BURKIE, WADDELL (HEART) TAVARES
Just watch their teams descend rapidly now!
Fascinating stuff from my pal Elliotte Friedman of CBC about John Tavares and Victor Hedman. Brian “descending rapidly” Burke tells the Toronto Star that Tavares is cemented in his mind as No. 1.
But the gold from Elli is Atlanta GM Don Waddell surprisingly stepping out and declaring his love for Tavares. “You have very few chances to get that kind of player,” says Waddell, adding Tavares would be his pick.
The heads of bleh Toronto and bad Atlanta are already openly talking Tavares. Islanders fans, be afraid. Be very afraid.
Buzz starting to circulate about the who the NHL chose as the Islanders’ all-star. Could have it confirmed tomorrow am. Comments.
47 Responses to “BURKIE, WADDELL (HEART) TAVARES
Just watch their teams descend rapidly now!”
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I also felt ATL will go for Tavares, most likely going to lose kovalachuk next year, will need a new star. the leafs drafted there top D man this year is Schenn. If tampa gets it I see them going Hedman. Isles im sure would go Tavares, but who knows, \I thought they would go Filatov
Wow, I guess I was wrong by saying Burke would strip it down. Can’t wait till we start to make the push to 26th place because we kept all those vets everyone says we need and rookie coach gordon wanted a couple of good wins down the stretch.
after numerous high draft choices waddell should be talking about adding that ‘missing piece’ to his thrasher squad to get to the finals -not drooling over Tavares (can your uniforms get any uglier donny ?)
I’ll throw something at my t.v if the thrashers end up with #1 overall once the season & lotto is said and done
re post #2
careful what you wish for .often times once teams clean house they end up playing better than they did when they had their vets .
Ya, well Strummer (HEART)Tavares too! If Garth Snow and Scott Gordon have a brain between them they better as well. Tavares is going to hoist the cup.
It makes ZERO sense to hang onto most of the vets and scrap up a few wins so they can say “boy we were really putting it together there at the end of the year go buy a ticket package” when if they select John Tavares they’ll sell more tickets and win more games, just not this year which is shot already. Please trade some of the vets to the teams who are just above us in the draft to improve them in the standings.
the islanders will somehow screw this up, I hate saying it but its true
I hate all the negative feelings towards our team but I can completely understand where everyone is coming from. I guess it is harder to pick a player in the 5-8 spot than a top 3 spot. Point being, if the Isles are in the top 3 (hopefully 2) they cannot screw it up unless they for some ridiculous reason trade down. I want Tavares and hope to see him on the Island next year so let’s just hope things work out (for once).
And in reference to my above post, I am not making excuses for the Isles drafting KO and Baily instead of Mueller or Filatov or Schenn, but I just can’t see them screwing this one up.
Good. Let’s finish second and get Hedman. He’s not as flashy, but he’ll be a better player in the long run.
Wow, someone’s using my handle, OK….It is a total waste of energy to worry about the draft before we know where we’re drafting. I prefer Tavares, and you people who are whining about how they’ll probably screw it up anyway are just torturing yourselves. It’s not an abusive relationship if you’re abusing yourself.
By the way, CB….I have to ask this because I caught it on your last blog post: You said the Isles lost out on Kovalchuk. Does that mean that, in your opinion, they would’ve kept the pick and taken him had they won the lottery that year?
I have ZERO problem with the Isles taking Okposo over Mueller. Let’s look at a few things, Mueller has played A LOT more games then Kyle to this point, so to expect them to be chipping in points at the same pace right now is insane. It took Mueller a looong time to get going and he even had a drought this season. Bailey has been very impressive with the Isles. I am thankful they didn’t take Filatov, jury is still out on him, he was sent to the minors by a not so great team before WJC and now got called up because he was hot there. He is TINY and the last thing the Isles need is yet another tiny forward. Schenn should be a shut down d-man for years and I really like his game and would not have been disapointed had the Isles taken him but Bailey is going to score a lot and shut down d-men can be found later.
