TAVHEDUCH AT 60
The Watch returns. Is it just a 3-team race?
When the Islanders made some style adjustments and ran off a few wins at the end of January, we wrote the following:
“We’ll always believe a cornerstone like John Tavares or Victor Hedman is what the franchise needs more than anything else. But as long as the kids are being properly developed, the Tavheduch Watch can wait a while.”
And with that, we retired the Watch until the 60-game mark.
We’re back!
THE TAVHEDUCH WATCH
1. Islanders 18-36-6 42 pts (60 games)
2. Atlanta 22-33-6 50 pts (61 games)
3. Tampa Bay 20-29-12 52 pts (61 games)
4. Ottawa 23-27-9 55 pts (59 games)
TW Notes: With Ron Wilson coaching his brains out in Toronto (58 points) and some of that young talent starting to shine for St. Louis (60 points), our pollsters have made it official: the Maple Leafs and Blues are off the Watch! Nevertheless, watch for Toronto GM Brian Burke to dominate the headlines before draft day with buzz about the Leafs trying to move up.
This doesn’t mean, of course, that a team cannot be added. If Colorado (57 points) goes 0 for New Jersey-Rangers-Islanders, they could join the pack. We understand it might be tough for the league’s 30th place team to make up 15 points in 22 games, but hey – just play along.
As for those Ottawa Senators, they should be better with Christopher Campoli manning the point. (Hmm, maybe that’s what the evil genius Garth Snow had in mind for a short-term benefit. Just kidding).
There are still 22 hockey games to be played, more Kyle Okposo goals to be scored. Maybe it’s really just a two or three-horse race, but remember this: if the Islanders finish with more points than the Thrashers or the Lightning, they are not guaranteed John Tavares or Victor Hedman.
POINT BLANK 2009 DRAFT TOP 5
February 26, 2009
1. John Tavares, C, London (OHL)
2. Victor Hedman, D, Modo (Sweden)
3. Matt Duchene, C, Brampton (OHL), right
4. Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi, LW, Timra-IK (Sweden)
5. Evander Kane, C, Vancouver (WHL)
Comments.
115 Responses to TAVHEDUCH AT 60
The Watch returns. Is it just a 3-team race?
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C.J. says:
Isles need to continue to falter. As much as it pains me, I fully agree CB. Like they say, “No pain, no gain.”. They need a stud pick in Tavares or Hedman.
(CB – you’ve got to spill what you know on the trade front. Things have been WAY too quiet across Islander land since the CC trade. Nothing from you, Newsday… even some of the other boards w/people claiming to be in the know have gone dry. Help, please!!!)
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Pat says:
Well, besides Mitch Fritz,
– this is the only subject matter about the current season that I am finding to be interesting. We don’t go head to head with ATL anymore. We have some tough road games in tough buildings in March and April ( Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Caps and Pens.)
Tough home games with NJD, Flyers ( 2x), Boston, and the Pens. (note, not including the Rag game here “LOL”)
Wish we were even in games with ATL. I still think Tampa will be a tough competitor for that last slot.
I just want to fast-forward the season already – its over for us – and get to the next steps and win that ping pong ball and get pick # 1 already. We are playing too good right now – getting terrific goaltending from Danis. This is NOT a lock for us.
especially if the kids who get called up – and will no doubt play their hearts out – sneak up on some teams and swipe a bunch of games.
Pat
Pat
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beatlebailey says:
I know both tavares and hedman would join the isles next year but what about the rest of the top 5? Are they all locks to join the isles next season?
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Matt Brosseau says:
I keep vacillating between thinking the Islanders should go for size (you can’t teach 6’6″) in Hedman or skill in Tavares. Every other game, I say “Well, they have all these good young forwards, so they should draft a D-man.” and then the next game I say “Oh, you can’t pass on a guy who has Ovechkin/Crosby potential.”
And then there’s a game like last night’s where the team can’t score and get pushed around in their own end, especially the last ten minutes of the third, they were just getting shoved around like kids in a schoolyard, where I genuinely have no idea what I think the Isles should do.
Gut feeling is they take Tavares and draft mostly defense the rest of the first round. It would seem from anecdotal evidence that Tavares is more ready for the NHL.
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No respectable fan wants there team to lose. But sometimes you have to look to the future and at this point, any Islander loss the rest of the season is a potential win for the future of the organIzation. While I believe that this team is playing hard and learning, the talent level is not there. What’s good to see is that the team rarely gets blown out and are in every game.
