Islanders 2022 Draft Recap

Having largely exhausted their supply of draft picks in an ill-fated pursuit of a Stanley Cup championship, the New York Islanders seemed headed for a quiet draft weekend in 2022. And while that was largely how things turned out, the Isles did manage to make a bit of noise as they added some promising young talent to their organization.

The most significant move was of course the trade of winger Travis Konecny to the St. Louis Blues.

Konecny, who was taken 44th overall by the Islanders in the 2015 EHE "Super Draft,"  had spent all 410 games of his EHE career in New York, but now finds himself on the growing list of longtime Islanders who have been shipped out of town as GM Kyle Phillips continues to tinker with an underachieving core.

"Definitely disappointed to be leaving," said a downbeat Konecny in a short online media availability, "but there's always changes when a team doesn't live up to expectations.

"You always want to stay and be part of the solution, but now I just have to focus on the new challenges in front of me. I'm excited to be going to St. Louis, I think they've got a good young team there and I'll be doing my best to help them make some noise next season."

In return for Konecny, the Islanders received 20-year-old Finnish winger Roby Järventie, along with 2nd and 5th round picks in the 2023 draft. The move provides New York with some financial flexibility—apparently a priority for management this offseason—with Konecny's $4.5 million cap hit coming off the books. But even more importantly, it gives a small boost to a prospect pipeline which had taken a significant hit as the organization made numerous high-profile additions to both its pro rosters throughout the 2021-22 season.

To that end, the Islanders also put another drop in the bucket with three late picks on Day 2 of the draft. Of course, the players they added—winger Alex Bump, centre Amadeus Lombardi, and defenseman Ryan Healey—are long shots to ever make an impact in the EHE. But word is that Phillips, in his first draft at the helm, is satisfied that the scouting staff adhered to his "highest ceiling possible" philosophy.

And finally, the Islanders capped off the weekend with a minor move, sending a 2022 5th round pick to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2023 5th and $250,000, a deal presumably made with an eye towards both the (supposedly) deeper 2023 draft class, and the significant contract work which remains for the club this offseason.

All in all, it was a weekend of low-key maneuvering in preparation for the 2022-23 season. And with a total of eight picks in 2023, next year's draft is already shaping up to be more eventful on Long Island, one way or another.

Martins Auzins

Lombardi was on my list as well, I think either he will make it big or bust out heavily but a nice high risk - high reward pick late in the draft.

Islanders 2022 Draft Recap

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-Inactive-

that's a sharp handle ... Amadeus Lombardi

Islanders 2022 Draft Recap

• 1 teams Like this  2 years

Jared Mitchell He impressed at Red Wings prospect camp in this summer as well. Should get more recognition in the Traverse City tourney in two weeks as well.

2 years  1 teams Like this

Shaun Stephens

You did not have any picks but were present for the whole thing..dedication at its finest!

Islanders 2022 Draft Recap

• 1 teams Like this  2 years