AN ALTERNATIVE TO JOHN TAVARES
What if you could draft Hedman AND Duchene?
As most of you know, I feel strongly that the Islanders should select John Tavares with the first overall pick. One Islandermania member thought my coverage of Tavares was so one-sided, he wrote you’d think I was JT’s dad. Not at all. As in my allegiance to Paul Maurice last summer, there is no personal connection.
So please allow me to explain that there’s a second scenario I’d be in favor of with almost equal fervor.
One where the Islanders draft Victor Hedman.
And Matt Duchene.
Implausible? Not really. Maybe the Islanders have stockpiled all these draft picks for a higher calling. By winning the lottery, they run the show. With three picks between 26th and 37th overall, plus an additional late second-rounder and two third round picks, they have what Jerry Seinfeld used to call “hand.” They should take advantage of it.
Here is my “protected” list:
- The Islanders’ first round pick in 2010 (you don’t want to tempt fate)
- Kyle Okposo
- Mark Streit
- Josh Bailey (not that young Joshua is an untouchable in the strictest sense, but it doesn’t make sense to add Duchene and not have Bailey for a 1-2 punch at center)
- Sean Bergenheim (just because I can)
All other players and all other draft picks are available. If the Islanders are not sold on Tavares, then deliver Hedman and Duchene. Take Hedman with the No. 1, deal with Colorado for the No. 3. As far as I’m concerned, any combination of picks and players – besides my 5-asset protected list – are available to make it happen. (We should clarify that if the Islanders ended up with the 1 and the 2, we’d be perfectly fine with them drafting Tavares and Hedman).
If it takes the 26th, 31st, and 37th picks plus two good players off the Islanders’ roster and a top prospect, no problem. Anyone can go. Frans Nielsen, Aaron Ness, Corey Trivino, Jesse Joensuu, Trent Hunter…sorry, it’s a business. Ten years ago this June, Brian Burke moved mountains to draft Daniel and Henrik Sedin with the second and third overall picks. It’s been done before.
If I can’t get John Tavares, I want Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Whatever it takes. Well, except for Okposo, Bailey, Streit, Bergenheim and the first pick in 2010. There’s nothing far-fetched about it, and the Islanders are in need of great players.
Comments on this story only, including your 5-asset protected lists, are welcomed.
251 Responses to AN ALTERNATIVE TO JOHN TAVARES
What if you could draft Hedman AND Duchene?
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malakhov says:
Cb,finaly this is what all of us really want . Both stud d as well as a premier sniper/forward so tavares or duchene this would be ideal. I am sure whatever garth and the scouts will do next season will be great .
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Andy Badger says:
What if Colorado wants Hedman?
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Ari from Long Island says:
Malakhov is right!
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Brian says:
I would love the Isles to move up in the draft using the 26th pick and a combination of second and third round picks. However, I would not like to see them passing up Tavares at #1. I would rather them trade a combination of those picks to get to around the number 10 pick.
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jeff says:
I would take Hedman and Duchene over Tavares in a heartbeat. The Isles need so many quality players that you’d have to take the two over just one.
CB, I don’t understand your last paragraph. What do you mean if they can’t get Tavares. They have the #! pick and can take Tavares for sure.
As for 5 untouchable assets, I can only come up with three:
1. Okposo;
2. Streit; and
3. The third jersey. -
GGC says:
I suspect that Colorado could get a better package than what the Isles could offer for the 3rd overall, or that their tastes may be too rich (as in asking for one if not two of your untouchables).
I also suspect that Colorado may want to re-tool, not rebuild. Picking up an elite talent with the 3rd pick lends itself more to a retooling process (ala Philly in 2007), rather than a motley bunch of good picks and average-good prospects, with a solid NHL player sprinkled in.
Once again, I just can’t see it happening, but would love the the combo of Duchene/Tavares and Hedman coming NYI’s way.
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admin says:
(6) I wrote, “If I can’t get Tavares.” In other words, if for some reason the NYI don’t want to take him…CB
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Bjo says:
Isles simply do not have the assets to get this deal done. Unless, of course, you are ready to deal the untouchables you mentioned. I have no doubt that Colorado would get a much better offer for that pick
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Jim M says:
Haha I love the thought of the situation CB. In a heartbeat like jeff said I would want Duchene AND Hedman over Tavares. The ability to add the scorer and cornerstone D-man sounds mind-boggling
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Matt says:
chris, great post. grabbing Duchene and Hedman would be huge. probably help our rebuild go a bit quicker.
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Pete says:
CB if we trade with Tampa I would give up our 2010 1st rounder. With Hedman and Tavares I think we could muster a playoff birth or be very darn close to one. I would think Untouchables would be:
1. Streit
2. Okposo
3. Bailey
4. Sparky & the Ice Girls
I also like the idea of resigning Hillen. -
interesting CB-
I would go a different route…draft Tavares 1 and then trade the 26th,31st and 37th picks and a 2nd rounder next year to Toronto for the 7th overall and I take Jared Cowen on D
5 assets
1.okposo
2.bailey
3.streit
4.2010 1st rounder
5.joensuu -
NYICHAMP39 says:
Take tavares and then trade up to the middle of the first round for a rock solid defenseman. No need to give away so many pieces to two of the top three in the draft. There will be great players next year too and the year after that.
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BringtheReign says:
ohhh i like the idea of hedman and matty. thats total speed that fits the system. well we’ll see come june
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mapisles2025 says:
I’d prefer Tavares and then trade up to 10th overall or so and grab Ryan Ellis.
Tavares+Ellis are a better duo in my opinion.
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rb says:
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO
idiot Milbury made this very same mistake at the top of the draft in 2000, taking Ricky no. 1 overall and then trading with Tampa Bay to get back into the 5th spot so he could draft Raffi Torres and claim that he was getting two top studs while passing on Heatley and Gaborik, and trading Luongo and Jokinen for Kvasha and Parrish
just stop a second and think about the collosal stupidity of those deals and how they wrecked the franchise for 10 years and counting…and we’re gonna repeat it? ugghhhhh
trade Ness? Trivino? Joensuu? each of those players have big upsides, and for what? so we could get this Duchene, this “more complete center” who all of a sudden has become a mystical combination of Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, Bob Gainey, and and who knows who else, when he was clearly the 3rd prospect in the draft until the Islanders won the lottery?
this is Rick DiPietro making 77 saves in the Frozen Four al over again suddenly becoming better than Luongo on a very small sample of work…and how did that work out?
a combination of good players DOES NOT EQUAL ONE REALLY GOOD PLAYER
NO PLAYING GAMES WITH THE PICK…TAKE THE SNIPER…this proposal makes me violently ill
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I’m not sure why we shouldn’t move the 2010 1st. What if we could trade this year’s 26th, 31st, 37th and next year’s 1st-rounder with (place your roster players here) for this year’s 2nd overall?
No word on how next year’s draft will be, but by all accounts, both Tavares and Hedman are in a class of their own.
I remember this time last year, even though everyone was looking at Stamkos, people were already talking about Tavares.
Imagine next year’s team with both JT and VH… then imagine a team slightly improved with only one of them. If we’re going to make an improvement, go for it all now with a full head of steam and move up this year in a big way.
(EX, say we take Tavares, improve to 20th or so overall in ’10, and draft @ 10th next year. Certainly not a position to draft another player as highly touted as Hedman. I say we should take the pick now and see what you can get for it while we have the shot at Hedman. (read: while everyone’s memory of our horrid season is fresh and they overvalue our draft picks))
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Brian B says:
I’m sure if Garth and his staff like those guys that much, he may just try it and he may have a shot at it. Is he willing to give up some rebuilding assets like that for an unproven 18 year old with huge upside to come on board along with our 1st. pick?
If Garth wanted to come away with two really good players in this draft, specifically a combo of a forward and d-man, my gut tells me there is probably a player that he and his staff loves (like bailey last year)and he would try to trade up in the first round (anywhere from 7-15) to ge that player to come on board with his 1st pick.
It’s an interesitng scenario CB, but Garth hasn’t done anything like that before, and he never tips his hand…so its hard to tell what he’s thinking.
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Chickendirt says:
I know this is all hypothetical. Sill I gotta go with slow and steady wins the race. Lets just work with what we have and go home.
Does anyone realize that this franchise’s system is very expansion teamesgue? We’re pretty much starting from scratch.
Lets take what we have. Build those assetts. If there’s a player we like later on down the line make the move when you can afford to lose a few chips.
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CB do you have any insight on Simon Despres? This is a big defenseman that I think the islanders should consider seriously about moving up for.
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KevinT123 says:
trade 26, all 2 second rounders and next years 1st and some prospect for hedman and take tavars
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alex says:
ummm CB, y don’t they just do that to take Tavares and Hedman?
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mLemb says:
I’d have to agree with some of the posters here…If it means getting Tavares and Hedman, is next years first really untouchable? The way they are being touted it would be the equivalent of getting 2 #1 overalls and what are the odds of winning the lottery 2 straight years?
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Julian says:
Draft Tavares #1, and move up enough to grab a guy like Glennie or Kassian. they will go between 15 and 20. trade #26 and early 2nd. Foolish thought about any 1/2 or 2/3 possibilities. Burke is a genious, Snow…not so much… excpect 50 points at most from JT. Even the other JT (note 1997 draft) was a great junior player who took time in the big leagues. Dont go trading any blue-chippers
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and… Taylor Hall is better than JT so keep any blue-chippers for 2010
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The Express says:
I’m not even 100% sure about taking Tavares over Hedman yet, so I’d sign up for Hedman and Duchene in a heartbeat.
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JZimm says:
Learn from the Rangers… and our past; goal scoring is all important. Take Tavares. His ability is a rare comodity. I’m not saying that the likes of Hedman and Duchene are a dime-a-dozen, but in the history of hockey, there have been so few pure goal scorers. Bossy is one of them, Hull is one of them. Tavares will be the go-to-guy that the Islanders haven’t had since Bossy. Goal scoring, goal scoring, goal scoring. We have guys who can get him the puck. He can also get the job done himself. He won’t be like Ovechkin, but Tavares will get you goals.
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doc says:
Just take Tavares… 1ST!!! And if you can get Tampa or Colorado to trade the 2nd or 3rd pick for a handful of picks and players minus the untouchables… then do it… but by all means… just grab Tavares!!!
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Frei says:
These two guys instead of Tavares would do nothing for me.
For as bad as its been as long as its been, pure goal scorer or absolute bust.
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TM says:
Since we can’t trade the entire NYI franchise for the Red Wing’s franchise I’m up for anything. I’ll pick up Hedman and Duchene at the airport to come here….even if it’s instead of JT.