CB, what’s the date of the lottery?
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Rich says:
I am happy to say that I was all for Tavares until I really researched all the prospects. It seems to me that Tavares could be Stamkosesque and not Crosbyish. If that is the case we must take Hedman who is Prongerlite.
Sorry, in all truth we must take a 6 6′ dynamo. The guy will be a rock in front of DP. The game last night was so boring to watch. Do you know why? The first pas out of the zone by the defenseman was horrendous. Besides Mark Streit we do not have a defenseman who can pass with confidence and consistency. Hedman will do that and in turn make the forwards better. It is a huge part of the game. I don’t think Tavares is Ovechkin so I have fully changed my mind…let’s get the big fella. I kind of hope we get the 2nd lotto pick so we can’t possibly screw it up though.
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Pat, Can I ask you what the obsession with Fritz is? When he was on the ice he didn’t look for the puck. It was an adventure if the puck actually came anywhere near him. I thought it was a minor mirace when his shift ended without the Isles giving up a goal. Is there any other enforcer you might like. CB, Can we have the trade rumor already, this is driving me nuts.
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i wish we still had goddard!!
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And, of course, the conversation turns riiight back to discussing Mitch Fritz and the enforcer concept. I didnt doubt it for a moment lol!
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Joey303 says:
Im leaning towards Hedman. But I can see thr Maple Leafs sliding, and the ghost of Harold Ballard making them get the powerball and picking #1. Might not be the worst, because I’m sure they will pick Taveras.
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Cruicky says:
Did you people actually watch the WJC. Hedman was invisible against Canada. If the young man can’t showup for a big game in the WJC, what will he do when he starts playing against men in the NHL. Hedman is at least 2 to 3 years away from being a solid NHL d-man.
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Chris A says:
Put Fritz in each game and we should be fine.
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Jimmy B says:
Anyone know when the pick the draft lottery? April??
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bossy4president says:
I’m starting to agree with #7……I feel all this hoopla over Tavares is a league wide scam to get the Isles (which a majority of the hockey world hates) to draft this guy. Conspiracy theory?….
All kidding aside….either one is going to be a HUGE improvement to this team. As of this moment I’m still leaning toward #91 though(even with my theory ruinning through my mind). Besides I can’t seem to find the heart to take the Tavares screensaver of my computer. For the record he replaced the Filatov one from last year.
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TXNYI says:
We NEED to finish last. Period. With that in mind, Snow should look to really clean house at the deadline. Trade ALL guys that won’t be here in 2 years (when the rebuild should really start working). If the player is a UFA and there are no takers then flip them for a 5th round pick or something. Anything. It only puts us that much closer to Tavares/Hedman. Then give guys from the Bridge some time, draft well and on to next year.
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Also, you can’t have one tough guy on a team full of weak players and expect the team to play tough. You need to build team toughness. The Matt Martin type of players that you have in the Q are great examples. Team toughness not that big GOON Fiitz. This is not an NHL caliber player. If you want a goon get George Laraque in Montreal. They won’t play their goon either.
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Jimmy Mac says:
I think if we don’t get the first pick overall (Tavares)… Garth trades down to 3rd or 4th spot and takes Duchene or Magnus…. for their pick, and next years first pick.
We need offense..top 6 guys.
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JP39 says:
I don’t know the exact date of the draft lottery, but it’s definitely sometime in April. I remember they showed it live during one of the intermissions while I was watching one of the 2nd round playoff games on Versus last year (I believe it was one of the Ranger losses to Pittsburgh hehehehe)
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DINO says:
Just Lose Every Game And We Are Fine….Maybe 1 Win In The Next 10 Games Will Do Us Fine
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UIF says:
Rich, I don’t know if any of us really know what “Stamkos-esque” is going to be yet. For as bad as everyone says he is, the kid has more points than Okposo (one less goal, more assists), who I think we all agree is going to be a solid NHL player. I’d be pretty happy if the Isles had won the lottery last year and drafted Stamkos, personally. I think he’ll be fine.
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Merrick says:
It’s weird staying up past 1 a.m. to watch the Thrashers and Kings in a shoot-out and being truly vested in the outcome.
However, of all people, John Buccigross (whose ESPN column is my favorite) said if the Isles get the top pick and can somehow pick-up two high-quality free agents, they can make a leap next year. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but while I will never root for the Islanders to lose, I certainly wasn’t disappointed in the outcome last night against the Pens. My only concern is that the kids also need to learn to win, and I hope they can keep all these close losses in perspective.
