8:56 pm: According to Daniel Friedman, the Islanders have indeed told teams that their 15th pick is available -- at the right price of course.
2:37 pm: Newsday's Art Staple has retweeted @RealKyper as to the reality of the Isles interest in a Luongo for DP swap. However, he says that is the only deal the Isles are willing to do and will give up no assets in the deal. Therefore, Vancouver will probably look elsewhere.
So one bad contract deserves another. From Coast to Coast.
7 am: I waited until the last minute to actually look at the draft prospects. Last night after 11 pm, I wandered around NHL.com and came up with two answers that will completely fly in the face of convention -- and probably give my readers cause for conversation.
We know the Isles need a netminder, a starting netminder that is. But I also have a feeling that chosing a goalie in the first round isn't out of the question. While everyone else's mock draft have the Isles chosing a center or a wing, I'm saying if the Isles DO surprise and go for a goalie with their 15th pick - it has to be Zachary Fucale. http://www.nhl.com/ice/search.htm?tab=all&q=zachary+fucale&x=0&y=0
The kid is amazing and he plays on the same team and has developed with the two young men slated to go in the top five. His numbers and his personality seem to make him a good fit for the Isles.
Is 15th too high to draft this kid? Have we seen Garth Snow edge DOWN in the draft order before? We sure have. Don't think it isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Now for skaters, I've looked at both the Domi kid and Bo Horvat and come up with another dark horse for the Isles. Ryan Hartman. Just throwing that out there.
Of course the question that so many were bantering about (and not really knowing the answer to ) is will the isles buy out Rick DiPietro? This is a wait and see situation. Whatever they decide, I would bet my left kidney that Rick will NOT be suiting up this coming season, unless it is to host a goalie camp.
*Update 11:59 am: From the mind of BDGalloff (and Twitter) the most accurate account of the RDP situation:
B.D. Gallof @BDGallof 6m
#isles - if DP not bought out, market was not as lucrative on cap relief trades in acquiring talent as they wanted. This is what drives this
Bingo.
Sideboards: Okay, please! If you are in the NYC area and are a fan of ANY NHL team, don’t forget about FiveHoleForFood.com hosting a hockey event on Saturday in Central Park. There will be plenty of guests and fun. Say hello to the really, really tall guy named Richard Loat. He has worked tirelessly on this project and done some wonderful work. This is the first time the Canadian effort will be in New York.
Are you heading to the Draft Party on Sunday? Since I won’t be going to New Jersey (because someone I work for didn’t return my phone call, ahem) I’ll be attending the Isles Draft Party with my peers -- the fans. The Isles have some cool new interactive games they’ll be trying out as well as some other surprises.
Doors open at 1:30 pm and the draft begins at 3 pm. I’m pretty sure that it will be going fast and furious since they are doing all the rounds in one day. Whether Garth Snow moves up or down in the order, we are sure to see his first choice in this year’s draft.
See you there.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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