A Look at the Players Selected With the NY Islanders Traded First-Round Picks

The NHL Draft tends to be an intense time for the NY Islanders fan base and the front office alike. Social media erupts across the league with every pick, with supporters claiming their displeasure about a prospect they know barely anything about.

Though the draft is the most financially savvy way to build a winner down the road as opposed to the costliness of free agency, draft picks are just that until proven they can make an impact in the NHL.

Trading the Islanders' last three first-round picks in addition to their top selection in 2023, Lou Lamoriello determined the players he was acquiring would impact the future more than the players he'd select in the draft. Though still young and with plenty of time to develop, we look at the prospects chosen with the Islanders' last three first-round picks:

Ridly Greig

Almost immediately after being traded to Long Island, JG Pageau signed an extension to remain in blue and orange for the next six seasons. After Pageau and the Islanders reached the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals, the Ottawa Senators selected Ridly Greig with the first-round pick they acquired for the versatile center. Greig spent time between the NHL and the Bellville Senators of the AHL this season, producing in both locations.

With the Sens, Greig registered nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 20 games while averaging the AHL's eleventh-best points-per-game for a rookie, recording at a clip of .74. Greig will be given every opportunity to make the Senators' opening night roster with a strong training camp.

Chase Stillman

Another run to the Conference Finals following a major trade deadline acquisition, Kyle Palmieri committed to Long Island by signing a four-year extension. Palmieri's former team, the NJ Devils, selected Chase Stillman with the first-round pick received from the Isles.

Stillman was part of the OHL Champion Peterborough Petes, making it to the semi-finals of the 2023 Memorial Cup. Underperforming offensively this season, Stillman totaled just 48 points in 59 games while being unnoticeable during the Memorial Cup, registering a single assist. Only 20 years old, the Devils fan base has shown their displeasure for the pick, feeling GM Tom Fitzgerald should have gone in a different direction.

Frank Nazar III

Shortly after the Isles moved their 2022 first-round pick for Alexander Romanov, the Montreal Canadiens shipped the pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for Kirby Dach.

With that pick, Chicago selected Frank Nazar III out of the USNTDP. Attending the University of Michigan as a freshman, Nazar missed the majority of the season following pre-season hip surgery, not making his debut for the Maize and Gold until February. Nazar racked up seven points (two goals, five assists) on a Wolverines team loaded with highly skilled freshmen, during their run to the Frozen Four.

Nazar will return to Michigan for his sophomore season, hoping to become one of the team's leaders while playing a full season.