CB, since we are talking about number one picks. Can you enlighten us on the Bobby Orr-DP dispute that was noted in the new Sports Illustrated? Evidently, Orr’s firm represented DP through the signing of the 15-year deal, but no actual deal was inked and DP is not paying them. It’s the first I heard of it and the story seemed odd–but perhaps has more repercussions for the Isles than we might otherwise believe.
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Will Teese says:
As any diehard fan, i wont root for my team to lose. Unfortunatley, they are doing that on their own. The good thing is that they are playing hard every game, and are in every game( except for the occasional real bad game, but every team has those). As long as they play hard to the end, they should still be in last because as was said, we just dont have the skill right now.
That being said, i think we have to draft tavares first, to ensure we have a bonafide go-to guy who can finish. I think having all those second rounders, and the additional first rounder will give us a few chances to draft some good defensemen, much like our second round in the last draft.
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Last year the lottery was on April 7th… I would assume it would be around the same time again this year, but I could be wrong.
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drew says:
CB, call me ignorant, but I just realized that Hedman is an 18-year-old kid playing in the SEL. Wow, didn’t even register that until now! That is super impressive (especially when you consider his stats are pretty good). I am certainly hoping for Tavares first, but I would not be upset if Hedman was the pick.
Anyway, my question is this: Do you think the fact that Hedman is playing in such an elite league at 18 will translate into a better rookie season/faster development next year (as opposed to Tavares, who is playing with peers)?
Thanks, and keep up the good work!
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Original Rob says:
John Buccigross also once said something along the lines of “DiPietro will win 450 career games and a Conn Smythe trophy”. I love his column too, but I don’t put too much into his predictions.
I’ve been wishing for Tavares ever since last year’s draft. However, if the Isles end up with the second pick, and if Hedman is going to be as good as everyone thinks he will, they’ve got to draft Hedman 2nd. Garth can’t get cute again and try to steal the show at the draft, as the Isles somehow do every year (for better or, more often, worse). It’s Tavares (if we draft #1 overall) OR Hedman or bust.
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
CB wrote about Campoli’s trade: “Hmm, maybe that’s what the evil genius Garth Snow had in mind for a short-term benefit. Just kidding.”
I don’t think you are kidding. This is just sounds so Snow-like. I wouldn’t sit down with Garth for a chess game. No chance of beating this guy. -
Ryan says:
Why do I have a feeling that the Islanders will not end up with Tavares or Hedman???
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# 28 – because it is only a 48% chance if you finish last..
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Maydog says:
Don’t rule out the possiblity of the league rigging the lottery to get Toronto a Top 2 pick. They have the best GM in the league who’s perfectly capable of telling ratboy “Hey commish, rig the draft for us.” You can’t tell me that the league wouldn’t want the #1 pick in Toronto instead of LI.
So let’s have TO win a few games and stay away from the bottom 5.
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Fist of Gillies says:
The WATCH returns?
CB, it never left!
Sorry you missed the Thrashers 4 point swing through Southern California. It was awesome!
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MickeyBoy7 says:
Because Milbury would trade them for a goalie.
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Zach says:
Ryan: Because you are an Islanders fan. All kidding aside. I also feel if the islanders get the 2nd pick no way they try and trade down to 3 or 4. Although what would likely be 2 lottery picks in next years draft is tempting, who besides Taylor Hall is another “blue chip” for next years draft.
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@ Ryan: I don’t, maybe it’s because the fans have been openly rooting for one of the them since day 1 and rooting for the team to lose. Since that’s not the way it’s supposed to work, we’re angering the hockey gods, thuse guranteeing something stupid happening.
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DINO (20): Even if the Isles go 500 the rest of the season they have more than a 90% chance of bottoming out the conference and finishing 30th overall. Heck- going only 4 games under 500 for the test of the season GUARANTEES it! So why do you actually want them to lose any more than that? It does not help anything, at all, no matter what. So what in the world is the point of it and why do you keep asking for it???
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McLovin21 says:
Maydog, I am concerned about that as well. If they ended up finishing 5th worst, I will definitely be nervous on lottery day.
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The season ends on April 12th… so the lottery will be somewhere between the 12th and 15th.
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Wedregast says:
Either Tavares or Hedman on draft day is a huge win for this team.
