These two 2017 Islanders picks will have their signing rights expire today

Officially, the New York Islanders have until the end of the day (August 15th) to sign two 2017 draft picks, Logan Cockerill and Ben Miregeas, or risk losing their draft rights, but the decision on both players has likely been made months earlier with neither expected to be part of the organization.

Logan Cockerill: 2017, Round 7 (201st overall)

Back in May, Michel Anderson wrote that he was "kind of surprised" that the Islanders hadn't signed the Boston University Terriers captain. Wearing the 'C' for the Terriers since 2020-21, Cockerill captured the Beanpot Trophy in his fifth college season as BU defeated Northeastern 1-0 back in February. The 23-year-old has a solid two-way game and many of the traits and intangibles the organization has valued in recent seasons.

In June, Cockerill signed with BIK Karlskoga, a Swedish hockey team playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, the second highest league in Sweden.

"In connection with my graduation last spring, I was contacted by BIK Karlskoga and immediately felt that this was a very interesting and good choice for me, said Cockerill. I am looking forward to coming to Karlskoga and, together with the team, working for success this year as well As a player, I want to be involved and contribute both on and off the ice, and I also think it will be fun to get to know new teammates, the club and all the supporters."

In 30 games last season, Cockerill scored five goals and added six assists. The 11 points were a career-high but well short of the points-per-game pace he had in 2020-21 when he scored 10 points (5G, 5A) in 10 games.

Ben Mirageas: 2017 Round 3 (77th overall)

Like, Cockerill, Mirageas is 23 years old and played his fifth college season last year. But after scoring three goals in 16 games, he surprisingly and abruptly left the program. The official press release from the University didn't offer much of an explanation. “We are appreciative of Ben’s contributions to our program over the past four-plus seasons,” head coach Nate Leaman said. “We wish Ben all the best in his future endeavors.”

After a bounce-back 2020-21 season where he registered 12 points in 25 games, it was thought that Mirageas was optimistic about his prospects last season and was excited about the opportunity to play a fifth year with the Friars. That changed in January, and with it, any realistic shot that he would be signed by the Islanders before today's deadline.

A quick look back at the 2017 Draft Class

The 2017 Draft wasn't a strong one for the Islanders, but the book isn't entirely closed. Without a first-round pick after trading it to the Vegas Golden Knights as part of Expansion Draft negotiating, the team selected D Robin Salo in the second round and Mirageas in the third. Their next selection was D Sebastian Aho in the 5th round. The Swedish defenseman has played in 61 games over three NHL seasons, and the pending UFA was retained this off-season. Sixth-round pick Arnaud Durandeau has put up decent numbers in Bridgeport, scoring 15 goals and collecting 22 assists in 64 games.