New Islanders GM Mathieu Darche met with the media today (video link) for the first time since being hired. While he addressed the coaching situation, he was also asked about the upcoming draft. New York now holds the number one selection following a surprising victory at the draft lottery, leading some to wonder if they might be open to moving it to help get back into the playoff picture for next season. While he stopped short of ruling out the idea outright, he did his best to pour cold water on the idea, saying that “Someone would have to really knock my socks off to trade that pick.” The Isles have only picked first overall twice this century, goalie Rick DiPietro (2000) and John Tavares (2009). Barring an offer Darche can’t refuse, they’ll be adding to that count in a little under a month.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- The Avalanche appear to be likely to sign goalie prospect Ilya Nabokov to an entry-level contract, suggests Evan Rawal of the Denver Gazette (Twitter link). The 22-year-old was a second-round pick last year after a breakout year with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. This season, he was nearly as dominant, posting a 2.22 GAA and a .923 SV% in 49 games. With Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood both signed for next season already, one scenario that could come into play is Nabokov signing with a European Assignment Clause which would allow him to return to Russia for the upcoming season and then make the move to North America for 2026-27.
- Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson played through a fractured fibula at the end of the season and at the recently completed World Championship, relays Uffe Bodin of Hockey Sverige. The injury isn’t expected to require surgery so there shouldn’t be any issues heading into training camp when he’ll be beginning a contract year. Andersson played in 81 games with Calgary this past season, notching 11 goals and 20 assists while logging nearly 24 minutes a night of playing time.
- Speaking with reporters earlier this week including Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald, top prospect James Hagens hasn’t decided if he’ll return to Boston College for his sophomore year. The 18-year-old is likely to go in the top five in the draft next month and will be eligible to play in the minors if the team that picks him wants to start him there if he can’t make the NHL roster. Alternatively, if he’s not deemed ready for pro hockey, he could return to school or go to OHL London, which holds his rights at the junior level. Hagens had a solid freshman year as one of the youngest players in college hockey, notching 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games for the Eagles.
“The Isles have only picked first overall twice this century, …”
The use of the word only is not really needed. Plenty of teams have NEVER picked first, ever:
1 Vancouver Canucks – 55 years (joined NHL in 1970)
2 Calgary Flames – 45 years (joined NHL in 1980, relocated from Atlanta)
3 New Jersey Devils – 43 years (joined NHL in 1982, relocated from Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts)
4 Carolina Hurricanes – 46 years (joined NHL in 1979 as Hartford Whalers)
5 Anaheim Ducks – 32 years (joined NHL in 1993)
6 San Jose Sharks – 34 years (joined NHL in 1991)
7 Nashville Predators – 27 years (joined NHL in 1998)
8 Minnesota Wild – 25 years (joined NHL in 2000)
9 Vegas Golden Knights – 8 years (joined NHL in 2017)
10 Seattle Kraken – 4 years (joined NHL in 2021)
San Jose picked 1st overall last year and New Jersey picked 1st overall 2 times.
Incorrect. San Jose picked Celebrini first overall last year.
New Jersey picked 1st overall twice (Hischer and Jack Hughes)
By the way, the Oilers have picked 1st 4 times between 2010 and 2015 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015)
But he used all caps when he wrote NEVER.
I always thought that insured accuracy when communicating on the internet.
Not only this, but jminn lists the Golden Knights who only ever missed the playoffs once and have never had a losing record. It truly is a mystery why they’ve never drafted first overall.
Just announce that the Islanders pick Matthew Schaeffer first overall. It’s a no brainer. Although I’m sure Grandpa Lou would have screwed it up.
Hindsight and all but I ALWAYS (all caps) thought that NYI should have taken Hedman over Tavares. Butterfly effect