HOW MANY DRAFT PICKS DO YOU NEED?
After June, the NYI will have made plenty
One reason provided by the defense in the case of You Must Consider All First Overall Pick Trade Options goes something like this:
What if the Islanders are offered a later first round pick, another second, two threes and a team’s first round picks (whenever they will be) for the next three years?
To which I say, when is enough enough?
2008
1 Josh Bailey
3 2nd rounders (Trivino, Ness, Hamonic)
3 3rd round picks
2 4th round picks
2 5th round picks
2 6th round picks
2006
1 Kyle Okposo
2 Jesse Joensuu
3 Robin Figren
4 4th round picks
2 5th round picks
3 6th round picks
In 2009, the Islanders currently have the following:
1 1st overall pick
1 late 1st round pick (San Jose, between 26-30th overall)
3 second rounders – including the first pick in the round, the 37th overall (from Toronto in the 5-7-9 maneuver) and the 59th overall from Boston (with Ben Walter for Petteri Nokelainen)
2 3rd round picks – their own (the first in the round) plus Pittsburgh’s if Bill Guerin and the Pens get by Philadelphia
Plus selections in the 4th, 5th and 6th rounds
To sum up, the Islanders in June are scheduled to acquire the franchise player of their choice with the first overall pick. And then they have 3 picks between 26th and 37th overall. On the bet that the Islanders are not going to be a powerhouse that improves from last overall to a playoff berth in 2009-2010, they should have a top-15 pick (and quite possibly much better) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
And then it would be fair to say the Islanders have finally had enough kicks at the draft can.
You would hope that after all the picks in 2006, 2008 and 2009 – including Kyle Okposo and at least one cornerstone in June – the Islanders would move on to the next stage of the program: trades and free agency. With unrestricted free agency beginning at the early age of 26, you cannot build solely through the draft.
To be clear, the Islanders organization itself has never defined the upcoming season as Year 2 of a three-year rebuilding program. That’s been my projection of when an NHL franchise can reasonably right the ship via the draft without blowing the salary cap on premature, ill-conceived offers to UFAs. Perhaps the NYI see it as a four-year plan or a two-year plan or a five-year plan. I can’t answer for that, and I don’t think the Islanders will publicly put a deadline on it.
But wasn’t the point of the 5-7-9 last summer to add quality and quantity of prospects to the launch of the rebuild? That’s fine, but now the team doesn’t have to push back the timeline any further. You have to believe the Islanders will not. They cannot. The Islanders still have openings all over the roster if they are to contend for a championship, but they should only need so many draft selections to fill them. Wherever they fall short, there are other ways to acquire talent.
After the Islanders make the first overall pick on June 26 and spend a few minutes greeting the kid and his family, they will turn their attention to the middle of the first round. Garth Snow will be on the draft table phone throughout packaging San Jose’s late first rounder with one of the Islanders’ early 2s. To get closer to the 15th overall pick than the 20th, he might need to include more than he (and probably you) would like.
But even if Snow is unable to move up, it’s on Ryan Jankowski and the scouting staff to get a trio of impact players with their three current selections after the first overall. Anyone can get it right with the first overall pick (right?). Jankowski and Co. make their money by nailing picks like the 26th, 31st and 37th overall. They earn bonus bucks – or at least eternal gratitude – by hitting later-round steals.
The Islanders’ scouts made 13 selections in the 7-round 2006 draft. They grabbed some solid prospects like Mark Katic and Jason Gregoire in the Ryan Smyth-shortened 2007 draft. They had their choice of 13 prospects in the 6-round 2008 draft. If they don’t make a single move, they have a bonanza of selections in June. If the scouts are good at what they do – and so far, they’ve proven to be pretty good – they don’t need to be spoiled with any more draft picks.
Unless, that is, you want to be perpetually rebuilding. The Islanders’ first round pick in 2010 should signal the end of the drafting phase of the tear-it-down, build-it-up process.
Comments. Comment Guidelines.
104 Responses to HOW MANY DRAFT PICKS DO YOU NEED?
After June, the NYI will have made plenty
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Joey303 says:
CB – Finally we agree!!! Ive been saying this and posting it for months. My slogan has been picks, schmicks. Use picks to trade for players or a better pick. If free agents arent coming (and I dont think they are), trade for some young players with talent. There has to be teams who need to re-stock their systems, and/or salary cap relief. How many picks are enough? GET NHL PLAYERS !!!