Only Streit, KO and the real NYI jersey (now the 3rd) should be untouchable!!
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Unit_King says:
YES!!# 16. I agree!!
IT’s called rebuilding. Don’t trade away the first pick. Just Pick where you can. YOU all wanna give up prospects to get two players. Dont trade anything pick where we have them and rebuild the farm.!. -
Dadi says:
Hedman AND Duchene…that’s just too good to be true.
And I would definately add our #1 in 2010 for that to happen ! -
Lou Z says:
if we draft anyone other than Tavares, then Toronto has done thier job by stirring the pot and putting doubt into us.
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Big Dally says:
To me I’ve said it from the start, if you can package Striet with picks and a prospect to get Tampa’s #2 you do it…only if: you protect next years first, Okposo and Bailey. Hell use the 2011 first rounder if you have to. But protect against losing out on a great top five next year too. Taylor Hall draft year.
Streit+ 26+31+37 (Tor)+57(Poss. Bos.)+ 2011 first rounder+ J. Colition.
Gets you Tavares and Hedman.
Maybe even more is needed, but Streit won’t be around in four years Hedman could be just coming into his prime in four years when we are ready to rock. -
gary9-19-22 says:
CB.. Not sure if it me you were referencing but I have been saying, for a while, that the only team more despera(e than the Isles is Col. We need a real core to build on. Couple the core with the Lighthouse and we can make a 7 to 10 year run with this group.
Col needs to stockpile, like we did last year.
What thew hell, throw in an Ice Girl if that’s what ot takes to get #3!!! -
bossy22 says:
I propose the following:
TO TB:
NYI 1st in 2010
NYI 26th and 31st in 2009
Aaron Ness
TambyTO NYI:
TB 2nd in 2009
Ryan Malone (Salary dump)We draft Tavares and Hedman….DONE!!!!
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Pnut says:
untouchables
1-’10 1st rounder
2-okposo
3-bailey
4-streit
5-joensuuWe trade
Hunter, Tambs 3 2nd rounders 2 3rd rounders Bergie and Figren for the third pick overall
and trade the 1st pick for the 2nd pick and Tampas 2 pics in the second roundbingo 2nd and 3rd pick
Peter da Nut
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Great responses so far. Morning feedback: Matt Duchene does not = Raffi Torres. Even if you think this post was loony, the suggested move draws little comparison to 2000. We’re talking Hedman and Duchene here. Please stop throwing Jeff Tambellini into these proposed deals as if he was a valued chip at this point in his career, lol.
I strongly, strongly urge leaving the 2010 first pick alone. Even if they drafted two studs in 2009, the team would still not be immediately ready for prime time. The Islanders and their followers do not want to hear all season how they might have given up the right to draft another franchise player.
Of course, I want Tavares. Think I’ve been very clear about that for the last month. Point of the story was, if for some reason the Islanders are not enamored with JT, they better bring home both Hedman and Duchene.
Sometimes, especially when I post around midnight, I’m not always as clear in my writing as I hope to be…CB
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bossy4president says:
CB….I agree 100%
I’m all about JT right now…..no questions asked, but if we can get both Hedman and Duchene I would loose not one second of sleep. The only thing is I would add Franz and JJ to that untouchables list. I feel both are going to be huge in our resurrection. This draft will definately define Mr. Snow in my eyes. He did well last draft but if we did just draft Schenn then this year JT would be an absolute no brainer. This year is going to be a tougher decision then some fans think. I’m at 65 / 35 for JT between him and Hedman right now, but if you add Duchene to the package it goes to 25 / 75 in favor of the pair. Not for nothing, if I could put my Islander glasses on for a second, all is pretty good in Islander Country right now.
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Brett Cooper says:
CB, I agree with you on the untouchable list and I’m happy to see you left ricky off of it, however I think aaron ness is one prospect the isles shouldn’t let go. Given that he’s number 1 on Your prospect list and the skill he’s shown in high school and in his freshman year of college, he shouldn’t be traded no matter what.
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Forget names, untouchables, etc…
What is the value of the second pick?
Is it 26,31,37 plus a player or a prospect? Is it taking cap burden off of TB?
Lets remember that Col and TB suck almost as bad as we do. One team with little to no depth and another with some stars but strapped with salary cap. Stop thinking of this as sport, but not as business. Value for value. What perceivd value on our side are we willing to give up for what we perceive as value from theirs. and… what do they perceive the value to be?
Come up with an opening offer to both teams and a limit to what you willing to deal. Then hold off… let things simmer… do what the Jets did.. KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT. Let others manouver and set the value. Then you see if its still meets the return on investment required to pull off the deal. Swoop in at the last minute and blow their dorrs off. Do a Burke, find out what Tampa really wants.
If it were me… I would find someone with a connection to the people who work in TB and Col offices. People love to talk and tell what they know. Make friends with those that work for your enemy. You would be amazed at how much info comes out of just talking to someone who has some connection. READ THE POSTS ABOUT DP… everyone wants to say they saw this or heard that. Just make sure its someone reliable. If I was Wang I would employ spies all over the NHL world. Nothing illegal, just make friends and listen to them while sharing a few beers or a glass of wine.One last thing… Michael Jordan was the most liked played of his time. Everyone LIKED MIKE. He’d take you out for dinner, shake your hand, ask how the family was, just plain get you comfortable. Then the f’kr would put up 35, beat you by 12 and go to the next town. Its dog eat dog… Wang should know this better than anyone.
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HyeDray says:
I think it is a better bet to take Tavares, and add a mid first rounder through a trade, but your scenario would not be so far-fetched.
My goal would be to land JT, and then a top defensive player in the mid first round by trading up. Your 5 untouchables are all agreeable, but it would be tough for me to part with Joensuu, Ness and Hunter at this time. I think those are all players we need, and can play a roll here.
If either the Lightning or Avalanche are willing to make the deal—it would be hard to say no. To end up with Hedman and either JT or Duchene would be a huge haul for a franchise that needs it.
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Schultz39 says:
I think you should take Tavares and then make a big deal with picks/players to move up in the first round to try to land a physical top 2-type defenseman.
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The PolishPrince says:
CB – Interesting take. I’m no GM but I doubt we have the assets to get this done if you leave the “untouchables” out of it. I would think the more plausible and possibly safe approach would be to just take Tavares #1 and trade up to the middle of the round to take a solid D prospect a la post #14 and !15.
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NYI FAN says:
I would add DP into the mix if it meant getting that trade, but there are no MM’s anywhere to be found in any GM roles in the NHL.
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Rich says:
We need JT no matter what. We can still get strong in the late 1st round (26th pick) from SJ. Unless we don’t have to offer a crazy package for Hedman or Duchene we should look into it. CB what you need to remember wuth your Isles specs on…is that Tamp and Col really want these kids. Our packages ain’t getting it done. Take JT drfat big Dman and take Taylor HAll next year
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Bones says:
Tavares plus anyone else is fine. Tavares has to be in the mix.
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Jon says:
Drafting Hedman and Duchene would be phenomenal, but no way does this happen. If you don’t include CB’s list of untouchables, then who do the Isles have to trade? The best player not on that list is Nielsen…and Duchene is easily projected to be a better center than Nielsen. Also, keep in mind that the team with the number three pick where Duchene is likely to go, Colorado, was pretty much as bad as we were and are not accustomed to it…they’re going to want quality coming back, not just a bag of one late first round pick and some second and thirds. We absolutely do not have the assets to pull this off. If you want to do it and keep Okposo and Bailey, Bergenheim is a must, so is Nielsen, so is our other first round pick…and that might not be enough.
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I think we should draft the best player available, whom can only be Tavaras. Then try to move up to draft a middle first round D-man. Natural born snipers like Tavaras don’t come along very often. The rebuild seems to be working, just stay the course.
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Dino says:
The only thing that makes me like Hedman over the rest is that he has already played with MEN and not 17 yr olds…….other than that i wouldnt mind who they picked
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Alex O says:
Great scenario, Lets hope Snow either steals your idea or already had it.
id throw Bergy in the mix and keep Nielsen . Im not entiredly convinced hes more than a third liner, a hustle heart and soul third liner but a third liner none the less.
I guess the only way this happens is if Colorado thinks that they need to turn around thier team very quickly and restock with second rounders (they have some players they like in the late first round.) It might also be possible if Trent Hunter has relative high value for both his low cap hit and what he brings to the table. Something like Bergy, Hunter, Gervais, the late first a second this year and a second next year (exchange prospect that CO likes instead of any of the above pieces) That is if evrybody thinks that Duchesne is a possible first line player
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UIF says:
We could probably get it done. Despite all the headlines, I don’t think Duchene belongs in the same discussion as Tavares and Hedmen. I think scouts know that, so if the Isles offered their version of a king’s ransom, Colorado would bite. Take an unwanted salary, give some picks from this year’s draft, a good prospect from last year, and a roster player or two of value (Hunter as one of them, maybe?). But just because we can, I don’t think we should. Duchene and Hedmen still leaves us without the…well…”center”piece forward I think is very important. Maybe Duchene becomes that, but I still choose to believe the vast majority of reports BEFORE the Isles landed the first pick: Tavares and Hedmen…then a dropoff to the rest.
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streit02 says:
I cant see how that would be possible. We dont have enough assets to move up that high. Even if we deal from #1 that means that we still need the #2 spot to draft hedman. That means Tampa must be involved, a team who needs defense. Doesnt make sense to me. Wouldnt this also defeat the purpose of Snow stockpiling picks last year to “replenish” the system? Im more intrigued to draft Tavares at #1 and see how far we can move up from 26th to take the next best player. It doesnt even have to be a defenseman. A talented winger would also help.
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Austin H says:
Bossy22 (38) is on the right path…Snow HAS to investigate what it would take to pry #2 from TB. Throw in more second round picks if necessary if VH is THAT good. Draft picks are “potential”…we have a good idea that VH will be a rock on the blue line.
Take JT at #1 and go get the #2!
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The real JD says:
NYI FAN. There is one GM that is giving MM a run for worst GM of all-time………. The Rangers very own Glen Sather.He is a master at signing over priced UFA’s.
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Gloobenberg says:
Again…any scenario with us NOT taking John Tavares is a HUGE mistake.
Take JT #1 and then play around with picks and prospects and whatnot.
that’s the bottom line.
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steve says:
Creative scenario, Chris. Perhaps the collateral damage might be less if Tampa had something to offer for us to flop with them and let the scenario play out based upon who they took. In the end, I think they should take Tavares, and then hit the phones. It is a business, you are right. So you do not pass on the best marketing chip.
