Tavares could be next for Islanders after successful first round of Draft

DALLAS-- The New York Islanders landed two players they didn't think they would get with the 11th and 12th picks in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday.
Perhaps their next big move will be getting captain John Tavares to re-sign before he can become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Tavares, a center who was the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, will talk to five other teams, agent Pat Brisson confirmed to TSN on Saturday. The Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars are expected to be among the teams Tavares will meet with, according to The Athletic.
The NHL free agent interview period begins Sunday; a player can talk to and agree to terms with a team but cannot sign until July 1.
RELATED: [Tavares to decide if he will speak to teams: report | 2018 NHL Draft first-round results, analysis]
What the Islanders did Friday certainly won't hurt their chances with Tavares.
The Islanders drafted forward Oliver Wahlstrom, who will be a freshman at Boston College next season, with the No. 11 pick. They selected defenseman Noah Dobson, who is expected to return to Acadie-Bathhurst in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with the No. 12 pick.

Dobson was No. 5 among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking. Wahlstrom was No. 7.
"All we can say is we're glad they were where they were when we picked," general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "So we feel very good about it. You never know when it comes to the draft, everybody has a little different focus, but these were two players we had very high."
Wahlstrom, an 18-year-old right wing, had 83 points (40 goals, 43 assists) in 54 games with the United States Under-18 National Team, leading it in points, goals and assists. He had 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) in 26 games with Team USA in the USHL.
"Prolific scorer," Lamoriello said. "He's got great hands, very talented."
Dobson, 18, scored 69 points (17 goals, 52 assists) in 67 games with Acadie-Bathurst this season, leading them in assists and ranking second in points. He had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 20 playoff games to help Acadie-Bathurst win its first Memorial Cup championship.

"He's got so much upside as far as skill and also offense," Lamoriello said.
Wahlstrom said Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin was his childhood hero.
"I had Fatheads of him, two in my room," Wahlstrom said. "They were all over my wall. I just fell in love with him, his passion for the game, how he scores goals and celebrates and hits guys. I looked at him when I was little and I fell in love."
Dobson, a right-handed shot, said he models his game after St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, also a righty.
"I think one of his greatest assets is his puck-moving ability, his exits on the breakouts, and that's something I really take pride in in my game," Dobson said. "He's a good two-way guy as well, reliable defensively but at the same time he's able to quarterback a power play and create offense. I kind of see that in myself."

Each said he will be at Islanders development camp next week and at training camp in September. Neither ruled out the possibility of making the Islanders out of training camp, but New York's plan is to continue their development away from the NHL next season.
"As a player, as you keep falling down those draft lists, it gives you extra motivation to prove those other teams wrong," Dobson said. "With Oliver being a great player, I think they drafted two really good young players and people. I think it'll definitely be beneficial to the organization down the road."
Lamoriello is also working to acquire a No. 1 goalie. One of his options, Philipp Grubauer, was traded from the Washington Capitals to the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
"I don't think we need to come away these two days [at the draft] with anything, but are we looking for a goalie? Absolutely," Lamoriello said. "I think we have quite a bit of time to get that done."