Comments on: THE ONE ABOUT PETTERI NOKELAINENReader story request: why Nokie was dealt

By: matt

matt — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:35:03 +0000

There was nothing better than watching the draft that year when we picked Nilsson. I forgot who was hosting the draft but they went nuts along with the crowd when they picked Nilsson. Everyone pretty much called the Islanders and their scouts and management idiots for passing on Parise. They were shocked that he made it that far down. Then to have the Islanders pass on him was ludicrous. I know CB is smoothing that matter over for some reason but I remember that day vivdily(except for who was hosting), WE LOOKED LIKE IDIOTS! Now we look like bigger idiots!!!!

By: KP

KP — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:15:32 +0000

Why does anyone want to rehash the stories of trading Bertuzzi, Luongo, Jokinen, Redden and all that junk? Do you love to cut yourself and pour lemon juice in your own wounds?

By: hextall72

hextall72 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:38:00 +0000

hey chris, being big hextall fan back in the philly and quebec day’s i was ecstatic when the isles signed him in the summer of 93 but scratched my head why healy was let go after the way he played the prior season and playoffs.. i feel the organization has gone down hill from that year on.. any comments on that?

By: PTA

PTA — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:29:13 +0000

Thanks Chris, love the insight. Parise stings but not as bad as the trades involving McCabe, Berutzzi, Turgeon, Chara, Luongo, Joikennen…etc. Any stories about these?

PTA

By: jethro09

jethro09 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:55:02 +0000

I know why the Isles passed on Parise to take Nilsson: because Mike Milbury was the GM. He’s a fool. His awful track record over his tenure with the Isles should be evidence of that and also provide all the explanation needed for anyone who wonders why Nilsson was drafted instead of Parise.

By: Lighthouse Hockey

Lighthouse Hockey — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:53:16 +0000

Thanks, Chris. Man, Petteri’s knee injury was a bummer; it’s nice to see him getting some NHL ice time.

To me, the examples CB cited above are precisely why we should *not* package the 2nd rounders for a higher pick: The draft is a crap-shoot, the late 1st round contains no sure things, so we need to hang on to quantity of picks to build depth and increase our odds of scoring a surprise.

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:44:01 +0000

Nice piece. I was really hoping that Nokie and Bergy would have been the start of a re-birth…
When I saw Walter last year in Norfolk I thought that he was the best player on the ice (a team that had Tambellini, Nielsen, Rieger, colliton and Jackman).
that only goes to show how much I know.

By: Will

Will — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:35:23 +0000

thanks for taking our ideas Chris. I figured there wasn’t some shocking reason Parise didn’t get drafted by the Isles, I think a lot more flack gets thrown the Isles way due to the legacy factor for Parise.

I had totally forgotten about the Bruins draft pick, really wishing now they weren’t doing so well! I’d love to see them package something and move up, but if last year taught us anything its that they value depth, and they need it

By: BeatleBailey

BeatleBailey — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:25:18 +0000

I wonder if we have time to rebuild before the team gets moved or sold? I figure it will be 4 years before we are good and that is IF a majority of these picks made now work out.

By: 7th Woman

7th Woman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:24:48 +0000

I remember Milbury brought Nokey with him to the NYIBC meeting. He is a good kid. He just doesn’t have very good luck.

By: The Mick

The Mick — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:21:44 +0000

It hurts when talking of past drafts and all the misses. Hopefully with the haul of draft picks from this year and those from next year this team can replenish the farm system and truly rebuild.

By: kevin

kevin — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:55:36 +0000

i still say we make a deal where we get a cup contending teams first and then draft doherty. its stll very early so well have to wait and see. i had high hopes for nokie but ever since that trade ive been happier then a little kid buying his first video game.