Islanders GM Snow open to trading No. 5 pick in draft

New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow told Newsday he's open to trading the fifth pick at the 2014 NHL Draft if the return is a player that can have an immediate impact on the roster.

"We're open to trading the pick for someone we think can come in and help us right away," Snow said recently.

Snow started adding to his roster for the 2014-15 season by acquiring goaltender Jaroslav Halak from the Washington Capitals and signing him to a four-year contract.

Newsday reported Snow would like to use the No. 5 pick as a trade chip to acquire a top-pair defenseman or a top-line left wing to play alongside John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.

After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2013, the Islanders finished 2013-14 with 79 points, 15 fewer than the Detroit Red Wings for the second Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Part of that slide was due to a season-ending knee injury sustained by Tavares during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.