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New York Islanders: Four Teams Who Need A First Round Pick

(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Kieffer Bellows shakes hands with Islanders owner Chalres Wang after being selected as the number nineteen overall draft pick by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Kieffer Bellows shakes hands with Islanders owner Chalres Wang after being selected as the number nineteen overall draft pick by the New York Islanders in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 31, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau (12) celebrates with center Joe Thornton (19) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Patrick Marleau (12) celebrates with center Joe Thornton (19) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

San Jose Sharks

Unlike other teams in this, the San Jose Sharks don’t need the first round pick to rebuild a terrible team. They need it because the core of the team is aging and the reinforcements coming up just don’t seem to be there.

Both Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are 37-years-old at the time of writing. Both are at the core of the San Jose Sharks team that were Stanley Cup finalists last season and perennial Stanley Cup favorites years before that.

But now the duo are both unrestricted free agents going into 2017-18. They might stay on for a little while longer rather than test the waters of free agency. But when they’re gone who takes the mantle? Danny O’Reagan? That’s one guy.

The Sharks need to stock the prospect pool. It’s great that they have three picks in the seventh round and another two in the sixth. But no picks in rounds two through four is troublesome for a team on the verge of a baton pass from the old guard.

What the Isles get back is the tricky part. At this point, the Isles don’t want either of the Sharks aging wonders, and the Sharks aren’t going to part with youth (that’s why they’re on the list).

A play for the last year of Marc-Edward Vlasic’s deal would be nice, but with his no-trade clause that seems about as likely as a deal with the Rangers.

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