I agree with you on Ekblad, and I think he’s on Darche’s radar as option A. Option B is prob DeAngelo
- kindlyrick

I’m not sure Ekblad would sign. We are going to find out if anything changed in terms of being able to sign quality UFA’s. It would be a surprise if the Islanders are big players this off-season.

I’m not sure Ekblad would sign. We are going to find out if anything changed in terms of being able to sign quality UFA’s. It would be a surprise if the Islanders are big players this off-season.
- ses111

The only way they can lure Ekblad here is with overpayment. With the cap going up, and the ability to front load or use bonus money as the primary payment they can get creative and structure it to not hurt them down the road

That said if I’m him I’m staying in Florida even with a pay cut. But if it wasn’t all about the money he woulda re signed there already. I think he’s up for grabs and would benefit Schaefer.

Ekblad would be a great mentor for Schaefer and other young dman. I would not want Ehlers with his injury history.
- ses111

I’m not big on Ekblad or Ehlers. Both for the same reason too. I would take Ekblad for 3 years tops, which he probably wouldn’t settle for. I hate to say it though, Ekblad would be perfect on this team. Ehlers gets hurt more than him and disappears in the playoffs.

I’m not big on Ekblad or Ehlers. Both for the same reason too. I would take Ekblad for 3 years tops, which he probably wouldn’t settle for. I hate to say it though, Ekblad would be perfect on this team. Ehlers gets hurt more than him and disappears in the playoffs.
- potvin05

I’d love to get Ekblad for 3 years, but that’s not happening. Ehlers would be a hard pass.

I’d love to get Ekblad for 3 years, but that’s not happening. Ehlers would be a hard pass.
- ses111

Ekblad is 29….hes got 5+ more years in him. Hell Chara played till 44. There’s plenty of NHLers 35-40. Calder winner, Norris candidate multiple years and multiple cups now. I feel like that’s what they want mentoring Schaefer, as that’s where they want Schaefers accolades to be.

Girioux just signed at 2 per with 2.5 million in bonus’ totaling a possible 4.5 per. I would absolutely sign Ekblad with a contract that had small salary with high bonus’ on the backend of the term. Hes gonna get 8x7 whether it’s the isles or not. IMHO. Dobson got 9.5…..if I told you the isles could have Dobson, or Ekblad, Heineman, Ekland and Aitcheson…..I say yes please every time. What a home run

Ekblad is 29….hes got 5+ more years in him. Hell Chara played till 44. There’s plenty of NHLers 35-40. Calder winner, Norris candidate multiple years and multiple cups now. I feel like that’s what they want mentoring Schaefer, as that’s where they want Schaefers accolades to be.

Girioux just signed at 2 per with 2.5 million in bonus’ totaling a possible 4.5 per. I would absolutely sign Ekblad with a contract that had small salary with high bonus’ on the backend of the term. Hes gonna get 8x7 whether it’s the isles or not. IMHO. Dobson got 9.5…..if I told you the isles could have Dobson, or Ekblad, Heineman, Elkins and Aitcheson…..I say yes please every time. What a home run
- kindlyrick

I’m nervous about long term deals for 29-year-old players that can break down. If Ekblad was the last piece of the puzzle, it’s different. Islanders still have to be careful with the money they are giving out.

I’m nervous about long term deals for 29-year-old players that can break down. If Ekblad was the last piece of the puzzle, it’s different. Islanders still have to be careful with the money they are giving out.
- ses111

100% that’s a risk, but, they are in need of a RHD and a mentor for Schaefer. To me, it makes sense. As I said they could give out a bonus heavy contract whereby the last few years he gets 3 million salary and 5 in bonus’
As for the money they’re giving out, the cap is going up, they just saved 9.5 shipping out Dobson and you gotta think Varly is coming off the books at some point.

