Comments on: WORLD JUNIOR AFTERMATHTwo burning issues about Tavares and Hedman

By: nightfly

nightfly — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:35:42 +0000

@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?

By: kevin

kevin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:29:23 +0000

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

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:50:51 +0000

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.

By: skeptical

skeptical — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:31:23 +0000

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?

By: BringTheReign

BringTheReign — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:02:59 +0000

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?

By: John

John — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:59:15 +0000

This summer is Do or Die for this team and it’s fanbase.

By: JPinVA

JPinVA — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:53:06 +0000

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…

By: Stevie

Stevie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:31:35 +0000

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…

By: Islander505

Islander505 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:30:19 +0000

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…..

By: viperman

viperman — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:16:23 +0000

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.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:10:07 +0000

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.

By: JayK

JayK — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:04:58 +0000

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.