THN “FUTURE WATCH” = NYI REALITY CHECK
Latest proof that rebuild has a ways to go
(Exclusive first look at THN's "Future Watch" cover)
It’s almost that time of year, when The Hockey News “Future Watch 2009″ issue provides hope or hopelessness to the diehards of struggling or rebuilding teams. If you are an Islanders fan, be prepared for a little pain and a large dose of reality.
If you think the Islanders already have enough draft picks and bonafide prospects, or felt this blog’s recent projections were not as optimistic as they should have been, the “Future Watch” will hit your mailbox like a slap in the face. We just called a friend at The Hockey News who confirmed our suspicions:
- The Islanders do not have a single prospect in THN’s Top 50.
- They have only one in the Top 100: Aaron Ness, at 71.
- The team’s overall grade is C+.
- Of the 30 NHL teams, the Islanders are ranked 21st.
The Hockey News only evaluates youngsters who have yet to see regular icetime in the NHL. If Josh Bailey was playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, he may have been slotted somewhere in the top 10. If Kyle Okposo was still just a junior at the University of Minnesota, he’d probably crack the top 5.
Islanders fans wondering why Point Blank does not have a weekly series on 2008 sixth round pick Justin DiBenedetto - 4th in Ontario Hockey League scoring - will get their answer from “Future Watch.” DiBenedetto was not considered for the top 100 and he will be outside the Islanders’ top 5 (one guess, in no particular order: Ness, Jesse Joensuu, Trevor Smith, Kirill Petrov, Travis Hamonic). Keep in mind that THN’s list is compiled after thorough polling of NHL scouts. Like those scouts, The Hockey News is often wrong, but this issue is a fair representation of what “the hockey world” feels about the game’s young players.
The poor showing of the Islanders is a by-product not just of Okposo and Bailey making the team, but plenty of other factors. Not having a first round pick (Ryan Smyth trade) or second-rounder (Richard Zednik, ouch) in 2007 is a killer if you hope to make The Hockey News list in 2009. The Zednik deal took the Islanders out of the mix for plenty of talent still available in the second half of the second round. No doubt you’ll see a bunch of kids from that group in the magazine.
My source at The Hockey News would not confirm information outside of Islanders Country. However, you better believe Nikita Filatov (Columbus 2008 6th overall) is No. 1. Point Blank reader favorites Colin Wilson (Nashville 2008 7th overall, before Bailey) and Cody Hodgson (Vancouver 10th overall, after Bailey) will be near the top. Hodgson being a Canadian boy drafted by a Canadian franchise may have had something to do with his selection as cover model.
Figure on the rival-but-not-”rebuilding” Rangers having a few representatives in the Top 50, including the most unheralded prospect in New York hockey. In the third round last summer, the Rangers selected a buzz-free, 6-3 center from Russia named Evgeny Grachev. Today he is a stud for the OHL’s Brampton Battalion and is a more promising prospect than anyone not on the Islanders’ current roster. (Hey, maybe the Islanders should kidnap Petrov so he can learn about commitment in the OHL). Blueshirt kid defensemen Michael Del Zotto (20th overall, 2009) and Bob Sanguinetti (21st, 2006) will crack the top 100, maybe the top 50. That’s a local perspective.
The lesson is that the Islanders did well for themselves in term of quality in 2006 (Okposo) and 2008 (Bailey) and depth of mid-level prospects. Ness, Joensuu and maybe one or two others could develop into much more over time. As much as I was and still am okay with the Ryan Smyth try - Edmonton drafted a stay-at-home dman named Alex Plante, who will not be in the top 50 and is an average prospect - 2007 was a write-off that simply cannot happen again anytime soon.
Above everything else, the magazine magnifies two issues:
1. The Islanders need to continue to draft better.
2. If anyone around the Islanders believes they have enough draft picks and prospects to not consider moving more veterans, that strategy should be re-considered.
The Hockey News prospects issue of 2010 may look dandy for the Islanders, but that’s not going to make anyone feel better today. This is the irony of how the “Future Watch” can work. If Josh Bailey is in Windsor and not Uniondale, he’s in the top 10, the team’s grade is B and the Islanders are ranked around 15th. Not bad, but still proof they have a long way to go.