My hope is Snow and Gordon understand how hard it is to get franchise players and take advantage of the opportunity to do so WHATEVER IT TAKES! I expect the lighthouse project to be decided by then but you wanna raise support for it grab a star like Tavares.
Strummer, post #5: That’s a mighty, mighty big IF you’re talking about there.
Thank CB for bringing some reality to his blog. It’s amazing the power the written word has. CB you have the power of God on this board and thank God you don’t abuse it.
I also would love to have Tavares, but as a select few have noted, so much has to happen between now and the draft. Also, remember that hockey is a team game first. While Gretzky was great, he would not have been half the player he was without his team. The same can be said for Bossy. Kovalchuk is a great player, but what has be brought Atlanta? The Ottawa triplets are amazing players, but again they have one nothing. Tavares would be amazing, but he alone is not our savior and he is not ours.
Strum, I don’t have a problem either with KO and Baily versus the others who I mentioned, but you read it on this blog over and over how we could have had Parise, could have had Filatov, could have had Mueller, etc. From what I see out of KO and Baily so far, they should have very successful careers. Let’s now add a centerpiece in this draft to what we already have (including Frans and Bergie) and then we are getting somewhere.
i’m calling it now, Tavares will NOT be an Islander. Mark my words,
THE ISLANDERS WILL NOT DRAFT TAVARES!
The Islanders will not be the worst team in the league by the end season.
For the All Star game, perhaps the Islanders should send “the system”. Gordons “system” seems to be infallible, just bad players. Gordon is a golden g-d. A genius. Send the system. Its responsible for Streits goals.
I am very hopeful the Isles get Tavares. Everything I’ve read about him indicates that he has a good character and I think he would complement: Okposo, Bailey, Streit, and Comeau. Think about those names for a second. We do have some talent on this team and adding Tavares or if for some reason we take the Swede Defensemen we are going to be a much better team in the future and I mean soon.
Draft Tavares. Thats what I would do. Trade Weight if we get a decent return for him.
I think it’s safe to say we are all fairly happy with KO & Bailey - so it’s kind of pointless to keep bringing up that we could have had Mueller. As for Parise, we all agree that we’d rather have him then Nilsson - but who’s to say we wouldn’t have sent Parise packing to Edmonton in the Smyth deal? So again, a moot point.
We also all agree that this team desperately needs Tavares or Hedman. Duchene, he’s on that next tier as far as I’m concerned. I would hope that Snow realizes this as well, and if put in the position to acquire one of them, will not blow it.
As for trading off all the veteran guys, sorry, but I disagree. It’s not like this team is winning consistently with them now, so I’m really not too worried that they are going to ‘turn it on’ all of a sudden. We need guys like Weight & Guerin to take guys like Okposo, Bailey, Comeau, Bergie, etc… under their wing. Show them the tricks that will allow them to go on to have solid if not special careers like Weight & Guerin have both had. In additon, Chris makes an EXCELLENT point - we need guys like them to help ’sell the Island’ to prospective free agents. Yeah, we’re not going to get the Sidney Crosby-type guy if/when they become a free agent - not unless all they care about is the money. But I’d bet there are enough guys in the league who respect both Weight & Guerin enough that their opinon would carry some weight, no pun intended.
All in all, we just need to keep the faith - if we realize what this team needs, we have to assume Snow & the rest of the front office does as well.
FYI - NYI do NOT have to finish 30th overall to select #1.
Also, ATL maintains the rights to Angelo Esposito via the Hossa deal last year. Esposito was Tavares’ linemate during the WJC and made Espo look better than he really has played this past season.
Andy, I deeply hope you are right…Looking long-term Hedman’s better choice for us.
If Don Waddell is dreaming/talking Tavares as a potential draft pick, then I hope for ATL’s sake that he is dreaming from his coach as the ex-GM of ATL. Anyone can pick #1 and #2 in this draft.
