New York Islanders Expansion Deal Rumors Swirling

Shortly after the New York Islanders, NHL Expansion Draft protection list was released rumors of a deal with Vegas began to swirl. But which one do we believe?

We know that the New York Islanders have a deal with the Golden Knights which will assure protection for forwards. Or at least we as fans have the impression that the Islanders have a deal with the Golden Knights. But at this point, there’s no sense as to which forwards those are.

It’s just that at this point, we have no idea which one to believe.

Forward or Forwards, and How Many?

From what can be gathered so far it seems, at the very least, the New York Islanders have a deal with the Golden Knights to protect a forward. Or forwards, plural. We just don’t yet have a consensus on who.

At the start of this frenzy, it was reported by Darren Dreger that the Isles were dealing a first to the Golden Knights for expansion protection for all of their forwards.

Then there’s also Arthur Staple’s report indicating that the deal is for de Haan, Strome and Nelson.

And then later in the day, Dreger’s TSN colleague Frank Seravalli indicated that it might just be Josh Bailey, Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and maybe Calvin de Haan might be protected by the first round pick compensation going Vegas’ way.

That’s three deals adding a second layer of protection for an array of players.

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Which One To Believe

I’m sure they all got information from a good source at some point of the day for all of them to believe this enough to share it with all of us.

It’s just that as the day goes the cost remains the same but the protection it buys decreases. Dreger believed a first round pick would protect all forward in some sort of Circle of Protection: Expansion. Staple believed a deal would protect three players and Seravalli believed a first would protect two players (Bailey and Cizikas).

I love the idea of protecting all forwards with a single pick, but from the deals that are emerging, that seems too small a price to pay. What Arthur Staple suggests seems to be, in my opinion, the most believable.

Next: Isles Expansion Protection List Revealed

By going 3-5-1 Garth has already placed a great value in his defensive line. I have my doubts that Snow’s ready to cut bait with Calvin de Haan so quickly and for nothing in return.