Wednesday, May 20, 2009

NYI - 2009 NHL Entry Draft Layout

First off, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to come to Islanders Net. It has been a long time since this website was last up and running, as you can tell by the Jeff Tambellini article below this one.  I aim to publish two to three articles per week, and hopefully inspire the readers to make comments and suggestions on each one.  Now back to the hockey…

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft, in my personal opinion, will prove to be much more important for the Islanders future than the 2008 Draft. While the first overall pick is obviously tremendously important,  I base this opinion on the fact that the Islanders began something last year that we must continue this year, and each and every year after that. Just like the success that has entrenched itself in Detroit through the drafting process, the Islanders began the development pipeline last year by selecting talented players in each round, and each and every year proves more important than the last in selecting premium talent that will blossom, develop, and continue the winning tradition. This year, with 11 picks currently under the Islanders belt, Assistant General Manager Ryan Jankowski, as well as Garth Snow and the entire scouting staff are placed with the responsibility of selecting eleven players that can all hopefully develop into NHL caliber talent.

Here is the breakdown of the Islanders selections for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft:

1st Round:

*1st Overall Pick (NYI)

*26th Overall Pick (Traded from San Jose to Tampa Bay, Traded from Tampa Bay to Ottawa, Traded from Ottawa to the NYI)

2nd Round:

*31st Overall Pick (NYI)

*37th Overall Pick (Traded from Toronto to the NYI at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft)

*56th Overall Pick (Traded from Boston to the NYI)

3rd Round:

*62nd Overall Pick (NYI)

*88th, 89th, 90th, or 91st Pick (Traded from Pittsburgh to the NYI through the Guerin trade – Based on how well Pittsburgh does in the playoffs)

4th Round:

*92nd Overall Pick (NYI)

5th  Round:

*121st Overall Pick (NYI)

6th Round:

*151st Overall Pick (NYI)

7th Round:

*181st Overall Pick (NYI)

As you can see, the Islanders really do have their work cut out for them. Considering their last place finish in the league this past year, as well as the luck of winning the Lottery, the Islanders are fortunate enough to select first in each round. While the first overall pick is very important, the second pick we have in the first round (26th overall), as well as the first pick we have in the second round (31st overall), will prove to be defining picks for this franchise. With three picks in the top 31, and five picks in the top 56 of this year’s extremely deep draft, the Islanders pipeline could find itself flooding with talent if done correctly.

Justin’s Opinion:

For each of my new blogs that permits its use, I will be providing this opinion section at the bottom so that readers can agree or disagree with me. My goal is to get the reader to put his opinion in the comments section so that we can stir up some intelligent hockey conversation.

As for my opinion, I believe that the Islanders will be selecting less than eleven times at this year’s draft. While we may have eleven picks, I believe some packaging is in order. It would not surprise me at all, or anyone for that matter, if the Islanders packaged the 26th overall pick, along with two of their second round picks in order to obtain a pick somewhere in the 8th pick to 15th pick range. Who they pick with this pick, in my opinion, is dependent on who they pick with the first overall pick. While I want the Islanders to draft Tavares first overall and then select a power-forward with the pick we acquired, I believe that if Snow selects Tavares with the first overall pick, they will be looking to draft a solid defenseman with this pick.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if the Islanders draft the giant Swedish defenseman, Victor Hedman, I believe we may see some larger-scale wheeling and dealing by Snow, as the Islanders desperately need a first line center. What they would package, I am unsure, however, I believe that Snow truly acknowledges the need for that first-line franchise center. While Greg Logan of Newsday has provided his way method for the Islanders obtaining Matt Duchene and Victor Hedman, which I would love, I do not believe that a complicated three-way trade such as that one will come to fruition. My reason for this is simple: the Montreal Canadiens are willing to pay a devils’ ransom for the services of Lecavalier, while Logan’s trade proposal does not provide the Lightning with a large enough compensation for the services of Lecavalier.

Is there a way for the Islanders to select Victor Hedman, and then package together numerous picks, and maybe a young roster player (Bergenheim? Comeau?) in order to land the 3rd Overall Pick as well ? What do you think?

Up Next on Isles Net:

Considering the Islanders season is over until the much-anticipated night of June 26th, 2009, I will be keeping my blogs geared towards Islanders draft analysis and personal opinion. The blogs coming up in the next two weeks will provide readers with plenty to talk about, as they will analyze all aspects of the Islanders draft. Also, for those who like to read outside of the Islanders blogosphere, I will be making sure to incorporate a few write-ups about the highly entertaining Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As always, comments and questions are greatly appreciated. They can be submitted into the Comments section by clicking the link below this blog.

-Justin

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