The NY Islanders could place a waiver claim for a former first-round pick

When the 2022 NHL Draft rolled around, there was one prospect that made all too much sense for the NY Islanders to select: Brad Lambert. The problem was that the team didn't own a first-round pick, having traded the 13th overall pick earlier in the night for Alexander Romanov.

Playing professionally in Finland at the time of the draft, Lambert was a speedy, offensive-minded forward - something the Islanders were looking to add to their prospect pool. Aside from his on-ice skills, Brad is the nephew of Lane Lambert, the Islanders' head coach at the time of the draft.

The Islanders' first pick in the 2022 NHL Draft was 65th overall, but Lambert was taken in the first round, selected 30th overall by the Winnipeg Jets.

A few months after the draft, Lambert played with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL before being sent to the WHL, registering 38 points (17 G, 21 A) in 26 games with teh Seattle Thunderbirds.

Despite his success in junior hockey, Lambert hasn't had a seamless transition to the NHL. In the three full seasons plus the early parts of this season, Lambert has totaled just three goals and six assists in 42 games while averaging 10:33 per game.

Today, the Jets placed Lambert on waivers, meaning he'll be available to the other 31 teams to be claimed. In the final year of his ELC, Lambert could be worth the flyer for the Islanders. The Islanders have made a point of emphasis to add speed to their lineup since Mathieu Darche took over as GM - something Lambert could provide.

With Matias Maccelli still out of the lineup and Cal Ritchie a few weeks from returning, a fresh start for Lambert could be what he needs.

Lambert likely won't clear waivers, with the Islanders 13th in waiver priority. A team further down the standings could claim him before the Islanders have a chance, but it's a low-risk play for the Isles to take their chances on the 22-year-old.

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