Waddell’s stewardship of ATL has been horrendous. If ATL does not make the playoffs, then Waddell should be fired and ATL call up Jay Feaster…
lets face it folks, atlanta and st.louis are our only road blocks to tavares….ottawa needs a franchise d-man since they none and since they have the pizza line with alfie, heatley, and spezza. tampa needs a frnachise d-man since boyle got traded and they have 2 good centeres in lecavalier and stamkos…the blues will pick tavares should they win the lottery becuase they have erik johnson and alex pietrangelo and defense and have no real scoring threat on their team besides boyes (tkachuk is too old)im def. more afraid of atlanta….it seems as if even with guys like schnieder, little, kozlov, and kovalchuk, the thrashers are finding “ways” to lose. that being said, snow should smarten up upon learning this…he should tank too…after all we are in the lead so far. do the right thing snow!! for once, do the right thing!
3 isles72 on Jan 7th, 2009 21:15:34 said:
“I’ll throw something at my t.v if the thrashers end up with #1 overall once the season & lotto is said and done”
Ive been saying they are going to finish bottom of the NHL since last summer- sorry for your TV. If its a nice one you wanna trade first? Mine kinda sucks lol.
10 Nick on Jan 7th, 2009 21:50:06 said:
“Wow, someone’s using my handle, OK…”
LOL!!! Dude… not for nothin but your name is simply “Nick”- dont you think there might be someone ELSE named “Nick”? Its hardly “yours”, no offense. Take it from someone whose first name is shared by a like a zillion other people- add something after your first name to distinguish yourself, problem solved. Thats why my handle here is “Chris TMC”and not simply “Chris”
Sarcasm, Chris. Sarcasm. I wasn’t actually offended.
LOL, maybe you can call youself “The Original Nick” or something like that!:D
Another interesting point: The GM’s and coaches of NYI and TOR are ’safe.’
ATL GM is a wild card. STL GM safe, but coach might not make it.
TB - keep the trainwreck rolling…GM safe, but coach??? However, with this franchise you never know.
OTT - If they are lottery territory, then both GM/coach could be gone. However, I see desperation deadline moves here.
CB
Can you find out from Garth Snow who the Islanders will draft First overall?
If we are given the chance to do so.
Don’t worry I think the Isles will do everything possible to hold uyp their end of losing. They’ll have another 2 win month in Jan. Look at their next 6 games Calgary, NYR, Bruins, NJD, Caps and Ducks then they go on the All Star break and have the Thrashers and Florida. Maybe they win 2 games they might win 1 in the 1st 6 then take one of the Atlanta/Florida games and that’s it. Hopefully the teams in fornt of them can put some seperation. Would love to have Tavaras and Hedman 1 and 2 but nothing wrong with any of Cowen, Duchene and Paajavi in rounding out the top 5.
Since it has been made clear that Snow and Gordon’s job’s are safe this year no matter the outcome why not continue to teach but make sure you get the pick? If they finish 30th or 24th no one is getting fired so finish 30th and give youself the best opportunity to win inthe future by getting the best possible draft position. At that point the worst they’d pick is 2.
atl will try and get tavares so he can center kovie. brett, what are those teams missing? a franchise goalie. we have one. we need a superstar and that can go to either player. i dont care who we get as long as it is one of them. however, dont compare hedman to potvin. potvin could play physical and hedman has not been physical at all. scouts say the same.we are bombing it btw. 8 regular wins in 41 games. if we trade weight then we will come in last. same goes for comrie, and witt. although i would like to re-sign comrie. for some reason, i see us having hedman. idk why
Botta Bing, were you still working for the Isles on Draft Day last year? Were you at the lotto drawing?