100% that’s a risk, but, they are in need of a RHD and a mentor for Schaefer. To me, it makes sense. As I said they could give out a bonus heavy contract whereby the last few years he gets 3 million salary and 5 in bonus’
As for the money they’re giving out, the cap is going up, they just saved 9.5 shipping out Dobson and you gotta think Varly is coming off the books at some point.
- kindlyrick

I thought it was a very good draft. I would have liked to see JGP moved. I just want the Islanders to make smart moves and have plenty of Cap when they are really close. This Ehlers talk makes me nervous.

I thought it was a very good draft. I would have liked to see JGP moved. I just want the Islanders to make smart moves and have plenty of Cap when they are really close. This Ehlers talk makes me nervous.
- ses111

Phenomenal draft….the prospect pool went from 0-100 in 2 years. I have complete faith in Darche

Phenomenal draft….the prospect pool went from 0-100 in 2 years. I have complete faith in Darche
- kindlyrick

It’s been a very good start. Darche has to make sure he does not give out a lot of long term contracts right now that will block some of the prospects as they become ready.

It’s been a very good start. Darche has to make sure he does not give out a lot of long term contracts right now that will block some of the prospects as they become ready.
- ses111

Not worried whatsoever. This guy knows what he’s doing. I just read an article talking about how he drafted speed with skill and tenacity. That’s the new NHL. Darche has been communicating better than any other GM with the fans. He said he’s gonna try and improve the roster in free agency. I’d be happy with re signing DeAngelo

Not worried whatsoever. This guy knows what he’s doing. I just read an article talking about how he drafted speed with skill and tenacity. That’s the new NHL. Darche has been communicating better than any other GM with the fans. He said he’s gonna try and improve the roster in free agency. I’d be happy with re signing DeAngelo
- kindlyrick

I’m more worried with Darche feeling pressure from ownership to make the playoffs this year that he makes bad signings. Islanders have a good thing going right now with rebuilding the prospect pool. They should stick to one or two year UFA deals for now.

Well that was an eventful weekend for sure. Darche knocked it out of the park with the draft. Not being able to get up to land Hagens is a bummer but they walked away with an incredible haul.

Darche clearly showing what he values, speedy guys with an edge to go along with their skill. Between acquiring Heinemen and drafting Eklund/Aitcheson/Prokhorov/Romano they clearly want to build a fast team that is real tough to play against.

Well that was an eventful weekend for sure. Darche knocked it out of the park with the draft. Not being able to get up to land Hagens is a bummer but they walked away with an incredible haul.

Darche clearly showing what he values, speedy guys with an edge to go along with their skill. Between acquiring Heinemen and drafting Eklund/Aitcheson/Prokhorov/Romano they clearly want to build a fast team that is real tough to play against.
- Gabe Athaus

Very promising draft weekend. Hope it continues with smart UFA moves.

Couple of draft grade articles from the Athletic:

Scott Wheeler:

New York Islanders
The Islanders left Day 1 with the most impressive haul. Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson could transform that organization on and off the ice with their play, identity, competitiveness, talent and charisma.

Though I’m a little lower than the league is on Daniil Prokhorov, who they took at No. 42, that was his range for a lot of people and he gives them another tough-to-play-against player, like Eklund and Aitcheson, who gets after it and does it with a big, strong, 6-5 frame and some dirty areas scoring punch. He could be a really solid third-line forward who adds some size and a different dimension to his line. Think Alexei Toropchenko.

Though Luca Romano faced consistency criticisms in Kitchener this year, he has top-two-round talent and skating, and I think he could be good value at No. 74 as well (he was No. 48 on my board). He could take a step production-wise in the OHL next year, for sure. I even liked Tomas Poletin at No. 106 and Sam Laurila at No. 138.

Poletin is big and heavy and has had some good showings internationally and domestically in my viewings. There’s a chance he tops out as a middle-six AHLer, but he’s going to have a long pro career.

Laurila was a breakout star in the USHL this season after being a depth D at the program, making a ton of plays and really blossoming into a draft pick as an overager.

I could go on, too. Burke Hood was my last cut at goalie and is exactly the kind of goalie you take in the sixth round. He was excellent for Vancouver this year and as Canada’s third-stringer at U18 worlds. It was a phenomenal two days for the Islanders and a great start for Mathieu Darche at the helm. And 202nd pick Jacob Kvasnicka is a dog who charmed me into putting him in my top 100.