I also agree… we need Toronto to keep winning… end up in 25th place or better so we have no worries about a rigged draft. Toronto and Rangers are the only two teams I can see that happening with from the league..and thankfully even if Rangers tank the best shot they have is just hitting the top 10.
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guerin13 says:
i wonder what happens at the draft party if we take hedman? does the crowd get infuriated and storm out like they did last year? considering the hype around tavares it’s possible. i would have no problem taking hedman though. i think we’re really close to wrapping up last place.
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If we are first overall we have to take Tavarses.
If they don’t want Tavarses then trade the pick. Don’t take Hedman first overall.
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OhNoItsComeau57 says:
#29 if we finish last we dont have a 48% chance of JT or VH we have a 100% chance since even losing the lottery pushes us only down to #2. Debating whether they would actually take one of those guys is a different arguement although I have little doubt that they would grab one and run.
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JSpitz says:
Mr. Brosseau (6), don’t get me nauseous on a “You can’t teach 6-6″ line as the reason to draft Hedman over Tavares. The last two times someone affiliated with the Islanders uttered similar lines around draft picks led to Brett Lindros and Mike Rupp…
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guerin13, people get so wrapped up in a singleplayer… I did last year. I was set on Filatov if we were lucky enough to get him. If people do that again… its there own fault and its unwarranted. There are two top picks in this years draft… we get either of them, the crowd should be partying. If we have one of the top 2 picks and Snow picks Schroeder or Cowan with it, then people would be justified in walking out and being pissed.
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TB winning the lottery and picking#1 opens up 2 possiblities:
1) TB picked Dman b/c they have alot of depth up front
2) TB trading Vinny (but with that contract, could be impossible)
3) TB accepting a Godfather offer from someone like TO (or the Rangers) for the #1 pick
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isles316 says:
Unless Atlanta completely falls apart, I think we will be ok.
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victor hedman is an incredible talent that will probably dominate his position for the next 10-15 years. a 6-6 mobile 2-way d-man that is dominant both on d and on o that’s a stud in the SEL playing against men. i don’t think anybody ever said that about brett lindros or mike rupp.
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Tom says:
CB, this is one team race to 30th.
Personally, I’d LOVE to see some sort of drama to end the season, but the Isles are a solid 30th. Even if the Isles were to trade for Harry Houdini at the deadline, they’ll still be in 30th when the final horn sounds.
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Hedman is not a North American Style player. He is doing OK in the SEL because it is a non-contact pond hockey league. Hedman had a hard time at the WJC because the teams that took his body, made him disappear. In the NHL with grown men he gets broken. He is far from ready for this league. Do not draft Hedman. Mark my words.. Too soft..
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Paul in Canada says:
Agree with #12. Look at the WJC. 5 seconds left in the game against Russia. Canada down by a goal. Did I mention there were only 5 seconds left until the nation was dethroned? I am trying to think of an equivalent for the United States. Oh ya, the Cuban Missile Crisis! Well maybe it wasn’t 1972, but who digs out the puck and finds a guy open in front for the tying goal – Tavares. And you know what, it was almost ‘expected’ of him even if its unfair to put that kind of pressure on a kid. This is the kind of player the Islanders need. Hedman will be good but please don’t over-think this!
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Mikey says:
If we select Hedman no. 1, I hope nobody storms out of the draft party. It would be an idiotic thing to do. At the beginning of the season, Hedman was considered the no. 1 pick. He’s having an incredible season in the SEL and is having a similar impact that Lidstrom had 2 YEARS after he was drafted. Luckily, we should have 3 picks between 25-35. If we take Tavares, we can load up on Defense with those picks. It’s a win-win situation.
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Dorfer says:
Cruicky, what TV station are you able to watch SEL games on?
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Bob Bassen says:
The Isles had their chance for a *Franchise Stud D-Man* last year and passed it up. Notice the word out of Toronto is that the only non-tradable player is Luke Schenn?!? Anyway..you have to get the offensive sniper available no matter when the Isles pick!
So, CB or anyone else…how does the *lottery* work? Just curious as to what the chances are that we might fall below that #2 spot. -
I dont think anyone will storm out if we pick hedmen over tavares. I myself would love for them to pick tavares, but if Snow decides on Hedmen instead, then i will be more than happy with the selection, of the two, there is no bad choice. A fan would be stupid to storm out in that situation.
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#30…..I feel the same way. This ball picking should be live.
