New York Islanders Send First Round Pick to Vegas (Report)

NHL teams protection list are out and the New York Islanders are protecting five defensemen and three forward for the Vegas Golden Knights. And it seems that the Isles first round is going Vegas’ to keep them in check.

In an unexpected move, the New York Islanders protected five defensemen from the Vegas Golden Knights. And Adam Pelech is one of them.

That means they could only protect three forwards under the NHL’s protection rules. They had to protect both John Tavares and Andrew Ladd due to their no-move clauses. Their last slot was used wisely to protect 34 goal scorer last season, Anders Lee.

Leaving big name forwards Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck available for Vegas. That was until a report emerged that the New York Islanders have a deal in place with Vegas to steer them away from their forwards and take a D-man instead.

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The Deal

According to The Score, and a few other sources such Darren Dregger the New York Islanders will send their first-round pick to the Golden Knights in exchange for GM George McPhee to take one of their remaining defensemen instead.

That means one of Calvin de Haan, Thomas Hickey will be taken by the Golden Knights this Wednesday.

Sure Dennis Seidenberg and Scott Mayfield are still options for Vegas, but none of us actually believe that GM GM is going to pick a 35-year-old defenseman in Seidenberg to start his franchise, nor will he take Scott Mayfield when there are better options up for grabs from the Islanders.

Next: Isles Protection List Revealed

Garth clearly didn’t want to break up what he deems his core defense both right now and in the future with Pelech and Pulock. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean he loves it so much he won’t be willing to make a trade once this freeze is lifted.