Country Club Islanders? On Friday, the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/breaking-islanders-and-blackhawks-swing-surprising-2024-nhl-draft-trade] and Chicago Blackhawks made a deal revolving around draft picks. The Islanders essentially dropped down two spots in the first round while doubling up on the second-rounders. Here's more on the trade: It was the first trade between the two sides since the Islanders sent their longest-tenured player, Josh Bailey, and a 2026 second-round pick for future considerations. The biggest question is, what was the point of this trade? Let's dive into the potential reasons why Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello made this move. IMPROVING THE PROSPECT POOL The Islanders' prospect pool doesn't have any sure NHL players in the pipeline, and year after year, they find themselves ranked toward the bottom of the league. This past season, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler ranked them last in the league. This early draft pick trade by Lamoriello could be as simple as acquiring more draft capital. The Islanders need to replenish with both quality and quantity and acquiring an extra second-rounder for the price of moving down six spots is opportunistic business. SETUP FOR A BIG TRADE There's no question that if the Islanders want to improve in 2024-25, they need to add this summer. Last year it was Bo Horvat and Pierre Engvall were ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline. This summer, it could be another big name—perhaps Nikolaj Ehlers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-nikolaj-ehlers-jets-horvat-barzal-lamoriello]. Here's our piece on what it likely would take to acquire the Winnipeg Jets forward. It shouldn't take a first-round pick, but it could take a second and a prospect or NHLer. Now, New York has an extra second-rounder to use. Could this move be to soften the blow of trading more draft capital? Other options may be available via trade in addition to Ehlers, but the Islanders' front office usually conceals its intentions. Fans may have to wait and see. Now, if the Islanders do want to make a move for Ehlers or any other player or sign a free agent, they need additional cap space and can use one of the second-round picks to move a contract if need be. Kai Russell contributed to this story. TOP STORIES
