If I'm Benning and i was offered a 2015 2nd or a 2016 1st. I would go with the 2016 first because you never know what teams are going to drop out of a playoff spot. As of now I would say at least two out of Minnesota, Canucks, Islanders, and Ottawa won't make it next year.
For the sake of an argument. Who would they use if Halak goes down wth an injury or has a subpar year? I know they have a deep system but they don't excatly have 2 good goalies that could both win 30 games
Your point is good, just not one I would say one could hold over the Islanders specifically. Half the teams in the playoffs are in trouble if the starter gets hurt.