Protected list: 1) Okposo
Besides that, bring it on.
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I am firmly in the Tavares camp. However both Hedman and Duschene would be the only thing that wouldnt cause a profanity laiden tirade if we did not pick JT on draft day.
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Jethro09 says:
The only way the Isles can pass on Tavares is if they get BOTH duchene and Hedman. That’s the only way to rationalize passing on Tavares. I would think that they would have to deal with Colorado to make it happen. Do you think that Colorado would take #26 overall, all three second rounders and a roster player not on CB’s protected list? I don’t know. If the shoe was on the other foot, would us as Isles fans be excited about passing on Duchene for #26 overall and three second rounders?
Colorado is in the same position as the Isles. Colorado is terrible and are in need of a franchse player. For them Duchene may be more attractive to them than any package the Isles would be willing to put together. Maybe if the Isles agreed to take back some salary, a deal could be struck? Otherwise, its a long shot but worth looking into.
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Alex says:
Five untouchables:
1. Okposo
2. Streit
3. Joensuu
4. 2010 first rounder
5. BergenheimIf I’m another team, say Colorado, who do I want from the Isles to give up my third pick in this year’s draft? Their first pick in 2010 would be a start, then either Okposo or Streit, plus another prospect or pick. The Isles simply don’t have much at all that any other team would want instead of taking a player like Duchene. It’s not gonna happen unless we trade away the few pieces everyone has on their protected lists, which would would be a step backwards in the rebuilding process.
The only realistic scenario for the Isles to get two top players that I see, is if the Isles were to trade the first pick to Tampa for Vinny and the second pick. Pros: Vinny is a proven star and would be our #1 center for the next 7 years. This gets us a #1 center and #1 D-man. Cons: Vinny is 29 and is a big cap hit for years to come. However, if management does prefer Hedman, I see them doing something like this as opposed to getting Hedman and Duchene.
As you have told plenty of PB posters throughout this year CB, quantity of picks plus Jeff Tambellini does not get you a top five pick. No top five team will take any of our players or combo of all of our picks. Duchene is being projected to be a better player than any of the players the Isles currently have, so that wouldn’t be a smart trade for another team to make.
Realistically, I see the Isles trading up to the middle of the first round using their later picks and prospects/players. If Garth can draft Tavares and manage to pull off a trade that gets us Ekman-Larsson, Cowen, or Kulikov, this draft will GREAT SUCCESS.
On top of that, I would love to see the Isles sign Camalleri, as it does not look like Calgary is that interested in resigning the 39 goal scorer. This would put us in a great position heading into year two of the rebuild.
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C. Felix says:
I’ve been saying this for a while, mostly with tounge planted in my cheek; Trade all of our other draft picks in this draft to ATL or COL so we can pick 2nd or 3rd.
People are questioning of Garth should do this, if Garth is capable of pulling it off…
Isn’t that his job? To expolore every option to make the Isles better? -
Scott says:
Wow chris what a original idea, I’m sure no fans emailed you suggesting this scenario. brave thinking.
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Also…all this talk about 2010′s first pick. Why not be a typical Isles GM and think outside the box.
If our 2010 first round draft pick must be dealt, then ask for 2014′s first rounder…or 2015′s. Then in a few years, it’ll be, “Oh yeah, we have this pick as well.” Also, if you can find a team that is peaking now, and might be on the decline, then their pick might be a high one if a few years (Vancouver? Boston?)
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Joey303 says:
As much as it saounds interesting, very interesting, I dont think the Islanders have enough chips to get it done. Its not like we lit up the league this year.
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kevin fitz says:
Our 26th, 31st and 37th pick plus Ness and Joensuu MAY get the ball rolling on that trade. Now I have never seen Duchene play, so I cannot begin to know if he is worth giving up that much, but that would be a start if Snow felt he was worth doing whatever he could to get him. But that may not even be enough. That would amount to 4 second round picks (Ness and Joensuu were picked in the second round) and a VERY late first round pick for a player that is projected to be a stud. If snow pulled this off they should hand him next years executive of the year award right now.
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dose says:
To me the Tavares/Hedman choice is a close call. If they can swing the dominant D-man AND a 2-way centerman with Duchene’s potential?
Are you kidding? That would be an awesome move by Snow. -
Bryan says:
Can we use our 1st overall pick to draft Ovechkin? I’m sure there is some loop hole with the KHL that makes him still draft eligible.
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Will Teese says:
My untouchables:
1.Okposo
2.Streit
3.2010 First rounder
4.Nielsen
5.JoensuuJJ has some great potential to be a scorer and I love the fact that he is a big kid (6’4″). We dont have that size up front like we need it. As far as getting VH and MD, i really think we have to get JT, anything else would be icing on the cake. In JT I trust
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Original Rob says:
Not. Gonna. Happen.
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bergie20 says:
i’ll pass. what might work is trading up from 26 to 12 (minnesota who don’t have a 2nd or a 3rd rounder). it would be far less expensive and you’ll still be able to draft a great d-man (john moore?) or forward (scott glennie?) there. minnesota adds the picks they need. if they can’t move up to 12 i hope they stay put at 26.
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randy boyd says:
If Tampa wanted to trade #2 (and I highly doubt that they would) there would be only Okposo as an untouchable in my mind. I love Streit, but honestly, by the time this team is ready to compete for a cup (ya gotta believe!!!) he will be well past his prime.
To get Tavares and Hedman, two consensus huge impact players, would be more than worth trading the 2010 1st rounder. That pick is not guaranteed to be higher than #2, which is what we would be getting this year with such a trade, and there are so many variables as to what would be available then that I would much rather take the sure thing now.
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Marc from Troy says:
I’m not opposed to the concept of ending up with both Hedman and Duchene, but I worry about what the Isles would have to give up to get both of them. Hard to believe any such package wouldn’t be more than they could afford to lose given the current state of the organization. I’m not sure I want to see a step backward from what we saw this year.
I do respect your opinion, CB, but Burke doing what he did to get the Sedins isn’t exactly the model I want the Isles following. What, exactly, has Vancouver really won in the ten years since that draft? And I don’t care about just division titles. Something of meaning.
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mt275 says:
CB, In your scenario, it shouldn’t really be able Hedman & Duchene vs JT. I look at this as Hedman & Duchene vs. JT and a mid-first rounder (by trading our 26th & a high 2nd rounder). Then it comes clear that the 2nd option is the better choice.
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robby d says:
As much as Botta’s ideas are great, we need to snag this kid Tavares. I saw an interview and the kid said that he wants to just keep getting better. Not something you expect to hear from a highly touted kid who broke one of Gretzky’s junior records. This kid isn’t smug, arrogant, and isn’t full of himself. He has lead his junior and Team Canada teams. They question his skating? Milbury said that was the reason he didn’t draft Parise. All the more reason to draft Tavares! Skating can improve. Tavares instincts can’t be taught. Finally, he will put fans in the seats, and these fans will be wearing orange and blue for a change.
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Bergie ..#73 – great insight. didnt know that Minny doesnt have a 2 or 3. That would be an absolute PERFECT move if the Isles can pull that off for …lets say 26, 31 and next years 3rd. Looking at Minny’s roster, they are an old team, they most likely are losing Gaborik (would love to have him) and need to acquire picks. Great match!!!
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It took Toronto the #7 pick, a 2nd rounder, and a 3rd rounder to move up TWO SPOTS to #5 at last year’s draft! Wouldn’t you think it’ll cost the Isles a bit more to move up 14 or so spots to the 10-15 range??
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Dan says:
I would jump on this if it could happen.
Hedman and Duchene > Tavares
I would not trade away:
1. Okposo
2. Bailey
3. 2010 1st round pick
4. Streit
5. Ness (seems to have strong upside in a few years)Everything and everyone would be on the Table. JJ seems to have great upside too but if it was asked to include him for MD I would do it.
As much as I would love a move like this, we must ask if the Avs would move down 23 spots? And if they did, how much would we have to include?
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Chris M says:
CB, why do you tease us. If Snowy pulls this off, I’ll eat my hat.
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thanks joey303. i definitely think a deal with minnesota is very possible. i offer them the sj first, a second, and a 3rd. i think that should get it done since they don’t have a 2nd or a 3rd. if they refuse i stand pat at 26 b/c i don’t think there’s a big difference in talent between the between mid first and 26 in this year’s draft.
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Wedregast says:
Sorry… I don’t think that getting Hedman/Duchene is better then say Tavares/Depres(or Rundblad/Kulikov/Elkman-Larson) + keeping our picks/prospects/players that we would have traded for Duchene. Sounds like a Milbury trade scenario to me, to get Duchene.
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At this point really, just make it Tavares & Hedman, in fact that should be Snow’s goal. We can probably help Tampa out with more picks and taking some of their salary.
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Jim Clark says: I wouldn’t do CB’s plan if I was GM and it was feasible. KISS-Keep It Simple, Stupid.
A trade like this sounds too Rube Goldberg-ish. -
Millsie says:
It’s simple math. I like the idea of getting the two insteady of the one, simply because you’re doubling your chances of getting a stud in the end. What if you pick Tavares and he’s a bust? At least by taking 2 players, there’s a good chance ONE of them will be the real deal and a smaller chance (albeit a real chance) that both will shine.
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I like how bergie20 is thinking… But Original Rob has a point. To move to 12 (or Florida at 14, which has been my favorite spot) would be difficult. It would take probably all the twos we have, plus maybe a prospect.
I think CB didn’t put RDP on the untouchables list because he is pretty much automatically untouchable – he’s not guaranteed healthy. Even if he were, the contract would limit who would take him (not insurmountable, but it does restrict his possible destinations). What we say about guys like Raycroft and Theodore, other teams’ fans are probably saying about the Rick.
The pity is, Colorado desperately needs a keeper, and if RDP WAS healthy, we could dangle him as part of the package to move up to three – something we can’t do with Minny (Backstrom, Harding) or Florida (Vokoun, Anderson). It’s easier for a team like Phoenix, though (6 and 21) to move up if they chose.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Burke offered Voskala to Colorado to move up to three to grab Duchesne, actually; especially if he thinks Pogge will fly. If not, well, there’s always Taylor Hall…
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Bob Bassen says:
Yep…great idea, CB! And I am sure with all of the draft picks the Isles have that Snow and Company are *playing* with an infinite number of scenarios, etc.
And before we *bash* the current Islander’s Administration how would you like to be a Ranger fan these days with your GM who signs a # 3 D-man and two second line forwards for *out-of-this-world* money?! And THEN writes a very public letter to the Commish whining about how the opposition fans were calling them names?!? ROTLMFAO…WOW!