Or how about this? If the Islanders are fortunate to pick first or second in June and grab John Tavares, he will not make the Top 50 in 2010 because he’ll be on the Islanders. But if they take Victor Hedman first or second and, let’s just say, Hedman plays one final year in Europe, the Swedish defenseman will be the No. 1-ranked prospect in all of hockey and the Islanders’ team grade - shoot, the entire friggin’ issue - will look a whole lot better.
But that’s 2010, 2011. The 2009 “Future Watch” is out in March. Islanders fans should read it at their own risk.
ETC: After two games in two nights, the Islanders did not practice today. Interest in Bill Guerin and Brendan Witt continues to heat up, but there is no news…yet. The Islanders host Buffalo on Saturday and Colorado on Monday.
Media Alert: There has been some buzz about Charles Wang possibly meeting today with Newsday writers to discuss the Lighthouse Project, so you might want to check the Newsday site (still free!) later in the day.
Talk about this story in Comments. Discuss Bill Guerin’s decision and other trade-related issues in next thread. Thanks.
94 Responses to “THN “FUTURE WATCH” = NYI REALITY CHECK
Latest proof that rebuild has a ways to go”
Please Wait
OUCH !!!!
A single draft doesn’t make up for a prospect base that was neglected and decimated over the years. We need to continue focusing ourselves on high draft picks and NHL-ready prospects for any veteran deemed to not be part of the solution.
prospect watch… like gazing into a crystal ball.
no surprise. up until last year nyi seemed to think of the draft as a complete afterthought. still a long ways to go but at least they seem to get it now. nyi absolutely need to aquire as many picks as possible via trading veterans before wed at 3.
screw the hockey news…..they seem to have it out for the islanders all the time. Crap paper.
If you make another list in a few months the list would be different, it is constantly changing. Players never highly rated have become fine players and high rated players don’t become as good as projected. Still Future Watch is always interesting to read.
Considering everything you (or rather, THN) say in this blog entry, how the hell did we get ranked as high as 21st? You mean there are 9 teams in worse shape prospect-wise than we are?!?! LOL!!
Judging by past issues, if Hodgson is on the cover, he’s the #1 rated prospect. Carey Price was on the cover and #1 last year. The issue is fun to read, but pretty meaningless. Bobby Ryan was ranked #7 in last year’s issue (on spot ahead of KO), and he’s by far the best player in the top 50 from last year.
I still believe that with a great draft this year. . this team is not that far away. (assuming a healthy DP)
They are competitive pretty much every night these days with THIS roster.
Reading a Hockey News “prospect watch” piece won’t change what I see on the ice.
Cody Hodgson will never be anything more than a 2nd line center. I’m not worried what they say at all. Everyone gave kudos to the Isles this past draft so I will trust that Garth and his staff will continue to do good down the road.
With the Isles in the current situation I really enjoy tracking prospects and the draft. Trade some vets for good value and let the kids play. Wish i could watch more Junior hockey here, hopefully NHL network will show the Memorial Cup again this year. I’m enjoying the rebuild.
This site rules!
Thanks Chris!
(8) Jim: I stand by my prediction. The bible of hockey in Canada will put a Canadian kid drafted by the Canucks on the cover before they’ll push a Russian kid taken by a team from Columbus, Ohio. I understand Malkin was a recent cover, but he was a projected superstar…CB
OK…So if we need to keep obtaining picks/prospects for our tradable veterans then which vets are untradeable? Obvs Guerin and Witt are tradeable and are not part of the Isles plans three years down the road but what about Hunter, Park, even Streit? Who should be the untradable vets? Or are there none and everyone is fair game (other than the young’ens) for the right price?
CB’s comments are exactly why I don’t put much stock in articles like that. We all know that the Isles farm needs further major uplifting.
It’s no secret.
GMG’s done a good job thus far and the Isles will continue to replenish the cupboard with this year’s draft.
Let’s see where this team stands in 2-3 years. If we’re not well on our way to respectability by then, then I will begin to REALLY worry.
This is year 1 of a 3 to 5 year rebuilding process. We are ranked low because of past mistakes. Besides we are here to remake the NHL roster not get good grades from THN for prospects. We have 3 top 6 forwards a good third line and a few good fourth liners. 1 top d-man and a few other bottom 4 d-men. Garth still has some work cut out.
