EXCLUSIVE: GMs SUMMONED TO DRAFT LOTTERY
More Gilroy talk; 1050 show on Sunday at 4:30 pm
In an effort to increase the Draft Lottery’s stature as a major event, the NHL is asking the general managers of the five clubs with a chance to get the first overall pick to be in Toronto on April 14.
Now, instead of former stars such as Mike Bossy and Dave Andreychuk standing in for their franchises, the made-for-TV event will feature GMs such as the Islanders’ Garth Snow and Tampa Bay’s Brian Lawton. The reaction shots should be priceless.
There was some last-minute talk about bringing in the managers last year for the Stamkos-Doughty sweepstakes, but some begged off, citing scouting obligations. It was resolved back then that future lotteries could be mandatory for the GMs, so they shouldn’t make any plans.
The Islanders, Colorado and Tampa Bay are locks to be in the “top” 5, while the final two positions have yet to be decided. The NHL has not confirmed their plans to feature the general managers in the dramatic production, but league and broadcast sources tell Point Blank a plan is in motion.
Excellent idea by the NHL. Fans deserve to see the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat on a GM’s face – while they’re feeling the same.
Gilroy Bidding Intense: Ken Campbell of The Hockey News has a good story on Tyler Bozak and Matt Gilroy. Ken says Gilroy could make $3 million a year and his agent is asking for most of it in a signing bonus. I believe the number will be closer to $2 mill. Either way, that’s a gamble. If Matt decides to take that dough to play in a pressure-cooker like Toronto, you’d really have to respect his guts.
Point Blank on TV Pre-Game Show: Barring getting bumped, or a tennis match, I will join C.J. Papa on tonight’s MSG Plus pre-game show sometime after 6:30. We’ll take a look at some of the Islanders’ top prospects in the junior and college ranks. The plan for now is to zero in on the top 4, plus name a Most Improved and Biggest Wild Card. Regular readers of this blog should be able to name most of the 6 selections.
“NY Hockey This Week”: Co-hosted by Don La Greca and I, our show on 1050 ESPN can be heard on Sunday from 4:30 – 5:30 pm.
Comments.
75 Responses to EXCLUSIVE: GMs SUMMONED TO DRAFT LOTTERY
More Gilroy talk; 1050 show on Sunday at 4:30 pm
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Should be interesting to see the reactions from the GMs…..April 14th couldn’t come any sooner!
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TIM says:
Excellent idea and more exposure for the NHL I’m from Canada so i will get it on TSN but what about those in the U.S would the NHL NETWORK cover this event CB
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sec301 says:
it was on versus last year so it will probabaly be on that again …if not i think the isles should ask msg to put it on for us suffering isles fans we can get to see our hearts ripped out when we lose the lottery after being techinically the “worst” team
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Outside says:
right now, tv listings do not show eitehr versus or nhl net US airing the lottery.. im sure well find out next week for sure, and if both are a NO, id bet we could watchit via tsn online…
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Joey303 says:
Next week cant come soon enough. Seems like Ive been waiting since like…..forever!! Bring on the #1 pick!!
CB- Gives us PB’ers some quick props on the pre-game
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rb says:
if we’re leading in the 3rd period tonite, can we pull the goaltender?
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Pat says:
The Brawl For It All is awsome. If anyone thought Tampa was tanking it, they didn’t watch the Devils game last night. They played hard all game and I would expect the same tonight. Right now I’m more worried about Colorado than Tampa. I’ve been supportive of signing Gilroy for some time now, but 3 Million is a little much. I think what CB said, around 2 Mil hopfully will get it done and I hope the Isles try to make it happen.
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Madchef says:
sad thing is somebody will overpay for him and the isles will miss out.
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KO21 says:
Lookin foward to watching ya, CB…
Break a leg!!!lol
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Jim says:
$3m for an unproven 25 year old is ridiculous.
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Matt says:
I have a bad feeling about the draft lottery. I don’t know why but I have a feeling the Avs are going to win it.
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JoeRiverside says:
Isls Can GO 2-2-1 and Finish Last.
With the Islanders 5 points behind Colorado, they can go 2-2-1 in final five games and still finish last. This is even if Col loses their last 5 games. They would both end up with 64 pts, but Avs would have more wins and thus finish ahead of the Islanders. Finishing last will give Islanders 48.2% chance of picking #1 and a guarantee that they will pick no worse than #2. in other words a guarantee of Tav/Hed. -
Isla Nubar says:
Joe, nice work on the math – very informative, sheds a little light that if the Isles win a couple of the last 5, we’re still in good shape.
Keep this in mind as well; if the Bolts win outright tonight (No OT), that will guarantee the Isles and Colorado will secure the top 2 slots PRE lottery (Bolts will be 9 points up on the Isles with 4 games remaining) so tonight’s game does have more implications than we have discussed so far.
