New York Islanders: 3 Dark-Horse Teams Who’ll Want A First Round Pick

Nashville Predators

The Predators have made the playoffs four years in a row but have struggled to get over the hump and win a Stanley Cup. With no picks in the first two rounds and only five total picks in the draft itself the Preds are a prime candidate to make a move for a pick.

Luckily for the Islanders, the Preds have a lot of depth on the blue line and can afford to move on from one of their top-four defensemen. The guy I want for a first-round selection, and likely more of a package, is Ryan Ellis.

Ellis only played in 44 games but he was dominant when he did play. He put up 32 points (nine goals, 23 assists) in the games he did play. Over the course of an 82 game season that’s a 60 point season.

That’s the kind of difference maker the Islanders could use on the blue line. He also has a right-handed shot so he can likely bump Johnny Boychuk off the top-pair which is probably better for Boychuk at this age anyway.

For you Corsi nuts out there Ellis also had a 54.9 CF percentage, which would be a huge upgrade for what the Islanders have. A first-round pick, another mid-round pick and a higher level prospect should do the trick in a deal.