New York Islanders Seattle Expansion Mock Draft

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 09: Drake Caggiula #9 of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks fight for position with Devon Toews #6,Connor Clifton #4 and Michael Garteig #34 of the Quinnipiac Bobcats in the third period during the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championships at Amalie Arena on April 9, 2016 in Tampa, Florida.The North Dakota Fighting Hawks defeated the Quinnipiac Bobcats 5-1 to win the national title. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Who They Pick | Matt O’Leary

If we were the General Manager of Seattle we’d take Devon Toews. It seems like a really easy choice. Every player on this list has their flaws but Toews has the highest ceiling.

The 24-year-old had 22 points in 30 games with the Sound Tigers in the AHL last year. If he didn’t get hurt he likely would’ve made his NHL debut this past year as well.

After three years at Quinnipiac and two in the AHL, he is primed to make his NHL debut. Islanders scouts think he can turn into a top-four defenseman. He’s an RFA so he needs a new deal, but he likely is a cheap option that’ll give you solid production pretty quickly.

You might be able to sell me that they’d take Brock Nelson but that’s honestly more risky than taking Toews. Brock needs a new deal likely in the $4 million AAV range.

Watching him the past few years it’s pretty clear that he’s not worth that money. Some G.M. will be dumb enough to give it to him and I don’t think it’s Lou.

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Next: Three Teams In Need of First Round Picks

Unfortunately, in our scenario, the Islanders lose a potential starting d-man for 2018-2019 and are left needing to add another defenseman to the mix.