New York Islanders Seattle Expansion Mock Draft

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 04: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders takes the ice prior to the preseason game against the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on October 4, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Guys We Aren’t Protecting | Matt O’Leary

Unprotected List: Pelech, Mayfield, Toews, Nelson, Quine, Cizikas, Clutterbuck, Johnston

Now that you’ve seen who we are protecting let’s talk about why these guys were left off the list. For Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, and Devon Toews it’s a similar explanation; there isn’t enough room.

We decided to go with a 7-3-1 format so obviously, the three guys you’re protecting is Johnny Boychuk because he has a no-trade clause, Nick Leddy, and Ryan Pulock.

It’s not that you don’t want Pelech, Mayfield, or Toews around necessarily it’s just how the chips fell.

For Brock Nelson, yes he has scoring talent sometimes but he’s not nearly consistent enough to be upset about losing. You’re probably pretty happy with Seattle taking Nelson, although that’s your biggest trade chip outside of the draft picks for this offseason.

Cizikas and Clutterbuck are similar as well. Both are overpaid, fourth-line guys. I find it hard to believe that anyone would take on their contracts but you might as well give Seattle the option.

Then there is Quine and Johnston. Both those guys are borderline NHL players and have ceilings as fourth line NHL players. They’re a dime a dozen and the Islanders could easily replace either of them.