Go Isles! -
JPinVA says:
If I’m Snow I might dangle that offer. If I was the COL GM (I have my app in) I don’t think I could give up a sorely needed top 6 forward for two darts and Frans Nielsen(he would be my choice)
PRO: Islanders address two needs…and do it within the framework of the go-go system.
CON: If the “nhl player” is Nielsen you’ve wasted years of development as the player is just about to bloom(?). Also those darts are needed for an organization that desperately needs 19-21 year old defensemen larger than the Travelocity gnome.Kovalchuk/(Kane or Paajarvi)/Valabik
for Tavares.. and we get to keep the darts. -
NYLES says:
That scenaria is very far fetched. I think duschene will a Jason Blake, and there is no reason to pass up on a 40 or 50 goal scorer!
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Bob S says:
Draft Tavares…..get a deal done with Pheonix ….They have a need for a playmaking center Nielsen(the Dane to play with Boedker) plus draft picks for their # 1 2009 #6 overall
then draft Cowen…..In three years we have Tavares, Bailey, Trivino as centers/
Stud D in Cowen a couple of FA’s and we’d be in good shape. -
Quagmire says:
I would take that in a minute. I think Colorado needs a goalie too….hmmmm
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CommonSense says:
I’ve been reading this blog for most of the year…great blog BUT all you people who say ANYBODY on this team is untouchable is crazy, even Okposo. I would trade Okposo, next year’s first round pick, and this year’s 26th pick to get JT and VH. And if you really think Okposo is sooo good, just remember that our big stud…first liner…greeat player…couldn’t even get it done in the AHL for the Soundtigers this year. Oh yeah…and I’m sick of watching him telegraph his shot from his knee.
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lovin lethbridge says:
I think my list of protected players is really short.
1. Okposo
2. 2010 1st round pickI think all others are open for discussion, and as sad as it may make some of you, Streit would be the one asset I would be trying to unload. He is a great asset and has the highest return. His contract is a bargain, and he proved to be a great Dman. But, for us we are 3 or 4 years away from contending, so why not trade him now with his value being so high.
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Mario says:
Take Taveres with the first, then see who is picked second and take the third. Taveres/Hedman or Taveres/Duchene. I would take any of those two scenarios.
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This is from today’s Stan Fischler’s Report:
“Isn’t it amazing how Matt Duchene has emerged as a threat to oust John Tavares as this year’s No. 1 draft pick?
Islanders’ assistant GM and Director of Amateur Scouting, Ryan Jankowski, has been eyeing Duchene and his Brampton Battalion. Tavares may be more a product of hype than reality. Apart from his skill, Duchene is admired for his confidence.
“(NHL) teams are looking for winners,” says Duchene. “It doesn’t always have to be about offensive numbers or big goals. It can be about face-offs, defensive coverage, blocking shots or taking hits. I’ve learned to play responsibly, and that’s helped me turn myself into a complete player.”
Why in heaven’s name would you trade major assets for this kid? In our situatuions, IT IS ABOUT OFFENSIVE NUMBERS OR BIG GOALS. Duchene himself says he’s not a big offensive player.
And, BTW, how do we know he’s not Raffi Torres with quotes like this?
If the Islanders are STUPID enough to pass on Tavares and justify it by moving major assets for this kid, he will forever be compared – unfavorably – to Tavares.
And you know where Tavares will be? In Toronto, because with Hedman off the board, the idiots in Tampa will move their pick to TO for a package including Kaberle, and everyone will be laughing at the Islanders again and say what a great job Burke did in fleecing everbody.
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Steve K. says:
To Tampa:
Hunter
Witt or Martinek
26th Pick Round 1
31 Pick Round 2
37 Pick Round 2
2010 NYI Round 2 PickTo NYI
2nd Pick Round 1
Malone or Vrbata (Salary Dump)Tampa does not need franchise players, they have them in Lecavlier, St. Louis and Stamkos. They need more pieces to their puzzle, Witt or Martinek gives them defensive depth, Hunter gives them a cheaper alternative to Malone. Works for all sides.
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94 CommonSense
You have no Common sense. Okposo is only 21 years old and you wouldn’t mind trading him after he had 18 goals in his rookie season????????
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rb – jankowski could be trailing brampton b/c of big defenseman matt clark who would be a great 2nd round selection for us.
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Railbait says:
My untouchables;
1. Okposo
2. 2010 1st round
3. TavaresAs many others have said, take JT with the first and see what you can do after that. Streit is only available if we get Hedman.
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SS says:
Colorado would have to be loony to give up the opportunity to draft Duchene without getting an impact player back. But if they’re willing to take a late 1, some 2s and a couple of players among Comeau, Ness, Figren, etc. then, of course, I’d be all for it.
I would consider adding Neilsen to my no-trade list, though. He seems like a really nice fit as a 3rd line center.
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C.J. says:
Absolutely.
Any 2 of the big 3 (JT, VH, MD) would be welcome for ANY Isles w/the exception of those you identified CB.
If GMG could make this happen, I’d do BACK FLIPS. Is it likely? No.
It’s the old Ricky Williams – N.O. Saints deal. All your picks for a top pick.
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SS (102), would you really nix a deal like that for fear of losing a 3rd line center?
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I’ve mentioned that also about getting two of the three top prospects. I would hope Snow is looking into it. If he could manage getting Tavares and Hedman that would be the best case scenario. Who knows what the hell is gonna happen though? The only thing that is 100% for sure is that both the Rag$ and Devils choked. LOL
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Michael R. says:
I like the idea of Hedman and Duchene, I really do, but I think that you just need to go back to the 1999 draft, where we ended up with 4 picks in the first round, and none of them made any kind of impact with the Islanders (best thing that draft did was get us 1 good season of Peca, before the knee injury threw him off his game, with the trade of Connolly and Pyatt).
I do like the idea of dealing with Colorado, but I don’t see it as dealing in getting their pick. I think the best thing we could do is draft Tavares first overall, and then trade the 26th pick and one of the second rounders for Scott Hannan and a 3rd round choice. If you look at his career, Hannan is still young enough to have I’d say 5-6 steady years ahead of him, he’s never had problems being in the lineup, as he’s played in at least 75 games every year since I think 2000, he led Colorado in ice time, and he’s a veteran presence to help the D right now…something Hedman or Despres or anyone else from this year might do, but probably won’t.
The Avs get to keep their pick, get another one in the first to help them retool, get some salary cap room to work with, and the Isles get the guy who had been pretty much the #1 player anyone talked about in this draft (until the Islanders won the pick, that is), a solid veteran d-man to add to that core (which can help any goalie on the team, whether it’s Ricky coming back from injury or a 1-B that they sign) and they still get to add more prospects to their pool by not giving up all of their 2nd and/or 3rd rounders (remember, we got to take a chance on Petrov because we had so many picks…who’s to say we won’t be able to find a player like that again this year?), since this is supposed to be a pretty deep draft.
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By thye way if we were to get duch hedman it wouldnt be if jt is better than duch its if hed duch are better than jt. I love Tavares and want the Isles to pick him but if you draft stud first pair allstar dman and get first line center it is better than all star center. Granted I dont think it could happen without giving up some major assets but Id do it if I could remember we all just disscused JT vs Hed and thats supposed to be close.
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Nielsen is pretty tricky. Right now he’s the #1 center and seems to be the kind of kid that would fall back into the third line role with ease.
He owuld definitely be on my UNTOUCHABLE list. Comeau-Nielsen-Hunter might be a very good third line on any team. The problem is all of those guys are in the top six mix with this franchise.
Hopefully not for long. -
dmen77 says:
How about this?
We trade two of our 2nd Round picks to a team with serious cap issues (any team but the Rangers) for a player they want to dump PLUS their 1st Round pick.
We could draft Tavares at #1 and then have TWO 1st Rounders to either keep and draft the best player available, or use as bait to get to #2 for Hedman, or at the very least in the top 10 for a good young defenseman like Cowan or Ekman-Larsson.
We’d get Tavares, a quality NHL player, and a promising defenseman.
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By the way are we that close to contention (We were 30th in the League) that we need to give the Avs our other 1st rounder for a vet defenseman?????? No disrespect but we have witt, sutton, already for the vet precense, the Avs are way closer to contention than we are.
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Tom Barone says:
OKAY! I’ll take it! Hedman and Duchene done.
But I like Tavares and Hedman better! NOW THAT would be a show stopper ; )
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Honestly I would rather have JT and a top 10 defenseman. that is doable and would be great for the future. it would be rough watching JT turn into the next poster boy for the NHL and not wearing an islanders sweater.
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Tond says:
good read my man, there is alot of time on our hands so lets play the what if..and i dont hate it..matt and hedman… but why not jt and matt..lets give colo all our picks (who cares) and come home with the 2 goal scoring studs…okposo matt jt…bailey blake bergie…park hunter frans..not bad
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Bport fan says:
1st overall 4 3rd overall, Shattenkirk, Stewart and a 2nd round pick in 2009
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beatlebailey says:
i dont understand how anyone thinks that 3 second rounders comes anywhere close to value for the 2nd overall pick. Some of these trade proposals are hysterical!. Why not trade our entire draft from rounds 2 onward this year and next year plus tambellini for picks 2 and 3 this year so we get tavares, hedman, and duchene??…C’mon everybody as bad as TB and Colorado are there is no way they make this dumba$$ trades…If we wanted the second pick overall we are talking including bailey or streit at a minumum plus our first roudner next year at the very least..lotsa mini milburys on the site..lol
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Jerry says:
You could also throw Dibenedetto in a deal to Tampa, didn’t he play with Stamkos in the minors, maybe they would like to reunite the 2
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TuxTax says:
JT would have to take some NHL PR classes in order to be the next posterboy…he does have the skills though and would love him on my team. I could also respect the Duchene/Hedman argument, I really like what I see on YouTube videos, but does that really tell the whole story? Tavares is a proven sniper at every level he has played at whether he was the youngest on the team or the oldest. Take the proven commodity and figure a way to get Cowen. We have enough puck moving defensemen, We need a solid bruiser to protect our Fragile Goalies!
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Am i by myself in thinking Nielsen is one of isles Best Assets. If you ask me i think as much if not more growth in him than Okposo, Comeau, and Bailey.
In same number of games since coming back from injury from devils game.
Nielsens has 7G and 17A for 24points.Okposo had 13G and 13A for 26pts.We also have Nielsen signed for 3 more years at 533K a season before he becomes a UFA. Another Great contract by Snowy. Way to go.