Streit is not going anywhere. I didn’t even mention him in my story yesterday - and I mentioned something like 13 guys. There’s really no point in bringing it up again…CB
The scouting pundits in every single sport are wrong at an astounding, astounding clip. I wouldn’t take anything this magazine says for granted. Let the Isles worry about themselves.
Since Garth has become GM, he’s always come across to me and many Islander fans as someone who thinks he knows more than the rest of the league. Now some Isles fans are acting the same way. While THN is often times wrong, the compilation of writers and scouting reports is a great representation of what the hockey world believes. Much to the dismay of many know-it-allers who are fellow Isles fans. We can only hope that we get some picks, a few key signings and a better rating next year. It cannot get any worse and so this doesn’t seem like Garth bashing post, lets all remember, Garth Snow was the guy who turned Chris Simon into a late round pick that got us DiBenedetto and turned an unhappy Marc Andre Bergeron into Kirill Petrov with anaheim’s 3rd rounder.
Better days have to be ahead, but it’s good every now and then to be reminded of reality. Especially when the rest of the league doesn’t take notice of our overzealous enthusiasm.
The way Matt Martin is playing this season, I am surprised that he did not get a mention.
i’m okay with this too. to me, this is a rebuild from the ground up. literally.
and - maybe some isles’ kids surprise. it does happen, and this team is overdue for something like that.
I am surprised - given his three year contract - “THE WRECKER” is not helping our standing in the prospect list ?
We need to continue to develop talent. Patience is key !
Pat
UGH to this day and many days ahead we are still paying for the total mismanagement of the NYI. Up in Canada last week the comment was made on the fan590 Toronto that the New York Islanders are the model on how not to run a sports franchise. It went on to say that the management structure between the crazy owner lousy GM and coach in over his head may be the worst in pro sports!!! I beleive the speaker was Pierre MeGuire but not 100% on that. They went on to say about the Campoli trade that on the surface it appeared to be a good trade BUT the trade goes against the grain of the Islanders supposedly giving their young homegrown kids a shot. They said that also the motive was not only a major rift with the coach but they get to save 1mil in salary too. It was also said that there are MANY players that have asked out citing the coach and no chance of winning anytime soon(I have been waiting 3 rebuilds for the winning to start) We are in for a long ride my friends I feel that the comments were head on! and that the hockey news seals it. We are going to suck for a long while!!!!
It takes time to build through the draft. These kids are only 18 year old. Just out of high school.
They need 3 years and 20 pounds of muscle to play with the big boys.
If Bailey were on any other team, he would not be playing right now in the NHL.
We will compete next year, and be better.
But it will take until the year after before you see your NYI compete for a playoff spot again.
Consider the 08 draft our first serious attempt at building up our prospect pool in years. It will take 09, and 010 til we really can say we are stocked up on good prospects at least. Then we need to maintain the prospect pool by drafting smart every year afterwards.
This draft, I hope Garth goes for Quality over Quantity. Last year he did a great job at amassing a lot of good prospects… a lot of quantity with potential. After the 09 draft, I hope we can say we have at least 2 new blue chip prospects in our system. We need high quality prospects now.
Why in the world would anyone on this site even mention Streits name as a possible trade? He has been everything and more, and singlehandedly took over late in the game yesterday. Geez!!
And 1 other thing…. I truely beleive what has been said in the past ….this is not a youth movement as much as it is cutting player saleries to the bare mininum. Aside from KO and Bailey we really dont have too much to look foreward to just yet. I gave Snow credit for the Smyth trade I thought that showed some balls. Snow made a HUGE error in the summer 2007 when he let half the team walk away and replaced them with Sim Guerin and Comrie who at the time praised those players as being cornerstones for the franchise. 1 1/2 years later he has no use for any of them 1 is gone and the other 2 not far behind. You cant have an NHL team on just prospects and draft choices!!!
For what it’s worth, since the trade, Campolli has four points in three games.
Not suprised at all and hopefully a reality check.
This is a 5-7 year rebuilding plan. Year 1 almost done.
The Islanders can’t get a better player for the money than they did with Mark Streit. Since he played in Europe for so long he does not have the wear and tear on the body so trading him is no issue.
AIM 22
I wouldn’t listen to the people in Toronto. They may have cut up the organization, but they also cut up their own pretty good.
Toronto Media is pretty nasty.
Plus we already knew Wang was nuts.
But I think Garth is do a great job.
Same goes for Gordon.