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isles316 says:
Great job CB. I completely agree that they need to draft a franchise player that isn’t a goalie. I think if San Jose loses in round 1 that pick can move up to 24th as well. Go Ducks.
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Justin Marques says:
I hope Snow and Jankowski have their eye on Simon Despres. He is a big defenseman (6’3″ – 210lbs) and he has great potential, in my opinion. He also could be add anywhere from the 10th to the 15th pick. Here is to Snow trading the late first round pick, plus a second and maybe a third, and landing Despres or another large defenseman. This draft could be huge. The goal: one franchise center, one phenomenal defensive prospect.
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andy says:
I would Like to add that this IS the way to build a team… Look at teams in other sports that have been successful year in year out because of stockpiling picks ex. = New england Patriots, New York Giants, … Snows plans are the best way to build a team Hoard all of the talent.. then build the TEAM you would like to. IMHO You can never have too many picks…
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mrlbem says:
I agree with the statement about what it would take to move up closer to 15. Just draft picks won’t do it. I think it would take the San Jose pick, our 2nd round pick and a roster player we may not want to give up. For example, if we’re trying to land Ryan Ellis, do you include Gervais in the package, or a forward like Bergie, Comeau or Nielsen? It should be interesting to say the least.
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bergie20 says:
i don’t want nyi to move up from 26-30. this is a very deep draft and there will still be very good talent to choose from there and in the 2nd round. imo, not worth it to move up. only worth it in drafts with with a big dropoff after mid-first round. nyi will have made more than enough draft picks after next year. imo, that’s when the rebuild is complete.
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I have but 1 REQUEST for draft day. PLEASE KEEP CHRIS DEY AWAY FROM THE DRAFT TABLE. The Peanuts’ Linus has a better shot at being visited by the Great Pumpkin than Chris Dey has a shot to get a clue about hockey. Having him seated next to Garh Snow at last years draft table was a joke. Stick to marketing Mr. Dey. Please?
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NYISLES83 says:
Do you think Snow should draft a goalie in the 2nd or 3rd round? Look how the Rangers scored with Henrik.
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Can someone answer me one question? Why is the pick #26 at the very highest? What if the Sharks lose and get swept by Anaheim. Shouldn’t it be higher?
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Sharks had the best record during the regular season, so the highest is 26. The team in the playoffs with the least amount of points gets 17 and so on.
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NYISLES83- imo, the isles HAVE to draft a goalie in the 2nd or 3rd round. i’m sure that one of lee, roy, pasquale, hackett, stajcer etc. will be an islander. our lack of a stud goalie in the system might be our biggest need.
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I understand why trading up would be important, but before this draft starts, I would like to find out who will be at Bridgeport next year, and in Utah. Will all the players playing in the AHL will be resigned? Any improvements? Any prospects not getting contracts?
Once those questions are answered, then we can say “yes” let’s trade up or continue to stock pile the picks.
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the bomber says:
id love it if we didnt trade any of our picks this year. stockpile top players and pray a few pan out. that way if you miss on one its not a killer. and you will miss on a few, this is a very tough thing to project how these kids will do vs men. i just hope we dont miss on #1. that would be rough….
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art says:
We need quality players who can contribute now, That means some trades for piks and some UFAS. The team must make the playoffs next year if they are to stay onthe island. If the LH is not decided by the fall Wang will be influenced to keep plugging if the Isles get a fast start. If Wang ultimately sells the team, A buyer will be motivated to keep a young exciting and winning team here where it belongs
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Isles19 says:
There are bunch of teams that dont have 2nd round picks so the market might be good to move down!
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Crazy joe davola says:
With all those picks, and with a lot of the top teams in dire cap situations, it might be a good time to offer a package of picks for an NHL ready player. Not the top pick, but the others. They have tons of cap room, and we should have an idea of their Long Island future soon. If Wang gets the Lighthouse, a year or two more of losing money may be acceptable, since there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
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I agree with you CB. Eventually the team will reach the point of having to round out and mold the roster with trades and free agents. They will never win anything if they don’t do anything but develop young players.
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Mark P says:
6- I don’t see Ryan Ellis on the Isles Radar….Isles hope Aaron Ness is the same type of player-and Justification of last years draft trades rely on Ness being a top 4 or at least PP guy within 3 years.
