Can Kessel Fall to the Islanders?
The Islanders have the seventh pick at today’s draft. Once touted as a #1 overall, North Dakota’s Phil Kessel is now ranked #5. Needing two surprise picks for the Islanders to be able to pick him up isn’t completely unheard of, something Alan Hahn notes in today’s Newsday. Some other possible Islanders picks:
The Islanders love 6-2, 205-pound center Peter Mueller, an American who played for Everett (WHL), but it is believed the Columbus Blue Jackets, who pick sixth, plan to take him. It leaves the Islanders with options such as 5-10 center Bryan Little of Barrie (OHL), 6-4 Swedish center Patrik Berglund or defensemen such as 6-4, 226-pound Nigel Williams, who is from the U.S. development team, or Bob Sanguinetti of Owen Sound (OHL).
Hahn also notes that there’s little expectation of any big deals, a definite change from the Milbury era.
However, and this is a big however - but not something the Islanders have to move on today - a friend called to let me know the Islanders season ticket holders renewal package has gushing pictures of Rick Dipietro, Trent Hunter, Miroslav Satan and even Shawn Bates. A noticable absentee is Alexei Yashin. Whether or not a buyout is coming, it’s obvious it’s being mulled over. Word is owner Charles Wang is being pressured to write that enormous check, but is hesitant for many reasons. Perhaps he can ask tennis partner Carol Alt what she thinks of it.
Another random Islanders-related thought: if you’re looking for a player to step it up under the new Ted Nolan regime, keep your eye on Sean Bergenheim. Nevermind the European stereotypes, the kid plays with a ton of heart and he’s exactly the kind of player who earns ice time and seems to rack up points under Nolan’s system. Well, that’s as long as Nolan doesn’t change his style much to fit into the “new” NHL.
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