With the 5th pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Islanders select Michael Dal Colle

With all of the hubbub about the Islanders trading their first round pick leading up to the draft, Garth Snow decided it was in the team's best interest to hold on to the pick.  And with that pick they added to their stable of young prospects by selecting LW Michael Dal Colle.

Snow had offers for the 5th overall pick, but in the end there wasn't an offer that overwhelmed the Islanders GM.  Instead the Islanders got themselves a forward prospect who could find himself part of a solid Top 6 in the not too distant future.

Snow managed to avoid the urge to reach for a couple good looking European prospects, and instead took a player many experts, and fans alike, thought  he should select.

Dal Colle is tall enough, at 6' 2", but not all that big at only 170 lbs.  He was sixth in the OHL in scoring last year, doubling his point total from his first season in Oshawa.  A member of the Canadian Under 18 team, Dal Colle was probably the safest pick for the Islanders once the Top 4 were off the board.

Dal Colle has the ability to snipe, as well as go down low and score from the dirty areas.  The combination makes him an intriguing prospect to say the least.  But the most impressive thing about Dal Colle may be his character.  When asked during pre-draft interviews who his hero was, he answered his older brother Jonluca, who is autistic.

This was ISS Hockey's take on Dal Colle after the Islanders selected him:

Islanders select Michael Dal Colle with the 5th overall pick. Strong based, powerful and positionally intelligent. Biggest asset is big shot

— ISS Hockey (@ISShockey) June 27, 2014

The only surprising thing about this pick was that Dom actually got one right when he chose Dal Colle in the SBN Mock Draft a couple weeks ago.

It's going to be hard to find any fault in this selection by Snow and the Islanders...although I'm sure somebody will find something.  But it's hard to hate the selection of a guy who had this to say in his post-draft interview:

'I grew up idolizing Malkin. But no more. That's done now.'

Welcome to the Islanders, Michael.