Islander fans have to be excited. We are going in the right direction.
2 first round picks.
3 second round picks.
Plus more to come this week.
We will be picking one of the top 2 players in this years draft.
Hopefully using the picks to move up in the draft for another top prospect.
Be Positive!!!!
Campoli is on Ottawa’s top powerplay witch he was not going to do with the Islanders over Streit. He will pick up more points playing with Spezza, Heatley and Alfredsson.
(chickendirt) Who Cares.
(mm30) 5-7 years? i hope there’s a fan base left.
(9) They are far way from being a legitamate cup contender…can they contend for an 8th spot in a year or two…possibly.
Also DiBenedetto and Martin are not top prospects. Martin is projected as a role player and CB can’t find one scout who would back DiBo as an impact NHLer.
MM you are correct 5-7 years!!! That is what it will take cause other then our #1 this year most othe prospects will take 2-4 years to develop. Do we really think they will not change direction AGain within that time?? I doubt Flash will be here 5-7 years from now. Snow could be long gone by then too. I tell you if you get the right management in place 2-3 years rebuild over. You need the kids BUT also have to build a team around veteran leadership. NEIL SMITH started laying the ground work for all of this by making many smart FA siginings in 06 and then drafting KO. as a result we had a 92 point team in 06-07. If the plan stayed in place then add a few players draft wisely we could have been today a top 10 team in the NHL. Nope we got a backup goalie running the show and a team torn down to the bare threads with nothing to show for it in just 1 1/2 years
who cares how long the rebuild takes as long as we rebuild the right way, and not give up ala milbury and trade for the kvashas and yorks thinking theyll solve our problems. lets give snow credit so far for getting together with his coaching/management staff and working out a plan, and so far sticking to that plan. i do agree with cb that the team needs to draft smarter and hopefully it starts with garth getting max returns for his vets. heres looking at tavares this year and taylor hall next year…those would be two big steps in the right direction.
keep up the amazing work cb
CB - I caught that article about Newsday pondering charging for access to their website. I just hope they improve on the site in that case because it is the slowest loading jumpy piece of junk website out there. Gee think I have an opinion?!
Im willing to wait another 3-4 years rebuilding and in the end get 7-10 yrs of winning on a daily basis and making a run for the cup
Articles like this are really meaningless to me. How many players do well in junior, college, etc. and never do a thing in the NHL?
I believe part of the process is drafting the right players for your team, but I think it is more how the develops in your organization that matters.
I’m a firm believer in drafting players that fit certain styles of play. Detroit and NJ are the two teams that have done this to perfection. The Isles organization is on the same page (Bridgeport-NYI) so now lets see who is drafted and how they fit what the organization is doing.
When I say 5-7 years…I mean being a Stanley Cup Contender and top team in the league.
Like i’ve already stated we can contend for a playoff spot before then but this plan was created cause Garth said he wants to contend for a cup.
In no way do I think we are going to finish bottom 5 for the next 4 years…probaly just the next two.LOL!
I’ll take Taveras instead of being rated in the Hockey News higher in prospects just for taking Hedman thank you very much!
Okposo has grown faster here than he would have in college. We may get to see the 25 goal Okposo next year.
Bailey needs a few more years. If he’s going to learn in the NHL, then maybe he should be given a little less pressure.
I’d like to see what Bergie-Nielsen-Okposo could accomplish for a few games. those might be the three best offensive forwards next year (with hunter/#1 draft pick/Sim rounding out the secodn line).
I don’t really have a problem with trading the rentals, but trading the SIGNED veterans seems to be counter-productive.
Unless garth’s vision is a pool full of young piranha (and I’d be cool with that), another 20-25 win season is not going to do anybody any good. If you’re going in the direction of speed over toughness… wow… nothing worse than watching your team drip blood on the way back to the losers dressing room.
There needs to be some balance. If you can’t replace a Witt, don’t trade him for draft picks.
If you make the dance, anything can happen. I think the year after next the Isles can compete for a playoff spot if they make some savvy moves. Will they be a model championship team then? No, of course not, but even if they just squeak into 8th at that point, anything can happen in the playoffs. Let’s just worry about building a better team than 30th for now.
I’m all for steps fwd but if anyone thinks we’re gonna be out of the top 5 draft picks race for next season, you’re smokin good stuff.
