Notebook: Lamoriello on 2020 Draft

The 2020 NHL Draft was long - over 10 combined hours on Tuesday and Wednesday - but for Islanders President and GM Lou Lamoriello, good things come to those who wait.
The Islanders selected five players in the Draft
, taking three wingers, a defenseman and a goalie in rounds 3-7. The Isles GM said he was pleased with his picks and his scouts work, acknowledging the difficultly of drafting exclusively in the later rounds.

"I complement our scouting staff at the job they did, not having a first-and-second round pick," Lamoriello said. "The objective going into the draft was no different than any other draft… Trying to get the best possible players available that will allow you to stockpile your assets… That's exactly what transpired today."

Video: Isles 2020 Draft: Lou Lamoriello

Isles Draft Big Bodies:

The Islanders drafted players with size on Wednesday, bringing in a crop of players over 6'0 in Swedish winger Alexander Ljungkrantz (6'1, 179 lbs.), NCAA commit Alex Jefferies (6'0, 195 lbs.), QMJHL power forward William Dufour (6'2, 195 lbs.) and Finnish blueliner Matias Rajaniemi (6'4, 201 lbs.). Lamoriello noted the "exceptional" size of 6'8 goalie Henrik Tikkanen, a 20-year-old out of Finland.
Read more about the prospects here and get their full reactions on joining the organization
.

Video: Isles 2020 Draft Pick Interviews

Prospects, Playing and Development:

Four of the Islanders five draftees: Ljungkrantz (SHL), Dufour (QMJHL), Rajaniemi (Liiga) and Tikkanen (Mestis) have all started their league play, while Jefferies, a Merrimack college freshman is skating with his team, but have not determined an NCAA start date. Continuing to play will be important for their development, especially without a summer development camp on Long Island.
While the draftees are getting reps, Lamoriello said the organization's American Hockey League prospects are in a tougher situation. The AHL is tentatively targeting Dec. 4 as a start date, but Lamoriello said he was considering loaning some of the Islanders AHL prospects to Europe. Oliver Wahlstrom (AIK) and Simon Holmstrom (Vita Hasten HC) were already loaned to Sweden, and more could be Europe bound should the team could find the right fit.
"We have [looked into it]. We've got a couple of players playing now," Lamoriello said. "If we do it, we want to place them somewhere where they're placed towards their strengths as far as development, the right team, the right coach all of the above and also the right set of circumstances because of the contract they have in terms of insurance… We are trying to do it. How many players we can place, I don't know. I'm sure we can place a lot, but place them in a team or an area that's safe also as well as the development end."

Tweet from @NYIslanders: Learn a little bit about our latest draft pick, Alex Jefferies! ������ pic.twitter.com/SvdkNCiuN3

Virtual Draft Goes Off Without a Glitch:

This year's draft was one for the Zoom archive, as it was all conducted remotely.
Teams set up war rooms in their locker rooms, board rooms and the Golden Knights even posted up at a ranch in Montana. Lamoriello's philosophy had more of a 2020 vibe, as his scouts all worked the draft from home, while all staying on an internal Zoom call.
Lamoriello gave kudos to the Islanders IT, PR and Hockey Ops staff for setting up a seamless operation, one without any technical glitches.
"It was unusual, but it went extremely well," Lamoriello said. "We didn't have one hitch today. We had everyone on one screen, all of our scouts, we were communicating throughout the day. They had the best location, they were at home so they could get up and move around. It was a long day, probably one of the longest draft days I've experienced, but all went well… Everyone in this office deserves accolades."

Tweet from @PR\_NHL: The @NHL and @NHLPA announce target date for 2020-21 season. https://t.co/5gDvmWkiAT pic.twitter.com/vWZJdbrU8v

Target Date, Acquired:

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman opened Round 1 with the news the NHL was targeting Jan. 1 as a potential start date for the 2020-21 season. While no details on the how and where of next season, or training camp, have been decided on, Lamoriello was asked for his thoughts on a New Year's Day start date.
"I think we'll be playing hockey," Lamoriello said. "What I say to our players is, you work backwards in your preparation and getting ready to play. Our players certainly played a good distance this year, took a few weeks off, but they are right back at it working out, getting prepared and focused on what they have to do to be best prepared."
"The calendar it feels very strange," Lamoriello added. "Here we are today talking draft. In Europe they are playing their regular season schedule. These times are certainly unpredictable, they are fluid, but we just have to adjust. It's an exciting time for the Islanders."