I could care less about Duchene. We have A Duchene already in Nielson for next 3 years under contract. Plus we have seen him play in NHL already. I expect big huge improvements for him and Bailey next year after the bulk up over the summer.
Add that Nielsen played great on PK, and in face up circle.
THere is absolutely no need for Andy Hilbert next season. Colliton can do everything he can and play 4th line center and be our big play face off guy.
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Mike from Bohemia says:
I know it was said earlier, but it’s worth repeating…
Its not Tavares vs Hedman & Duchene
Its Tavares & a 1st round (#10 to #15 trading up w/same guys we would use to get #3 from Col) vs Hedman & Duchene
This draft is deep – the mid 1st round has some decent value.
Take Tavares & do the best you can with trading up to mid 1st round.
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Mikey says:
This is a fun read, but it’s a pipedream for 2 reasons. First, I highly doubt Colorado is inclined to deal the no. 3 pick. They are going in a rebuild direction, and it makes no sense to deal a potential franchise center for a couple second line guys (unless you are Mike Milbury of course.) Second, the Isles do not have the assets to get this pick if they don’t want to trade the above-mentioned players. This is almost worse than Leafs fans trying to get the number 1 pick for stralman, kubina, and kulemin. It’s not going to happen. If the Isles are determined to take Hedman and get a talented forward later in the draft, then they should keep an eye on Jordan Schroeder. The guy has elite skill but may fall due to his size. If drops to the 10-12 range, I think we have the pieces to make a deal.
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110 – My point was more that we can’t just think about outrageous deals to try to get 2 of the first 3 picks, but if the team is going to deal, it has to look at value, both for the Isles and the Avs.
Sutton has proven that he’s very injury prone, and is a UFA after this coming season, which he probably won’t be resigned after. Witt doesn’t fit into this system…now granted, I haven’t seen Hannan enough to know for sure that he will, but he’s also younger than both Sutton and Witt, so he’ll have more of a chance to be around and still be an anchor when the team is better. Plus, the Avs get to pull that $4M off of their cap, which will help them, and what if we do take that 26th pick on someone who never actually comes into the league? To me, there’s value and upside there with this type of trade…not so much that we’re close to contention, but I’d really like to get the kid with the hype to get interest in the team (Tavares), and bring in a guy who’s already proven in the league (and one, mind you, who’s never had injury issues – especially after the last 2 seasons with injuries on this team).
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drouin says:
Don’t you mean they get Hednman 1 and Tavares at 3? I though Duch passed Tav?
All kidding aside, I would love the 1 and 3 given your parameters. I doubt CO would do the deal without either next years #1 or Okposo.
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Lafars says:
Mark Streit and SJ’s 1st to Tampa for 2nd overall.
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kabbage19 says:
We have a lot of options with so many picks in the top three rounds and it is fun to look as the many possibilities. However, let’s not get too Milburied! A lot of very good late first round/second round draft picks have turned out to be much better than first rounders, even high first rounders ( for example – Paul Statsny, Milan Lucic, Duncan Keith, Mike Cammaleri, David Backes etc.)
Remember, it’s not always the team with the most players drafted in the first round on their roster that wins the Cup – just ask the Rags or the Sharks!
I like that Garth seems to be patient and stick to his plan. If an opportunity to advance in the first round for a player they like and it doesn’t cost too much then by all means, but let’s not take a step forward and then two steps back. That was Milbury’s dance move!
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James C. says:
Untouchables (assuming we actually are rebuilding):
1) Okposo
2) Streit
3) 2010 1st RD pick
4) Bailey
5) TrivinoIrremovables:
1) Ricky
2) Sparky[I love the comments on espionage and duping other teams out of their picks]
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Let me highlight how keeping the late 1st rounder and the 2nd round picks is just as important.
Here are some names taken in 25 thru 50 picks in since 1999-2007. I’m not included last years draft as noone noteable yet.
1999 – #26- Martin Havlat
2000 – #28 Justin Williams, #29 Nik Kromwall, #44 Byzgalov,
2001 – #32 Derek Roy, #40 Tyutin. #49 Mike Cammelleri
2002 – #25 Cam Ward, #36 Jarret Stoll, #48 Josh Harding
2003 – #28 Corey Perry, #29 Patrick Eaves, #45 Patrice Bergeron, #49 Shea Weber
2004 – #26 Corey Schneider, #29 Mike Green, #32 Dave Bolland, #47 Blake Comeau
2005 – #25 Andrew Cogliano, #44 Paul Stastny
2006 – #25 Patrik Berglund, #50 LucicWhile its not many, you can see some great players picked up there. With all those picks, even if we get just one-two Additional Future NHL studs, Im all for it.
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geduffer says:
#72 – I. Agree. With. You!
I’ve waffled to the “take Tavares” side of the argument. I reserve the right to waffle back, but I would rather trade back up into the top 10, get a strong defenseman and then just let things percolate for the season until the trade deadline.
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Greg says:
I completely agree with Spartiarti on this, take Tavares and play the draft with the player you like.
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Healy says:
CB, I get that you are just throwing options out there in case the Isles aren’t sweet on JT. However, they should be and they should take Tavares with the first overall. Isles don’t have the chips to make a trade that really works in their favor. Giving up what we have will only set us back again (see: Milbury). Lets not try to get too smart and over think this (see: Milbury). Let’s take JT with the first overall and THEN see about moving up in the first round by leveraging our other draft picks.
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Staten Islander says:
I’m not completly sold on Hedman, I don’t like the talk that he might be a little soft. I’d rather take JT and then use the San Jose pick and one of the 2nds and trade up. get someone big, nasty and skilled.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB ~ What You Said!!!!
There is no way anyone can argue with your train of thought. I am totally sold on John Tavares … but if you can get Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene in the scenario that you laid out … Heck!!! I’d drive out to Laguardia and pick those two guys up from the airport and deliver them personally to Garth Snow and shake Garth’s hand for pulling off that deal…. with the restrictions you outlined of course.
I’m gonna think of similar scenarios though the day and see if I can come up with something that delivers us Cowan if we can’t get Hedman in that scenario.
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-Big Van Vader says:
This is simple. One, draft Tavares. Two, take everything else you have, (late first,seconds,next years #1, whatever combo will do it) and trade for the #2. That is, if you, as Garth Snow think that Hedman is a “can’t miss” #1 d-man prospect. Right there you have not one, but TWO stud players in your starting lineup opening night to compliment Kyle, Franz and Bailey. Done.
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As of today, the NHL has two Poster NHLer’s, Sidney Crosby, and Alex Ovechkin. After this years draft, there will be three, the third being John Tavares. The NY Islander’s “NEED” to select John Tavares with their #1 Pick period, no questions asked. Again, The, NY Islander’s “NEED” to select John Tavares with their #1 Pick period. After selecting John Tavares, if they want to trade up to get a big strong talented defenceman, fine, but again under no case do they do anything with their “Precious Tresure” their #1 Pick, but use the pick to pick Tavares. Also on my protected list Chris would be Neilsen. He, when the NY Islander’s become again, one of the NHL powers, will be a very big asset, on the team. Thanks Chris, great work, Mark/NJ Go Islander’s
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jonw says:
118 Jeremy Colliton has been in the Isles org for 4 years and 3 coaches not counting Shaws 40 game and Arbours 1.Over those 42 games he has 1g2a3ptS.I understand he is not a point producer and more of an energy/checking type playerwho is strong on faceoffs,but i think it’s time to get off the colliton ban wagon.he will probly never amount to anything more then a cup of coffee player(or as some peolpe call them “tryers”.Plus if your so high on the Franz who is strong on faceoffs aswell that limits Colliton’s attributes.
The Franz over Matt Duchene come on.Neilson’s projection at best could be a #2 C if you dont already have one.which meens on a #3.Duchene has the potential to be a game breaker.He does everything the Franz can do but better.Plus he is bigger and stronger so you don’t have to worry about him coming to came the same size like you would with Nielson.come on get on the chopper!!! -
“Milburied” – as in “to be Milburied” similar to being fleeced and or robbed. The unique aspect of being milburied is that it is an act done to oneself yet like Mr. Magoo only those around the perpetrator (i.e. Islanders fans) are hurt. The perpetartor himself stumbles away to a cushy TV commentator job
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121, If we were a vet minutes getting Dman from being a contender Id agree with you but I dont see what we get out of this Hannan may be a nice player but we dont even know if well have strong goaltending next year (DP???) Id rather keep our assests or use thme to move up to earlier in the first than land a player that lets be honest will be on the downsize if we become contenders in 3 or 4 yrs (assuming we do everything right.The draft is a crapshoot but it is the best way to build. stop gaps are just not the way to go.
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peter says:
Why are so many people including Bailey in untouchable list. As I see it Okposo, Streit, and 2010 1st are the only pieces that do not make sense moving. Bergenheim is good and I’d want something substantial in return, but the rest of this squad is replaceable. I like the idea of taking some garbage from tampa or colorado with their pick in exchange for 26th, 2 2nd rdrs, and anyone else they want. However, cowan/jt could be a nice match as well
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Valentino says:
I dont care if a teams offers us JESUS CHRIST himself on skates, the NY ISLANDERS must select JOHN TAVARES.
Nothing else matters. No one else matters.
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So Valentino,
Say Pittsburgh decides they will not be able to afford to resign Malkin and they think that Taveres is the best young replacement they can find for him. You don’t make that trade????? He isn’t even Jesus Christ! -
I understand JC is a little reluctant to go into the corners.
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140, Malkin is already signed long term and so is Crosby
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Kevin,
I just dont feel its a realistic scenario. You take the kid because he fits with the overall plan. Have the kids grow together. Not saying I wouldnt love Malkin on my team, but he is not coming here willingly. If he were traded, He certainly wouldnt be happy about it. Tavares wants to be drafted first, and continue his journey. He will wear the islander crest proud and loud.
Take Tavares, and dont look back
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Jackie says:
to # 134 and everyone else – Tavares is SO not going to be a poster boy, you all gotta cut it out with that. Those guys are on another planet and IF Tavares can be a Heatly, then we’ve done OK. But I don’t see how anyone can think people will be flocking to buy a Tavares jersey outside of Islanders Nation…wherever that is anyway.
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Malkin for the # 1 overall? The Islanders would be IDIOTS to turn that down.
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MileHighIsle says:
With the possibility of having three VERY young talents in the lineup next season (Tavares, Okposo & Bailey) that could be cornerstones to the Isles future, who do the Isles have to protect them next season? I feel a roster spot has to be filled by somebody who will not tolerate having the young kids get pushed around. Do you feel this is something Garth will address? Do the Isles have anyone in the system that can somewhat play and enforce? Are there NHL players available?