Corey Pronman


Draft Class
1. Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters (OHL)

September 5, 2007 | 6' 2" | 185 pounds

Tier: NHL Star

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Jake Sanderson

Analysis: Schaefer was tremendous, when healthy, this season. The No. 1 pick in his OHL Draft, Schaefer was arguably the best player at the Hlinka Gretzky and the CHL/U.S. NTDP series. He was also Canada’s best player at the World Juniors up until he broke his clavicle. Schaefer missed time at the start of the season due to mono as well. His main asset is his skating. He’s a powerful, effortless skater who will be able to close gaps and transition up ice at a clear NHL level. He uses his feet to attack often, leading and supporting rushes very well. Schaefer is a very intelligent defenseman with legit offensive skills. He creates a lot of chances due to his skating, but he can also break down opponents one-on-one with his hands, and finds a lot of seams to make plays. He closes on checks at a high level due to his athleticism, but Schaefer is also a great competitor. He uses his size to make stops, gives a great effort every shift and projects to be able to stop top players in the NHL. He’s a great talent, who has already overcome tremendous personal adversity in his life. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL.

Thoughts on the pick: For most teams, this would have been a routine decision to pick Schaefer as the top selection, but there was an unusual amount of pressure on the Islanders to go off the board to select James Hagens, who’s from Long Island. Schaefer is the clear best prospect in the draft. He’s a dynamic two-way defenseman who dominated routinely this season when healthy, and he’s on the fringe of being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman for them.

16. Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

October 3, 2006 | 5' 11" | 170 pounds

Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Travis Konecny

Analysis: Eklund, the younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, was excellent this season versus men in the Allsvenskan as well as for Sweden’s World Junior team. Victor is an excellent skater. He has good speed, but his edge work is what separates his skating ability and how elusive he is in tight. He’s a very skilled forward who makes creative plays and can do so in the tough areas. Eklund is undersized, but he plays like a big man. He’s a tenacious competitor who hunts down pucks and is great at creating chances around the net. He projects as a top-line winger.

Thoughts on the pick: Eklund’s fall stops here. Teams were worried about his frame, but he’s such a good skater, with great skill and tenacity and has some similarities to Seth Jarvis at the same age. This is a great swing by the Islanders.

17. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts (OHL)

September 21, 2006 | 6' 1" | 198 pounds

Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Jacob Trouba

Analysis: Aitcheson was one of the better defensemen in the OHL this season. He has been a major minutes player for Barrie as he was for Canada’s U18 team last spring. He’s a hyper-competitive defender who doesn’t back down from physical play and likes to agitate. He has the bite NHL teams will love, even if he does go over the line at times. He’s a good skater with strong enough hands and hockey sense to make plays at higher levels and a solid point shot, too. Aitcheson won’t run a power play, lacking the natural sense at times with the puck, but he projects to have secondary NHL offense and has put up significant offense this year. Even if his puck play is just decent, with his athletic tools and being a menace to play against, he can be a great top-four defenseman.

Thoughts on the pick: Two picks in a row for the Islanders, and I’m a big fan of both. He’s a tenacious, highly physical defenseman with decent size and has offense in his game. He’s a unique profile, and getting a potential top-four D with snarl at 17 is great.

42. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)

April 27, 2007 | 6' 6" | 218 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Player comparable: Michael McCarron

Analysis: Prokhorov has trended up significantly as the season has progressed, including a great recent performance for Russia’s U18 team. Prokhorov is a huge winger with very good hands. He can make a lot of skilled plays in open ice, at full speed and in traffic. He’s a very physical forward who leans into guys with his big body and plays a direct style. Prokhorov isn’t blazing fast, but he moves well for his size and can skate at the higher levels. He isn’t a natural playmaker or scorer and he can force plays, but he should generate enough chances, especially in the high percentage areas, which leads to being a coach’s favorite. He could be a hard-to-play-against top-six winger.

74. Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

June 25, 2007 | 5' 11" | 176 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Romano was an important part of a good Kitchener team this season and he played a notable role for Canada’s U18 team too in the summer, even though his pure production wasn’t the best. Romano has a lot of skill and speed. He often beats opponents with his stick handling and shows a lot of imagination with the puck. He also has a good shot and can finish from range Romano has talent, and when he’s playing a direct, hard style of play, he can be a very effective player. He was inconsistent this season, though. It’s hard to vouch for a winger his size who didn’t score in big numbers in junior, but Romano looks the part, and with development, I could see him become an NHL player.

106. Tomas Poletin, LW, Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

April 30, 2007 | 6' 1" | 205 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Poletin didn’t light up the Finnish junior league this season but he was an important part of a top team at that level. He was also a leader for Czechia’s U18 team. Poletin’s game won’t generate many highlights, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s an NHL-level skater who competes hard and can create some offense. He has decent hands and vision and can make skilled plays, but he tries to create chances in a direct way by getting to the net. He endears himself to coaches with his two-way details and work ethic and could potentially be a fourth-line center.

138. Sam Laurila, LHD, Fargo Force (USHL)

September 2, 2006 | 6' 1" | 192 pounds

Analysis: Laurila was one of the top defensemen in the USHL this season as a re-entry prospect. The former U.S NTDP player is a strong skater who transports a lot of pucks up ice. He showed more offense this season than in previous years, mostly due to his skating. I don’t think he sees the ice at a very high level. He does compete well, though, and makes a lot of stops, which could give him a path to the league.

170. Burke Hood, G, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

April 30, 2007 | 6' 3" | 192 pounds

Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Hood had an impressive season, being a reliable starter for the Giants coming out of midget hockey the prior season. Hood is a goalie with decent size who moves like a pro. He isn’t explosive laterally, but has the quick-twitch in his lower half to make difficult saves. He’s mostly efficient in his movements, tracking pucks well. I don’t think any aspect of his game truly stands out, but he’s a steady goaltender who makes a lot of stops and could be a potential backup.

202. Jacob Kvasnicka, F, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

August 10, 2007 | 5' 11" | 172 pounds

August 10, 2007 | 5' 11" | 172 pounds

Analysis
An argument could be made that Day 2 of the NHL Draft was always going to be gravy for the Islanders. Rookie GM Mathieu Darche had already made his mark on Day 1 by wheeling and dealing his way to three selections in the top 17 — a haul that added two of the top defensemen prospects to the team's pool.

Top overall pick Matthew Schaefer is the player around whom Darche will rebuild the Islanders. But it’s Kashawn Aitcheson who could end up being the steal of this weekend. He’s a tough defenseman, and those are hard to come by in the NHL. The new Isles prospect sandwiching those defensemen, Victor Eklund, is a top-10 talent of a winger whose fall on the board could prove to be a big gain for the Islanders.

Darche went for three forwards in the second through fourth rounds. Danil Prokhorov, Luca Romano, and Tomas Poletin will infuse the Islanders system with a mix of skill and grit. Darche said after Day 1 he was pleased with where the Islanders stood in so far as replenishing their prospect pool. Well, they only continued to bolster that endeavor on Day 2.

Well that was an eventful weekend for sure. Darche knocked it out of the park with the draft. Not being able to get up to land Hagens is a bummer but they walked away with an incredible haul.

Darche clearly showing what he values, speedy guys with an edge to go along with their skill. Between acquiring Heinemen and drafting Eklund/Aitcheson/Prokhorov/Romano they clearly want to build a fast team that is real tough to play against.
- Gabe Athaus

Absolutely, couldn’t have asked for a better draft. Can’t fault Darche for not ponying up a player along with 16 and 17 to move up. The prospect pool is legit and there’s still next years draft

Couple of draft grade articles from the Athletic:

Scott Wheeler:

New York Islanders
The Islanders left Day 1 with the most impressive haul. Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson could transform that organization on and off the ice with their play, identity, competitiveness, talent and charisma.

