New York Islanders Daily Links: On To Free Agency

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The draft is now over so the attention transitions to free agency. July 1st is the day that everyone is looking to now in how the team will change. Islanders GM Garth Snow didn’t make the move to trade the first rounder so instead he drafted more prospects.

On day two the Islanders drafted Anatoli Golyshev, Otto Koivula, Collin Adams, Nick Pastujov and David Quenneville. All but Quenneville are left wingers, David is a Defenseman.

Arthur Staple writes how Garth Snow did not make any moves to immediately impact the team. There were few major deals happening around the league, especially involving a top 6 forward. Garth wasn’t missing out on much.

It’s tough to put a ton of blame on Garth Snow, right now. Obviously many Islanders fans wanted to see the first round pick moved for an already established NHL forward. I think if the right deal presented itself the Islanders would have made the move.

I’ll give the GM the benefit of the doubt. His real test has yet to come. It’s the free agency period that will be most intriguing to see what the Islanders GM does to improve this team. Matt Martin and Kyle Okposo are likely gone so Snow will have to bring in some more talent. If anything the abundance of prospects can be used as trade bait to help improve the team in the now.

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Newsday took a look back on the Islanders 2009 draft. Seven years ago today the Islanders drafted John Tavares first overall. It’s hard to believe that was seven years ago already, time flies. (Newsday)

Scott Charles discusses Matt Martin’s potential contract

I like Matt Martin, and he’s a great guy off the ice but over $3 million a year for a fourth liner who doesn’t kill penalties doesn’t make sense. Some GM will give him that money, it just won’t be Garth Snow. Obviously we wish him the best.

Next: Islanders Return For 19th

The Post looks at what the Islanders must do next. Brett Cyrgalis says that some of these prospects that the Islanders have drafted in recent years may become available at next years trade deadline. (New York Post)