WORLD JUNIOR AFTERMATH
Two burning issues about Tavares and Hedman
Two items perhaps of interest to Islanders watchers in the aftermath of Team Canada’s triumph over Sweden at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa.
1. The NHL wishes of John Tavares
With each Islanders loss, the emails of concerned fans on PB started to pile up. What if the Islanders won the Draft Lottery, took potential star John Tavares and then the kid decided he didn’t want to play for the team?
I decided to reach out yesterday to the gentleman I trust as a Hockey Insider on issues like this more than anyone in the game. Here was our exchange:
Point Blank: Is there any evidence that suggests John Tavares and his camp would ever force a trade to a preferred NHL franchise? Or, put more bluntly, force a trade away from a team he doesn’t want to play for?
Insider: “In the OHL? Maybe. There’s some buzz that when he’s traded in junior in the next few days that his camp might try to steer the deal to one team over another. In the NHL? No. John will happily play for the franchise that selects him.”
2. The ranking of Victor Hedman
Since the 6-7 defenseman from Team Sweden did not wow fans and media, the question over the last 24 hours has been if Hedman has slipped from the clear-cut 1-A and 1-B he shares with Tavares for the 2009 draft.
In a word, no.
In many words, NHL scouts still believe Hedman has the potential to be one of the best – if not the best – defenseman of his generation. Hedman’s defenders in the scouting community will point out how Team Canada in recent years made Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin look average, and Ovi and Geno turned out okay. Hedman’s biggest fans in the scouting community gushed over him stepping up his physical play when Canada took some liberties with his teammates.
So there you have it. Tavares will play for the Islanders, Atlanta, St. Louis, Toronto, whomever. Hedman is still locked in with Tavares as the cream of this year’s draft crop.
The team that finishes this season with the worst record in the NHL is guaranteed a shot at Tavares or Hedman.
For TSN, I’m Bob McKenzie.
(Sorry, I always wanted to do that).
Comments.
54 Responses to WORLD JUNIOR AFTERMATH
Two burning issues about Tavares and Hedman
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If anything like that happened to this franchise, it would be heartbreaking – and drive the remaining fans to draw blood.
Chris, what would the team get in that scary scenario – if anything at all?
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I don’t think we will have to worry about a problem like that. Usually the teams hold interviews with the players at the Scouting Combine long before they even make their decisions on draft day. If the Isles got a sense of hostility from Tavares, they would know they could not pick him successfully. We all know he would love to be a Maple Leaf, however, it’s not going to happen unless the Leafs are extremely lucky. If he ends up an Islander, I truly do think he will play his heart out for the blue and orange, just as he would for the blue and white maple leaf.
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Amir says:
Based on the recent play of the youngsters; improvements in the defensive zone coverage; and the potential impact of having a healthy team in the second half; I really think there is a good chance we miss out on both these studs. Maybe I’m just a pessimist (or optimists if you want the Isles to win a few more games), but there is still a lot of hockey to be played. My suggestion – trade all the vets sooner rather than later for the greater good of the team.
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Gary says:
The Islanders will probably go a tear the last two weeks to finish 28th and get neither one.
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WM says:
Love the Bob McKenzie sign-off, Chris!
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Brian St says:
I so desperately want Tavares on the Islanders, but having lived and died with this team for 20+ years I am programmed to expect that we will miss out on him. It’s not that I think Hedman won’t be an exceptional D-man…it’s just that a big name, flashy offensive superstar is what this franchise has needed for such a long time…now more than ever.
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it’s funny, i feel as if that only this kind of thought process could come from an islander fan. there’s still half of a season to play, no one knows what’s going to happen, and here we are sitting around worrying that Tavares wouldn’t want to play for us if we had the oppertunity to draft him.
in what world does the super star not accept the pick and the obligatory pile of money to play for a team who wants, no, needs, no, WOULD KILL FOR. true, he might want to play for the leafs or whatever, but we’re no shlubs. we’re not phenoix. we have a history. we have THE history. he would be treated as the second coming here on long island, be out of that oh so crazy rabid canadian media, and be a part of turning an organization around from the ground floor.
if there’s any doubt, can we start sending him chocolates and ice girls and pictures of his new mansion in the hamptons and get him the contact number of dp/comrie’s fashion/drug hook ups?
