What is the story about?
The
Brady Tkachuk trade was only the beginning; lots of trades of name players continue to roll around the league in the lead-up to the draft.
Meanwhile, the Islanders made a front-office move that I will take some getting used to, because I’m petty like that.
Islanders News
- The Islanders have drafted 13th overall twice before, to bipolar results. [Isles]
- Get ready to talk yourself into rooting Pascal Dupuis or, alternately, harshly judging his work as the ex-NHLer who is heavy with the Stench of Penguin has joined the Islanders front office as Director of Player Development. [Isles]
- Here’s the Isles draft hub, where you can remind yourself that the second of their five picks isn’t until the fourth round. [Isles]
Elsewhere
- Holy cow, Bowen Byram got his trade wish and was sent to {gulp} Chicago for the 4th overall pick. Also exchanged were a 2nd-rounder and Jordan Greenway. [NHL]
- The Senators sent their 9th overall pick to San Jose for William Eklund. [Sportsnet]
- The Flames acquired Simon Nemec (and Max Tsyplakov!) for top-10-protected first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. [TSN]
- The Blues traded Jordan Kyrou to the Capitals for a good haul, no-longer-so-young forward Connor McMichael, prospect Milton “stapler” Gaston and the 16th overall pick. Kyrou, who has five years left on a deal with a $8.125 million AAV, had become a whipping boy among fans (I was one holding said whip) and was healthy scratched by a succession of coaches, but hopefully he thrives with a fresh start under Spencer Carbery. [NHL]
- (A Blues beatwriter did mention at one point that Kyrou might be open to a trade to Long Island, alas the Lighthouse Hockey manager was not open to such a move. But still: we’re not on EVERYone’s no-trade list!)
- Morgan Rielly [sic] has submitted a list of teams he’d OK a trade to, including four Western teams. [TSN]
- TSN insiders riff on these topics and more. [TSN]
- The Faustian Oilers say they are willing to do whatever Mike Babcock says to win. Good luck, guys! Whenever I think the Islanders franchise is paying a long-term debt for their ’80s success I look at Edmonton and think…yeah, that theory may have legs. [NHL]
- Babcock chose his introductory press conference to indirectly defend how he treated Mike Modano at the end of his career, ’cause he’s one class act. To borrow from Radiohead’s Exit Music: “We hope…that you choke.” [NHL]
- From the Mind of Mirtle: “NHL’s Canada-to-U.S. Talent Drain Starting to be a Problem for the League.” (Yeah…like how Dylan Larkin wants out of…Detroit and Jack Eichel wanted out of…Buffalo, and John Tavares wanted out of Long Island.) [Athletic]
- This should help: NHL enters a “term sheet” with the owner of Everton and Roma to explore NHL expansion in Texas — either Houston or Austin. [NHL | Athletic]
