Chatting with AHL Live's Phil Giubileo

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As the Draft approaches, all the Draft experts come out with their selections and assess the immediate needs to a team.

But what not everyone realizes is that the Draft can do wonders for a minor-league affiliate.

So with this blog's foundation laced in the AHL, I decided to go a different route and find out what Bridgeport Sound Tigers radio announcer and the voice of AHL Live's Around the AHL, Phil Giubileo thinks the Islanders will do come Friday evening.

Liodice: Who do you see the Islanders taking #1 and why? What would he bring to the team?

Giubileo: I think the Islanders are going to pick John Tavares with the first pick. Offensive firepower is what the team needs, and Tavares will certainly bring that.

However, Matt Duchene's stock has certainly risen a lot recently as well. I think both will be successful at scoring goals in the NHL, and Duchene might be a more complete player on both ends of the ice and would fit well in Scott Gordon's system.

I do think it will be Tavares at number one, but it could possibly go either way.

Liodice: Just for kicks, who do you see going #2 and #3?

Giubileo: Hedman, then Duchene will likely go 2 and 3.

If the Islanders take one of them instead, I wonder if the Lightning would consider moving their pick.

Liodice: Do you see the Islanders moving the #26 pick? If so, where and what would you give up for it?

Giubileo: I think the Islanders would consider listening to offers for that pick, but only if they can package it with another player or a pick to move up if there's a player that they want that's higher up.

Liodice: As an overall whole, what area (offensive, defense, goaltender) do you see the Islanders focusing more over the two days of drafting?

Giubileo: In terms of focusing on the draft, I've always subscribed to the theory of selecting the best player available when it's your turn to select. Unless it's a situation where you have the top pick and will get a player that can make an immediate impact, you're for the most part looking at players who are still in junior hockey, in college, or overseas.

It's tough to predict where you'll need a player in 2-3 years time, so to me its easier to just get the top guys off of the board and if they develop, then you can find a place to play them down the line or move them for a need if you have too much depth in that area.

My many thanks to Phil for taking some time out to answer these questions, and please check him out on AHL Live by clicking here.