New York Islanders Draftees: Current v Playing Elsewhere

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Apr 17, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) during the second period of game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The NHL Draft is where teams stockpile young talent in order to develop them for the big club. The New York Islanders made a habit of letting some of those go. How does a current Isles drafted roster look against ones they let go?

In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, the New York Islanders made it a habit of using the draft not to stockpile young and promising talent for their club. But as a way to gain trade chips to land veteran NHL players.

Like the Yashin deal, that saw the Isles acquire a then 28-year-old Yashin for a 24-year-old Chara and a second overall first round pick used on 18-year-old Jason Spezza. The Isles were a mishmash of acquired players with barely any “homegrown” talent.

Over the last number of years, the New York Islanders have started drafting, developing and retaining those players to shape the team.

Look up and down this team and in every key position there’s a player that the Isles drafted. Except in the crease. But let’s be honest, drafting goaltenders is absolute voodoo. No one knows how to do.

Even when a goaltender is a consensus number one overall, the verdict is still out. The Isles tried that and failed. They stuck with DiPietro, a number one and passed on Roberto Luongo, whom they also drafted. And that worked out that terribly.

With that in mind, let’s look at the Islanders draft history and compare the best player in each position that they currently have on the roster and who they no longer have (who still plays).