New York Islanders fans can’t wait to see how their beloved franchise screws up the first overall pick in the coming NHL Draft.

They WILL screw it up. It’s what the Islanders do.

Remember when then-GM Mike Milbury decided he just had to have Rick DiPietro in goal back in 2000? Never mind that he had budding superstar Roberto Luongo in goal.

Mad Mike did the following:

• Traded Luongo and Olli Jokinen – who would later blossom into an elite power center – to Florda for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. Parrish became a decent second-line winger and Kvasha became a huge disappointment.
• Traded Eric Brewer, Josh Green and a second-round pick (who became Brad Winchester) to Edmonton for defenseman Roman Hamrlik. Green never met his full potential, but Brewer was a standout for the Oilers before helping fetch Chris Pronger from the Blues. Hamrlik, meanwhile, continued to not meet expectations.
• Drafted Raffi Torres fifth overall, just ahead of Scott Hartnell – who blossomed into a ruggedly productive power forward. Torres became Just a Guy. Later picks in that round included defenseman Niklas Kronwall, defenseman Ron Hainsey, winger Alexander Frolov, defenseman Brooks Orpik and a forward name Brad Boyes.

(The Toronto Globe and Mail asked five scouts to re-pick the 2000 draft class nine years later. Boyes went eighth overall this time.)

Milbury was comically inept during his entire time with that franchise, yet he got a plum TV gig when his Reign of Error finally ended. Now he feels free to rip away at other GMs, despite his hapless track record at the helm of a once-proud franchise.

Current GM Garth Snow, a former Islanders goaltender, is equally inept. He rewarded the injury-pleagued DiPietro with a lifetime contract. Now NHL experts are trying to figure out if he will take defenseman Victor Hedman or center John Tavares — or whether he will blow it by going a different direction, like third-ranked prospect Matt Duchene.

This goofy franchise will be the wild card during the coming draft weekend. At least the players at the very top of the draft are all promising.

MOCKING THE DRAFT

Who will the Blues draft down at No. 17? Here is what some of the experts are saying:

• The Hockey News: Jacob Josefson, C, Djurgarden, Sweden. Blues can add depth to their youth with Josefson, an excellent two-way forward with Swedish Elite League experience.
• Adam Kimelman, NHL.com: Peter Holland, C, Guelph (OHL). Big center (6-2, 185) skates well, has good work ethic.
• Brad Holland, NHL.com: Olivier Roy, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL). Outstanding depth elsewhere means the best long-term pick here is a goaltender.
• Hockey’s Future: Zack Kassian, RW, Peterborough (OHL).  The Blues are well stocked at all positions. But one glaring weakness in the system is the lack of a bona fide power forward prospect. The 6′3, 205 pound Kassian, who plays a physical, offensively minded game, is that type of player.
• MyNHLDraft.com: Scott Glennie, C, Brandon (WHL).
• NHLDraftSite: Landon Ferraro, F, Red Deer (WHL).

AROUND THE RINKS: Hockey Buzz predicted the Blues would wrap up a deal for Dany Heatley by Wednesday. Hockey Guy is on record opposing that deal, since Heatley sounds like a guy who would turn on Blues coach Andy Murray sooner or later. A huge obstacle for any team acquiring Heatley is the $4 million bonus he is due July 1. Ottawa would like to avoid paying that, if possible  . . . As NHL.com notes, Central Division teams have had trouble drafting as well as the Red Wings have drafted . . . TSN commentator Bob McKenzie released his draft analysis, which has Tavares edging Hedman as the top prospect. When this draft gets past the top 10, the opinions on the rest of the first round vary greatly . . . You have to respect Jerry Reinsdorf’s willingness to step up to save hockey in Phoenix, but we all hope he’s gotten a good look at the books . . . Can Rick Dudley save the Thrashers? He came aboard as associate GM, but he arrives in time to help hapless Don Waddell make critical decisions . . . This could be an epic weekend for trades and trade rumors. There is a lot going on right now . . . Brent Sutter’s move from New Jersey to Calgary was widely predicted, but we’re a little surprised Lou Lamoriello didn’t put up a bigger fight over losing his coach. Sutter ought to be a great fit as the buffer between the Flames and his brother Darryl, the team’s hard-core GM . . . The Canadiens had a brutal year on and off the ice, but the franchise sale to members of the Molson Brewing family ought to be positive. But how will this agreeement impact all the roster decisions that loom with so many players headed toward free agency?