Good Read CB. It sucks, but it’s reality.
It’s been f!@@$%^ng 2 years now and we still have people harping on the whole Neil Smith. If he’s such a great GM why is he not in the NHL. CB your blog is great but there are people here who blast Snow as a know it all and think they know better. Toronto media should worry about their own team. Last year at this time everyone was saying let the kids play lets see what they got. So this year the kids play and everyone is not satisfied. Why is it such a horror that Snow is a GM but it’s ok for Kevin Lowe to be a GM. He went from player to what 1 year coach to GM to now President. He’s now been GM for 2 years. He has a scouting staff in place. Everyone here makes it seem like he has a damn dog sitting there and making picks. That’s that other fool from u know where. Know one knows here what deals are on the table or what Snow’s plan is. I for once finally see this franchise have a goal and a plan to get there and some direction.
I am actually happy about this article. It is a nice dose of reality for fans who think one year of drafting mid level talent at best will turn us around. This is going to be a very long and painful process. Without a doubt it will pay off nicely if we stay the course but the next 2-3 years are going to be rough.
The Islanders main concern in the draft should be quality over quantity. I would rather see them take those 2 picks in round 1 and 3 in round 2 and turn it in to 3 first rounds, 2 of which included 2 top 15 picks
(nystrom23) wouldn’t we all? that would be nice if we can do it. Bunch of nice prospects in the first 15. Hopefully Snow is working on something.
Johnny C. Right on!
This years draft coupled with last years draft should make things really interesting. There’s going to be a lot of volume in terms of prospects still in college and Juniors.
A lot of those guys are years away from cracking Bridgeport. Rhett Rahkshani is probably one of the better ones that’s a season away.
I’m not a fan of these ranking systems by THN and etc. Mainly for the reasons Botta pointed out; The better ones, the real top line future talents, don’t wallow around in the minors for very long.
Jankowski is not answering the bell when it comes to scouting and drafting.
Who was the dude heading up our scouting dept who left the Isles and is now with the Rangers????
Hope this wakes you guys up the Snow/Janikoski are garbage. I can’t wait until we are finally good in 2022! Wooooo
I agree with JohnnyC. Enough of the Neil Smith talk. He won the cup because of overpaying for end of the road guys that knew HOW to win. It’s easy when Messier is the leader and he asks to play with a bunch of guys he just one the cup with a couple of years earlier.
CB, the article puts things into perspective, but when we say rebuild, are we talking Playoffs, Conference Finals, Stanley Cup. After this season, I say the team fights for a playoff spot next year, if DP stays healthy and regains his form. They might or might not get in. Within 2 seasons, this team is back in the playoffs and as UIF stated, once you get in anything can happen. Especially in the East.
These projections are absolutely meaningless. KO and Bailey are on the team, as CB says, so the ratings here are completely skewed. That said, everyone is right that the Isles aren’t there yet and, even as it relates to prospects, are still in the middle of the pack. At least they have a plan, something this franchise hasn’t had in a loooong time.
Also, CB, what ever happened to Tony Feltrin? God help us…
Campoli is producing cuz he has nhl talent not ahl garbage! Thanks Snow!
CB, thank you for your honesty. Especially pointing out some deals Milbury wasn’t responsible for. Milbury has been gone for 3 years, not a lifetime, but there is a body of evidence to judge Hockey Ops leadership. Again, thanks for the honesty.
Here’s to a deep, DEEP draft in 2010.
The draft and projecting future draft picks is a crap shoot unless it is a no brainer like a sidney crosby etc. CB the analysis is flawed because it states that the islanders drafting has been average and that is without Ko or Baily in the list. In any other situation in the nhl KO and Baily would not be in the nhl and the islanders grade would be much higher. You did point that out but I dont think it necessarily translates into the islanders drafting has to improve or they have enough picks to make deals.
In regards to who the islanders pick Tavares or Hedman I would love Taveras but Hedman would be just as good. I think both players are even in what they bring to the table for their positions. Tavares would be great as far as marketing a star and getting an all star forward who can score. hedman would be a beast on the blue line and other teams could not match up lines against the islanders with Streit and Hedman on D. That is a big factor. The only con for Hedman is that it takes longer for dmen to develop than forwards but I think he will do just fine. Lets go islanders.
