Three points from picking 4th (or better)

But you want them to add another premier player and to do that you need to draft high.

Not necessarily. Two of Washington’s four premier players weren’t picked so high. But sure, it improves your chances, particularly if you hope the player can make an impact right away.

The nice thing about the tight Eastern bubble is the Islanders can stay close yet fall off late and still get a pretty good pick; the negative thing is they can stay close yet fall short, and a few points might be the difference from picking 12th and picking 4th in June.

But people need to be realistic: Playoff-level progress this year would just be a bonus; this is still Year 2 of a pretty extensive rebuild. I wouldn’t count on Hamonic or de Haan being in the NHL lineup next year, and this summer’s pick is hardly a guarantee either.

we have a few high picks on our roster now..and I think the next big building block is some playoff experience. The game is a lto more competitive once you get there, and guys have to take it to another level that they may not even know exists. I feel this is what Bailey and Okposo need to put them to the next level. I hope we can manage 8-10 points in the last 7 games until the Olympic break. I feel after the break some of our young guys we be strong for a playoff spot run.

its not the popular stance, but this is a super draft especially 1-3, as much as I hate saying it I hope the losing continues.