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Not that I believe Tavares will pull a Lindros, but just remember how well Quebec/Colorado made out in that trade. I also didn’t see the Flyers win much of anything Cup-wise with Lindros in the line-up.
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michael says:
i dont think tavares refusing a pick by the islanders is a realistic fear.. paranoia paranoia everybodys comin to GET ME!!
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Jon #2 says:
He do we know Snow will not pull the same stunt at the draft and trade down?
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Islanders1984 says:
Eric Lindros and Eli manning are the only two people who I know did this. So the chances of Tavares doing it are slim
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jax says:
That kid Duchense (sp I hacked it I know)will be a stud as well.
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Ted says:
Even if Tavares pulled an Eric Lindros and refused to play, we would still draft him and trade him for a boatload. Remember that Quebec/Colorado got Forsberg and eventually 2 cups as a result of Lindros refusing to play for them, Flyers got a finals appearance and a moody injury case. Not an ideal scenario but have to look at all angles.
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Strummer's Army says:
I’m not worried about Tavares or Hedman being a problem. We’d be blessed to have either and thankfully they’d both fill a huge need as would several other of the top rated prospects. I seriously don’t want the Isles to mess it up. I’d lean towards taking Tavares for numerous reasons but mainly I like his killer instinct and the star power he has is something the Isles need. THat being said Hedman would be excellent too.
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mrlbem says:
1984,
John Elway did it also. Just for the record.
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mike says:
If the Islanders do pick first and take Tavares. Season ticket sales would go up right away, thats all Mr.Wang needs to know about this kid.
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Alex O says:
If I’m the Isles Tavares is the choice. If you go back and look at the top 10 picks in each draft for the last 7 years or so more defenders drafted with top picks are disappointing than forwards. Granted more forwards get picked early but Id still go with the odds.
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I was not that impressed with Ullstrom last night. He took a bad penalty and seemed lost out there. I think cody Hogdson is going to be a great player. I would have liked to see Ullstrom get some time on the power play and get in front of the net. I think Tavares is definitely a step up over Stamkos, but what is the possibility of Tampa getting Taveres and Stamkos back to back. That would be painful!
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Matt says:
Everyone has to stop saying they want Taveras because management seems to do the exact opposite of what fans want. Everyone start posting that we want Snow to trade down again and pick someone that no one is aware of.
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ROB says:
The entire season hinges on getting the top pick and picking Tavares – that is the only good that can come out of this season – im just worried a late season hot streak will ruin our chances – but the more i watch us blow 2 goal leads the more confident i am in our inability to rack up points – last year we almost had 80 points and were in the lottery – this year we are on pace for less than 60 – however we are the Islanders anything can go wrong
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BringTheReign says:
If we finish last the worst we can do is Hedmen. Just trade the vets, bomb the rest of the year and we’ll b in a really good position. And yes Duschene and even Shroedoer aren’t terrible… we can can get Shroeder (wishful thinking) we have 2/3 of our future number one line.
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Neil says:
There is a flip side to this issue… The Isles draft Tavares and he comes here and plays his best but always makes googily eyes for somewhere else. And then begins the six or seven-year countdown to him signing with Toronto, Detroit or gasp, the NYR, eventually forcing a trade when he won’t even negotiate a long-term deal here. Florida went through the same with Luongo and now Boumeester. CB, could this be a more serious scenario than Hedman’s possible safety-valve of the SEL
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ken says:
the kid will be treated as a savior and where else would he be guaranteed 1st line center minutes and powerplay time.