As for Picks….Trade downs for two’s and 3′s do not make much sense unless the guy you like will be available lower….If our guys like Duchene best…THEY MUST trade down then use the fruits of trade to trade up along with the SJ pick.
If Isles do not want JT….then they must be “paid off” by someone if that is to happen…..that is where the Burke “rearranging” the draft factor comes in to play.
I want JT…..but if Isles don’t like him, I want a truckload of assets when I leave the draft party. -
jonw says:
I disagree.I say keep their picks this year and keep filling the system.Unless you can say that last years draft is full of “can’t miss” type players there is no reason to bail out on the rebuild now and start pakaging picks for players.Is everyones memory that short term that you are willing to go back to mediocrity in order to make a playoff push?
Don’t give up your picks.build through the draft and then go cherry picking. -
C.J. says:
CB, while I agree, I think you still need to listen to offers for the top pick. If GMG, etc. feel that there are no “franchise” players (e.g., crosby, malkin, etc.) in this draft class and there’s more equality than meets the eye in terms of the top 7 or 8, why wouldn’t GMG consider a package from Toronto along the lines of Schenn, Kabrele, #7 overall, 2010 1st, +?
Aside from those shannanigans, I agree that next year should be the “final” year where the Isles get giddy about propsects and a potential lottery. I wouldn’t mind the Isles stinking up the joint one last year and walking away w/a Taylor Hall or other elite prospect.
I still think the Isles need to begin to invest in the future via other teams players (which is to say UFA). Both Witt and Sutton are winding down their deals. With Harmonic still 2 years (minimum) away and no other hulking D prospect in the system, why wouldn’t the Isles target Komisarek to serve as their replacement for the next 5-6 years?
Simply because we expect to be a non-playoff team doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be spending money on UFA’s in the right manner.
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HilbertSnipe says:
I might be more excited about San Jose’s 1st overall (here’s to them losing to Anaheim!) than our first overall. Well, maybe. No matter what Garth does with it, we are in a good position. I wouldnt mind if we kept it, considering this years draft is such a deep pool. We could get a good defensive prospect or a better goaltender prospect (in regards to their position.) I wouldn’t mind packaging it for a lower pick either to try and grab a more “bonafide” blueliner like Ellis or Despres. This is, of course, depending on if we draft JT. I also wouldnt mind, as Crazy Joe (17) pointed out, packaging some picks for a solid prospect or a NHL player.
Fact of the matter is, we are in a great position. However, I.M.H.O – I hope that Snow thinks quality, and not quantity June 26th.
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The PolishPrince says:
Keep the picks and make sure you draft a goalie with one of the 2nds.
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John says:
CB… I know you did a prospect update on Stefan Ridderwall sometime ago. Since that last report has their been any news on his play, as I see many people are clamouring to pick a goalie with one of our draft picks. Also any thoughts on the team pursuing UFA goalies like a Craig Anderson… wants primetime but hasn’t had the opportunity, though put up solid numbers in 31 starts this year. The Isles may make an attractive opportunity for him, giving us a solid 1A and 1B option with him an D.P.
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JPinVA says:
I think Snow has done a good job rebuilding this organization. Bridgeport isn’t “overflowing” with talent, but I think we’ve done better with the call-ups than we have in the past. Hillen, MacDonald and Callahan especially. Those guys may never be Norris candidates, but each played well and may be 7-8-9 on the depth charts next year.
As bad as the “D” has been, considering the injuries and question marks, those guys played well.
The importance of second/third rounders will be more apparent as time passes. I’m actually more excited about Joensuu and Iggulden than players we don’t have…
And I wouldn’t be disappointed if we came out of a deal with a $7M/yr player and the 4th pick…
There are some opportunities out there and we just need to trust these guys (Snow and Jankowski). They haven’t let us down so far.
At least we haven’t been…
MIL-BURIED!!! -
Mikey says:
I agree 100%. At a certain point, you need to sprinkle in good players through free agency or trades. When the cap goes down next summer, more players will be available. On a related note, do you have any thoughts on Wang’s continued meddling in player personnel? Based on one of Logan’s stories on Sunday, it appears that many in the league fear he is still very much involved. Wang has been saying all the right things since the summer, but I was alarmed to hear that he attended the Windsor/London game last night. I know he cares about the team, but does he still feel the need to tell hockey people how to make hockey decisions? We will never become a respected franchise again if Wang continues with his shenanigans.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Higgins is a RFA. if you try to sign him to offer sheet we have to give up 2010 draft pick.
