New York Islanders Draft Preview

First Round Position: 26th (from San Jose)

Best Picks in last 3 Years:

Kyle Okposo (RW) – 1st Round 2006
Josh Bailey (C) – 1st Round 2008
Travis Hamonic (D) – 2nd Round 2008
Justin DiBenedetto (LW) – 6th Round 2008
Mark Katic (D) – 3nd round 2007

Coming Down the Pipe - The Islanders mined 13 picks out of last year’s draft as they were making up for not having a first or second round pick in 2007. They may have a pair of Finns worth watching; Jyri Niemi, a 2008 3rd round blueliner who played in Saskatoon last year and forward Jesse Joensuu who played 7 games with the big club after scoring 20 goals in Bridgeport. LW Justin DiBenedetto proved to critics he didn’t need Steven Stamkos to collect points in Sarnia, upping his 2008 goal total to 45 this year and racking up a second straight 93-point season. Not bad for a 6.00, 200 lb winger who was New York’s final pick of the 2008 draft. Kyle Okposo will be a future power forward while Josh Bailey is a captain candidate in Long Island's future.

Draft Trends - The Islanders traded down twice last year and ended up with 7 picks in the first 3 rounds, maybe they deal this late first round pick.

Millard: Dmitri Orlov - After taking Tavares, the Isles look to the back end with their second pick in round one. Orlov was steady and physical at the U-18’s for Russia, and also loves to jump into the play.

Flaming: Jeremy Morin – from a Ranger to an Islander? The Islanders addressed the back end with Hedman and can look up front now with an offensively talented one in the future Kitchener Ranger.