two first round picks (Barzal & Beauvillier) for the Isles prospect pool.  After an offensively focused round 1 yesterday, Snow and the Islanders settled in for what could be done to add more defensive system depth in rounds 2 thru 7.

Round 3: 

With the 82nd overall pick, the Islanders selected defenseman Mitchell Vande Sompel.  Vande Sompel had 12 & 51 for 63 points in 58 games with the Oshawa Generals of the OHL.  He was summarized as an undersized (5’10, 185#), but also as a dynamic offensive defenseman who skates well & generates offensive pressure.  Vande Sompel is comfortable in both zones and was seen as one of the best offensive defenseman available in this year’s draft.

Round 4:

With the 112th overall pick, the Isles selected 6’0, 172# defenseman, Parker Wotherspoon of the WHL's Tri-City Americans.  Wotherspoon is known for his strong skating & stick handling ability.  Other qualities include hockey smarts with a calm and cool style while moving the puck and joining the rush.  He also has no problem stepping up to answer any physical challenges.  He has potential to be a top 4 D-Man capable of developing into a strong power play quarterback. 

Round 5:

With the 147th overall pick, New York selected defenseman, Ryan Pilon of the WHL's Brandon Wheat Kings.  Pilon is the nephew of storied physical defensemen, Rich Pilon and stands at 6’2, 200#.  Known as another solid two-way defenseman with a strong work ethic, Pilon has been called a tenacious & fairly complete D prospect who is capable of stepping up to many challenges.  Pilon has a hard shot and good skating ability that enables him to manage the ice well and make him effective in all 3 zones.

Round 6:

The Islanders made history when they selected defensemen, Andong Song of Lawrenceville School (NJ) with the 172nd pick. Song (6’0, 161#) is the first ever Chinese-born player selected in the NHL Entry Draft.  He captained China at the 2015 U-18 World Jr. Championships (D-II).  Lawrenceville coach Etienne Bilodeau said Song is a steady go-to player on the ice who handles the puck well, has good positioning and is very reliable on both sides of the puck.

Round 7:

With the 202nd overall pick, the Islanders selected 6’1, 176# defenseman, Petter Hansson of Linkoping (Sweden).   Hansson had 15 & 19 for 34 pts in 38 games this past season with Linkoping's Jr. Team and has won a J18 silver & J20 bronze medal.  He was also the top goals and points scorer in the J20 14-15 campaign.

Isles Notes:

Per Arthur Staple, “Isles head scout Trent Klatt on first-rounder Mathew Barzal: "He's a top 5 player in any other draft... He's just really flippin' good."

Former Islander’s prospect, Griffin Reinhart on NYI: “It’s a little bit disappointing but they treated me well, I just wasn’t in their plans.”

Per Hockey Analytics Writer, @garik16, “Isles wind up with prospects ranked in the NHL Nations top 45 at 8, 12, 24, and 32. Pretty damn good.”