You can tell what a competitor Mike Bossy is. The look he shot off camera after it was revealed the Isles were still gonna be picking at 5 was pretty telling, that guy has NO POKER FACE! lol
The reason why I was surprised Donnie Waddell came out for Tavares is, he’s going to look silly if Atlanta comes in 30th but loses the lottery and picks 2nd. He’s already declared he desires Tavares over everyone else! He won’t be able to hide his disappointment.
The Islanders were going to take Kovalchuk. Fact. I’ll tell you a Mike Milbury story about that some day.
If the Islanders get the No. 1 pick in 09, my money is on Tavares.
Good night. See you tomorrow am for an all-star announcement and pm for Up All Night 2…CB
CB-The good thing is I wouldn’t be so sure Don Waddell will have a job to make that pick. After all he took over Mike’s title as worst American born GM in the NHL.
Hey CB, since your telling us to be “afraid” of Toronto…do you believe the draft lottery is on the level? Does Burke just need to park it in the bottom 5, and let Colin Campbell and Gary Bettman do the rest?
It was just such an amazing cowinkydink how the Pens won Crosby after almost going out of business and Mario Lemieux did Bettman’s bidding during the lockout, selling out his own union.
A little off topic here, but a player the Isles should shop (once he gets healthy) is Andy Hilbert. I don’t know what kind of return we can get, but he is having the best year of his career, so his trade value will likely never be higher. He is a UFA this summer. On the wings for 09-10, Okposo, Hunter, Comeau, Bergenheim, Tambellini, and Park are all signed. Andy is a superb PKer, solid defensively, and a hard-worker who can really help a team in the playoffs. Hate to lose him, but we should sell high on that one.
I could see the Isles being out-tanked. Can they at least get this right?
Wow, that’s earth-shattering news, CB. I really look forward to that story.
STREIT GOING TO THE ALL-STARS!
accoring to Bd streit is our starter
Who wouldn’t want Tavarse so its safe to say he will go #1.
I will say I enjoyed my train ride home listening to Ranger fans whine about their 6-3 loss to Les Habs. I will say it made up for me having to work late..
No one can out lose us!
All the more reason to trade Weight, Guerin, Comrie and whoever else with any talent at the deadline. Bring up the Bridgeport kids and finish last.
Tavares is that important to the survival of this franchise…..SW
Never thought I would say this but I pretty much agree with you Sir William.
I can just see it now. Isles have the #1 pick, trade it with Toronto for the #2 pick, then trade that for the #7 pick all the while obtaining 3 more 2nd rounders & Thomas Kabarle.
I hate how the Isles always have to try and prove how smart they are by doing things against conventional wisdom. Things like trading Luongo, or drafting Bailey when they could have had Schenn or Filatov.
I have zero faith in this organization actually drafting Tavares or Hedman. Frankly, they are probably already worried about paying them big $ after a few years in the league.
Let me say I was leaning towards Hedman initially but I now agree that this franchise is starved for an offensive star like Tavares. That being said, this discussion and others like it are starting to remind me of the mega millions commercials (”what a day for a daydream”). There’s still lots of hockey to play folks. Not only that but the Isles will still need a little luck even if they finish last to snag the #1 pick. Don’t get me wrong, I love imagining JT (not Jeff Tambs) in an Isles jersey come June but I feel like I’m settin’ myself up for a big letdown.
Very interesting read. I’m convinced that we are going to end up 30th overall but lose the lottery(just like in 01). So I guess the next question that I’d like to get CB’s opinion on is if Snow/Wang will take Hedman 2nd, or if we will see some more theatrics on draft day if we are looking at the 2nd pick and not the 1st.
You know, CB, I’m really starting to think you like stirring the pot. With this group, however, not all that hard to do.
(Aside: I read this post and couldn’t help but think of the Family Guy episode where Stewie gets taken away by child services… “Dance, puppets!” But that’s just me.)
Anyway, it’s barely January, and I’m already tired of draft talk. Lots of people here just setting themselves up for disappointment. Less speculation about Taveras and Hedman, more dirt about Milbury and Co.