#33……who said that just because we pick #1 this draft means we won’t end up with the chance at #1 next draft? I feel we’re in the same boat next year.
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Islanders1984 says:
Its going to be tough to watch this draft if we have the # 1 pick, Isles need Tavaraes so muh more than Hedman. Forget what he does on the Ice, they need him off the ice for PR reasons. But I just have the feeling when snow walks up to that stage, the name victor Hedman is going to be coming out of his mouth
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I have a friend from town that has played in the league. He had also played in the AHL and NHL. Won a Title in the AHL. Tells me that the SEL is glorified Pond Hockey. If he looked sideways at one of the players he was getting a 2 minute vacation. Fast, but soft players.
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Chris M says:
I’ve been waiting for the 30th position all season. Say what you will about my fandom, but I’m taking the year off from “rooting” in the typical fashion. This team *needs* a stud and that is John Tavares. Start sewing up the 91′s on the retro jerseys and bring them back full time with Taveres on the Island. If we lack enough “D”, we’ll be back in this position next year and can focus on improving our defense. Okposo, Tavares, Bailey is a nice group of offensive talent to start something special on the Island. The end/beginning cannot come soon enough. 22 games to go…
Let’s hope Garth can work some draft day magic and unload a few of the older vets for more pieces to the puzzle.
I predict it’ll be an exciting hockey team here in NY (and I’m not referring to the overpaid, underproductive Rag$).
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Tavares, is not being compared to a Crosby or Ovechkin in potential….he is regarded alot like a Hawerchuck mold…He is highly skilled but has alot of work to do in regards to his skating.
Tavares will be a very good NHL’er, a top line guy that would be an awesome player to watch, but he is not will he ever be a savior….He is one piece of the puzzle…not necessarilly the missing one.
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Schultz39 says:
Gotta go with Tavares and then make a HUGE push for Komisarek as a UFA. I would then like to see us focus on the rest of the draft for defense depth.
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here’s how i see things. tavares will be a great player but not the greatest of his era at his position. hedman has a very good chance at being the best at his position for a long time. i think hedman will lead to more wins in the long run but if we pick first i think we take tavares for all the super-positive pr we will get. i wouldn’t mind picking 2nd b/c our choice is made for us.
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Just about all Swedish NHLers come through the SEL. Whether it’s a soft league or not has no bearing on whether Hedman is soft, as you claim. You could classify Bouwmeester as “soft” just b/c he’s not an overly physical. And he’s a top-5 d-man in the league right. Kenny Jonsson was as soft as they come and he was a very, very solid d-man. I have my doubts about your claims re: Hedman.
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#56 So you never watched any SEL games, and are using 2nd hand information to form an opinion? Do yourself a favor and go to youtube and look up video’s of both Tavares and Hedman firsthand. You’ll see they are both great pickups.
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Marty says:
I am pumped about the thought of having a top two pick in the draft. Do you think Tavares will be better than Scott Scissons? And when can we expect to see Scott in an Islanders uniform? I hear this Brett Lindros is going to be a stud, just like his brother Eric.
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I have heard the Hawerchuk comparison a few times re Tavares. Average skater/great finisher. Hawerchuk is a hall of famer who scored over 500 goals, but he never won a cup and was not considered the most dominant player at his position. My point is that we should not expect Tavares to be the savior. One player does not make a cup winning team.
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StevieL says:
This is a no brainer. You finish last you pick Tavares! Hedman might be great but Tavares brings to many intangibles. He makes the Isles relevant. All of Canada will have interest in watching him play with the Isles. They get more TV exposure. The little kids on LI get a new exciting player to root for. He will sell tickets! Nobody is going to be excited buying tickets to see a 6’6″ d-man learn to play in the NHL! I think Hedman is this years Pietrangelo. Size and potentially great. Tavares is dynamic and exactly what the Isles need. Last I looked, The Isles can’t score! D seems adequate! Absolutely have to draft Tavares if given the chance! Garth can use the rest of his 100 picks to draft D!
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KenB says:
Love those Brampton sweaters!!!!
I Remember Raffi Torress wearing those… -
ISLESFAN999 says:
A little off topic but when can Gilroy be signed. Also please update us on some trade updates and who you think will be traded. LOVE THIS SITE!
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Mike says:
CB
I haven’t seen this on your blog before but my apologies if it has been addressed.
