Only one player in return makes sense for the NY Islanders to trade the first pick to the San Jose Sharks

A report the other day from David Pagnotta claims that the San Jose Sharks are looking to trade up to the first overall pick in order to pick Matthew Schaefer.

After picking first overall last season and selecting Macklin Cellebrini, the Sharks finished with the league's fewest points and the highest odds at the first overall pick, only for the NY Islanders to win the lottery, jumping ahead of the Sharks.

Knock Darche's socks off

Considered to have the league’s top prospect pool according to Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, the Sharks are bountiful when it comes to forwards, but are looking to improve along the blue line.

The Islanders, on the other hand, sit way down the list, ranked 25th by Wheeler. The prospect pool needs help at every position, so trading down would help boost the organization's depth while still selecting one of the top prospects.

Any potential deal would include the second overall pick, and Mathieu Darche should be demanding Sam Dickinson in return.

Dickinson, selected 11th overall in last year's draft, is a 6’3”, 210 lbs, left-shot defenseman, and considered an above-average skater.

Playing for the London Knights in the OHL, Dickinson is a two-time OHL Champion and lifted the Memorial Cup for the first time on Sunday night. 

In 55 games this season, Dickinson recorded 91 points (25 G, 62 A), adding 31 points (9 G, 22 A) in 17 playoff games. 

A player of his caliber would allow the Islanders to add a potential top pairing defenseman, while also adding either James Hagens or Michael Misa. While Schaefer is considered by most to be the top prospect in this year's draft, he could very well need another year in the OHL or the NCAA, while Dickinson could likely step into the NHL this upcoming season.

The difficult part with this deal is the Sharks' likely unwillingness to part with Dickinson. They’d be trading away a top defensive prospect, the second overall pick, and more, in order to draft another left-handed defenseman.

Darche stated that any offer would need to knock his socks off to consider moving the pick, but a trade of this magnitude should certainly grab his attention.