Analytics and Traditional Scouting Both Feature in Islander 2016 Entry Draft

GM Tony Chiu has been a large proponent of advanced statistics and analytical tools in the management of hockey teams, and it was in evidence 2 days ago at the 2016 EHE Entry draft. This was the first "major" event in the new regime, as the previous administration had left the team in such disarray that this rebuilding team did not even have many assets to move at the previous trade deadline. The Islanders drafted 6 players in total, a major step to unfucking the clusterfuck that is this Islander's team 

The Islanders' first choice was Patrick Laine at 2nd overall. "To win '2nd' in the lottery was tremendous for this team going forward. The fans needed something to be excited about, and Patrick Laine is exciting. He hits all the checkboxes for us. Our scouts loved him because he's big, strong, and can shoot the puck. He has a late birthday, he excelled in a pro league, and he was excellent in both best-on-best tournaments he played in last season."

Rasmus Asplund was drafted at 25th overall. "He's a 'real good' pro at age 18. He can play the 200 foot game, he showed some creativity at the U20s where he was promoted and played with their best offensive players. He's a first round talent. The numbers guys really liked him, and I was inclined to agree"

Janne Kuokkanen was the Islander's 3rd choice at 35th overall. "Our scouts were screaming for Janne. The numbers guys weren't so certain, the Finnish Junior leagues are still unknown territory for us, but I felt we could gamble here. His U18 performance convinced me that he has great potential going forward."

At pick 65, Cameron Morrison was selected out of the USHL. "The analytics team was jumping up and down when he was available at 65. The scouts didn't complain either. Our numbers guys love the fact that he scored so many goals in the USHL as one of the youngest players in the draft."

One giant problem for the Islander team going forward is the complete lack of defense at every level of the organization, and finally at pick 72 the Islanders drafted Luke Green out of QMJHL. "We think he's a very good defenseman. We need more Luke Green's on our team. Our organization values defenseman that have offensive skills, and Luke Green has those offensive skills. His 'surface' numbers were underwhelming but our analytics team has assured us it's not a problem going forward."

USNTDP Goalie Joseph Woll was drafted at pick 66, and he's seen as a long-term project. He will continue his development at the NCAA level. 

The always quotable GM ended his draft day with this quip: "With all due respect to the hard-working NHL scouts, I still think sitting on my ass drafting using my laptop could have produced better results for several NHL teams in the past."