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Malkin is not signed long term. Either is crosby. They are only on their second contracts and once those expire they will be UFA’s and obviously both will be seeking max contracts.
You seriously wouldn’t make that trade valentino???? wow. Thank god you aren’t the GM!! You sure you aren’t Milbury posting here??
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I might make that trade if and only if Malkin agreed to a long term deal with the ISLES prior to the trade. Otherwise its a Ryan Smyth 2 situation.
Individuals dont win games ( see NY Rangers), Teams do. I prefer the idea of drafting Tavares and having him grow with everyone else. They would have a lot more in common with Tavares than Malkin would. Thats just my preference. What do I know, I have only been watching this team since 1975. Doesnt make me an expert, but I am also no fool when it comes to the NY ISLANDERS.
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everybody knows that Jesus was a goaltender ’cause Jesus saves! and we wouldn’t need Him because we already have a goaltender on our roster who thinks that he’s God’s gift to mankind
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JC will probably sign with the Rag$
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Madchef says:
DO not trade that first pick. Tavares is still the pick no matter. I can agree with trying to get the 2nd pick from tampa but if it cannot cost us bailey or Okposo, I would be able to part with anyone else except maybe Ness. I think no matter what they need to move up in the first round
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LMAO @ RB!!!
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isles72 says:
keep it simple with the #1 overall -take JT
then explore your options as the draft progresses .
I havent studied the team by team RFA d-men situations -but I’d love to add someones young semi stud RFA d-man whom they dont forsee being able to sign in exchange for some of our picks .
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Going to make my best proposal for this situation. even though id still take Tavare if i were snow!
To Isles:
Ryan Smyth (salary dump for Col)
2 & 3rd pick
Mikael GrabovskiTo Tor:
1st pick
Ryan Malone (salary dump t.b.)To Tampa:
Brendan Witt
Tomas Kaberle
Isles 26th, Isles 37th
Ian WhiteTo Col:
Trent Hunter
Tor 7th overall
Blake Comeau
Tyler BozakTor would need to be involved. You need to take a kings ransom from them to make other teams give up their pick. this was the best i could do
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Comment Guidelines:
http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/12/comment-guidelinesthese-are-effective-immediately/
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Comeau, Smith, Fritz, a 6th rounder in 2012, a 5th and 6th in 2014, a 4th in 2015, section 305, and unlimited beer at Champions, for #2 overall
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Re: the 2nd overall – TAKE ANYONE but KO and Bailey, MAYBE Streit…otherwise take your pick of a three players and our #26 overall and the two # 2′s. DOUBT TAMPA WOULD DO IT but worth a shot to get both guys.
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MarinerIslanderSean says:
I don’t know why you wouldn’t trade the 2010 1st if you can get the 2nd overall in terms of valuation. The Isles would still have to finish dead last next year AND win the lottery again with 48.2%. Odds are the pick will be at 2nd or lower. It all comes down to if you think Hedman at #2 is better than whoever you can get next year in the same spot. If some say Hedman is like a 1A pick, it is effectively a lateral trade of the pick to use it a year earlier.
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#159, I agree.
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CM says:
Fun discussion. Lets hope we stay on the safe side and hold onto our picks. Pick the best available (No.1.Tavares). It worked in the ’70s. We don’t have the luxury of being too creative and why should you be when you have the No.1 pick. If we were Tampa or Colarodo who have some studs but just an off year, then maybe we can afford to be creative, but we don’t.
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jaf10 says:
I dont even want Tavares anymore , I’d rather have Hedman and Duchene or Hedman and that swedish winger or Hedman and Kane or Hedman and schenn. Tavares is too slow and has so much pressure on him.
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West Coast Fan says:
#140, I think JC is a goaltender; we don’t need any more goaltenders arising from a first overall selection…
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Smokey says:
#155… I like your thinking, but I don’t think Colorado gets enough in return. Either way, though, you’re right… Toronto needs to be manipulated as part of the deal, and the Isles would need to take on salary. I would have no problem accepting a Colorado salary dump and Ryan Malone if it meant the #2 and the #3.
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I’d do this
Kings get- Hunter or Witt, Tambs, SJ 1st rounder, Tor 2nd, pitt 3rd
Isles get- 5th overall
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Ajax says:
Take JT with the #1, I would give up Streit if we could get Hedman with a trade up.
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I’d never give up streit
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#155
I like it, but the Hockey world will lol at us because we gave Tavares to Toronto. I would be all for it though. Whould smyth come here, he has a NTC.
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or this
Sharks get-SJ 1st, Hunter, Bos 2nd, Tambs
Isles get- Marleau
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Bones says:
Why on earth would anyone want Smyth after the guy left the Islanders high and dry? No trade clause or not. He walked out on the Islanders once. Whats that tell you?????
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coral springs isle fan says:
Take Tavares with the number 1 pick that hopefully you will not earn again anytime soon. Keep it simple and draft the sniper. Have you been watching the playoffs? Do you think the Rangers would have liked to have a sniper like Tavares in that game 7? There is your answer. You need a goal scorer at some point and here is your chance. Don’t screw around.
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i would trade hunter for a bag of pucks…
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Ray since 1974 says:
I think the #1 in 2010 may be the key to making something like this happen. Maybe even get #1 and #2. Maybe it takes the #1 in 2010 and Streit to have Tampa part with #2 and I would do that and grab JT and VH.
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ShardZ says:
How about this for an implausible trade? If Burke wants Tavares so badly, Snow should call him up and say “#1 pick for 2 and 3 overall, straight-up”. Let Toronto do the all the legwork, selling the farm to put the deal together. We could negotiate with TO from there, but its a start.
PS I know it would never happen, don’t worry -
Joe says:
Let’s all take one second to close our eyes and imagine we’re Tampa’s or the Av’s GM. You are excited to be adding either Hedman or Duch to your team. Garth Snow approaches you and inquires about acquiring your pick without giving you the #1 overall.
How many of you look at the Islanders and make any package that DOESN’T include Kyle Okposo. He’s the best young player we have. You’re giving away Hedman or Duchene! KO is a MUST in the package.
Two more things for the record:
- When did Sean Bergenheim approach being “untouchable?” The kid plays with great energy, but he had trouble cracking the lineup in the beginning of the year when everyone was healthy… Not sure I’m on board with this one guys. He doesn’t project to me as anything more than a 3rd or 4th liner – which our team does not need any more of – and I don’t see him helping us move up in a big move for a higher pick.
- Can’t wait for DP to come back healthy next year, show everyone why he was picked 1st overall, and emerge as the top 5 goalie in the league he is capable of being.
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frank nyc says:
Listen people i have to disagree with some people here.
Hedman and Duchene would be nice but lets not tempt fate again here. We have 2 firsts.
This feels like milbury all over again with his reinventing the wheel style of managment.
Just take Tavares at #1 then use the other first and a second to move up a bit and take the best d man or winger available.
That is it. Do not over complicate things.
That is how the Isles got themselves into this mess in the first place. -
Priest says:
I like this idea. If it is possible, I would certainly go for both those guys.
For those who think Duchene alone is better than Tavares… I heard David Branch the other day (commish of the OHL & Pres of the CHL) and he basically said that Tavares is far better than anyone else in the drfat (my words, not his, but that is what I got from the interview). I took that with a huge grain of salt wrt Hedman, but Branch has no reason to sell Tavares over Duchene. If anything, it would be the other way around if he tried to sell Duchene since he is still in the playoffs. Full disclosure: Branch is a complete idiot. Right on plane with Bettman IMO.
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Can’t wait for DP to come back healthy next year, show everyone why he was picked 1st overall, and emerge as the top 5 goalie in the league he is capable of being.
Are you holding your breath?
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isles79-83 says:
Bones – #170
Smyth never left the Isles high and dry!
He got traded here.
He never wanted to leave Edmonton, but so be it.
He showed up here and played with as much heart as he played in his home town of Edmonton.
He entered a UFA year, which of course Snow knew, and decided to stay in the West. He had every right to do so.I say that we should select Tavares wiht number one and any other magic Snow & company can provide is gravy.
Only plausable thing in my eyes is Streit + to Tampa for 2nd overall. Streit could be their hedman right away. We would have to eat salary in return as they need the help that way. That all depends on if they move Vinny before July 1. If they do they have no more salary issues but also no Vinny.
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CB,
You were clear as day on your initial post of this thread.Anyone following your blog recognizes that: 1. you’re enamored w/JT 2. bringing home VH AND MD is the only way to satisy you.
I gotcha. I just don’t think this will be easy or plausable w/out incorporating one of the ‘chips’ that you state are untouchable. And like you, that’s the deal-breaker for me.
If we can give up our “quantity” for “quality” (e.g., the 3rd overall pick), I’m all for it.
I just think that both Tampa and Colorado have some serious voids to fill. Duchene will be the heir apparent to Sakic and TB needs a stud dman… if they don’t deal Vinny.
I’d love to see the Isles use cash (via taking some salary from Tampa) to help achieve what you’ve proposed Chris. I just don’t see it happening.
(Oh, and don’t think for one moment that Brian Burke wasn’t speaking DIRECTLY to the Tampa organization when he was recently quoted as saying that one of the ways he might be able to move up in the draft is in a salary clearing effort. While he didn’t raise this idea, he did confirm in an interiew that this is one of the methods that he feels he could jump up in the draft. Sly SOB).
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Jim says:
If the Islanders move up, I don’t think they’re going to be able to move from 26th to 2 in one trade. I think they’d have to make 3-4 trades to get there. Say the 26th and a 2nd to get to the 15-20 range. Then another deal to get to the 10-15 range, and then maybe another deal to get to 2. I don’t know if they have enough to do it. It would be unbelievable if Snow was able to pull it off though.
I like Marleau, but they could get him for free next summer.
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sirhofh says:
I’ve been saying this since Mid-January. Would love it if it could happen.
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nyislanders93 says:
I say draft Tavares with #1 and try to package the 26th, 31st, a prospect and maybe a 2nd in 2010 to get the 2nd overall. Then end the draft with Tavares, Hedman, and whoever else the scouts decide to get.
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Terry 99 says:
Frank#176…right on the money. Heck I like the two picks we already have. If the isles stay put,great. two more very good players in the system.And a ton of picks to come.
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To land a top 3 pick (w/out giving away the 1st overall, Streit, Okposo, Bailey, or a 2010 1st) the Isles will need to give up every remaining pick in this draft +, a 2010 2nd rounder, + the a mixture of Trivino, Joensuu or a Bergenheim, Hunter, Witt, etc. Just as CB said.