Though I’m a little lower than the league is on Daniil Prokhorov, who they took at No. 42, that was his range for a lot of people and he gives them another tough-to-play-against player, like Eklund and Aitcheson, who gets after it and does it with a big, strong, 6-5 frame and some dirty areas scoring punch. He could be a really solid third-line forward who adds some size and a different dimension to his line. Think Alexei Toropchenko.

Though Luca Romano faced consistency criticisms in Kitchener this year, he has top-two-round talent and skating, and I think he could be good value at No. 74 as well (he was No. 48 on my board). He could take a step production-wise in the OHL next year, for sure. I even liked Tomas Poletin at No. 106 and Sam Laurila at No. 138.

Poletin is big and heavy and has had some good showings internationally and domestically in my viewings. There’s a chance he tops out as a middle-six AHLer, but he’s going to have a long pro career.

Laurila was a breakout star in the USHL this season after being a depth D at the program, making a ton of plays and really blossoming into a draft pick as an overager.

I could go on, too. Burke Hood was my last cut at goalie and is exactly the kind of goalie you take in the sixth round. He was excellent for Vancouver this year and as Canada’s third-stringer at U18 worlds. It was a phenomenal two days for the Islanders and a great start for Mathieu Darche at the helm. And 202nd pick Jacob Kvasnicka is a dog who charmed me into putting him in my top 100.

Corey Pronman


Draft Class
1. Matthew Schaefer, LHD, Erie Otters (OHL)

September 5, 2007 | 6' 2" | 185 pounds

Tier: NHL Star

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Jake Sanderson

Analysis: Schaefer was tremendous, when healthy, this season. The No. 1 pick in his OHL Draft, Schaefer was arguably the best player at the Hlinka Gretzky and the CHL/U.S. NTDP series. He was also Canada’s best player at the World Juniors up until he broke his clavicle. Schaefer missed time at the start of the season due to mono as well. His main asset is his skating. He’s a powerful, effortless skater who will be able to close gaps and transition up ice at a clear NHL level. He uses his feet to attack often, leading and supporting rushes very well. Schaefer is a very intelligent defenseman with legit offensive skills. He creates a lot of chances due to his skating, but he can also break down opponents one-on-one with his hands, and finds a lot of seams to make plays. He closes on checks at a high level due to his athleticism, but Schaefer is also a great competitor. He uses his size to make stops, gives a great effort every shift and projects to be able to stop top players in the NHL. He’s a great talent, who has already overcome tremendous personal adversity in his life. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman in the NHL.

Thoughts on the pick: For most teams, this would have been a routine decision to pick Schaefer as the top selection, but there was an unusual amount of pressure on the Islanders to go off the board to select James Hagens, who’s from Long Island. Schaefer is the clear best prospect in the draft. He’s a dynamic two-way defenseman who dominated routinely this season when healthy, and he’s on the fringe of being eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. He projects as a star No. 1 defenseman for them.

16. Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

October 3, 2006 | 5' 11" | 170 pounds

Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Travis Konecny

Analysis: Eklund, the younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, was excellent this season versus men in the Allsvenskan as well as for Sweden’s World Junior team. Victor is an excellent skater. He has good speed, but his edge work is what separates his skating ability and how elusive he is in tight. He’s a very skilled forward who makes creative plays and can do so in the tough areas. Eklund is undersized, but he plays like a big man. He’s a tenacious competitor who hunts down pucks and is great at creating chances around the net. He projects as a top-line winger.

Thoughts on the pick: Eklund’s fall stops here. Teams were worried about his frame, but he’s such a good skater, with great skill and tenacity and has some similarities to Seth Jarvis at the same age. This is a great swing by the Islanders.

17. Kashawn Aitcheson, LHD, Barrie Colts (OHL)

September 21, 2006 | 6' 1" | 198 pounds

Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: High-end
Shot: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Jacob Trouba

Analysis: Aitcheson was one of the better defensemen in the OHL this season. He has been a major minutes player for Barrie as he was for Canada’s U18 team last spring. He’s a hyper-competitive defender who doesn’t back down from physical play and likes to agitate. He has the bite NHL teams will love, even if he does go over the line at times. He’s a good skater with strong enough hands and hockey sense to make plays at higher levels and a solid point shot, too. Aitcheson won’t run a power play, lacking the natural sense at times with the puck, but he projects to have secondary NHL offense and has put up significant offense this year. Even if his puck play is just decent, with his athletic tools and being a menace to play against, he can be a great top-four defenseman.