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My bad, meant to say a Bolts win without OT guarantee the ISLANDERS will have the 1 or the 2 spot pre-lottery.
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I dont know… I think a made for TV event out of the draft lottery is lame. Its glamming up losing, really. Id like the draft to be shown on TV, but I mean the draft ITSELF- I dont care about the teams GMs and all that. Id much rather see the NHL picking the winning combinations rather than see 5GMs blanking their faces and trying not to react to whatever happens.
The draft lottery is not a cause for celebration. The draft itself however, is. Thats just how I see it.
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with our luck, after we get annoucned the winner, snow will then turn to the tsn host and say, we have a trade to announce.. the isles are trading the #1 to colorado for smyth and the #2 pick..
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jon from nj says:
If Gilroy is going to be seeking some mega-dollars, why not go after someone more established like Komisarek? They need a bigger, stay at-home defensemen.
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Isles4cups says:
TMC – It might be “lame”, but the NHL glamorizes the trade deadline, as well as the draft in June, so why not the lottery as well. Speaking of the June draft, I’m guessing they don’t show it in the U.S.? I try to watch it every year. I spent a couple of nights in the U.S. this past week, and hockey highlights are almost non-existent on ESPN.
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Warren says:
Hockey fans out there remember any pick from the top 10 will only help the team. So don’t give up we(Islanders)hopefully do all right. Keep the faith. The Islanders will be in the run next year.
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the draft itself will be on versus (draft party at nvmc that night – friday june 26th)
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thepolishprince says:
Would love to see The Abominable Snowman go nuts if the balls don’t fall our way. He was a fiery guy on the ice so I wonder if he’s still got that demeanor. Agreed that the 14th can’t come soon enough and thats not just ’cause I’m an accountant!
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Coach B says:
Looking forward to the pre-game, I hope there isn’t tennis again.
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Steve says:
This is not lame. Fans who went through miserable seasons want to know where they stand on draft day.
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303Joe says:
Anyone know who’s carrying the lottery. I know last year Versus had it are they carrying it again. I’m gonna be in St. Lucia that week but would like to see what goes on.
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Jimmy Mac says:
I think we will be alright.
But if do lose in the lottery, I hope Snow pulls Lawton shirt over his head and pounds him.
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Gary says:
Outside – (#17) Couldn’t do it. Smyth has a full no move.
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islesfan says:
I’m pretty sure the NBA does it so why shouldn’t the NHL?
I see no problem trying to draw more attention to the sport. -
19 Isles4cups (19): The difference is that the trade deadline and the draft in June are positive things, it is not the same as glamming up losing. IMO the draft lottery is a good thing, but it should be done and thats that- theres nothing worth glamming up in it. I tink they should save all that dor the draft day itself.
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TMC – just going to add a bit of fuel to the fire here, but Kate Murray has an opinion and it would seem that her opinion holds quite a bit more weight than several other people in regards to the Light House project?
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isles72 says:
chris -if you rub elbows with any of the nhl types who take care of center ice pkg tell them its a shame that pre-game and post game shows (when available) should be shown in their entirety
most fans that subscribe to center ice do so in order to watch a certain team -so they deserve as much coverage as possible
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jonw says:
Any NHL event is worth glamming up and televising it.The NHL has made strides in it’s popularity in the last decade in the U.S.http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/media_entertainment/sports-wrap-nhl-teams-on-ratings-power-play/.There are lots of things that can be considered lame by some and not by others.That’s the beauty of opinion in sports.Anything that the NHL can do in a positive way that will not affect the integrity of the sport should be considered.
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Huh? Are you trying to imply that some people leaving comments here are in positons of authority over others leaving comments here? I cant see any other reason for beinging up the opinions of a town supervisor compared to voters and residents. Forgive me for not seeing where you are trying to go with this.
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d-man says:
enough with us “suffering” islander fans and “with our luck…”. i understand but you sound pathetic when you write that. why don’t we just end the self pity and enjoy watching a team as they are good bad terrible fun getting better making mistakes making good moves… that’s the whole point for every fan. there are over 100 sports teams in the US and most have “suffering” fans. it’s always an up and down proposition when you follow a team. it’s not constant suffering. no one was suffering 8 years ago when we got back into the playoffs in toronto. no one was suffering when we squeaked in with the help of tiny bald goalie or watched DP save games or made the playoffs 4 years out of 6. it’s not as bad as it seems. and now we are gonna get a great draft pick. so maybe we can all lighten up and enjoy the ride because this year in the nhl… 29 of the teams’ rides are going to end badly… some a little shorter than others. lol
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Rechlicz Joensuu Iggulden Fritz called up, alond with Jaimir Fraser making his debut. Anothher pass on Kohn?