Do you think there is any chance of a team trying to dump the rest of the season in order to get the last pick? To explore that avenue a bit further do you think that the Isles purposely kept DP out knowing without him they were pretty much guaranteed last place. I’m not saying he was not injured but perhaps they were very, very cautious, wink wink.
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Brett says:
Mike,
Last place does not gaurantee the first pick. We’ve said this a million times on this site. Also, the Islanders were supposed to be this bad with or without DP.
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Islesnut says:
I believe the NHL Draft Lottery will be held the day after the last game of the regular season, which is when it was held last year.
I would think it will be on Monday, April 13th.
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JayK says:
Date of the lottery last year was the day after the end of the regular season. Last day of the regular season this year is April 12, which happens to be Easter. Given that proximity, we shall now accept jokes about winning the lottery and rising from the dead.
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Just to put some perspective out there to everyone. When we talk about Tavares or Hedman, we are talking about prospects. Neither is a sure thing. Both have great potential, but that’s all it is. Just keep that in mind. Both Tavares and Hedman could be elite players in 10 years, or busts. Both have the best potential and game of this years draft. That’s it.
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Dmarie says:
This is another reason why I love this blog so much, I enjoy reading what everyone on here as to say and who their picks are.
When it comes to the draft an trades and who we should pick and why I kinda get lost in the shuffle. I know who I like but us to get but I have a hard time
with who to get rid of, guys like Witt and Weight and all the Vets are players I like and still feel we could use, but then get into what we can get for them and I understand but for me this stuff gets off the hook.
Mr Botta as always good read. -
#65 to be fair, Hawerchuk played in the era of Gretzky and Lemieux so it would be hard to remember him as one of the greats of his era, the same way guys that are great like Patrick Kane will probably pale in comparison 25 years down the road to Ovechkin.
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rob says:
If we lose the lottery and get the 2nd pick and end up with Hedman no one should be upset, but if we pass up a potential star GOAL SCORER with the first pick we screwed up – do you guys remember the last time we had one of those? This guy SHOULD be better than Ziggy – and hopefully ends up better than Turgeon or LaFontaine. Tavares seems to be ready for the jump – he owned Hedman in the WJC and Ive been following him ever since last year and this is the guy we need. I guarantee if we get him the buzz about the Isles on the Island will be greater than if we get a D-man – that would help us in many many places (ticket sales, jersey sales, Nat’l TV games, and hopefully wins)
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DerFerret says:
I remember vividly when the draft was exciting because we were getting a lot of late rounders from Europe and might luck out with out 11th ot 15th pick while the quality team we assembled would be there to guide them a few years later.
Now we’re drafting those kids and hoping they’ll lift up the team we have on ice because we’ve let ourselves go for so long……
I really hope garth doesn’t trade Witt, Martinek, Guerin and Weight and whomever else is worth anything. You build by not tearing down every step foreward and starting over. If this were a house, we’d have enough rubble to get the property condemned.
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We should 100% trade weight guerin and witt. Martinek also for that matter. We are in a full rebuild and you trade all the vets and sign vets 26-30 this summer.
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Word up to #59
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Swan says:
Others, especially Chris TMC, have stated it so very well already. The Isles do not need to tank anything. They had such a poor season, they have essentially locked up finishing last in the NHL.
If ATL and TB go .500 the rest of the year, the Isles basically have to win every single remaining game. That’s how bad they have been.
More realistically if ATL plays to their current record, they will finish around 30-44-8 which will give them 18 more points. The Isles will have to go a minimum of 13-9 just to tie. Not going to happen.
Might as well root for them to win every game, since they won’t. This way the kids start to get mentally ready to build for next season.
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#78, do you mentor a kid if you’ve barely got 5 years experience or do you mentor a kid if you’ve been to the show competing for the Cup? You keep Weight and/or Guerin and you keep the positionally superior Martinek to help guide your kids and make the NHL transition more successful……or you try and recreate the magic of the Ted Donato/Jamie Rivers Islanders of the late ’90′s?
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We have 22 games left. Smart gm’s trade ufas for picks and prospects to be better in the future. We can resign vets this summer. I wouldnt really mind keeping weight next yr but guerin should def be traded.
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Terry says:
The Isles need a couple of everything. We aren’t in last place for nothing. Either player will help tremendously, but you have to take Tavares for the PR. Pray that San Jose wins the draft lottery.
