Top Shelf : Islanders Daily 6/30/2013

June 22, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Derrick Pouliot is shown on the video board after being selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Middletown, N. J– It is draft day in the National Hockey League and with it brings new hopes and dreams to some franchises while infusing others with talent acquired via trade. Still, some are content to sit on the sidelines and either build from within or feel that they are strong enough already where only minor tweaks come free agency (starts July 5) are necessary. We still are not quite sure which category the Islanders fall into as we race towards the 3pm EST start. We know that Garth Snow has been busy working the phones and what the team needs are but it still remains a mystery whether any of that will get figured out today. The safe betting odds probably say no. Teams are apparently asking a kings ransom for the players they have chosen to dangle on the trade market and if history has taught us anything, it’s that Snow will not get fleeced or allow the newly rebuilt farm system to get depleted. The fan-base needs to take a very realistic approach to today, knowing that while not content to sit tight, the Islanders have to try and find the right deal for the right player at the right price. And that is almost always easier said than done from the different perspectives of your living room and the draft floor in Newark, NJ. Trickling into the Eyes newsroom yesterday were the following tidbits….the consensus seems to be that the first deal could open the floodgates for a wave of activity.

• Free agent Vincent LeCavalier talked to the Stars, Flyers, Bruins, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Capitals and Blues yesterday and is scheduled to meet with Red Wings and Flames this morning.
• Kris Letang is still talking extension with the Penguins in the hopes of getting something worked out.
• Columbus inquired about the availability of Bruins Tyler Seguin. Highly doubtful he is even available at any price.
• The Anaheim Ducks are not shopping Jonas Hiller and Bobby Ryan but are listening to offers for the duo.
• Mike Smith appears to have worked out an extension to remain with the Coyotes.
• Columbus is still miles away in their discussions with reigning Vezina trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky.
• Rangers are said to be shopping Michael Del Zotto.

Keep it tuned to Eyes all day for up to the minute draft news and coverage as we announce the latest trades and rumors as we get them. Two staff members will be on hand at the Coliseum draft party, Chris Triantifilis and Eric Bordin while the rest of the team will be manning our workstations and keeping you in the know. As mentioned yesterday, we will not post just to see if something sticks like some others out there. We only post from reliable sources and you will know something within minutes of us getting the information. Be sure to follow all of our personal twitters as that is sure to be a very active feed today. In the top menu bar, under about, click on twitter for links to us all.

Links

• Report card for Keith Aucoin ends our series. Recap coming next week. (EyesOnIsles)
• Conributor Kevin Kopf writes who he would like to see Snow sign (EyesOnIsles)
• Draft transaction very unlikely for Rangers (NY Post)
• Hawks fans scooping up memorabilia following championship (Bleacher Report)
• Dan Bylsma gets the call for the United States (Toronto Sun)

Around The Twitter-Sphere

• Very interesting. Bringing back the offspring of the Islanders legend would be a very shrewd and smart move by Snow. Nystrom plays with tons of ‘jam’ just like his famous father and would be a welcome addition to the bottom two lines.

• I would not be laughing Jeff. haha – I am not sure this is the direction the Isles want to or should move in regards to their goaltending situation. Bryzgalov was talented at one time but with a flaky personality, just does not seem to be the character that Snow prefers, if past history is any indication.

• This is an older tweet but extremely relevant today. Just replace June 26 with June 30.

• I agree – whether the team makes a trade or not (and I believe the options for a good deal are almost gone) this will still add another very good young prospect to the system with free agency begininng next week.

•  You could safely take that money and spend it elsewhere Tom – Tyler Seguin is not going anywhere.

-AG (@tazman19)