NHL Draft 2011: New York Islanders to Trade Fifth Overall Pick?

The Islanders will be looking to make themselves better in this offseason no doubt. It will all start with the 2011 NHL Draft on Friday night. But will the Islanders have a first-round pick?

It has been talked about for a few weeks now: if the Islanders were offered the right player for the fifth overall pick, they wouldn't hesitate.

The Islanders have had some trouble drawing free agents to the team in the past few years. It makes perfect sense for the Isles to land a big player via trade. Who is available? One player who would be a great fit is Atlanta/Winnipeg defenseman Zach Bogosian.

Bogosian will be a restricted free agent this offseason and there has been speculation that Atlanta/Winnipeg won't re-sign him. One option they do have is to trade him. Getting the fifth overall pick and a top prospect wouldn't be a bad start for the Thrashers' move to Winnipeg. Although maybe the Thrashers want to keep him and maybe he'll be a fan favorite in Winnipeg.

It's been said that the Isles want to trade for a top-tier forward, and the one who stands out the most is Jeff Carter. The Philadelphia Flyers will be trying to sign goalie Ilya Bryzgalov and will need to shed some contracts. Carter would fit in with the Islanders well. At 26 years old, Carter is producing every year. He has 60-plus points almost every year and might be able to help out some of the younger players.

One problem with Carter is his long-term deal.

The Islanders have problems with long-term deals (Rick DiPietro) and I'm not sure if the Isles are willing to take on that kind of commitment again with Carter's 11-year contract.

Of course, this is just all speculation and no one knows for sure what the Islanders will do in the upcoming days up until the draft. Will the Islanders finally land a big name on Long Island via trade?

Or will GM Garth Snow continue building with young talent and take a top-five player in the 2011 NHL Draft. One thing is for sure, we will all know the Islanders plans in the upcoming weeks and months leading up to what is already becoming an exciting hockey season on Long Island.