The Hockey News does a good job and is well-respected around the league. If they didn’t do their homework and talk to scouts on a daily basis, how come they usually get most of the first round of the draft right every year?
For the Future Watch, they canvass scouts of all teams, including the Islanders (I know this because I used to assist in the process). My post was to show how much more work, and how many more improvements, are ahead.
Referring to THN as “Toronto media,” saying “they should worry about the Leafs,” writing it off as a “crystal ball,” saying they “have it out for the Islanders” shows that some don’t like dealing in reality…CB
Why would ever want one of your players in the top 50 on this list? If he’s good enough to be in the Top 50, he should be playing in the NHL. So basically, the Isles are being ‘punished’ for having young guys in the NHL. BFD…
This doesnt worry me too much. If Okposo and Bailey weren’t in the NHL we may be in the mid to late teens. Considering that a great majority of our valuable prospects were taken last year I would have to say that being “middle of the road” in the NHL isnt all that bad after 1 solid year of drafting. A duplication of last years draft (hopefully better, and more emphasis in quality) and we could be around 10 next year? Maybe better? Granted these kids are a few years away from making an impact, if any, but if we can fill the roster and be competitive until then this shouldnt be so painful.
I was just re-reading THN’s ‘07 prospect issue last night. Yes, really - lame, isn’t it?
In that issue KO was listed as the 8th-best prospect, IIRC.
The Isles’ article (written by Peter Botta - relative, CB?) was kind of funny-sad. The lead was: “After years of trading away prospects, Isles hope to restock the cupboard,” or something like that - and then, after Okposo, prospects 2-5 for the team were O’Marra, Grebeshkov, Nokelainen, and Nilsson.
On the very next page the Rags’ prospects included Marc Staal, Sanguinetti, Korpikowski, and Dubinski - to say nothing of Henrik Lundqvist, excluded because he was already with the main club.
Talk about OUCH.
This is just more evidence that sometimes quality is better than quantity. The Isles drafted a ton of guys last year and no one is considered a top 50 guy and only one top 100 guy? I think Snowy needs to stop trading down and just pick the best available player when the Isles pick is up.
CB I’m in awe of your greatness! You are Howard Cosell today! (I mean that it a good way.
Also, way back when Islander fans may remember a past #1 prospect, some scrawny ‘ol 17-18 yo kid named Roberto Luongo. I’m not sure if THN was using a crystal ball or they were Toronto media or not then– but then again Islander fans weren’t asking or interested.
There are one or two Islander conspiracies out there that are plausible, unfortunately THN’s list of good hockey players isn’t one of them.
Hey CB with the OHL season over in 9 games, if Sarnia misses the playoffs could Snow sign the three and let them play in the AHL?
This team has a tremendous oppurtunity to really solidify its position. It is prospects like DiBenedetto and Martin that are so hard to predict the outcome. However, when you start with the right ingredients for a great player and they have shown great leadership at their current level, they MAY turn into something great. Picks are wonderful to have. Draft smart, atleast start with picks that have a chance and the tools to become a great player. Size, speed and a great shot are tools that are a gift. The rest is developement and a couple of lucky breaks.
59- Well said CB.
No worries. With the load of injuries and no #1 goalie the entire year, the Isles would not be 30th in the league. (Not that I’m too upset for the #1 pick)
Rebuild started beginning of this year. Kids are gelling. If anyone cares, our ranking will improve next year.
“…so you might want to check the Newsday site (still free!)”
Thoughts/comments on the pay for Newsday online issue..CB?
Can’t we speed up this process by trading vets? Snow should by a copy of this Hockey News and ask each GM who calls for Guerin, Witt, and Weight for one of their prospects. Isn’t this what most teams do? I know this works because the Islanders have historically been the team to give the prospects away.
yes its amazing how a defenseman can rack up points when the forwards can actually score goals.
And yet some people still think Hedman is the coice to make?
I am not worried about it. I watch these things pretty closely and they aren’t always right. I remember one year the Isles had the best prospects by THN and most of those dudes didn’t pan out.
I’m not worried because I know the Isles are headed in the right direction. I’ve watch Joseneau enough to know he is going to be on the top two lines in a year or so. There are other guys I really like like Harmonic, Neimi, Petrov, Ness (if he bulks up), Figern, Rhashanski etc.
Chris why isn’t Neimi ranked higher?