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isles99 says:
the isles should go with the best player, who I believe is john tavares, if they get the number #1 pick. Let’s not play around like last year dealing for more picks. We have the quantity in our system, now we need the quality. John Tavares will put people in the stands. You hear that Mr. Snow and Mr. Wang? People actually will have a legit reason to come to games to watch legit homegrown talent develope (okposo, bailey, tavares, neilsen). If you want to add some defense over the summer, try long island’s own Mike Komisarek. Although this team might be sh*t right now, people’s outlook will change for the better if we draft tavares and sign komi (assuming we get the #1 pick and komi doesn’t resign).
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(83) Terry – San Jose winning the Draft Lottery will not do much for us other than have them move up 5 spots – only the bottom 5 teams get the first pick by winning the lottery – so lets just root for the Isles to win the lottery – no messing around
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#83 san jose isnt in the lottery
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Every team is in the lottery. San Jose wins they move up four spots to 20- 24 range. And we get #1 overall.
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I’m wrong. Sorry
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If San Jose wins the lottery–which is highly remote, our #1 pick in the Comrie/Campoli deal which came from San Jose becomes a 17 through 25. So, there’s nothing wrong with the Islanders finishing last and rooting for SJ to win the lottery and make an early playoff exit.
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Oops–my bad on the lottery. Only the first 14 draw. Delete 89.
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Coach B says:
The Islanders next six games are at home.(Toronto,Buffalo, Colorado, Rag$, Devils and Phoenix). This could go a long way to see what happens since the Islanders then go on a long road trip. Note the Colorado game is the final game before the trade deadline.
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blitz says:
hopefully, finish 30th to get the 1st or 2nd pick. Case closed on drafting Tavares or Hedman.
No ‘win now’ or ‘speed up’ the rebuild with trading down out of #1 or #2.
If NYI want to play with SJ’s pick + the 2nd rounders to move up, acquire a signed or RFA player to be part of the rebuild, move sideways, etc., then feel free.
Just draft with the pick you received in the lotto.
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West Coast Fan says:
From a site on the web: “The selection order in the first round is subject to a lottery, held among the teams that hold the top 14 picks. There is only one winning team in the lottery. That team moves up a maximum of four places in the draft order.”
So the Isles, if finishing in last place, retain the #1 pick if they, or teams 6-14, win the lottery…
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Off Topic-Ryan Whitney traded to the Ducks by Pittsburgh for Chris Kunitz and prospect named Tangratti (spelling ?).
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Here were the odds from last year’s draft:
25.0% – Tampa Bay Lightning
18.8% – Los Angeles Kings
14.2% – Atlanta Thrashers
10.7% – St. Louis Blues
8.1% – New York Islanders
6.2% – Columbus Blue Jackets
4.7% – Toronto Maple Leafs
3.6% – Phoenix Coyotes
2.7% – Nashville Predators (via Fla.)
2.1% – Vancouver Canucks
1.5% – Chicago Blackhawks
1.1% – Anaheim Ducks (via Ed.)
0.8% – Buffalo Sabres
0.5% – Carolina HurricanesBy my calcs, that would leave the last place team with a 48.2% chance at retaining the #1 pick.
I had actually thought it was weighted more heavily in the last plce finisher’s favor…
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Izzy Franchise says:
I’ll take a Dale Hawerchuk on this team any day of the week. If we got a guy who can score bet 85-100 pts per season does he have to be a supermegastar? no. A guy like that would help us win. period.
I want JT. Wouldn’t be upset with VH.
with that being said…I think VH will be our guy. I just think that’s how our cards will be dealt.
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More on Alex Tangratti-Plays for Bellville,OHL.Second in league scoring behind Tavaras.
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To everyone saying Tavares could turn out to be STAMKOS…….. Are you really judging Stamkos based on his first year in the league? The guy plays on an awful team and he is what 18-19 years old? Everyone needs to settle down and stop judging guys after half a year in the league.
The Isles need a sniper / playmaker AND yes if they got the #2 and picked Hedman they would be fine.
Just finish last and it will all work out.
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Jethro09 says:
The Isles need Tavares. If they get the top pick, I don’t want to hear anything about Hedman. If they don’t get #1 and have to settle for #2, then Hedman is a fine alternative.
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Correction, it’s Eric Tangratti, believed he played for Canada at the World Junior.
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Mikko Makela says:
matt duchene will be the best player in this draft in 5 yrs. i saw him play in person and he is dynamic!!! cogliano speed, crosby’s vision,and hands like hossa. snow should trade the pick and take duchene, NO BRAINER!
