New York Islanders: The Isles should not trade for Phillip Grubauer on Draft Night

The New York Islanders hold back to back picks during Friday nights NHL Draft. They will select 11 and 12. They should not use one of those picks to acquire Philipp Grubauer.

The New York Islanders just parted ways with Garth Snow. Say what you want about him, but his ability to snag Calgary’s first rounder this year during last year’s draft was really clutch.

The best part is they are no longer his picks to ruin like he normally would. The new guy in charge shows actual intelligence on a daily basis. You might have heard of him and his name is Lou Lamoriello.

The Islanders also just hired Barry Trotz as their head coach. That move was a bonafide no-brainer.

Now that the Islanders have a completely new regime, people are expecting moves. One of the names being rumored to be on the trading block is Philipp Grubauer of the Washington Capitals.

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They won just a Cup with their current goalie Braden Holtby but Grubauer has the skills of a starter and his trade value is the highest it will ever be.

Many people are likely seeing him end up in New York with the Islanders. The writing on the wall is screaming that this will happen too with Trotz coming in and the Isles having draft ammo.

However, I do not think that the Isles should make a draft-day trade for Philipp Grubauer.

Yes, Barry Trotz is his old coach. Sure, the Islanders have two first-round picks. But, to me, those picks should not be wasted and one is not “extra.” The Isles need both of them.

Why would the Islanders give a first-round draft pick to the Stanley Cup Champions for a goalie the Caps simply just do not need?

I do not see the appeal. For one, the Islanders already have the Caps’ coach so that is something that is of note.

I’m not blind or oblivious to the fact that the Islander need a goalie. It is imperative they have one. Every great team has elite goaltending.

But, the Islanders also have no defense. The Islanders’ defensive attack or their lack of, last season wasted a historically good offense. It was bad defense and goaltending that costs them the playoffs.

With the two first rounders, the Islanders should either package them together to move up into the top 5 or keep both of them to draft, I don’t know, fresh talent.

We need to remember this is not Garth Snow anymore. Lou actually has an eye for talent. He can easily turn both of these picks into starts one day.

I am not knocking Gruabuer’s talent. If the Islanders can get him later in the offseason in other ways, please by all means, do so.

It is just that great teams do not build well by trading first round draft picks. They win nowadays by acquiring them.

The Isles do not have a fraction of defensive talent the Capitals have. That is saying something. Grubauer can be successful for the Islanders but it might take just as long for him to succeed and build a defense around him as it would just drafting a new goalie.

I am all for the Isles making a splash in the NHL Draft. Also, I’m all for moving back one of the picks to get a first next year or something.

I just do not see trading a top 15 selection to the Stanley Cup champion division rival for a goalie whose stock is the highest it ever could be.

Next: Isles offseason Targets

The Islanders need goalies. However, they need to bolster the entire roster from the bottom up more. Building a true winner is done through the draft. The Isles can finally do that. Do not give it up to fix just one of many needs right now.

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