Thoughts on the pick: Two picks in a row for the Islanders, and I’m a big fan of both. He’s a tenacious, highly physical defenseman with decent size and has offense in his game. He’s a unique profile, and getting a potential top-four D with snarl at 17 is great.

42. Daniil Prokhorov, RW, MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg (MHL)

April 27, 2007 | 6' 6" | 218 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Player comparable: Michael McCarron

Analysis: Prokhorov has trended up significantly as the season has progressed, including a great recent performance for Russia’s U18 team. Prokhorov is a huge winger with very good hands. He can make a lot of skilled plays in open ice, at full speed and in traffic. He’s a very physical forward who leans into guys with his big body and plays a direct style. Prokhorov isn’t blazing fast, but he moves well for his size and can skate at the higher levels. He isn’t a natural playmaker or scorer and he can force plays, but he should generate enough chances, especially in the high percentage areas, which leads to being a coach’s favorite. He could be a hard-to-play-against top-six winger.

74. Luca Romano, C, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

June 25, 2007 | 5' 11" | 176 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Romano was an important part of a good Kitchener team this season and he played a notable role for Canada’s U18 team too in the summer, even though his pure production wasn’t the best. Romano has a lot of skill and speed. He often beats opponents with his stick handling and shows a lot of imagination with the puck. He also has a good shot and can finish from range Romano has talent, and when he’s playing a direct, hard style of play, he can be a very effective player. He was inconsistent this season, though. It’s hard to vouch for a winger his size who didn’t score in big numbers in junior, but Romano looks the part, and with development, I could see him become an NHL player.

106. Tomas Poletin, LW, Pelicans U20 (U20 SM-sarja)

April 30, 2007 | 6' 1" | 205 pounds

Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Poletin didn’t light up the Finnish junior league this season but he was an important part of a top team at that level. He was also a leader for Czechia’s U18 team. Poletin’s game won’t generate many highlights, but he checks a lot of boxes. He’s an NHL-level skater who competes hard and can create some offense. He has decent hands and vision and can make skilled plays, but he tries to create chances in a direct way by getting to the net. He endears himself to coaches with his two-way details and work ethic and could potentially be a fourth-line center.

138. Sam Laurila, LHD, Fargo Force (USHL)

September 2, 2006 | 6' 1" | 192 pounds

Analysis: Laurila was one of the top defensemen in the USHL this season as a re-entry prospect. The former U.S NTDP player is a strong skater who transports a lot of pucks up ice. He showed more offense this season than in previous years, mostly due to his skating. I don’t think he sees the ice at a very high level. He does compete well, though, and makes a lot of stops, which could give him a path to the league.

170. Burke Hood, G, Vancouver Giants (WHL)

April 30, 2007 | 6' 3" | 192 pounds

Tier: Projected to play NHL games

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Hood had an impressive season, being a reliable starter for the Giants coming out of midget hockey the prior season. Hood is a goalie with decent size who moves like a pro. He isn’t explosive laterally, but has the quick-twitch in his lower half to make difficult saves. He’s mostly efficient in his movements, tracking pucks well. I don’t think any aspect of his game truly stands out, but he’s a steady goaltender who makes a lot of stops and could be a potential backup.

202. Jacob Kvasnicka, F, U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

August 10, 2007 | 5' 11" | 172 pounds

August 10, 2007 | 5' 11" | 172 pounds

Analysis
An argument could be made that Day 2 of the NHL Draft was always going to be gravy for the Islanders. Rookie GM Mathieu Darche had already made his mark on Day 1 by wheeling and dealing his way to three selections in the top 17 — a haul that added two of the top defensemen prospects to the team's pool.

