New York Islanders: Puck Prose’s Expansion Draft Theory

The expansion draft is coming up in just 10 days and theories are being thrown around left and right. Here’s a New York Islanders theory from Puck Prose.

Everyone has a theory on the expansion draft. In our expansion mock draft, we mocked Calvin de Haan going to Vegas. Today Puck Prose released their thoughts on what the New York Islanders would do in terms of protecting players.

Their selection going to Vegas was Thomas Hickey. It makes sense Hickey is productive offensively, young and on a cheap $2.2 million deal.

Many believe that it’ll either be Calvin de Haan or Thomas Hickey leaving via expansion. de Haan is likely the better player but to Puck Prose point they say he will likely be traded or protected. If available he seems like a juicy pick for George McPhee.

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Although, if the Islanders go with the four forwards and four defenseman route of protection would they leave Josh Bailey and Ryan Strome available?

Here’s the issue with that. Many of you reading are very anti-Bailey. I understand the frustration with him honestly, he’s not my favorite player but looking at this non-biasedly it would be brutal if the Isles lost him for nothing.

It’s one thing if you want the Islanders to trade him. His value is high coming off a 56 point season you can get something in return for him. But, the Isles would be foolish to just let him go to Vegas for nothing.

Then there’s Strome. Would McPhee go with Strome? There’s potential there but he’s more of a risk whereas you know what you’re getting out of both de Haan and Hickey.

Next: Three Islanders Likely To Bounce Back

This has been said a million times but the next week or so is going to be absolutely insane in the hockey world. So don’t put down your phone over the next few weeks and keep refreshing twitter.