Islanders News: First Round of the Draft is tonight

Tonight is one of the biggest nights on the NHL’s yearly schedule. The 2019 NHL Entry Draft begins with the first round in Vancouver at 8:00 p.m. ET. Lives will be changed, both for the draftees and for you, the viewer. Here’s hoping the GMs aren’t too gunshy on trades because they don’t know whether they’ve got an extra $0.5 million to play with.

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Islanders News

• This headline says it all: Islanders saviors Robin Lehner and Barry Trotz both had powerful messages this season. [THN]
• Trotz is sharing his Jack Adams with his entire coaching staff. Like, they all came out to Las Vegas with him. [Islanders]
• What might the Islanders do if both Anders Lee and Robin Lehner end up walking, with the free agent contact period beginning Sunday? [The Athletic]
• GM Lou Lamoriello has less wiggle room in this Draft than he did last season, but that doesn’t mean the weekend can’t still be a success. [Newsday]
• The State Senators representing the areas surrounding Belmont have come together to voice their support of the project, as well as an enhancement or addition of a full-time LIRR station at Belmont. [NY State Senate]

Elsewhere

• The commissioner announced some rule changes starting next season. They pertain to, as expected, video review and the coach’s challenge. [NHL]
• Kevin Hayes cashed in a career year with his massive contract, one the Flyers surely won’t regret. [TSN]
• Corey Perry will leave a lasting legacy with the only franchise he’s ever known in the Ducks, even if it ended a little unceremoniously. [Anaheim Calling]
• Now he’s hungry to chase a Stanley Cup, probably on a cheap deal. [TSN]
• The Avalanche seem to have Tyson Barrie on the trade block. [MHH]
• Ryan Callahan was diagnosed with degenerative back disease and was advised to retire. His cap hit will go on LTIR when the season starts. Sad way for his career to effectively end. [Raw Charge]
• Andre Burakovsky may not get a qualifying offer from the Capitals before Tuesday’s 5:00 p.m. deadline, which would be pretty dumb on Washington’s part but I’d take him as a cheap UFA. [NHL]
• LISTEN: Former Isles coach Jack Capuano went on the radio in Ottawa to discuss his new job as an assistant there, stating that he’s excited to be around the young, skilled talent the Senators have. [TSN]
• There’s no NHL Fan Fest tonight like there has been at the last few drafts. How come? [Daily Hive]
• Mad about the NHL Awards? Take a peek at how the writers voted. [PHWA]
• Is the Selke Trophy slowly morphing into the Hart Trophy? [THN]
• The biggest takeaway from the NHL Awards was Carey Price stealing the show, but Robin Lehner also made a powerful speech, and Nikita Kucherov won three trophies. [Sportsnet]