It won’t be pretty in terms of what we’d have to give up, but I think I’d be in favor of doing it.
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Wizard of Isles says:
#179 is correct. only way we get #2 pick from TB is streit + picks and taking back a bloated contract like malone. definitely something to think about. no untouchables on this team except KO.
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Joe Interlandi says:
Chris, nice job! You just raised the bar another notch higher. Take that Logan!
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Lance79 says:
I think it’s completely impossible. I mean if we gripe about how Toronto lacks assets to move up 5 spots, how do we have the assets to somehow squeeze Tampa or Colorado’s #1 pick? If Okposo, the ’09 1st rounder, Bailey and the 2010 first rounder are all off the table the cupboard is pretty bare folks!
FWIW Hockeysfuture just ranked the top 50 drafted prospects in the NHL and with KO graduated from prospect status, not ONE Isles prospect is on there. Could that change if Harmonic, Ness, Petrov and Rhakshani have monster years next year? Sure, but as it stands thinking objectively, I wouldn’t take the risk. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Tampa or Colorado’s prospect pools run that deep either but we simply don’t have the assets to get this done. Nice idea though.
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AM says:
I’d say draft JT at 1. Then trade for #3 and take MD. I mean Colorado would probably want our #1 next year b/c I don’t think they figure to be in this situation again next yr but Garth would have to think long and hard about that one. Tavares can definitely play wing. Okposo-MD-JT is a sick, sick line for years to come.
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I’ve commented before that the obnly way I move from #1 is for the following:
#2 overall
2010 1st rounder
AND
2009 top 7 pick OR NHL-ready prospect/2008 rookie phenom (See Schenn, Luke)
So comparing what I would be happy with to CB’s plan I would be willing to take slightly less in terms of an immediate return but would expect an additonal 2010 1st rounder to keep the improvement through the draft strategy in tact. -
Hockey1919 says:
I’m not sure the Islanders should be packaging too many picks to move up, as the Zetterberg/Detroit thread pointed out sometimes luck lands the right players. The more picks in the top end or even overall the better chances of landing the right player. Top 1 or 2 picks should be a no brainer, anything outside the top 8 is a not only dependent on the depth of your scouting department, but a lot of luck.
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Couldn’t agree more with comment #170. Suggesting, bringing Smith back, would destroy all that Garth Snow is trying to accomplish. I was never in favor of bring him in in the first place. The acquisition of Ryan Smith did nothing but further set back this franchise. And doing all they did to make him, basically The Man on Campus, Captainship, Six Million per. I’m sorry, but what a joke. I think he is way over overrated. This talk of either drafting someone other than Tavares, or possibly trading down. How about if Pittburg traded their #1 the year they drafted Sidney Crosby. Would they be the same team. How about if Washington traded down, or selected someone other than Alex Ovechkin, with their #1. Would they be where they are today? No they wouldn’t, the NY Islander’s need to make the layup, Draft John Tavares. Chris, I agree with your protected list as I mentioned in comment #135, but my List would also include Frans Neilsen, as I mentioned, but I would also add Jesse Joensuu. Thanks Chris, Mark N/J Go Islander’s
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It’s still to early in the rebuilding stages to start trading away a crap ton of picks.
Stick to the plan. Draft #1. MAYBE move up in 1st round but that’s it. -
Scott S. from Long Beach says:
Ryan Smyth played hard for this team. That’s all you can ask out of a player. I am glad he didn’t accept our long term offer though…
Why can’t we get Vinny if Tampa is dying to move him?
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Will OC says:
Can someone tell me why other team’s might want Trent Hunter? I see negative value in giving a team Hunter. They’d want more for taking him off our hands. Outside of Knees & Hips, Hunter has the only other regrettable contract on this team
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Ken says:
The only way this happens is if Brian Burke can land the second and third picks and then trades them to us for the first to get Tavares. Snow doesn’t have the skills to orchestrate any such thing.
I think we have a much better shot to use the picks to move up somewhere around the 7 pick if someone like Cowen is around.
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IslesPassion21 says:
I wouldnt want to see Comeau traded either, he’s becoming a very good playmaker and he’s become very physical…
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michael says:
i just want to say with no uncertainty.. the islanders need to concentrate on taking john tavares, and moving up with their 26th pick to grab a defenseman. even if you take another defenseman with the first pick in the second round you’re going to be set up at that position with out tavares. that is if you do ur homework, of course.
for the islanders to do anything other than pick tavares first overall would be a real “f- you” to the fan base that has been messed around with too much on draft day.
i feel like i have stockholm syndrome with this team come draft day.
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*without hedman
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Anthony O. says:
How can anybody on here want Streit to be traded? He was absolutely fantastic last year on a pitiful team. I hope he sticks around for a long time…
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What ever happens, hopefully Gordan wont be holding Thomson only because he likes him, he’s NOT that good a player…
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Islanders1984 says:
Takes Tavares and then take duchene, then buy Boumeeester and this rebuild will be officially over
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isles316 says:
I think you just draft as many players as you can. The Islanders still have a lot of holes and one or two big moves won’t change that. I wouldn’t mind them going after someone via free agency but they acquired all these picks for a reason.
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mike says:
What about throwing in the #1 pick next year with all picks the Isles have accumulated for this year, two current players other than the untouchables, and two prospects, and go for Tavares, Hedman AND Duchene? What a team this would be in a year or two. Rebirth of the Stanley Cup Dynasty.
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I like the idea, but I feel it costs too much. How about draft Tavares, use the #26, #31, and the other 2nd rounders to pick the best available players. Maybe we can sign UFA’s Komisarek and Scudari (both LI boys) to shore up the depth on D. This will allow us to develop young defensemen that we draft last year, this year and next year. I realize this wouldn’t seem quite as spectacular as CB’s proposal in June/July but would allow the rebuild to progress and be a nice story with hometown boys.
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Dedshark says:
What if they take cant get the 3 spot…but the 4-6 area…then take hedman and evander kane?
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Brother Rat says:
I kinda like the Isles trading around to draft two top guys, but I’d rather they not do that. While I do like the guys, such a policy skirts around the Isles’ bigger issue, which isn’t drafting or luring big name free agents–it’s developing their current prospects!
As a team, we do not develop players well, and haven’t for a while. The ones that do develop, it seems, do so in spite of our mismanagement. They need less seasoning. So, for me, the only thought in trading Tavares & picks for Hedman & Duchene would be so that we could be trading 1 ready player and a bunch of prospies who are NOT ready (picks or BST guys) for two are definitely farther along. Surely Hedman is NHL-ready, Duchene is fairly close. This is one of the reasons why I was so gung-ho about signing Gilroy, as he already got a lot of development and seasoning under Jack Parker and he was far closer to being NHL ready than some of our 18-year old guys in juniors.
If I were Garth/Ryan, I’d make sure we have a top-notch development program…but that seems to me something that comes together after having a system in place for a few years. I know Cronin had scattered success, but who’s even in charge of that now–Trottier?
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john says:
If we’re talking “outside the box” and making suggestions that would never happen. Then trade Streit. He will turn 32 in Dec ’09; and if this rebuild takes 3-4 years, he will be pushing 35 by then and may be on the down side of his career. You’ll never get more for him then now.
If they trade Streit to a team that wants to make the playoffs next year, say Edmonton with a 3rd round pick for Edmonton’s 10th overall. Then you may be able to trade the 10th pick and the 26th overall pick a move up to 3rd to 5th overall.
If this was possible I’d like see the Isles get Evander Kane, to play with Tavares. But this will never happen.
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Akeem says:
CB,
Great post. Are you content only if the player the Isles get with Hedman is Duchene? What if they are able to trade up to 4 or 5 and grab Evander Kane together with Hedman? Somethi8ng tells me that is more likely than #2, unless the Isles are willing to give up next year’s 1st rounder, which, like you, I’m not willing to give up. -
I say draft Hedman and trade up to get one of the other good off players.
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hmmmm..... says:
jaf10
There wouldn’t be any hype if he wasnt a great player (thus far at least)
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if the Islanders can somehow grab both Hedman and Duchene, they should do it. I just have my doubts about John Tavares.
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Duchene didn’t make the Canadian World Junior Team? Tavares was the MVP.
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Tavares is the way to go, were all reading to much into the Canadian media machine about duchene. Once isles got #1 pick Tavares became junk. If it was Toronto or montreal in teh top spot tavares woudl be teh next wayne gretzsky
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Steven says:
Getting both Duchene and Hedman would be great. I like the speed element Duchene and Hedman bring to the table. I doubt the Isles can get both. I would be fine with just Tavares.
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no one knocked tavares’ draft stock until the day the islanders won the lottery. wake up people. if the islanders balk at tavares toronto would have an easier time trading for his pick..
tavares has been the consensus #1 of this draft class for years, only when the islanders won the right to pick first did people come out of the wood works and knock tavares
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I can’t believe someone actually proposed a trade that would bring RYAN SMYTH back to Long Island.
I swear… you just can’t make this crap up sometimes. >:(
DOC
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If you watch some of the highlight reel play of Tavares… he looks FAR FROM SLOW!!!
DOC
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Funny how now some people like the idea of trading down when before they were so critical of Snow at last years draft!!!!!!!!!!
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I want a pony!
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shappy says:
**small correction CB, it was George that had “hand”, not Jerry.
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227…and tavares is gonna tell us “we’re gonna need it” after we dont draft him haha
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A winner drafts the best player available, period. That is Tavares. Then we move up as far as we can again to draft the best player available at that spot. This is not the 1979 draft, anything past the top 2/3 of the first round of the draft will be a long shot at best, just like almost every other year. Don’t tempt fate, garth. JT is our guy.
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Rob76 says:
I am still 100% pro Tavares and dont see a scenario where we can get the 2 and 3 picks. I figure if we are able to trade up to get the 3 we might as well keep the first pick. I want the goal scorer – anyone notice how “great” Duchene looked against Windsor last night – they lost 10-1 and held him to an assist, thats the same Windsor who Tavares had 2pts per game for and was all of a sudden “not producing” in five overtime games…JT all the way
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Blizzard says: Lets assume we draft in order of the picks we have. Who should we be looking at 26?
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Tuckisles says:
Please protect Jonesuu, I have a feeling he could be a big time player.
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Dan says:
Maybe consider but Isles need a star. JT is the star to be….
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Paul says:
There is NO Alternative to John Tavares when your organization needs a Goal Scorer.
As the same for Headman if defense was a priority, however what is needed more is a goal scorer.