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kevin fitz says:
Drafts are such crap shoots. Who knows who will turn out to be the best player in this draft. it could end up being someone picked in the 4th round. You never know. I feel Snow should just stay at the position we get. Draft the player highest on his board and go from there. I am interested in hearing more about this Duchene kid though. Sounds like he could be something special.
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I am not on the Hedman bandwagon. From the extensive reading and tape I have seen on him, he is good. I feel the Isles need anothe goal scorer. Tavares is a must have. If not, then Duchene.
Secondly, to state that Tavares is “Stamkos-esqe” is unfounded and absurd. Stamkos was never touted as a scorer. He is a speedy, playmaking center. He is 19. He is small. Give him a year or two. If you hammer Stamkos’ development, can you not make the same argument for Okposo who is two years older? I know I wouldn’t.
Check out Tavares work out session on youtube. It is him as a 16 year old. I would consider him “Crosby-esqe.”
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Mikko–Have you seen Tavares in person? I have seen both. There is a tremendouse difference. There is a difference between a good possible multiple all-star (Duchene) and a generational type talent in Tavares.
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I have played my entire life, over 38 years. I have played Junior and Senior in Canada and know the game and am a fan of the game. This is the first year I have followed the Islanders and find this entire year to be very interesting. To watch a team actually bring in the kids, that should be leading the AHL league in stats, and give them big minutes in the NHL to gain experience is amazing. The kids have grown this year, probably more than they would in the AHL or Junior. Very few teams have fans, that cheer for any team, can except the “ blow it up and totally rebuild” phrase. The Islanders are actually in very good shape. You have a group of vets that are going to be moved and a large group of kids becoming men in this league, fast. You have a large reserve of cash to acquire RFA’s and URA’s this off season. Snow could look like a star for having the Balls to do it.
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# 8 Rich –
I know Fritzie is a major liability – and wish that we had an enforcer who could play….but I don’t envision him being with NYI next year – assume that we will find some other asset to take that role on.
But for this year – I enjoy watching him play in terms of chucking em with a real heavyweight who will actually take him on.
Also, has the potential to both protect our younger players and to entertain the masses
He is not a long term answer for us – but sure is entertaining….and Taveduch insurance !
Pat
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Pat #106–
I agree. There was a reason why Mitch Fritz was in Hartford for so long. Colton Orr is a UFA next year, that would be my target.
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Jimmy B,i have seen them both play in person. They are both great talents, but Duchane will be the better player in 5 yrs.NO DOUBT!!!
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Duchane will have a better year {statistcally} than taveres NEXT year! imo
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Brett you are correct that last place doesn’t guarantee first pick but as you can read on NHL.com it does give you a 48% chance. Not only that, you could only lose 1 possible spot so you are still in the top 2. For a team in a rebuild one could make the assumption that the number 1 pick may be worth sitting your number 1 goalie longer than necessary.
Also, who said the Isles were supposed to be this bad? Some sports writers who are tasked with coming up with stuff to write about? If you live in NY and listen to WFAN you can listen to these guys talk all day and if they are lucky 50% of what they say ends up true. If in fact there is no difference between last with Danni and last with DP why do we need DP and his salary?
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nystrom23 says:
Take Taveres #1 and spend the 2nd first round pick on a solid stay home d-man. Take a goalie in the 2nd round without a doubt. Lots of good offense prospects, not mant good d-prospects
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Mikko–
I am interested to know your reasoning behind your comment. Can you elaborate? -
Jimmy B, the times i have seen him play he has been by far the best player on the ice, this includes head to head against taveres. His skill set is dynamic!!I just think the sky is the limit for this kid, imo.You cannot teach SPEED! He is a very polished offensive player, he reminds me of Pavel Bure. I know it is only one man’s opinion, i think you just can not pass on this kid if you are GS.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB- Yeah … I’ll call it a 3 team race at this point … Even if the Isles play 500 hockey the rest of the way (very doubtful) .. Ottawa would have to play .250 hockey … and as bad as they had been … nobody is that bad… not to mention games in hand.
Realistically, I figure the margin right now is 12 points … any team that gets a 12 point lead over the Isles is out of the race for last… and that margin will narrow with time.
I have nightmares about finishing last and drafting in the second spot or even worse finishing second to last in the league. This is going to be exciting for all the wrong reasons.