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goislesgo105 says:
The Isles are a franchise with a glorious history.They have made all-stars Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier an active part of the team and we do have FOUR Stanley Cup banners hanging from our rafters. When the Isles start winning again the Colisieum will be sold out every night.The fan base on the Island is there. Just look at this blog, over 600 comments for a last place team playing on the west coast at 10:30 at night with no chance to win the game!!! And the rivaly with the hated Rags is like no where else. Why wouldn’t Tavares or any other top player want to be a part of that??
Okposo played great last night. 1 goal and could of had a few more. Where is Trent Hunter? To me he has been invisible on the ice. Maybe he misses Franz. GO ISLES!! -
GasMD says:
If we somehow get Tavares, we could have had a first line consisting of Tavares, Filatov, and Okposo. The highest Bailey is ranked is as 2nd line center. We already have that in Comrie. Hopefully, Petrov was really injured because he was supposedly the steal of the draft. The only theft I see is the loss of either Filatov, Wilson, Schenn, Hodgson, or even Eberle.
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JPinVA says:
Sometime you have to ask the chicken v. egg question.
the last 10 first rounders…
Bailey(Rushed?, Held from WJC, no physical protection)
Okposo(leaves college to play for a coach/system they change in the off-season)
O’Marra(bust, traded)
Nokie (injured,traded)
Nilsson(traded)
Bergie (2nd/3rd liner)
DP (poster child for NYI and BC/BS)
Connoly/Pyatt/Mezei (Traded/Traded/Traded)
Rupp (Stewart Gotts, re-enters draft)
Luongo (Traded)
The most productive players drafted are all playing somewhere else, or they are named DiPietro and have serious career threatening injuries. -
rb says:
Tavares would be nuts to turn down Isles if they win the lottery…chance to restore a great Stanley Cup legacy of multiple HOF’s in the New York market without all of the circus nonsense that’s routine on 7th Avenue
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chickendirt says:
Tavares was certainly put us on that path to greatness. We’d have Bailey as our 2nd line center. That gives us a nice one-two punch up the middle.
The Isles then should focus on getting some size in the lineup.
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skeptical says:
76 skeptical on Jan 6th, 2009 19:57:05 said:
Carmine on Jan 6th, 2009 15:47:24 said: I can understand the frustration being an islanders fan. I have been a fan for 15 years but don’t call yourself a fan if you are not cheering on your team every night to win.Carmine. I can tell your heart is in this, but, without knowing how old you are I am guessing I have been with this team since before you were on the earth. Do not presume to tell me – or others – how to be a fan.
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Jon #2 on Jan 6th, 2009 17:30:48 said:
He do we know Snow will not pull the same stunt at the draft and trade down?we don’t. there are several reasons to make that move.
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admin says:
kinda funny/sad/ironic that I wrote a story (in response to emails) about an insider telling Islanders fans (and fans of other lottery teams), “Don’t worry. Tavares will play for your team and won’t pull a Lindros.” And then it’s followed by at least a dozen Comments worrying about Tavares pulling a Lindros…CB
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Pat says:
Chris, this IS the Islanders we are talking about – and we fans are a paranoid bunch.
I think either player WOULD play here on Long Island. Especially in the case of Tavares, he would be THE star in a fairly big market ( media market) – and while its not Broadway – its not Glendale Az, or Sunrise, FL either.
Pat
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admin says:
I totally hear ya, Pat…CB
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beatlebailey says:
isles fans and jets fans are different sides of the same coin…we are cynical pessimists!..lol…
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB … you can lead a horse to water … ehhhhhh you know the rest…
Some people just want to believe the worst … it lowers their expectations thus lowering their disappointment … some of the cinicism is deserved … but a little over the top.
I believe with a generational player like Tavares or even Hedman on the team along with the other building blocks it will only attract more stud FA’s … player would want to be a part of the success. Sure … there are no gaurantees … but if you can’t go in without hope … then why bother putting yourself through this??
