New York Islanders Pros and Cons To Trading Up To Two

3 of 3

TORONTO – APRIL 7: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly holds up a NHL Draft lottery card April 7, 2008 at the TSN Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images for the NHL) /

Cons

The New York Islanders have a desperate need for defensive help and goalie help. Trading away two first round picks to move up for a right winger takes away your chances of acquiring either of those positions in a trade.

Their first round picks this year are their most moveable pieces along with prospects. If you look at any of the trades for a top-four defenseman they’ve all involved a first-round selection.

By moving up for Svechnikov you’re taking yourself out of the running to land a defenseman and/or goalie in a trade which is a much bigger need. Even though adding a blue-chip prospect to their otherwise limited prospect pool is nice, they have much bigger needs than a top-line right winger.

Yes, the Islanders have the picks to move up but it’s not really a fit for them to move up for a player like Svechnikov. If for some reason Buffalo doesn’t take Rasmus Dhalin first overall, then this is a different story.

Next: Golden Knights Jealousy

I’m for sure team trade the first rounders this year, but not for another pick. They need immediate help with NHL talented players. Forward depth isn’t too high up on the totem pole at the moment in terms of need. Unless Dhalin is on the board or Carolina is willing to part with Justin Faulk Garth shouldn’t call up Carolina at the draft.