New York Islanders Redrafting 2012 NHL Entry Draft

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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 23: Ville Pokka, 34th overall pick by the New York Islanders, shakes hands during day two of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at Consol Energy Center on June 23, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Round 2 Pick 34

Original Pick: Ville Pokka | Our Pick: Damon Severson

I, like Garth, go defense in round two. The only difference is my player actually plays a game in the NHL. Ville Pokka has not, and likely will not play a single game in the NHL after being taken in the second round two years ago.

He was a major part of bringing in Nick Leddy so for that I thank him for his services. He has 138 career points in the AHL in 289 games but somehow, at 24-years-old has never gotten his chance in the league.

As for Severson, he’s a solid second pairing guy with the New Jersey Devils. This past year, he had 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 72 games and had a 49.4 CF%.

He’s young at just 23-years-old and is under contract for five more years at $4.16 million a year. He would be a perfect second pair guy to go along with Ryan Pulock.

The only downside, of course, is there’s no Nick Leddy because Pokka was dealt for him. That’s not my problem though.

As for the second round, in general, it was tough picking. Can’t necessarily get on Snow too much for missing with Pokka, but at the same token, this draft class is the first thing to reference when describing Snow’s failures as a talent evaluator.