Islanders Remain Interested In Ehlers, Have Also Checked In On McGroarty
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The 2024 NHL Draft is upon us, and the New York Islanders must now decide what to do with the 20th overall pick.
Sure, the Islanders could use their first-round selection for the first time since 2019, or they can use their best asset to bolster their top-six.
On June 1, The Hockey News reported that the Islanders had inquired about Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers.
The 28-year-old has had some injury issues in the past but played in 82 games last season, scoring 25 goals with 36 assists.
Following the NHL Award Show on Thursday, The Fourth Period reported that the Islanders are "amongst teams interested" in Ehlers still and shared what the cost is believed to be.
Ehlers, 28, has one year remaining on his deal at $6 million annually, and interested teams would prefer to have an agreed-upon contract prior to the trade, given the asking price, which is a first-round pick and a young forward. (H/t David Pagnotta)
The Islanders, as mentioned, have the 20th pick and also have a few pending restricted free-agent forwards whose rights can be on the move to Winnipeg if the asking price doesn't come down.
Second-year NHLer Simon Holmstrom, the last player the Islanders took in the first round back in 2019 at No. 23, could be on the move, as well as Ruslan Iskhakov (No. 43 in 2018), who played one regular season game and one playoff game after being named an AHL All-Star in each of his first two seasons with the organization.
Fifth-year NHLer Oliver Wahlstrom and his rights could be on the move as well, as it seems his time on the island is coming to a close after failing to become the sniper the organization envisioned.
As of right now, the Islanders have $5.8 million in available cap space, so they would need to shed a tad to fit Ehlers.
However, teams do not need to be cap compliant until the start of the season and can go 10 perfect over ($8.8 million) the cap during the summer.
There's also another player in Winnipeg who will be on the move, and that's prospect Rutger McRoarty, who is forcing his way out after disagreeing with management about his development plan.
The Islanders' prospect pool is in need of some high-grade talent, and getting both would be a strong start to their summer.
It turns out that the Islanders have checked in with Winnipeg about McRoarty:
Here's a little more about McGroarty, for those unfamiliar with his game.
In 2023-24, he continued to show excellence while playing with and against top talent at every level, including the US World Junior team and at the University of Michigan.
In 36 games throughout his sophomore year at Michigan, McGroarty accumulated 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points.
He comes NHL-ready in terms of size and power (6-1, 200).
Throughout his first two years at Michigan, Rutger showed great ability to fend off defenders and create space for linemates with his work along the boards and in dirty areas in front.
He already has experience playing on the top line, skating with highly touted (Chicago Blackhawks) center Frank Nazar and (Columbus Blue Jackets) super-prospect Gavin Brindley.
The Nebraska native was the 2024 USA World Junior Championship Captain and led the team to a gold medal. (7 GP 5-4-9, +8).
He’s mature for his age (20), has experience playing on the top power-play unit as a lefty on the right side, and has an incredible one-time release.
His accolades include 2024 National Second-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten All-Tournament team.
The Islanders do have two second-round picks which could be used to acquire McGroarty's rights whether it's in a package with Ehlers or a separate deal.
McGroarty skill set fits many of the Islanders' needs, and if Lamoriello can get both Ehlers and the young player's rights -- and ink both to contrast, it would be a rather strong start to his summer.
The NHL Draft begins Friday at 7 PM ET on ESPN.