Sunday, June 19, 2016

KoC 2016 Draft and Free Agency Preview


The chances of Matt Martin, Kyle Okposo and now even Frans Nielsen getting signed are dwindling.  Recent rumors have talks with Nielsen progressing, but the money wanted by Okposo and Martin is said to be enough for the Islanders to look elsewhere to shure up what has been a talented, but lacking roster.  "It's kind of tough. We'll see what happens, but I think all of Long Island would like him back," Cizikas said on the possibility of Martin’s departure from the Islanders organization.  After Cizikas was given a higher than 4th line center’s raise ($3.35M per), it obvious changes are coming, even for what’s expected of him.  Garth Snow said of Okposo, “Kyle has been a terrific player for us, a great person off it. The salary cap is a reality. I wish Kyle nothing but the best.”  This is a business for players the same way it is for the teams.  Both sides need to protect their own interests.  And don’t discount a chance for the rights of an Okposo or Martin be traded prior to the draft in order to add to the day’s assets.  I’m sure the Wild would be high on Okposo and several teams would want to complete their agitation line with Martin.  In that way, Snow could stack the odds with who could get an early shot at signing them far, far, away.



So when you look into the draft that’s happening next week (June 24th & 25th) in Buffalo, the Islanders go in having the 19th, 110th, 170th, 193rd and 200th pick in the 7 rounds of the NHL Entry Draft.  I’d like the Isles draft Jesse Puljujarvi, but he’ll be gone in the top 3, so where does that leave New York?  I think they will add to the pipeline with the later picks or use them to sweeten possible trade offers.  They could also use the 19th pick in some kind of draft day deal as a big piece to help add a player to their stable.  If they did use the pick, or trade up, and if they were available to swing it, I’d choose between a couple of talent forwards in this year’s draft.  In an unlikely trade up scenario, my choice would be Matthew Tkachuk (LW,London) who may go as high as 4th or 5th, but his scoring touch (38g and 95pts) and hockey sense say he is worth the price. Another player I like is the more attainable, 6’4, 224# play-maker, Julien Gauthier (RW, Val-d’Or).  He’s a talented grinder who tallied 38g and 73pts in 68 regular season games, but fell from 10th to 21st in the winter rankings and is now 12th after his late post season drop-off.



I feel the real summer plans of Snow and his Islanders will be one of real change.  Some players will be shed and some added to remix their playoff formula for next season.  They will be banking on the organizational guys they feel are a necessary part of the core.  And while I think the Isles are less likely to trade up for unproven, blue chip talent, I think they will spend money on “proven” assets to compliment John Tavares and crew.  Whether that is a big money signing, a major trade with a cap strapped team or another safer bet, reclamation project, the Islanders should be busy looking to make a few bigger acquisitions than we are used to.  Could a blockbuster trade for frustrated Oilers F, Ryan Nugent Hopkins or Taylor Hall be made?  Not sure if the cost could be amiable to the Islanders.  Rostered players like Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey (I know) still need to be much better to remain long term while guys like Shane Prince and Alan Quine will probably be given a shot to compete for a bigger place with the squad.



Previously seen “untouchables” like Jaroslav Halak, Ryan Strome or Brock Nelson could see themselves packaged for a high end upgrade along with most of the talented Isles prospects not named Barzal, Beauvillier or Ho-Sang.  Even stud net minding prospects like Sorokin, Koskinen or McAdam could be a requested piece for the right trade.  The Islanders have spent $56.7M against next year’s cap so far.  Some “right-now” type, veteran acquisitions that would suit their needs are guys like Milan Lucic, Andrew Ladd, Jiri Hudler, David Backes or Mikkel Boedker.  A healthy Steven Stamkos would surely be a fit with JT, but his apparent $11M per, multi-year deal may be more than the Isles are comfortable committing to, even if he would sign here. And don’t count out a look into veterans like Scott Hartnell or even a Thomas Vanek if a buy-out or salary splitting trade could be negotiated. 



Whatever happens over the next several weeks, you can be sure the team will be re-fitted and reworked to try and address the shortcomings of the last few seasons.  Whether it works or not is yet to be seen.  But job number one should be locking in a primary partner for John Tavares on the first line and being sure that the mix of young guns and veterans will finally be enough to compete for a deep playoff run.  The Islanders need to find and tweak their group until the right mix and method can be employed. I doubt the new majority ownership of Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin will want to do anything less than win as soon as possible.  And I am sure they won’t be too resistant to change or struggle to rethink a system if they feel the current version isn’t working.  Remember that the Pittsburgh Penguins went from an out-of-playoff position in December and firing their head coach to Stanley Cups Champions in the same season.


No excuses.





Isles Notes:


Per Arthur Staple, “First NHL buyout window opens today (15th). Not expecting any Isles to be bought out, though window stays open until June 30.”


The Islanders annual Blue & White scrimmage happens at the Northwell Health Ice Center on June 29th.



NHL Notes:


R.I.P. Gordie Howe


NHL approves Las Vegas for expansion in 17-18.


“Teams cannot reacquire players they trade after Jan 1, 2017 prior to January 1, 2018. This is to prevent teams from entering arrangements to “hide” players from the expansion draft. There will likely be a lot more guidelines as a part of this rule.


Teams have to expose at least two forwards and one defensemen who have played either 40 games in the previous season (2016-17) or 70 games in the previous seasons (2015-17). Teams can only lose a max of one player.



The expansion team must select players that have a total value of between 60 and 100 percent of the 2016-17 salary cap.



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