As Lowe if he would take back his signing of Penner from anaheim. He gave up his #2 pick that turned out ot be Bobby Ryan. Ouch.
Im all for trading late 1st round and 2nd round pick to move down.
John Tavares, the draft a good dman with second pick. then pick up some foward and goalie prospect with second and third round picks.
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Maydog says:
I say this every year: Giving up on next season in May is one of the DUMBEST way to run an organization. The Isles DAMN BETTER not have the #1 pick next year or else Gordon/Snow should be out and none of the young guys this year would have progressed further…
Furthermore, I’d also like to point out that 5 year rebuilding plans NEVER WORK and are just an excuse to keep everyone’s job safe. You want rebuild for 1 year (like the Flyers) or 2 years (like the A’s always do)? Fine…Teams like the Royals/Pirates/Blue Jays/Lions/49ers have been on 5 year rebuilding plans for 10-15 years now with no end in sight. THEY DON’T WORK!
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Matt says:
I would love to add Jared Cowen to our prospect pool. He could be that shutdown dman when Witt leaves.
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I really think we should sign Anderson to a multiyear deal. I would give him 2 mill per year for 3 or 4 yrs. He is an excellent goalie and would be awesome to have him and DP. I would play DP 50 games and Anderson 32 games assuming dp is healtyh. If he is not Anderson is a good #1 anyway.
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streit02 says:
Insightful article. CB, if the Isles show enough promise next season would you look to trade the 2010 1st rounder and then add a solid FA? Of course both would be all-star to borderline all-star players who fit into the puzzle.
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RobsIsles says:
I think Garth should keep the picks and build through the draft. Not to say make a run at 1 or 2 UFA.We have alot of picks, lets use them. This is where the scouts make a difference. This team is not that far away, and I say that with a straight face. How many 1 goal losses did we have? Twenty something, and that was with a 2nd, and 3rd string goalie. Besides that last 2-3 weeks of the season the kids were competetive in the 2nd half. Keep the picks, draft some young hungry unproven talent who want to make it to the show. Overpaying for an UFA who has nothing o prove is a big mistake.
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I think its safe to assume DP will not be relied upon to be our #1 goalie. If he is its a mistake. Guy has proven he cant take the pounding. I like the Anderson option a lot. I would actually be surprised if DP ever starts a game again.
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Lorne says:
CB, the draft is on the 26th right, I think you put the wrong date on the article. Please see below.
“After the Islanders make the first overall pick on June 27 and spend a few minutes greeting the kid and his family.”
.
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Coach B says:
Right on Chris-Having all these picks give Snow and Jankowski plenty of options. Always a good thing to have. Anderson might be a good goalie to go after. Florida still has Vokoun and a top prospect behind in Markstrom.
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Dack1972 says:
#34 I aggree with you 100%. I also think alot is riding on how DP’s health is next year. I would give him one more year. If he gets hurt again or not ready… then NYI have to move fowards in a different direction.
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While I agree that this draft likely signals the end of the tear it down and build it up phase as you put it, I dont think that means by any means we shouldnt be just as focused on the draft every year(Im not saying thats what you were getting at either though).
I think the Devils and Wings have shown you always have to be building through the draft as well as UFAs. Players like Filpula who will eventually grow into fill someone elses spot. Its a never-ending cycle in Detroit it seems like. I think were finally on the right path to achieving something similar at least.
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I think that DiPietro is going to be okay. With essentially one year away from the game, and a great strength and conditioning program to help him rehabilitate, I think we can expect to see DP come back in great shape, just a little rusty. When he is on his game though, DP is truly one of the most athletic goalies in the game, and he could easily be a top-5 talent. Hopefully all goes well, but I am fairly confident it will be alright. That being said, we still should take a goalie in the second or third round. Goalies take 3-4 years to blossom anyway, and that would be good timing if all is not well with DP.
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BC says:
How ’bout using all the other picks to trade?
There are the 2 game changers @ #1 and #2 (Tavares, please!). Can you package Bailey and this 2nd #1 for Hedman? Probably not. 2nd #1 and a few #2′s for a top 5 pick (Duchene or Kane)? Maybe. How about established players, or prospects ready to play meaningful minutes next year.
