Ben Shelley: Islanders should try to avoid trading draft picks going forward

Ben Shelley: Islanders should try to avoid trading draft picks going forward
- Ben Shelley

It all depends on the return. The Isles are in win-now mode, so trading more picks, none of which are going to be in the Top 25 in the draft, could make sense. If they can pry a solid player that fits a need from a team in rebuild mode, and it requires one or more draft picks, among other assets, why not do it? After the first 25 picks, the draft is largely a crapshoot anyway.

If the right commodity (scorer) comes back, bye bye picks! Time to win is now. Barry is halfway thru his contract and Lou isn't getting younger, besides they have one if not the oldest team (with Boychuk) in the league. Time is now, new building (assuming people can go to it) next year. As Adrian said......WIN!

if Loop Hole Lou cn get Ladd to go on LTIR, then your cap problems are solved. However if Ladd is healthy he needs to be traded and an adequate sweetener will be required. Being that his contract has 3 yrs left, at least a $1M salary retention will be required as well, or 2 sweeteners will be required.
Maybe he can be traded with $2M retained and adding Ho Sang and a 2nd, that would avoid an A prospect and a 1st......
We will see

While one or 2 of the Whalstrom, Holmstrom, Bellows, and yes JHS may not pan out to be a top 6 player... the odds are that at least one of them will pan out.

Does Beau performance last year finally put him into that category? My guess is yes.. Bellows and Whalstrom can score goals. They are just having trouble being complete players in a Trotz system. That will come.. the scoring is the hard part.

Really hope we have a friggin season at this point. Would be perfect Isles luck to have the season cancelled right as they are starting to compete at a top level.

I would agree but if we can get a scorer that puts us over the hump I would gladly move picks

Can’t say don’t do it if you can get that piece that brings you the chalice.

Can’t say don’t do it if you can get that piece that brings you the chalice.
- nyisles7

True, but I’d be damn hesitant to move any more 1st rounders.

True, but I’d be damn hesitant to move any more 1st rounders.
- Wildschwein

If there’s another Komarov out there and available I don’t see any hesitation with Lou parting with a first.

If there’s another Komarov out there and available I don’t see any hesitation with Lou parting with a first.
- Cptmjl

The guy speaks 4 languages. How valuable is THAT in the locker room?

Uncle Leo leading by example and wearing a Cage full time to protect the eyes is worth at least 2 first round picks.

True, but I’d be damn hesitant to move any more 1st rounders.
- Wildschwein

Would think it would have to be a really needed piece.

True, but I’d be damn hesitant to move any more 1st rounders.
- Wildschwein

Those are the decision that make the GMs earn their money. It’s a risk, typically calculated but the draft picks aren’t going to get you the Cup now.
Dam, it’s so easy being a GM on HB.

The guy speaks 4 languages. How valuable is THAT in the locker room?
- JohnScammo

You starting to repeat yourself ?

msg+ airing an old game from Dec 2013.. Isles vs Minnesota. Think this is the first game we actually saw what Okposo could do when he gave 100% every shift. He as a completely different player in front of his home crowd.

If there’s another Komarov out there and available I don’t see any hesitation with Lou parting with a first.
- Cptmjl

There is actually. His name is James Neal.

Those are the decision that make the GMs earn their money. It’s a risk, typically calculated but the draft picks aren’t going to get you the Cup now.
Dam, it’s so easy being a GM on HB.

- nyisles7

It so is. And we do it for (frank)ing free. Altruists the lot of us.

msg+ airing an old game from Dec 2013.. Isles vs Minnesota. Think this is the first game we actually saw what Okposo could do when he gave 100% every shift. He as a completely different player in front of his home crowd.
- niteislander

He then disappeared for the thirty games following.

There is actually. His name is James Neal.
- Wildschwein

Milan Lucic?

You starting to repeat yourself ?
- nyisles7

Shat signing

Shat signing
- JohnScammo

Fingers crossed?

Milan Lucic?
- Cptmjl

Lucic? You (frank)ing kidding me? That Neanderthal can’t fluently speak one language, let alone three.

It so is. And we do it for (frank)ing free. Altruists the lot of us.
- Wildschwein

Fingers crossed?
- Cptmjl

Just sayin