Islanders will give up first rounder to keep Vegas from taking forwards

The New York Islanders protected five defencemen and three forwards ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Islanders will give up a first round pick to keep Vegas from taking one of their forwards.

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The New York Islanders protected five defencemen and three forwards ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft.

According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Islanders will give up a first round pick to keep Vegas from taking one of their forwards.

Interestingly, the Islanders protect 5 D and 3 Forwards. Source indicates Isles will give up a 1st round pick to keep Vegas off forwards.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 18, 2017

The Islanders only protected forwards John Tavares, Anders Lee, and Andrew Ladd so that they could also protect five defencemen - Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, and Ryan Pulock.

The Golden Knights released a statement Saturday night saying they would work with teams to allow them to keep players they wanted in exchange for draft picks.

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NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Islanders will give up first rounder to keep Vegas from taking forwards

The New York Islanders protected five defencemen and three forwards ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights expansion draft. According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Islanders will give up a first round pick to keep Vegas from taking one of their forwards.