Cole “Goal” Yzerman? Just “Goal” Yzerman? Surely there's someone like that out there already?
It wasn't as much of a fiasco as the 2023 NHL Draft, but like last year, officials hyped the week before the 2024 NHL Draft as a potential fireworks display, only to end up with no players being traded again. At least this year there was a trade of picks.
But it did mean that for the first time since 2019, the Islanders actually held onto their 20th overall pick in the first round (after trading down from 18th with Chicago a month earlier) and used it on Cole Yzerman. Until last November, Yzerman was projected to be a possible No. 2 overall pick. His goal scoring has plateaued in some ways, but it's hard to go up from there when you're already scoring at a historic pace. He left the U.S. National Team Development Program with 127(!) career goals in 119 games. That's 127 goals, not 127 points.
Scouts would like to see him play more completely, but he does a lot of things that can't be taught. Naturally, Al Arbour's comments after drafting Mike Bossy, “You can teach a scorer to check, but you can't teach a checker to score,” became a hot topic.
Maybe we shouldn't overestimate him, but the mindset is the same and it's refreshing to see Lou Lamoriello act like that. He was as surprised as anyone that Yzerman was the 20th pick.
Day 2 of the draft begins at 11:30 a.m. ET on the NHL Network and ESPN+. The Islanders have two second-round picks and plenty of names left. But it remains to be seen if the Isles will use both. Nikolaj Ehlers feel Like Patrick Roy Islander.
I'll write a few here and more tomorrow after the draft. Good to be back, everyone. Things have been busy since the Islanders loss, but it's good to be half asleep typing away again.
Islanders News
- Yzerman deviated from the Islanders' typical philosophy and committed to Boston University. [LHH | Newsday]
- Lamoriello and the Isles staff seemed pretty high on Yzerman's list and were happy to see him drop down to their team. Yzerman also said the Islanders seemed to understand his vision better than most other teams. [Islanders]
- Scott Wheeler wrote a feature on Yzerman in March, but by that point, Yzerman had dropped down every scouting ranking and draft board. [The Athletic]
others
- Steven Stamkos appears to be heading to the market on Monday. This is a post from 2016. [NHL]
- Sam Reinhart has yet to re-sign with Florida, but he likely will. [NHL]
- The Rangers and Red Wings are in trade talks for Jacob Trouba. I don't think Steve Y is all that good at the job. His reputation is based on a few lucky picks with the Lightning, but that's probably more down to the scouts than him. [NY Post]
- The Flyers are trying to acquire Cam Atkinson for some reason, they have cap space and aren't looking to perform well next year. [NHL]
- Anthony Duclair is feeling pretty good about himself heading into free agency. [NHL]
- There have been several rumors circulating around the league, including Alexandre Texier moving from the Blue Jackets to the Blues on a two-year contract. [NHL]
