Who Should the Islanders Draft With Their First Round Pick?
After missing the playoffs this season, the New York Islanders found themselves back in the draft lottery in back-to-back years. Unlike last season, the Islanders could only move up 10 spots to pick either three or four. With the low odds, the Islanders stayed put and will be selecting 13th overall in the NHL Draft.
Despite a strong prospect pool, the Islanders still have some needs to address. At 13, the Islanders should look to add either a goal-scoring forward or a right-shot defenseman. A few players who fit that mold are projected to go within this range and would be great picks for the Islanders.
Ryan Lin – RHD Ryan Lin is a prospect who is ranked all around the first round on draft boards. Scouting boards have him ranked from as high as nine to as low as 26. Despite the wide variety in rankings, Lin would be a great pick if available at 13.
The right-shot defensemen out of the WHL had a strong year with the Vancouver Giants, scoring 15 goals and 43 assists for 57 points in 53 games. He also played for Team Canada at the U18 World Junior Championship, scoring six points in five games. Lin is a smaller defenseman at 5’11” but possesses a strong offensive game.
His puck-moving capabilities and his hockey IQ, mixed with his skating speed and agility, make him a promising prospect with high upside. Despite being a strong offensive defenseman, his two-way game makes him effective in the defensive zone as well. Even with his upsides, Lin has some areas to improve in his game.
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