Top overall pick Matthew Schaefer is the player around whom Darche will rebuild the Islanders. But it’s Kashawn Aitcheson who could end up being the steal of this weekend. He’s a tough defenseman, and those are hard to come by in the NHL. The new Isles prospect sandwiching those defensemen, Victor Eklund, is a top-10 talent of a winger whose fall on the board could prove to be a big gain for the Islanders.

Darche went for three forwards in the second through fourth rounds. Danil Prokhorov, Luca Romano, and Tomas Poletin will infuse the Islanders system with a mix of skill and grit. Darche said after Day 1 he was pleased with where the Islanders stood in so far as replenishing their prospect pool. Well, they only continued to bolster that endeavor on Day 2.
- Gabe Athaus

When I watched video of Aitcheson catching guys with their heads down it was like I was watching Scott Steven’s…..he’s gonna be a fan favorite

Absolutely, couldn’t have asked for a better draft. Can’t fault Darche for not ponying up a player along with 16 and 17 to move up. The prospect pool is legit and there’s still next years draft
- kindlyrick

For me Darsch is looking at the Panthers, in your face forecheck and strong team defense with big bodies that play with a snarl for each other. Every player has a high end compete level. It all looks that way on paper and hopefully the chemistry develops on the ice.

For me Darsch is looking at the Panthers, in your face forecheck and strong team defense with big bodies that play with a snarl for each other. It all looks that way on paper and hopefully the chemistry develops on the ice.
- nyisles7

No doubt about it. It’s the new NHL. It will be interesting to see what (if any) signings Darche makes July 1. He said he’s always gonna try and improve this team so we shall see.

When I watched video of Aitcheson catching guys with their heads down it was like I was watching Scott Steven’s…..he’s gonna be a fan favorite
- kindlyrick

Romanov 2.0

Romanov 2.0
- nyisles7

Yeah I mean I think he’s NHL ready. Word is Darche is trying to move Mayfield.

Yeah I mean I think he’s NHL ready. Word is Darche is trying to move Mayfield.
- kindlyrick

I thought that report was interesting. With Dobson gone and Pulock aging quickly it seems odd to me they'd be looking to trade another RHD. Who knows what happens, it will be interesting to follow though.

I thought that report was interesting. With Dobson gone and Pulock aging quickly it seems odd to me they'd be looking to trade another RHD. Who knows what happens, it will be interesting to follow though.
- Gabe Athaus

My guess is that Darche is going to sign a RHD via free agency. Whether it’s Ekblad or DeAngelo I think he’s gonna bring in a vet to mentor Schaefer
All I know is I’m ready for 7/1 lol

My guess is that Darche is going to sign a RHD via free agency. Whether it’s Ekblad or DeAngelo I think he’s gonna bring in a vet to mentor Schaefer
All I know is I’m ready for 7/1 lol
- kindlyrick

I could definitely see DeAngelo returning. I don't like the idea of adding Ekblad on a long-term deal, short-term maybe but I still don't have great faith in the direction he's trending at this point in his career. It'd be a good add for the locker room and for Schaefer, but I'm not convinced the money will justify that. Plus there's no guarantee that Schaefer is playing with the big club this year. Personally, I don't think he should.

I could definitely see DeAngelo returning. I don't like the idea of adding Ekblad on a long-term deal, short-term maybe but I still don't have great faith in the direction he's trending at this point in his career.
- Gabe Athaus

Yeah I’m fine with DeAngelo being signed. I might disagree with Ekblad as he’s still got game left in him and if structured properly, it wouldn’t hamper the team on the backend. That said, I don’t see him choosing the rebuilding isles, but money talks I guess, and they have around 9 million to spend.
Regarding Schaefer, I don’t know about him not being ready. I guess they’ll see with camp how he looks, but most first overalls start with their clubs. 🤷‍♂️

Edit : I feel like the isles down tick happened when they lacked a vet presence on the backend not named Pulock or Pelech. They brought in Boychuk, followed by Greene and Chara. After that the d looked lost, and they started blowing leads again. Whoever they bring in, has to eat minutes and be able to hold the lead with a min to go.