Former GM Reveals When He Knew Drafting Ho-Sang Was A Mistake
After close to a decade, the 2014 NHL Draft will be known to Islanders fans for hitting a home run late and absolutely striking out in the first round. The team drafted a Vezina Finalist (Ilya Sorokin at No. 78) and a top-20 NHL defenseman (Devon Toews at No. 108) who has reached new levels of his game since being traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
It is the misses that former general manager at the time Garth Snow remembers most. With the #5 pick the Islanders selected what was supposed to be a safe pick Michael Dal Colle. Dal Colle struggled to develop in the Isles system. He worked hard enough to turn himself into a depth forward, but much more was expected from the top 5 pick.
With the 28th pick, the Islanders, despite character concerns, selected a flashy skater with a big personality in Joshua Ho-Sang.
Snow was on the Cam and Strik podcast and revealed the thought process for drafting Ho-Sang:
"He had top five talent. It was more of a home run swing that didn't pan out"
When did you know that drafting Ho-Sang was a mistake?
Dal Colle played last season in the SM-Liiga league (top league in Finland) with the TPS Turku. Ho-Sang went to the KHL last season but unfortunately was injured in his first game. He had surgery and returned for the playoffs where he went scoreless. Ho-Sang is contemplating the next step in his hockey career as he's not sure he wants to go back to Russia.
| POLL | ||
Which Islanders' draft mistake is the worst? | ||
| Griffin Reinhart (4th 2012) | 11 | 34.4 % |
| Michael Dal Colle (5th 2014) | 5 | 15.6 % |
| Robert Nilsson (15th 2003) | 2 | 6.3 % |
| Scott Scissons (5th 1990) | 14 | 43.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
