Play It Forward B-Roll As of now, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-nikolaj-ehlers-rutger-mcgroarty-winnipeg-jets-2024-nhl-draft-trade] own five picks at the 2024 NHL Draft. The question is, what are the Islanders' plans, especially through the first two rounds? The good news for the Islanders is that they have three glaring needs and three picks through the opening two rounds to address them. GOAL 1 Arguably, their biggest need is a bonafide top-six winger, and the latest we are hearing is that they are interested in Nikolaj Ehlers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-nikolaj-ehlers-rutger-mcgroarty-winnipeg-jets-2024-nhl-draft-trade] out of Winnipeg. Certainly, the Islanders aren't the only team that has shown interest in the Danish forward, and if another team has a pick better than No. 20, the 28-year-old will probably land elsewhere. But there are other forwards out there that could be on the move, like Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas and Anaheim Ducks Trevor Zegras, just to name a few. Those examples aren't easy adds at all and likely would cost more than just the first, and with a barren prospect pool, it does make it difficult for the Islanders to compete. Other examples include Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi, Winnipeg Jets center and winger Cole Perfetti, and New Jersey Devils left winger Alexander Holtz, The point is there are options. Let's say the Islanders do land a forward with the 20th pick. That means they are bringing aboard a player who likely carries a significant cap hit, and with just $5.8 million in available cap space, that means the Islanders need to shed some, especially since they haven't re-signed any of their pending free agents yet. GOAL 2 If the Islanders also want to get a middle-six forward and potentially another defenseman in free agency they have to actually have the cap space to do that. Although free agency lasts all summer, most names will fly off the board once free agency opens on Monday at noon eastern. That's where one of the two second-round picks could come into play. In a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks at the end of May, the Islanders acquired the 20th, 54th, and 61st selections in exchange for their 18th and 50th selections. To sum things up, the Islanders dropped down two spots in the first round for an additional second-round selection. After Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson spoke about the deal with the Islanders at the 2024 NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, it was clear that Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello initiated the deal. That makes us think that it was a precursor for another move, potentially one to move an undesired contract off the books. We've spoken often about Jean-Gabriel Pageau and the final two years of his deal worth $5 million annually coming off the books, which could cost a second. It would be a shock, but if the Islanders want to really give themselves significant cap space, moving Anders Lee and the final two years of his deal at $7 million annually certainly would be a franchise-altering move for multiple reasons. Who knows? If the two sides can't agree on an extension, it could open the doors for a player like Tampa Bay Lightning Steven Stamkos to come to Long Island, just a thought. The Islanders could also consider a buyout, but they will likely not pursue that option before the window closes on June 30th at 5 PM ET. GOAL 3 The NHL Draft is a great spot to bolster the prospect pool, and if the Islanders use No. 20 to get a scorer and one of their seconds to unload a contract, that means they have four more picks to select players. Sure, the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounders, and even the second, may not pan out -- that's why you trade a pick for a bonafide NHLer every day of the week unless it's a lottery pick -- it's important to bolster the prospect pool. The Islanders are welcoming defensemen Isaiah George and Calle Odelius to the organization this fall, but New York currently severely lacks center depth outside of the NHL. Right now, Bridgeport has one center signed, Cam Thiesing. Just because the Islanders draft a prospect, that doesn't mean they are joining the organization immediately. Some may still have a year or two of junior eligibility or college. Or, some may be locked into contracts overseas. But knowing there are potential players in the pipeline is important. And maybe, just maybe, one hits. SEND OUT THE HATS In a perfect world, the Islanders would be able to use their draft capital to acquire the scorer, move the contract, and acquire the prospect. Ideally, if we are talking about importance, the prospect part -- contrary to popular belief -- is the least important while creating cap space might be the most. We are just a few hours away from the 2024 NHL Draft, which begins at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