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Will Teese says:
I’d say having the Gm’s there is less of “glamming up” the event and more of just making it more informative. Having former players there, like last year, is definately more of glamming up. I like the idea of having the gm’s there, who knows, maybe they’ll let slip who they are actually thinking about drafting (in snow’s case it would be nice to know who we’ll take if we get the first overall.)
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Swan says:
#16, as is typical, I agree with you TMC. Seeing Snow and the Isles get the #1 pick in the Lottery will not make me proud. Just means I went through another miserable, poorly-played, last-place Islander season. I’ve been through too many already, having watched this Team since the beginning. Getting Taveres, Hedman? Eh. I wasn’t overly excited when we picked DiPietro in 2000, either.
But I do get the reasons why the NHL want the Lottery televised and anything that will help grow the NHL in popularity with the general US public, is a good thing. Similar to the NBA, I thing televising the Lottery and having the GMs present can only help.
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FIsles says:
$3m a year for a 25-year old D that has never played in a professional league is a no go. Cap or no cap. The Islanders will not spend to the cap when the owner is losing money every year, which means $3m gambles are no good especially after the Yashin buyout. I think even £2m a year is far too much for a player of Gilroy’s resume in this economic climate.
Let’s put it this way. If you pulled some undrafted top defensemen out of the European leagues, I’m pretty sure they’d be dominant beyond Matt Gilroy in college hockey (also played in an Olympic size rink). Would you sign those defensemen for $2m a year on a one-way deal? What makes Matt Gilroy so different? It’s the hype around undrafted North American talent. It just isn’t a realistically set market. If Gilroy proves by his play in the NHL that he’s deserving of that money and more, well done to the GM who signed him, but it would still have been a gamble. For a sensible hockey man to even entertain the thought of signing Gilroy to a $3m a year contract, Gilroy would have to be absolutely dominant in college hockey. Yet, even his offensive numbers — 6th on his team overall — don’t show that kind of dominance. Nevermind doubts about his defensive game. Bruno Gervais is a couple of months younger than Gilroy, by the way, and he scored at a similar clip in the AHL as Gilroy has done in college. Just a thought.
I was thinking Gilroy would get $1.5m max and not a penny more. I hope he does great in the NHL, but as a fan of the Islanders I’d rather concentrate on development and cutting more prudent deals, not overpaying for a 25-year old undrafted converted defenseman in a tug-of-war with the Leafs.
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Isle_in_LA says:
Potvin says the Isles should go with Hedman…
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doc says:
Can “fans” please stop the Garth is going to trade out of the 1st two picks joke. That was old about a week after the last draft… and 100% OVER once Bailey made the team. In addition, the Islanders now have a nice collection of prospects due to GARTH, Jankowski, Morrow, Kallur and others’ astute drafting ACUMEN.
DOC
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Pass on Gilroy, unless he is willing to sign for less $ on LI.
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I wonder if all these call ups results in Max Grachev making his Bridgeport debut tomorrow afternoon?
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I’m watching tonight’s pre-game.
Here, here DOC. I cannot watch Bailey’s game as he improve, and be mad at Garth’s drafting talents. Bailey is fun to watch, and we know his game will only (and has only gotten) get better as the Islanders have found their stride with personnel.
I feel bad for Gilroy is he signs for 3 mil in Toronto. He may be a top college prospect, but to take such a huge salary into Toronto is just asking for it from the unforgiving Toronto media, GM, and coach. There was a story about a press conference where Wilson AND Burke sat there calling out players.
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Well if it is going to cost 3 million to land Gilroy, then pass.
Put up 4.5 million and try for Komi.
At least you know what your getting for your money.
I read that article on Tavarses and Hedman. Should be very interesting leading up to draft day if the Isles have the top pick.
It’s almost to the point where I hope they have the second pick, just so they get whoever is still standing.
No decision making!!! The more I hear about Hedman the more I like him.
I need to stop listening to the media…lol.
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Jim Clark says: Can we make Christie Brinkley “GM for a day” on April 14th to “glamourize” it up? Can the NHL pick the winner by picking numbers out of a hat on screen? If Christie isn’t available, how about sending Kate Murray? Does Murray even go to games or is she as rare as Mike Francesa and Chris Russo?
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Booten says:
With each day that passes my opinion shifts from the Islanders will draft Tavares to they will draft Hedman…definitely not the worst thing in the world, but I’d prefer JT.
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Frank James says:
If we lose tonight I will finally be able to relax.
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Dan says:
I have changed my mind.
I want Victor Hedman, but I won’t be sad/mad if we end up with Tavares.
