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New York Islanders Redrafting 2012 NHL Entry Draft

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Griffin Reinhart (C), fourth overall pick by the New York Islanders, poses on stage with Islanders representatives during Round One of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at Consol Energy Center on June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Griffin Reinhart (C), fourth overall pick by the New York Islanders, poses on stage with Islanders representatives during Round One of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft at Consol Energy Center on June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 08: Michael Dal Colle #71 is checked by Loic Leduc #63 in the 2015 New York Islanders Blue & White Rookie Scrimmage & Skills Competition at the Barclays Center on July 8, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 08: Michael Dal Colle #71 is checked by Loic Leduc #63 in the 2015 New York Islanders Blue & White Rookie Scrimmage & Skills Competition at the Barclays Center on July 8, 2015 in Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Round 4 Pick 103

Original Pick: Loic Leduc | Our Pick: Andreas Athanasiou

In the fourth round of the 2012 entry draft, the New York Islanders took defenseman Loic Leduc from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. At 103rd overall, the big 6’7″ blueliner was a physical specimen in the mold of Zdeno Chara.

He wasn’t as skilled as Chara, but he was almost as large.

Now five years after his draft, Loic Leduc hasn’t played a single NHL game. Heck, he isn’t even part of the Islanders organization anymore.


That’s what happens with fourth-round picks. You never know what you’ll actually get. But seven picks later the Detroit Red Wings selected a player that’s already played 172 NHL games. Andreas Athanasiou.

By the fourth round, every team’s draft board looks different. The Isles could have taken Andreas Athanasiou but stuck with their giant D-man. A decision that didn’t work out all. Again, Athanasiou is in the NHL while Leduc is playing in the LNAH.

By now the New York Islanders could have a player that would be comfortable on the third line. His 6’2″ 188lbs frame would be a welcomed addition to an Islanders top nine. Who knows how he would have developed in the Islanders system compared to the Red Wings system, but strictly in terms of talent Athanasiou has a significant advantage.

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