Islanders: 3 Blue Line Targets at the NHL Draft

The 2022 NHL Draft is just over 24 hours away, and for the first time in a long time, the New York Islanders have their first-round draft pick at 13th overall. There has been speculation as to whether or not the Islanders will trade the pick in order to improve their immediate roster, but as of right now Isles GM Lou Lamoriello has a firm grasp on it.

In the latest episode of Nassaumen Hockey Podcast, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined the show to talk about the upcoming draft and the Islanders' offseason plans.

"I think there's a willingness to listen. How realistic it is, I honestly don't know if they would ultimately move it. I think it would take something fairly significant in order for them to pull something off. Like bring in a guy who can score and put up points for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, I think Lou and the staff would hold onto that. I wouldn't be surprised if holds onto it. We get to this point in time, craziness happens, you never know I won't discount it, but barring that I think the Isles stick with the 13th pick unless they move up or down in some fashion but I think they draft in the first round. "

David Pagnotta

It sounds an awful lot like the Islanders will utilize the pick to make a draft selection rather than trade it. However, to Pagnotta's point, if the right offer comes along Lamoriello will be willing to listen. Assuming that doesn't happen, the 2022 draft class has a plethora of talent despite no clear-cut superstars in the crop of players.

Looking at the Islanders' prospect pool, they need just about everything. Aatu Räty is the current Islander's prized possession and William Dufour has made an argument for himself and after that, it's slim pickings.

If you had to pick an area where the Islanders were lacking most, an argument could be made that the Islanders need to draft a defenseman. With that said, let's take a look at blue line options for the Islanders at 13th overall.