Also .. a player like JT would make others around him even better.
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andy says:
Does anyone else think Hedman kind of looks like Benicio Del Toro?
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jon from nj says:
Am I the only one who thinks the Isles will certainly blow this by finishing just out of the top 2? It just seems fitting with their history and lack of “luck”. They will play good enough just to be “not bad enough”.
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guerin13 says:
i don’t think the perception of the isles is as bad as it used to be. weight, streit, guerin, comrie, all came here voluntarily and they also all apparently like it here. i don’t think that happens 3 or 4 years ago. i don’t think any draft pick would refuse to come here. in the lindros/nordiques situation there was also a language barrier problem. the nordiques/avs also wound up winning a cup b/c of lindro’s refusal to sign with them. they made out like bandits in the lindros/flyers trade. if we drafted tavares and we had to trade him every team in the league would put it in bids so we’d still be fine. so i guess what i’m trying to say is, calm down. i think the trade deadline and draft will be very good days for the isles.
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Jon from NJ I’m right with you on this. See my comment in the #5 spot in this section
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I never saw the point of wasting energy on something completely out of our control. Let’s hope we keep the pick wherever we’re slotted and get a solid player and enough with the whining and conspiracy theories.
I saw the Jets comment up there, and I’m seriously not asking this to be a smart-ass…Do I not understand this because I’m Yankees/Giants/Islanders?
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valentino says:
and the #1 reason why Tavares should WANT to play for the ISLANDERS?????
Because he would probably make the team this year and get significant ice time(just like Bailey. This is an opportunity he probably wouldnt get on most other teams so early in his career
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JayK says:
Snow trading down was not a “stunt.” They legitimately felt that Bailey was the guy they wanted, and that they could still get him lower AND get some extra picks at the same time.
My worry is Hedman staying in Sweden if we draft him.
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I’m with you on that, JayK. I never saw what some of you see in Filatov, and maybe the scouting staff didn’t see it either. We have a kid with great vision who can really pass the puck. He’ll be a very good center as soon as he can bulk up and utilize his shot more, especially since a renewed willingness to shoot will open up more lanes for his passing.
Last year, the farm system was bare, and it needed to be stocked with solid players. This year, we already have a lot of extra picks going into the draft, and we should be in the position to take a very good player. I don’t understand why anyone needs to make it into anything more than that.
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viperman says:
Thanks, Chris.
Now is the time to dump the vets and mail it in. Finish last at all costs. Take the year off DP and let’s explore some of our prospects in net and up front.
We NEED Tavares, it is much more than just a want. The future of the franchise is at stake.
Unfortunately, I don’t know if we can trust Garth to do the right thing.
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Islander505 says:
Y-A-W-N……..
CB, when the hell are you gonna start posting “free cheese” coupons on this blog?
When’s the next game…..Thursday?
Gawd, I got two more days of incessant wining about the miserable lives of so called Islander fans.
Has anyone beaten the crap out of Gordon for allowing the refs to take a dump on our team last night????
Nope….didn’t think so….too busy growing an ulcer about a draft that they have no control over 5 months from now.
Sheesh…I just hope Tavares, Hedman and thr top 25 don’t read the comments on this blog.
Just my opinion…..
