The Islanders were a winner and loser of the first day of the draft

Day two of the NHL Draft is set to begin today for the New York Islanders.

They did not make any selections last night in the first round, and will not make make one until the third round this afternoon as a result of the J.G. Pageau trade from back in February where they sent Ottawa their first and second round picks.

The organization’s first pick today will come at 90 followed by 121, 152, 183 and 214.

But let’s go back track to yesterday first. With how the day played out, the Isles were both a winner and loser of the day. You’re asking yourself, how can it be both? Well it’s simple.

Obviously not making a first round selection from what looks to be a very good crop of prospects hurts. Watching their noisy neighbors from Manhattan, the New York Rangers, take a stud in Alexis Lafreniere number one overall is also a bit of a tough pill to swallow. Add on to that the Blueshirts adding a gritty d-man in Braden Schneider at pick 19 and it was a banner night for a team the Islanders will be battling with for Metro Division supremacy for the next several years. All of their other division foes also made quality picks too.

So, there lies where the Isles were on the wrong side of things.

Now, the more positive way to look at day one for the Islanders should also be accounted for. One, there was only one significant deal made before the night got underway — Max Domi was traded to Columbus.

Sure, Domi being added to the Blue Jackets strengthens the Metro even more. But, no other huge names were moved. No Laine. No Hall. No OEL.

Could they all be moved today? Absolutely.

But the first night of the draft was relatively boring and that was a good thing for the Islanders.

What happens on day two, no one can predict.

With five picks to work with and some big decisions to be made by the brass, today could have a massive effect on the Isles moving forward. G.M. Lou Lamoriello hasn’t made a significant draft day acquisition since he took over the organization three years ago.

The time might be now for him to pull the trigger, especially with the Isles as close to a Stanley Cup as they’ve been in three decades.