Lots of options…the only way I think the #1 overall gets dealt is if TB is willing to swap in order to take Hedman.
Finally, something interesting going on in Islander country.
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39 – I agree with you tremendously. The key to successful drafting each year is anticipating where you will be faltering in about 2-3 years. Those two to three years allows the player you draft to develop into the player you need. Whether you draft 1st or 30th in the first round, you must always maintain a fair outlook on the necessities of the team in the long run. I think Snow and Jankowski know this, and we are finally developing a successful process here on the island.
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Smitty says:
Spartiarti
Ducks received, as compensation for the Penner signing, the Oilers first (tyler myers – drafted by buffalo in a trade), second and third round picks in 2008. Bobby Ryan was drafted in 2005, right after Crosby. -
I think DP might be done. Butterfly goalie who loves to dive, stretch, etc. with a bad hip(s) and knees? I don’t know, man. I hope he will be fine but I doubt it.
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Oliver says:
To everyone who is in a rush to trade away draft picks for established players I would point out that there is that other expansion team playing in the NYC area. A few years ago the NY stRangers were up against the new Cap Ceiling and they sold their plan for getting under it as a rebuild of their franchises talent pool. As of now most of the young players that were to be the building blocks of their future have been traded away for established NHL players. They have augmented their roster with UFAs. Now in 2009-10 they have 10 players under contact with an estimated cap hit of 42.096 million dollars, add in their recent signing of Gilroy for 1.75 million and they have tied up nearly 44 million dollars of the approximately 56 million that will be available under the Cap for next season while still needing to sign several key RFAs (Zherdev, Korpikoski, Sjostrom, Dubinsky and Calahan) that deserve raises based upon their on ice performance. As Islander fans we should be careful what we wish for because sometimes when youget it you end up realizing that you didn’t really need it. Lets keeep the majority of our picks and build the team smart so that we can have a really good team that can be kept together for a long time. We are not that ‘Butch Goring’ type of trade away from the promised land and we don’t want to end up where our manhattan neighbors are now.
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smitty thanks for clarification.
DP might be done indeed. A year away fromt he game. He just got surgery now, so he essential sat out and then opted on surgery after season was over. So now he has to recover all over again?
Sadly our next season still banks on DP. If he is healthy, we probably finish in the 6 to 9th range in Eastern Conference at best. If we go into next year with a Joey MacDonald, its fighting for Lottery draft again.
Isle need to draft Tavares, Sign another Dman and a very reliable backup that could handle being a #1.
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anyone ever hear of a goalie getting 2 hip surgeries and 2 knee surgeries and coming back BETTER than they were?? I know I havent. And if he isnt better than he has been to date, then we need to find a very good option B going forward.
im sure folks will rip me, but ill say it again, I love the kid, and wish him the best. I just dont see this happening. He got a rough deal. He was progressing into a top flight goalie. But this progress has been derailed, and i for one will be shocked if he can come back now and become elite. nobody will be happier than me if he proves me wrong though, and if he does, we can be good as soon as next year….
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RAmen says:
Great article. What I’ve been saying all along, this draft can’t be just about Tavares and Hedman. Several years from now, we’ll need to have 2-3 NHL regulars who came out of this draft.
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Lefty says:
Good article. All we have are picks and if they amount to nothing we are nothing. Snow is not capable of putting together a good trade.
Metal Chick, DP’s lower buddy is all messed up and you do not need inside info to know that. Being a goalie he will never be the same.
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Oliver – don’t disagree, but you are also talking about a team that has 3 VERY overpriced players at the moment (Drury, Gomez and Redden)…oh, and they happen to be up 2-1 in the playoffs, a series of games this team did not even sniff the last 2 years. The Rags are not elite, but they are competitive every year. Tough to knock there way of doing things, whether you would implement that way on your team or not.
Adding established players can be done while being smart, one the reasons why trades work better than UFA. I would trade our 2nd #1+ other picks for a guy like Spezza. If not, who will center Tavares if we draft him? Bailey? Weight? Neither is appealing when you think of the long-term growth of anyone. Tavares-Spezza-Okposo works for a long time. Just an example…
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Chris, #45 Agreed, however his past record isnt so good. Just recently seen on crutches doesnt bode well for him being an option. Dont get wrong I would love a healthy DP. I just done feel its gonna happen. We need to prepare like he will not be our #1.
