The Islanders won More draft capital on Fridaysent a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the Blackhawks in exchange for a first-round pick and two second-round picks.
The Islanders will hold the 20th, 54th and 61st overall picks, instead of the 18th and 50th, in the draft to be held in Las Vegas in a month’s time.
The deal essentially makes up for the shortfall of a third-round pick traded for Pierre Engvall at the 2023 deadline.
General manager Lou Lamoriello said at the trade deadline that moving a first-round draft pick was on the table but that trading in exchange for additional draft capital would leave the door open for a trade in the future.
The Islanders haven’t made draft picks a priority under coach Lamoriello, whose last first-round pick was back in 2019.
Whether they will do so this year remains an open question, and the players selected represent some of their most valuable assets who need to fill holes on the roster.
But strengthening their system, which is lacking in quality prospects, with this draft would help them greatly in the long run.
And the more players the Islanders select, the better their chances of doing so.
