Vegas Golden Knights: Expansion Draft New York Islanders
The Vegas Golden Knights are the newest NHL team. Over the next month I will take a look at why they took who they did from each NHL franchise.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the 31st NHL franchise. As an expansion team they were allowed to take one player (who was eligible to be drafted) from the other 30 NHL teams. Each team was able to protect either seven forwards, three defenceman and one goaltender or eight skaters and one goaltender. The full rules can be found here. The 19th team we are going to look at is the New York Islanders.
New York Islanders
The Islanders missed the playoffs by one point last season. They are a team filled with depth, thus they had a couple of good options for Vegas to choose from. The Knights could have gone with a top six forward in Ryan Strome or a top four defenceman in Calvin de Haan.
Strome is a speedy winger. He can keep control of the puck, but is not a great defensive asset. Despite that, he is a really good player and would have added a nice aspect to the Knights’ roster. He can play on the power play and has experience of going back and forth between the NHL and AHL, meaning he could help younger players that go through the same thing.
CDH is a mobile two-way defenceman, who has a very strong defensive game. He can move the puck effectively, but has been known to make minor mistakes. The 26-year-old could have added veteran leadership to the backend, but it was not needed with Garrison and Engelland already there. He is a solid penalty killer and would have been a very valuable asset in that aspect.
Vegas decided to draft Jean-Francois Berube. This pick did not make much sense to me until I saw the trade that came with it. The Knights acquired Mikhail Grabovski, Jake Bischoff, the 15th pick in the 2017 draft and a second round pick in 2019. Grabovski may never play another NHL game, but Bischoff, Erik Brannstrom (who Vegas drafted with the first) and the second make up for it. I believe this was a very good move for Vegas to make.
What Other Options Did They Have?
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The Golden Knights could have went with two solid players in Strome and de Haan. They also could have gone with Brock Nelson or Thomas Hickey.
Nelson has improved every season he has been in the league. He is a second line centre, who could take more responsibility if needed to. The defensive aspect of his game are just as good as the offensive, making him a solid two-way forward. Despite being a second line centre for the Islanders, he could have taken the top line duties on Vegas and play with James Neal.
Hickey is an interesting player. He is a top four defenceman, but because of New York’s defensive depth, he was forced to play on the bottom pairing. Despite being on the third pairing, he had an impressive season last year. He produced 20 points in 76 games and has been very consistent over the last four seasons. Producing between 18-22 points each year, that is with limited ice-time as well. He also has a strong defensive game, which made him a solid choice for the Knights to pick.
While both players would have been good picks, getting the draft picks and Bischoff is still the better option.
Overview
Vegas decided to draft Berube. Since they made that choice, they got Grabovski, Bischoff, Brannstrom and a second in 2019. Some people have been confused by this choice, but it makes a lot of sense. The Knights are focusing on their long-term plans and pick helps them with that. Berube decided to leave the Knights in free agency for the Chicago Blackhawks, but the trade makes up for it.
Next: Expansion Draft New Jersey Devils
Brannstrom alone could make this pick a steal for the Golden Knights.