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BC(48):
Tavares IS a center, isn’t he? Has/will he be switched to the wing? -
jim from St James says:
If DP never plays again, what about Mannino or Lawson? Wonder if Snow/Gordon should have given Lawson a game or two, and Mannino another, Although I think McRebound or Danis wouldn’t be a bad call, with a steady D.
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Alex O says:
48 Tavares is a center
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Ray since 1974 says:
Couldn’t agree more. It’s time for quality over quantity. We don’t have enough history on Snow/Jankowski to make that decision. Remebering that our seemingly best young gun now (Okposo) was drafted by Neil Smith. I didn’t see Pittsburgh or Columbus traiding. They just made their high picks pay-off. Now it is up to the scouts and player development teams to work.
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Schultz39 says:
Tavares, move up in the first round with our first and 2 2nd rounder to get a solid BIG defenseman (we have enough small d prospects), and get a quality goalie with our other 2nd round pick.
That would be the PERFECT draft day..and at the same time giving Burke the finger after Tavares puts on his Isles jersey.
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pablo says:
Enough is Enough like you said CB, Snow,Wang and corp should take Tavares and move this Re-build forward. There cant be any more excuse’s after getting the 1st round pick. And i wish Wang would have stayed home and let the Hockey people make the Judgement on Tavares, what does Wang know about a draft or maybe he is looking to give Tavares a 10-15 year deal! Please No!
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I think he is listed as a center, but I have heard he may be better off at LW. Regardless, the argument still applies – replace Spezza with Heatley or another LW for the sake of argument…good players get better when they are surrounded by other good players.
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Blizzard (49): For some reason my response to you that youre agreeing with isnt there anymore, but Im glad you saw it.
I think youre definitely right that people have to be prepared for lots of possibilities- good or bad. Thats just not the same thing as being sure that the guy will never play again. Im glad you see what I meant. I think that our assuming that Rick will never play again is pretty ridiculous- but I also think that our assuming he will come back and never have any problems is ridiculous, too. -
Coral Springs Isle Fan says:
Convince Tampa you are set on taking Hedman at #1 and see if you can get something out of them in order for you to drop down to #2 and take Tavares. Then take the additional assett(s) gained from the Tampa trade and package it with one of your late first round or early second round picks in order to move up and get another top 15 guy. If Tampa wants Hedman then make them cough up something to get assurance that we pick Tavares. After all Hedman is now listed #1 on some scouting reports.
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Or send Tampa the 2nd #1, next year’s #1 and a #2 for their #2 and take Hedman…ah to dream.
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DonK says:
#7 — Ducks got Ryan at No. 2 in 2005 in the lottery after the lockout, not from losing Penner (he signed after 2006 season).
Isles are still digging out from Milbury’s reign of error. Snow needs to add a veteran goaltender (Manny Legace?) who’s willing to back up Ricky but can play 40-50 games if needed and not break the bank. Craig Anderson and Manny Fernandez are other possibilities. There’s far more supply than demand, so Snow should not have to overpay.
Isles need size on D — they need to see if Andy Sutton is going to be healthy and work from there, but as a group, this is a tiny D. Komisarek would help.
Also need size (and skill, of course) up front. Also, Snow cannot fall in love with some of the heart-and-soul guys on the team — this club lacks one basic commodity … talent.
Snow should tell the world he only has a couple of untradeables: Okposo (thanks, Neil Smith), Bailey (unless Tampa wants him in a package for the No. 2 pick), Streit. Anyone else can go.
I would take Tavares, who would give Isles a home-run hitter (something they haven’t had since Turgeon in 1993). I try to move up in the first round for the best defenseman I can find.
Snow also has to be conscious of the fact that the cap is likely to go down in ’10-’11 — Isles are well-positioned now and should stay that way for maximum flexibility. As nice as making the playoffs next year would be, they need to keep their eye on the prize if they want to compete for the Cup.