Also, I don’t think Filatov will be ranked in there because you said it is only for prospects who hasn’t touched NHL ice and he has.
I will become concerned if Snow doesn’t move these guys who he knows doesn’t fit in for better picks and prospects. This is why it is critical he gets every drop of value he can this year to accelerate the rebuild.
So the bottom line is suckini, suckici, suckidi! (we sucked, we suck, and we will suck). That is an excellent plan.
If Snow cannot sign valid free agents next year our lineup will be:
Bergenheim-Nielsen-Okposo
Sim-Bailey-Hunter
Tambellini-Park-Mclean
Smith-Colliton-Jackman
Sutton-Streit
Martinek(trade bait)-Witt(trade bait)
Hillen-(Meyer, Gervais, callahan, Kohn, MacDonald)
J Macdonald and Danis are both UFA in July. So we’ll be looking at DP for a few games and then a cardboard cutout of Garth Snow and his gigantic pads.(Hopefully Wang can garner revenue from a maxipad ad on the cut out)
Hopefully the first thing to happen with the LH project is Captain Charlie’s Fish and Chips where we can all drown our sorrows to Billy Joel’s Downeaster Alexa.
CB;
I just read an artical about the deadline and they are pretty much calling this a sellers market. I think it’s about five teams selling and everyone else buying.
Davidson is proclaiming St Louis is definitly buying this year.
I’m not sure but I think this may look better for us than we previously suspected. Gaborick and Kovalchuk are certainly going to set the market this deadline although I’d be shocked if Minnesota deals Gaborick with them in the playoff picture.
I don’t think Buffalo is going to deal Max anymore than Vancouver deals the Sedins.
Wouldn’t this make Kovalcuk the biggest prime piece of real estate available?
I hope Garth gets an early edition of the magazine and gets some of the better rated prospects with a few trades over the next few days
Why hasn’t anybody who’s whining about this Campoli trade acknowledged the man asked for a trade?
Who said that Kovy is available? I think Waddell has NO PLANS of trading him. He’s still under contract for next year.
Can everyone just calm down….. this is not a surprise to anyone… As CB said, the Isles have to continue to draft well. Not having a pick in 07 hurt but the Smyth deal had to be done.
We are not going to be a contender next year, the Isles are finally moving in the right direction but it takes time.
We Americans are notorious for wanting a quick fix and living in NY it makes it even worse. There is no quick fix here, its break it down and build it the right way…..
Wouldn’t it be more gratifying in the end if we do this right?
the days of the Comrie’s are over…. We have enough kids on the roster that can handle hold their own. We don’t need mid-level clown, mid career clowns anymore.
Be patient
I’m not “worried” about the THN report. I mean I don’t think any team should be actively trying to win a “polling” contest. However, it illustrates in B&W, right now it’s Bailey, Okposo & Tavares, the rest of team will be similar to this year, not very good. With a healthy DP we may get some more wins, a few more, maybe. (IF DP winds up not getting along w/Flash, all bets are off.)
The one thing Islander fans SHOULD get out of this report, is there are no silver bullets, no knight on a white horse gonna come in here & make the Isles all better– this a rebuild of EPIC proportions. And like all rebuilds, there’s actually a better chance it will fail than it will succeed. Building a winner is not easy. Building a winner from scratch is even harder. That’s what our back-up goaltender in a suit is looking at. I hate to sound mean, but THAT’S the reality of the situation.
Garth Snow is in the same exact position Bill Torrey was 36 years ago. And Bill Torrey already had a TON of experience before taking the job. He also had Al Arbour a year or so later.
Islander fans, stick your dreams of grandeur in a draw. In 2011 when the Isles are picking 23rd in the draft you’ll feel better taking my advice.
Again, I don’t mean to be mean, but this Big-Bang theory (BANG! The Islanders are great.) many Islander fans have is totally misguided. Your looking at the 2012 season w/the Islanders scratching & clawing for the #8 seed. Tavares or not. That’s reality.
Garth’s got to be near perfect. No room for error. One bad pick. One solid player leaves the org for greener ($$$)pastures, one Tambellini-like pick, Nilsson’s got talent, no heart…NONE of that can happen…Snow needs to be perfect, anything less the rebuild falls on it’s face. That’s a fact jacks!
Can it be done? Sure. Any optimism beyond that is a self-induced Fairy Tale.