Anyone here going to go to the Draft Party? I want to go, but only if there will be a lot of people.
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dman,
I really do not care about the other 100 or so sports teams. We have not won a single playoff round in over 15 years. Losing every year gets tiresome. -
kate says:
I believe that Bailey will be a #1 Center after a few more years so why draft another Center? I think the Islanders would be much better to have a stud #1 D man to go along with KO and JB.
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#50 Dan, I’m pretty sure about 10 of my friends and I will be going to the draft party. We’re all excited about it right now.
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REgarding the 3PM update: Rechlicz, Fritz, and Jackman all on the ice tonight? Not to mention Witt, Thompson (who is pretty tough for his size) and how antsy to throw em down Weight has been lately, this should be a helluva game lol.
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Fritz to get 18 minutes on the first line and go against Marty St. Louis line……lol
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(53) Bolts called up up Zenon Konopka as well as suiting up David Koci to go along with Rechlicz and Fritz being up. Tonight has some serious potential to explode into a brawlfest.
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Pat says:
Fritz and the Wrecker ! 2/3 of a dream line ! They have to dress vs. Flyers.
Made my day !!!! Can’t wait to go tonight
Pat -
Kate,
JB has no where near the talent level as John Tavares. -
Avery might be getting another suspension. He just chopped Tim Thomas in the back of the head with the stick after the whistle.
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that is an instance where teh instigator should be rewritten to say avery’s act is instigating a fight and avery should get an extra penalty for causing that to occue… but that makes too much sense for the nhl to figure out..
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eric says:
rags loss 1-0
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Anyone know why Tortorella wouldn’t put his best offensive player (Zherdev) out on a 4 on 3 PP in a one goal game you have to win? Did he really think Gomez and Drury were going to score? It’s almost like he wanted to lose that game.
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MACCH says:
Nooo not Fritz…. oh wait we wanna lose. Yeaaaahhh Fritz
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Rob76 says:
Too Bad the Panthers couldnt beat the Thrashers at home last night…
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Fritz called up? How long before the “tank” police make their appeaance here?
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mLemb says:
Can we seriously get this guy out of the NHL before he does something really dumb and gets himself or someone else seriously injured?
Talking about Avery btw…did anyone else catch that act of childishness this afternoon?
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John R. says:
The NHL draft and the draft lottery will never be a major event because the NHL is run by clowns who don’t copy the blue print of the other succesful sports leagues. A very small percentage of players drafted actually play in their first year and most don’t even see pro ice time for 3 to 6 years. How is it exciting to watch a 17 year old kid get drafted only to not hear his name again for 5 years? Why not draft kids after their 3rd or 4th year in college and give them a chance to make the big team? If they don’t make it they play in the minors and be called up if needed or when ready. I just don’t understand why the powers that be insist on ignoring what has made other leagues succesful.
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I saw Avery and am not shocked by what a gutless puke he is. After he hit Thomas he goes and runs away forcing his teammate to defend him and get punched in the face with a blocker. I knew when they re-signed this idiot that he would hurt the team more than help. He gives the other team adrenaline and fires them up to the point that they play that much harder. Being an Isles fan I LOVE the fact that he’s single handedly costing the Rangers wins. I wish Garth Snow kicked the crap out of Avery when he had the chance.
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As we witness how this team looks without Okposo or Striet shows us we need at least 1 more Okposo and at least 1 more Striet to ne a “Stanley Cup Champion” once again…We need either Taveres or Hedman, either one will be a huge addition to the team…I do want Taveres first for obviouse reasons…
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Strummer's Army says:
Bossy’s look last year was really good though. He looked capable of murder when the Isles card was the first revealed. I wonder who he was looking off camera too?
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Isles Dawg says:
CB,
What happened? did they bump you for Chris Dey? Not cooool !
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Spoke tooo soon. Nice Job CB!!! It definately give us fans some hope!
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Neil says:
I hope Garth goes all Dave DeBusschere at the draft lottery WHEN we win it. I mean up on the table fist pump, runs over to Tavares, who I assume will be there, and bro-hugs him.
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#17, if the Avs offered us Smyth and the #2 pick for the #1 i would sign up in a heart beat…… You would be crazy not to do that move
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#73…You can keep Smyth and the pick. We do not not need him!
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Brother Rat says:
Sorry, out all day, just catching up on these great stories and posts.
Seeing the GMs live is a great idea…the NBA does this (or at least did this last year) with their coaches–I remember seeing Mike D’Antoni increasingly apoplectic as the Knicks’ lot continued not to be picked. Good TV!
Maybe Garth will crack his stoic facade and give a wolf howl if we get the first pick?
Well said, d-man!
Looks like we are in good shape for this draft to get a real difference maker. Kids, keep progressing!