Islanders pick lot of Europeans in the NHL Draft 2013
The NHL Draft 2013 was held earlier today and here is the recap of the Islanders' draft day.
Islanders had 10 picks when coming to draft. Three of those picks where in top-60. In the first round Islanders drafted 23th overall (orig. NYR's pick).
The first thing what Islanders made was the trade with Tampa Bay. Islanders traded their 3rd round pick in 2014 and 120th overall pick to Tampa Bay for 65th overall pick in this year's draft.
In the first round Islanders selected a goalie
Viktor Kokman from HV 71, Elitserien. "Viktor was the best goalie in this draft, I think. He is hybrid, modern goalie. Also he has size. I think a goalie was the position what lacked the most in our pool", said GM Southfield about his first selection of draft.
Viktor Kokman was selected 23th overall by Islanders
In the second round Islanders had two picks. 42th overall and 44th overall, these picks were originally Nashville's and LA's picks. With 42th overall pick Islanders selected defenseman
Matthew Calvert from Zurich Lions, NLA. "Calvert is two-way defenseman. Left-handed. He has good foot to carry the puck over the own blue line."
44th overall selection was center
Brendan Gaunce from Belleville, OHL. "He is one of the best two-way centers in this draft. I see lot of Brandon Sutter in him. We scouted him closely whole year long. We were very lucky to get a chance to draft him."
As the result of earlier trade Islanders had two picks in round three. With 65th overall pick Islanders selected left winger
Gustav Possler from MoDo, Elitserien. "He is a pure sniper. He shoots well, I think he will be able to play NHL-hockey at some day. We were extremely happy to draft him."
With 90th overall pick Islanders drafted defenseman
Jan Kostalek from Sparta Praha, Extraliga. "Right-handed defenseman. He is project. We want to see what we might be able to get out of him."
In round four the Islanders had one pick. With 196th overall pick (orig. SJ's) Islanders selected finnish center
Alexander Barkov from Tappara, SM-liiga. "He is big center. He is a project like Kostalek, but I'm expecting good things in long run from him. He needs couple more years still to get his prime."
Round five was two pick round for Islanders. With 145th overall selection Islanders selected defenseman
Dalton Young from Saginaw, OHL. "He is big defenseman, who still needs to add something around him. He skates well, reads play well. A very talented player in all."
150th overall pick was used to draft right winger
Nick Moutrey from Saginaw, OHL. "He looked good when we watched him game. He was teammate of Young, our last pick. I think he has very good tools in him."
Dalton Young, 145th overall selection
In round six, Islanders had one pick, their own 180th overall pick. With that Islanders selected center
Jonathan Johnson from Frölunda, Elitserien. "He has already played couple season with Frölunda. I think he could be ready for the AHL, even in the next season already."
The last pick of whole draft, Islanders used to select defenseman
Kari Kaijomaa from Ässät, SM-liiga. "He is a big defenseman. Late-bloomer. Our scouts got a good look on him when we scouted Finnish league. I think he can be one of the steals of draft."
That was it for Islanders for this draft day. In recap Islanders drafted three centers, one left winger, one right winger, four defenseman and one goalie with their 10 pick of the draft.
"We are happy with our draft. We got basically players whom we wanted. I'm happy to leave this draft floor with these players, we got better today", recapped Islanders GM Anatsu Southfield his team's day.
Trades around the league in draft-day:
NJ: Mark Fayne <-> TB: 95th overall pick + 120th overall pick
LA: Michael Leighton <-> DET: 3rd round pick 2014
- MSG Media