(This is my first post. Fantastic site btw)
I don’t really understand why we should all feel dismayed about the future. Do we not understand and have we not already come to terms with this being a massive rebuild? The simple fact that we are ushering out dead wood veterans (as well as a couple of quality vets who simply don’t mesh in our system) and providing quality playing time for the youngin’s will pay off in spades 2 years from now.
Besides the random meltdown we see from time to time, the baby Isles are in pretty much every game. They are doing exactly what I want them to do: play hard, develop the youngsters, and lose close games (because this season DOES NOT MATTER. Someone needs to inform that insufferable knucklehead Dan Martin at the Post of this). Tavares/Hedman is what matters. We’ll be an improved team next year (still not a playoff team, but one that is beginning to jell) and we will have more system players in place, both on the big club and on the farm. We will also sign some tough, grinding free agents who also fit the system and add leadership. Don’t jump off a roof, remain patient, enjoy watching the young guys, and….and….and….did I say remain patient yet? REMAIN PATIENT!
It must be something about the name Matt, because the Matt who posted before me is spot on in his assessment as well.
lalalala not listening lalalala
kidding. I don’t read that anyway. Plus I have patience.
we have no talent.
JP in VA - Hilarious. I always read your posts with a “Dennis Miller rant” tone in my head.
Hey CB. Good article. Definitely agree that we still have a ways to go in the rebuild. If you are still around, I was wondering, you named Montreal as a potential trade partner for Guerin. Do you believe Guerin, and maybe a pick or some mid-range prospect could get us PK Subban? Again good article and thanks for everything.
Jersey Matt, you have inspired me to designate my location….. And yes i 100% agree with your approach…. it has to be that way.
Remember the Nordiques in the mid nineties? They were terrible. Awful. Remember the Penguins pre Crosby/Malkin? Brutal. Caps before Ovie? I really believe these Islanders are in better shape now than these teams were at their lowest points. High draft picks saved them all, without exception. Whoever said Garth has no room for error is right on. Top pick is easy.What will make or break are the next 4 picks. Deal all the vets you can ASAP. Pile up the best possible picks for 09 and 10. In Garth we trust.
Great Post Jersey Matt, I’m doing the same as you, just kicking back and enjoying watching the kids. Watching Okposo is a real treat lately. I love the way the kid plays. Rooting for the last place finish and either Tavares and Hedman. Patiently waiting for the long rebuild, but enjoying the ride.
Only one player in the top 100 and he’s 71st? I’ll keep that in mind the next time they play a “building for the future” promo at the Coliseum.
Jim Clark….and all else who continue with that refrain:
We could have a few guys on that stupid list, but instead they are up with the big club gaining experience, working their way into the system, and jelling with the other young guys who will form the foundation of the club for years to come. This list is important for the clubs who have squads chock-full of veterans who keep their young guys in the minors for a while.
I doubt the Islanders will ever be full of stud players. In fact, due the economics they find themselves in and the system they play in, they don’t NEED all their players to be top flight draft picks. They need a handful of those (like Tavares, Okposo, and Bailey) and the rest should be guys with enough talent who know their roles in the system. Do you know what kind of financial hit it would be to stock your team with young guys (and re-sign them later) who are all top 10 draft picks?
The Hockey News is a great publication and usually bang-on. To be honest, KO and bailey are prospects and would not be playing on a decent team, so that would put the isles in the upper middle of the pack, which I think we all should agree is right. Wish Bailey would finish the year in Winsor, though!
CB
I understand what you are saying about depth of guys outside of the nhl, but when you figure either tavares/hedman added to okposo and bailey, do many teams have 3 young guys of that quality, inside or outside of the nhl?
You suggest that the isles would be 15 with bailey in jrs, what about with okposo still in college? Might they crack the top 10? If so, one more huge draft should give them enough prospects to start feeling that the horses are in the barn.
putting way to much stock into rankings. Sure we’d love to see our number higher and yes the Isles need to do a MUCH better job of filling the system. Still if we draft Tavares or Hedman, and we are still ranked in the low 20’s because they move right to the NHL, who cares. We are graduating our prime prospects to the NHL quicker. I’ll trade that for a higher TSN prospect watch ranking any day.
i take that article with a grain of salt.. where did they have guy’s like datsyuk,zetterberg,roy ranked at? it’s all speculation, no facts!!!