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Stevie says:
Other than a message board poster trying to start a rumor where was it ever written or even mentioned that Taveres would not want to play for the Islanders? You never heard that from him anywhere. Yes, he might be a Leafs fan and yes, maybe it might have been his dream to play for them..but, lots of players in the NHL grew up being fans of a certain team and dreamed of playing for that particular team yet, never played for that team. No big deal..if the Isles are lucky enough to have a shot at getting Taveres, then they should take him because he’s going to be a very good player in the NHL and will rejuvinate our fan base. I know people are saying what a talent Hedman is but, he really didn’t impress at the WJC’s and if you ask me, all the d-men drafted in 2008 (Bogosian, Doughty, Pietroanglo, and Schenn) will be better players than Hedman…hell, Pietroangelo had a great WJ’s this year. Don’t know what it is about Hedman but, there was something that didn’t sit right with me watching him play at the WJC’s, they say he’s like Pronger, but, he’s not..they say he’s like Lindstrom but, isn’t either. What he reminded me of with his play was a Vladimir Malakhov. Tall, imposing, skates great, but, it just doesn’t translate to greatness. He’ll have longevity just like Malakhov but, he won’t be a superstar. That’s just me…
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I doubt I was the inspiration to CB’s post, but last week I asked what would happen if their pick didn’t want to sign with them. Would he have to sit out a year? Could the player force a trade?
I think that’s a legit concern.
I know some of the newer fans may not get it, and are full of hope… but you have to admit this organization has been a relative circus for quite some time.
As long as we have Garth Quixote fighting for lighthouses and defending the honor of Tambinea we will be just fine…
fight the impossible foe… dream the impossible dream… -
John says:
This summer is Do or Die for this team and it’s fanbase.
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speaking of picks.. does anyone have any idea how many we have? i know we got around three in the second but what about the other rounds did we pick up anything?
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43 JayK on Jan 6th, 2009 22:04:58 said:
Snow trading down was not a “stunt.” They legitimately felt that Bailey was the guy they wanted,How do you know? Because Snow said that?
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Greg says:
We are the Islanders, there is no way we are getting either of these guys. Its just our luck. Either we will win just enough games to take us out of the running or we will trade the pick.
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kevin says:
they wanted a playmaker for okposo and needed to refill the prospect pool. thats why we traded down. lemme ask a q here. name three prospects we got past or in round three that are in the system and are looking good. remeber 2007 and below to 2000
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@skeptical – well, Snow’s the guy who made the move, so why wouldn’t you believe him if that’s what he said about it? He felt he got more value from Bailey + extra picks rather than just Schenn or Filatov or Hodgson. You can argue that was the wrong choice, but it’s silly to argue about “why he really did it.” (Incidentally, I managed to draft Cody Hodgson in my Eastside 2007 simulator… if he lives up to his in-game reputation, Vancouver got a fine player for themselves.)
@kevin – the Isles have done decently in the later rounds: Neilsen was a three in ’02, Gervais was a 6 in ’03, Campoli was a 7 in ’04, and we may still get good value from Figren, Petrov, and Ullstrom. (To push the time frame just a bit, Radek Martinek was an 8 in ’99 and Zdeno Chara was a 3 in ’96.)
To compare, I looked up the Minnesota Wild on Hockey-reference.com (an excellent site)… they’re reasonably successful and their draft history exactly fits your timeframe (2000 onward). They’ve drafted 11 players from round 3 onward who’ve played in the NHL, including Stephane Villeaux, Lubomir Sekeras, Derek Boogaard, and Cal Blutterbuck. They’ve also done excellently with their second rounders (Nick Schultz, Kyle Wanvig, Josh Harding, and Patrick O’Sullivan, though the last is now a King).
It’s just as important to get some hits in the later rounds, as you can see from these examples. The Isles have done that, but it’s their first rounds that have hurt them – they’ve been unable to land the stud or two that would really make them dangerous and allow the lower rounders to fill roles better-suited to their skills. I love Neilsen, Bailey, and Comeau – but truthfully, I love them best as a second line, with Tavares anchoring a genuinely dangerous first line. And if it cost the team two of those guys (and maybe a couple of vets) to bring in a stud wing to play alongside Tavares and Okposo, wouldn’t the team have to seriously consider it?
There Is One Way To Fix The Isles Quickly….Get A Top 2 Pick And Select One Of The Studs….Then Continue To Draft As They Were…….Winning Right Now Will Do Nothing For This Team….70% of them wont even be here come next Sept.