New York Islanders Daily: Deal To Protect Cizikas and Bailey

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow has struck a deal to protect both Casey Cizikas and Josh Bailey from being selected in expansion.

Like Mitch wrote about yesterday it was reported that the New York Islanders would give up their 15th overall selection in order to protect a forward. When the Isles left Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson and Calvin de Haan exposed it seemed like the deal would be so that Vegas wouldn’t select them.

Apparently, the deal is to protect against the Golden Knights from selecting Casey Cizikas and Josh Bailey. I find myself asking why?

Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome are far more valuable than Casey Cizikas and Josh Bailey. Both in production, contract situation and overall ceiling as a hockey player.

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Both Strome and Nelson, although frustrating, are 23 and 25 years of age and have shown flashes of being solid NHL players with a future. At this point, we know what Cizikas is. He’s a solid penalty killer and bottom six forward with a mega contract. There was no way Vegas would take on that contract for his less than 30 points a season track record.

Bailey is coming off his best season of his career and was on the bubble of being protected. As much as losing him for nothing coming off his best season would stink, trading a 15th overall pick to ensure that won’t happen is just pointless.

I’m going to go back to my Garth Snow is flying on the seat of his pants argument because nothing has made sense in the past few days.

Update: Ryan Strome, Brock Nelson and Calvin de Haan may be included in this deal.

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