Simple Question: Who do you guys think Seattle will select from the Islanders? There really aren't a ton of amazing options for them. Assuming Barzal, Beauvillier, Lee, Eberle, Nelson, Pageau, Bailey, Pelech, Pulock and Varlamov are protected, how do you all think it will go? I'll give some brief analysis, along with my prediction.
Sebastian Aho (D): Smooth-skating puck mover out of Sweden; put up gaudy point totals in the AHL, but hasn't played a professional game in almost A YEAR. Has the most upside out of the likely options, but also maybe the most risk.
Kieffer Bellows (W): Former 1st round pick who has yet to prove he can stick in the NHL. AHL career is also a mixed bag, but he has shown flashes of being a capable middle six scorer. Could hit a stride with some more consistent playing time, but likely won't get those opportunities on Long Island.
Scott Mayfield (D): Pure defensive defenseman with very little offensive upside. On a steal of a contract for a player in his role, which I think makes him the most attractive of the listed options, especially if Seattle was looking to flip him.
Michael Dal Colle (LW): Reliable defensive forward, again, with little offensive ability. Has carved out a nice role on the 3rd line as a forechecker/shutdown forward but far from the hype surrounding the 5th overall pick. Could be a nice depth piece in the NHL, however, for years to come.
Nick Leddy (D): Having a resurgent season, in terms of both point production and overall impact, but makes a whopping $7 million in real money next season. Seattle would be one of the few teams in the league that could afford him without the Islanders retaining a considerable chunk of the final year of his contract.
Trades?: With several RFAs to be signed in the offseason, the Islanders could look to strike a deal with Seattle to take a bad contract. Personally, I think moving Komarov would be more advantageous, as we could move $3 million off the books for next season and not have to pay a boatload in return (like we would for Ladd). Not sure if it's worth it to the Kraken and it might not be worth it to us to make it worth it to them, but it's a route worth keeping on the radar.
My prediction: I think the Kraken will look to take a big swing with the Isles. Not much to choose from, so you might as well take a little more of a risk. I'll say they select Sebastian Aho, after liking what they see from him when he gets into a couple of games later on this season. The Isles have been very lucky with injuries this season (Beauvillier and Dal Colle have been the only big ones so far) and there is the looming threat of Covid hanging over the league as well. If one defenseman gets hurt, Aho is going to get in, unless they want to go to Thomas Hickey, who hasn't played professionally in nearly TWO YEARS. But I'm legitimately interested to see how the rest of you feel about it.
Yeah, it's probably Bellows unless the Isles want to give up assets to dump cap, which probably isn't the worst idea since they could use some parts, but don't have the space to make any moves right now.
Imo Keffer Bellows, he needs another system to play in, and he needs time, Seattle has to go with youth bc of the new rules. But its just my opinion.
I could see that for sure. I think he's a serviceable 3rd liner right now, I think on a team where he'll get the opportunities he could get even better
McDavid, Connor
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