New York Islanders Turbulent History with NHL Expansion Draft

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Jan 31, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (2) and Washington Capitals right wing Brett Connolly (10) come together at the boards during the third period at Barclays Center. The Islanders won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

1974: Kansas and Washington

In just two quick years the tables had turned on the New York Islanders. No longer were they the new kids in town. Both Kansas and Washington were being added and they needed players.

It’s not like the Islanders were any good. In the previous two seasons, they finished eighth in the East with a respective 30 and 56 point campaign.

But they still had players to protect. Much like the 72 draft teams would lose three players to the incoming Scouts and Capitals.

The three players to be drafted from the Isles were Bill Mikkelson to the Capitals and Bryan Lefley and Dave Hudson to the Kansas City Scouts. All three were drafted by the Islanders two seasons prior from the Kings, Rangers, and Blackhawks respectively.

Mikkelson and Lefley weren’t hits with the Islanders and nor were they hits with their new teams or their NHL careers as a whole. Both would be out of the league by the 1978-79 season. Totaling a combined 51 points in 375 NHL games, you can see why.

But at least the Islanders got to shed some dead weight inherited from their own entry draft onto another team for free.

Hudson had some value, scoring 43 points in two seasons with the Isles but in terms of whether to protect or not, it was a no brainer. The Isles had players like Ed Westfall, Bob Nystrom, and Bill Harris who were must protect players. Losing Hudson was just part of the process.