The New York Islanders have selected goaltender Cody Rosen with the 185th pick of the seventh round.

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The New York Islanders have traded both of their sixh round picks in 2010 (155th and 160th) to Atlanta for a fifth round pick in 2011.

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The Islanders have selected left wing/center Jason Clark with the 58th pick of the third round.

Jason Clark is a 6′2″ 182lb forward with a left handed shot. Last season he played for Shattuck-St Mary’s HS in Minnesota and has trained with fellow Minnesotan Kyle Okposo. In 54 games this season, Clark had 23 goals and 23 assists for 46 points.

Clark has committed to play for the University of Wisconsin next season.

Clark, according to Kyle Woodlief, of Red Line Report:

“He’s got the size and the tools – good hands and scoring touch – that NHL teams are looking for,” “He just hasn’t put it all together. He needs more intensity and drive.”

“He’s very effective when he plays a physical game”

Woodlief also notes that Clark is more of a shooter, then a playmaker.

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The Islanders have selected wildcard (and wild child) Kirill Kabanov with the 65th pick of the third round.

It’s a similar situation to Kirill Petrov in that should Kabanov pan out, it’s a great pick – but it differs in that he is already playing in North America (Moncton Wildcats) and the Islanders do not have to wait for a KHL contract to expire. It’s also a safer pick in the third round then it would’ve been earlier in the draft.

However, all reports on Kabanov indicate he is a bit of a wild child and could become quite a distraction if he isn’t reeled in.

In 22 games with the Wildcats, Kabanov had 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points.

For a great read on Kirill Kabanov, head on over to Puck Daddy – where you can also see one of the photos I had taken featured front and center.

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Good afternoon once again live from the Staples Center here in Los Angeles, California.

Today at the draft we have a rapid fire round of selections, from round two to round seven. There are no photo ops, no long winded introductions, just pick after pick, after well – pick.

The Islanders have no selections here in the second round (for now) and we are currently at pick number 55 – so they may not elect to move up.

Picks remaining:

• Round 3 – 65th overall and 82nd overall
• Round 4 – 95th overall
• Round 5 – 125th overall
• Round 6 – 155th overall and 160th overall (acquired via trade with NY Rangers for Jyri Niemi)
• Round 7 – 185th overall

Should be an interesting morning.

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The New York Islanders have traded both of their second round picks (35th and 58th) to Chicago and move up to the 30th overall and select Center Brock Nelson. Just a note of interest, Kevin Connolly announced the pick at the podium.

Some info on Nelson, according to Hockey’s Future:

2009-10: Played for Warroad High School in Minnesota. In 31 games for Warroad, Nelson scored 53 goals and added 42 assists for 95 points. He finished with a +55 rating on the season. Nelson was a finalist for the Mr. Hockey Award as Minnesota’s top high school hockey player. Nelson is the nephew of former NHL player and 1980 Team USA member Dave Christian.

Nelson is committed to play for the University of North Dakota next year.

Here is a photo of Brock Nelson on the phone with Kyle Okposo, a fellow Minnesota resident.

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Just uploaded some pics and a video of the press conference for Nino Niederreiter, check them out!

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The Islanders select Nino Niederreiter with the 5th overall selection

By being selected fifth overall, Niederreiter has been drafted highest of any Swiss player ever. The closest was Michel Riesen at 14th overall in 1997.

The addition of Niederreiter to an already stocked farm system means that the Islanders are that much closer to competing at a level they hope they can. The last few years have given them some top tier talent and enabled them an entire crop of home grown players. That’s a great feeling.

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Just getting settled in here at the Staples Center. sitting right next to Yahoo’s Puck Daddy – Greg Wyshnyski and BD Gallof of Hockey Independent.

Here is my view of the Draft Floor

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Just got to the arena. The metro is cheap, and fast!

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Here is a story I had written yesterday on the flight over to LA from NY. I had been asked a few times in the last few weeks why I go so crazy covering hockey. I had thought about some of the reasons as to why I love the draft as much as I do and here is the result. You can also read the story over on Bleacher Report as well. I hope you enjoy it!

Summer is here, the Stanley Cup has been raised high and teams have settled in for a much deserved summer break. That only means one thing, it’s Entry Draft time!

For the third year in a row, I have made the journey to cover the NHL draft live from the event. At the time of this writing, I am halfway across the great American Frontier on my way to Los Angeles, California. I imagine the scene here in the US will differ slightly from what I experienced in Ottawa and Montreal—being they reside in hockey’s hotbed, also known as Canada. However, I am sure the scene here in Los Angeles will be a party full of hardcore fans none-the-less.

People in my life, friends, and family—all think I am crazy for spending as much time and money covering the game of hockey. To me it’s not crazy, it’s a privilege as I get to experience the game I love on a level not many are fortunate enough to experience.

Attending the draft is a special experience, as someone who has played the game of hockey my entire life, I can appreciate the time and effort these young men, and more importantly—their parents, dedicate to the sport. It’s a wild perspective to sit in and bear witness on draft day.

What makes the planning, expense, vacation time, and especially the writing all worthwhile, is watching these young players realize their dreams of becoming professional hockey players has become reality. It’s a magical feeling watching lives change, in a positive way, right before your very eyes.

Another benefit of attending the draft and covering the New York Islanders, I get to watch the young players whom are selected by the team, grow and progress through their young careers witnessing maturation into both men and world class athletes.

Perhaps, in some small way I am living the dream through these players—vicariously if you will. Beyond the obvious difference in talent, players of any level share a common bond for the love of the game. Be it the pro level, or your average Men’s league player—we all willingly play a sport that takes a toll out on our bodies and continue to play for as long as we can.

This is why I go through the lengths that I do to cover the sport, I may only be a blogger who isn’t a writer by day—but I do it for the love of the game and nothing else.

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Good afternoon Islanders fans!

Just checking in here LIVE from Los Angeles, California – well from my hotel room at least. I’ve been doing some last minute research here and there to be prepared for the first round of the draft later on this afternoon. I wanted to put up a sticky post for you all following at home today with the draft selections. I will update it should any changes occur (and I am sure they will):

• Round 1 – 5th overall
• Round 2 – 35th overall and 58th overall (acquired via San Jose in trade with Ottawa for Andy Sutton)
• Round 3 – 65th overall and 82nd overall
• Round 4 – 95th overall
• Round 5 – 125th overall
• Round 6 – 155th overall and 160th overall (acquired via trade with NY Rangers for Jyri Niemi)
• Round 7 – 185th overall

Be sure to follow me on Twitter and over at Bleacher Report all weekend as I will be writing all over the place on the draft!

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