Draft: Islanders Select Andrei Pedan With the 63rd Overall Pick

The New York Islanders have selected defenseman Andrei Pedan with the 63rd overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Pedan is a Russian playing for Guelph in the Ontario Hockey League. He finished with 12 points in 51 games last year. He is another big defenseman, at 6'4" and 200 lbs. He also had a great playoffs for Guelph, averaging over a point per game.

CH: I really like this pick as well. The Islanders are addressing an organizational need on D in this draft by drafting big, physical, and mobile defenseman. Pedan fits that mold and is a good value for a 3rd round pick. He is no doubt a project, but he'll have time to develop in Guelph over the next few years. He absolutely has NHL potential, and will be interesting to see how he develops.

AT: Another great pick. For a 3rd rounder, he's perfect. Big, strong D-man (2nd for the Isles in this draft), with an offensive upside that really showed in the playoffs. Another great pick by Snow. We're doing well so far.