Isles fans probably entered the night thinking about fantasy-type trades, a Lee or Lehner signing and maybe even moving up for a stud target in this year’s draft. The truth is, the Isles are in win-now mode, and Lou Lamoriello knows this more than anyone. Barry Trotz took the reins and never looked back last season. He squeezed every ounce of heart out of every player on the roster, and the team bought into his system. The result was a close-knit, hardworking squad that pushed through to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Next season will different by way of expectations and probably the look of the roster.
Many speculate that means trading for a key piece or two to address the scoring and power play concerns. In last year’s draft, the Isles made some solid picks and bolstered their stable of prospects. Some of which could be used as assets or currency to shape the 2019-20 roster along with the farm in Bridgeport. I asked fans on Twitter if they wanted the Islanders to focus on Drafting or trading. 58% wanted trading to be the focus and 42% on the draft. Let’s move ahead to this year’s draft, round 1.
At the start of the evening, the Islanders hold:
Round 1: #23 overall.
#23 Simon Holmstrom, RW, 6’1, 198#, HV71 Jonkoping
Isles go off the board a bit and select Simon Holmstrom. The 18-year-old Holmstrom is known as an offensively skilled player who skates very well, can beat defenders cleanly and has good hands. Called a competitor who uses deception to make plays and has an underrated two-way game. Explosive passer and sly puck mover with a strong wrist shot. Called a character player who puts the team first. Needs to stay healthy (hip surgery, broken thumb, concussion) and have more development to play in the NHL. It has been noted that without his recent injury history, Holmstrom would probably have been a mid to high-level first round pick.
Per Barry Trotz, "What our scouts are saying is he's got a great release, lots of quickness, real good hockey IQ … hopefully he'll be a good match ... when you're watching him and (Mathew) Barzal walking together. Hopefully they'll play together someday."
Holmstrom played 21 games with HV71 J20 with 7 goals and 21 pts with a +7 rating. In the postseason, he scored 1 & 3 for 4 points. In J18, had 1 & 3 for 4 pts in 5 playoff games. Holmstrom played one game with SHL’s HV71. He helped Team Sweden win a gold medal in the U18 World Championship this past season.
Per Andrew Gross, “Isles first round pick Simon Holmstrom said he tries to pattern his game after Peter Forsberg and Mathew Barzal. Said he was excited to meet Barzal tonight.”
Day 2:
Round 2, #57 overall (via CGY).
Round 5, #147 overall.
Round 6, #178 overall.
Round 7, #209 overall.
Isles Notes:
Per Arthur Staple, “Lamoriello says #Isles have qualified all their RFAs except John Stevens.”
Per Andrew Gross, “For the Islanders, going into their second season of splitting games between the Coliseum and Barclays Center, it will mark their first home opener in Uniondale since a 4-3 win over the Hurricanes on Oct. 11, 2014.”
Per Andrew Gross, “Lou says Isles hired Jim Hiller as an assistant because they believed they would lose Lane Lambert, who did not get Ducks job. Lou says no other coaching personnel moves at this time. But sounds like still being evaluated.”
NHL announces rule changes for 2019-20 season
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