New York Islanders: 5 Most Likely Pieces To Be Traded By The End Of June

Number 1: Draft Picks

The most obvious answer is draft picks. The Islanders have four picks in the first two rounds, thanks to Travis Hamonic, and I would be utterly baffled if the Islanders used all four picks to select a player in the entry draft.

Like we mentioned a few times, the Islanders need a goalie and another defenseman. Moving at minimum two of their four picks seems to make perfect sense.

The benefit is that both of their picks are “lottery” picks. Meaning they fall in the top-15. As we know you’re more likely to find a quality player the higher you pick. Also, there are certainly teams looking to rebuild, ie) Carolina and Arizona, who would love additional draft picks.

Sure Ty Smith, Noah Dobson and other prospects who will be available at 11 and 12 are appealing but they won’t have an immediate impact on the team. The goal is to re-sign John Tavares if you take those picks and move them for an elite goalie and a big-time defenseman you’re more likely to entice John to stay.

Next: Missing the obvious Lamoriello connection

Expect Lou Lamoriello to be extremely busy over the next four weeks. Someone or something, on this list, is going to be moved by the time July 1 hits. All we can do now is sit back and relax into something big happens. It’s coming though, sooner rather than later.