Beside what team out their does not need a projected 40-50 goal scorer……hmm -
Greg says:
Michael (217) is so right. I’d been hearing for a long while that Tavares was the clear-cut #1 pick. After the Isles win the lottery, he’s getting ripped to shreds. Sounds suspicious to me. I say draft JT and move up in the first round to snare a big talented defenseman.
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Ever hear keep it simple stupid??? Take JT and if we can move down for another goal scorer you do it. If the price is too high, keep all picks and stay at 26.
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john from merrick says:
Just take JT and stop talking about Duch and Hedman. It won’t happen. Don’t believe the Canadian propaganda. Stick with the best player on the board. If a Canadian team won the lottery, these discussions would not be happening. Just makes me ill.
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155 (streit02) – If all four GMs there were locked in a room together and forced to do a deal, I can see that being a decent starting point.
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In all seriousness people have been talking baout John Tavares for 4 years, if they let him in last years draft he would have went over stamkos. People have been Talking about matt duchene for like 3 weeks. Just take Tavares Snow I beg you make the simple choice for once. No one can fault you for taking him but they can fault you for not taking him
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dalcy says:
i don’t like that scenario one bit. picking Duchesne is over-thinking it. give me Tavares or give me death.
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not to mention getting a shot at Tavares was sheer luck this year for the Isles. if Dipietro doesn’t miss the year we would be discussing who the islanders are picking 7th, 8th or 9th this year. its a no effing brainer.
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DLR says:
Tavares means nothing to me–just get the most talent you can. I like the way the Pats do it in football…and recently my beloved NYG’s. Spread the wealth…CB, there is no one on this team I see as even remotely untouchable. So, I have no five. Trade em all!
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Chris M says:
Please no considerations of trading next year’s first rounder. There’s a strong possibility that it’s going to be the first pick again. Have we learned nothing from the Knicks and countless other teams in sports who have made the same mistake?
Chris- considering how much Tampa Bay wants Hedman, do we have the resources to get that #2 pick? I will say no, but thinking of how much we could use both, wow, would I love to have both Tavares and Hedman.
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Ben says:
If Tampa was high on one or two of our players (less the untouchables) and add the #26 and a low second rounder then possibly we get a high pick.
I don’t see giving so many selections for one player. that one selection could tunr out a flop and then the team with all those picks has a much better chance of getting a NHL level player.
Let’s say we take Taveras, trade up to a middle pick for a player with upside and a middle second rounder.
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Hud says:
Do not trade the pick and do not trade Streit, take JT, do what you can with the rest of the picks. Let’s just move the draft up to tomorrow, enough of this talk.
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JS says:
I know Streit had a great season, but by the time Okposo, Bailey and Tavares hit their strides he may be gone.
What about this…Streit and SJ’s #1 for Jack Johnson (LA) and the King’s #5.
That team is primed with young talent and ready for a veteran to lead them. -
hathead68 says:
CB, I’m with you… I want Tavares and wish Morrow would have announced the Islanders intentions of drafting him right there. That being said, I don’t even want to entertain the thought of Garth and Jankowski not taking him! Draft him and don’t look back. In fact, I said the other night Garth should do his best impersonation of the LOTTO guy when announcing JT as the first overall pick just to make sure that Burke and all the Toronto fans heard correctly! We can get creative after that. I’d rather have Tavares and Cowan than Hedman and Duchene. Or how about Tavares, Kassian, and Taylor Doherty? I think that not only are either of these two scenarios more possible, but also better fit our needs. Would like to have your input CB, as well as my fellow ISLES fans.
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Robert says:
the more I look at draft guides and prospects for this draft, the more hesitant I am to see the Islanders giving up the #26, #31, and #37…. there is serious talent in this draft through the top 40 or so picks…. If we trade #26 and #31 along with a third or fourth rounder for #15, ok great… but I want to see us hold on to one of those high second rounders, whether it be our own pick at #31, or toronto’s at #36, along with us grabbing two first rounders….
Possible scenario:
hold onto #1 overall
trade up for the 15th pick (only if the scouts are in love with someone at that slot)
keep the #36 pick overall (toronto’s pick)… someone real good will still be there at that slot…
that gives us three of the top 36 picks (#1,#15 and #36)..
we basically just swap the #26 for the #15th pick by including our 31st overall pick, the Boston 2nd rounder (in the 5o-60th range, and if necessary, include the pittsburgh 3rd rounder…
then we still have our pick at the top of round three…
NO REASON TO MORTGAGE ALL THOSE PICKS AND PLAYERS CB IS SUGGESTING… AND I KNOW THIS IS A THREAD ABOUT IF THE ISLES DON’T WANT TAVARES, BUT I CAN’T HELP BUT SAY IT…. JUST TAKE TAVARES!!!!! -
(231) Actually, that’s not true, according to a TSN poll last year when there was a debate as to whether Tavares should have been made eligible for last years’ draft (he wound up missing eligibility for the 08 draft by being born about a week late) they all said they still would take Stamkos for some of the other things he brings to the table. Now whether that’s also muddled with the fact that they knew Tavares would never be let in and they didn’t want to make people look past the ’08 draft is a point for debate but just for the record, the scouts did in fact have Stamkos over Tavares but did concede that it was almost neck and neck.
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spirow says:
The islanders can get two corner stone players. . . trade baily if you have to. . . duche will be wayyy better, and get another top ten pick, they can take evander kane, brendon schenn, or even nazim kadri. . . all those players will fill the need of islanders. . . With all the draft picks stacked up, they can get two additional 1st rounders, one in the mid to late teens or twenties, another top ten if they throw in another player. . . But the key is, they gotta play the tavares card then. . . . This draft is 30 deep is what I herd. . . You can turn this team around quick not a problem. . . My guess is that islanders will trade the pick but not out of top three, that’ll be bad for the franchise. . . and will aquire more solid picks and will be the team to watch in the draft. . . Toronto, will be takers in the draft. . . Islanders might partially trade with 2nd and 3rd team. . . look for tampa to be sellers in the draft, montreal buyers to move up, atlanta might be sellers, more of a chance to be sellers if they wanna keep kolvachuck. . .
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if you could keep the #1 pick, would you trade streit and pick(s) to get the #2 or #3 pick?
tampa needs a puck moving defensemen, at a friendly cap figure. it might also help the ‘lanche, whom i believe will reload, and dont have a strong blue line.
streit is a wonderful player, past the age of 30. don’t fall in love with anybody, and you can get great value for him. if you can get a highly respected, ready to play NHL rookie(s) to go with your core of bailey, kyle. then add 2 of the top 3, and your really rolling. by the time the islanders mature, it will 2 or 3 years down the road, near the end of streits contract. streit is never gonna be worth more then he is right now (consider everything written, and your expectations 10 months ago when he was signed). it might read as insanity, but we are a rebuilding team, and consider his age. we have 3 vet stay at home defenders on the blueline currently, and a pile of small puck moving defenders with nhl upside in the near future. -
The reality is that the Islanders are not going to get 2 of the top 3 selections. Perhaps they get 2 of the top 15, but not to of the top 3. In about 8 weeks, either Tavares, Hedman, or Duchene will be pulling on an Islander jersey. It’s obvious that Tavares is the concensus fan favorite, and who am I to disagree? However, I, like most of you, do not have the ability to get a real accurate hands on account of what any of these players are capable of. Tavares had a great WJC, and a tough OHL playoff. However, he’s played more hockey than most of the other prospects. It’s up to the Islander brass to determine what player they’re taking and why they’re taking him.
As fans, we have to gather our emotions and realize that as long as the player selected first overall is Tavares, Hedman, or Duchene; nothing crazy happened. There are things to like about Duchene, Hedman, and Tavares. Let’s just see what happens. I would still like Tavares, but I don’t see a problem with selecting one of the other two.
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Jerky says:
One word CB: NO!
Please let us just use the picks we have, grab JT and whomever else our scouting team deems the best available players and call it a draft.
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bcarroll25 says:
cb, do you think any type of deal along your lines would be consumated before the draft,or would this be done on the clock on draft day?
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Its so funny us isles fans are Traumatized from the idiocies of Milbury and Maloney before him that we think every draft going to be a circus.
Snow has done great. He made one mistake b/c he was pressure when he traded for Smyth. He wont make that mistake again. He go lucky b/c he really didnt get that burned by it either. Nilson sucks. Omarra is a bust.
Lets see what he has done great so far
1) stockpiled picks in 2008 draft.
2) signed weight and Streit with both proved to be some of best free agency signings in the NHL last year
3) Traded useless Comrie and Whiny Campoli (whom got challenge by gordon to be the goto dman and chose to run) in return for 26th pick
4) trade Guerin and got a 3rd round pick.So far he has done great. Just wait For you Bailey Doubters next year. That kid wants to be great. he will be bulk up next year and will be one of better sophmores in league. As will Nielson.
Snow is taken Tavares. They know what his franchise needs.
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Defensewins says:
Lol at thinking we can trade, and get two of Tavares/Hedman/Duchene. What does this organization have to offer besides Okposo, Bailey, future draft picks(which every team can offer), and a couple young second and third line forwards? And Bailey and Okposo should not be going anywhere.
Draft Tavares first overall, and then trade the SJ first, one or two of our seconds, and one or two of our thirds, and maybe an average prospect for an 8-10 overall pick, and draft Cowen.
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Ethan K says:
I really like the idea of trying to get 2 hot prospects in exchange for a few later picks. However, I think the Isles are destined to take John Tavares first. Reason is that John Tavares has been the name associated with the number one pick since the beginning of the season. All of the fans want him, and if we pass up on Tavares, and he becomes the next great scorer, the Isles organization will look terrible again. If they do select him, and he amounts to nothing (which I can’t see happening), then at least nobody can say they made the wrong pick.
With that said, the Islanders still could use a good young d-man, to preferably be able to work alongside Streit on the powerplay. As said before, I would try to trade the SJ pick, the #31 pick, and one player from the AHL team that didn’t get to the NHL last season. Trade for a #7-10 pick, and take either 6’5″ Jared Cowen (the Isles desperately need bigger players, but I don’t know Cowen’s offensive ability), or Ryan Ellis, a 6′ defensive points machine. I’d like the idea of seeing Ellis and Tavares working on the powerplay together again. They did great together on the Canadian Juniors team which won the gold medal.
Ellis was also 7th in the OHL in points this season, with 89 in 57 games, the most among any D-man in his league. He also is good on defense, and he just turned 18 this year. So, we’d have the #1, #3, and #7 point scorers in the OHL (Tavares, DiBenedetto, Ellis) joining the team, sounds like a great benefit to our offense, along with Okposo, Bailey, Bergenheim, Neilsen, Tambellini, and more. That sounds like a great young offensive core.
I love the way you think CB!