NHL Draft Preview: New York Islanders
One year removed from selecting John Tavares first overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders are back with a top five pick in the 2010 draft. While Tavares had a strong rookie season, his team won just 34 games and another season went by without a playoff appearance. Islanders captain Doug Weight has stated that Tavares will be a major part of New York’s rebuilding effort.
New York’s front office will try to add another solid player at the June 25 draft so Tavares won’t be on his own. They have selected forwards with their last three top ten picks (Kyle Okposo 2006, Josh Bailey 2008, John Tavares 2009) and may look for blueline help this year. New York also really needs help on defense; they gave up the third most goals per game in the NHL last season (3.15).
New York has the fifth overall selection. The two most highly touted defensemen in the 2010 draft class are Erik Gudbranson and Cam Fowler. If either of them are available, expect New York to take one of them. If not, they will take a good look at Brandon Gormley. Gormley will be coming out of the QMJHL, which is considered weaker than the WHL and OHL. He has tremendous ice vision and is mature enough that he could very well play in the NHL next season.
Another strategy the Islanders may employ is to obtain a forward to play alongside Tavares. If they do this, they may end up taking RW Brett Connolly. This pick all depends on Connolly passing his physicals, as he has suffered hip and groin problems last season, limiting him to 16 games.
New York has a lot of pressure to surround Tavares with good players while he is still with the team and in his prime. Their front office will go into this draft having done a great deal of research and will hope to come out with a better team.