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Brian G says:
What has Craig Anderson ever done? If anything I would sign either Anderson, Roloson, or even Ray Emery to a 1 year deal not any longer….Keep stock piling prospects through the draft…they should select a goalie in the 3rd Round or later, all of the experts said there are no studs this year and it is hard to predict what type of goalies they are….if Snow is going to trade up, he needs to look at Zack Kassian (a RW with size and plays with an edge)
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Oliver(43):
that’s a good point, but the Islanders are WAY below the CAP floor. If you can’t make money in a HOCKEY MARKET (This AIN’T Phoenix) with a QUALITY TEAM, then their problems are a lot deeper than anything draft picks or UFAs can solve.
This team needs to be moved out of REAL ESTATE PAWN status and back to the hockey FOREFRONT.
Can anybody imagine a team in NYC(Queens) with a $45-50M budget that wouldn’t make money… without leasing luxury apartments.
Sorry… just thought I’d add that.
-Abogado Diablo -
Chickendirt says:
My personal opinion is that they should do the best with what they have. This team needs size. Just saying they “need” that is an understatement.
The Isles priority should be drafting anything over 215 lbs and can hit like a mac truck.
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anyone know if there are any good goalies that are supposed to come from this draft? Not to jinx anything, but It might serve us well to draft a goalie. Especially with the way Varlamov is playing it’d be a nice insurance plan to have someone like that in our system
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Strummer's Army says:
I agree if two potential selections are close on talent then size and character has to be the deciding factor. This team is way too small and soft.
I’m still confused on the draft pick from SJ. From what I read it if SJ gets eliminated in round 1 the pick could be as high as 22 right?
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sincityhockeyfan says:
it’s still my humble opinion the islanders can come out of all this smelling like roses. i beleive the islanders have the ammunition with 2 first rounders and their 3 second rounders sprinkled with a b level prospect to end up with two of the top 5 players in this years draft. If the islanders can get away with swinging a trade(s) and only losing a b level prospect from the current group of islander property that would be a major step toward respectability. 2 out of the top 5 players available. imagine how good the islanders could be if tagged both hedman and duchene. Wow how awesome would that be
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BringtheReign says:
If we could sneak into the high teens with packaging the late first and one of the 2nds i’d like to grab Despres if hes still avilable. kid can play D
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BC, can’t disagree more. Firstly, you can’t comment on Josh Bailey (the 9th overall pick in 2008, mind you. We’re not talking about the 230th overall selection here.).
As for Doug Weight, he’s one of the greatest U.S. born players of all-time.
Granted, Jason Spezza is a talent, but let’s not get carried away w/knocking Weight/Bailey.
Next, Tavares currently plays center, not wing, so unless hockey has changed and centers per line is a requirement, I don’t think Tavares will be worrying about who is centering him.
I’d most certainly take Spezza on this team, but it ain’t happening. Especially in exchange for SJ’s 1st ++ considering that deal would have gone down already as part of the Comrie/Campoli deal.
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The point being about Craig Anderson is he is young… has developed into a quality back-up that carried Florida at times as evidenced by his 31 starts and overall numbers. His career numbers are solid as he’s been in the league at various points since 2002/03. What’s intriguing about him is that he is a UFA and he’s hungry for starting gig or at least a chance to compete for one. He won’t be all that expensive either on a possible 2-3 year deal. Aren’t these the type of people we should be targeting as UFA’s?
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if i was snow on draft day i would offer the top over all pick to tampa, for tampa’s second overall pick, thier second round pick and the right of the islanders to swap 1st round picks in 2010.
then draft either hedman or tavares (who ever tampa dont pick.the islanders would then have
sj’s 1st (26th to 30th)
31st pick (islanders
32nd pick (from tampa)
37th pick toronto
59th bostonoffer up a package of those picks to
colorodo 3rd over all
atlanta 4th over all
kings 5th overallif the islanders pulled off something like that i’d be estactic.. the islanders would then have 2 top five picks, two third rounders (again if pitt wins)
plus the right to trade first round picks next year with tampa (never know tampa could suck again next year and win the lottery)wow maybe i’ve been in the desert to long and all this dam peyote is starting to rot my brain. -
Not sold on Anderson.Up untill last year he never started more then 21 games in one year.I would rather see them go after a Nittymaki who is the same age as Anderson but a little more experienced.It wasn’t too long ago that he was lights out in Torino.
Other options are Fernandez and Legace both are older and more likely to take pay cutts from last years salaries.They could both start and backup and they don’t have to lock them up long term which will give them time to draft a goalie this year and not rush him along if they choose to go that route. -
DonK – please NO not Manny Legace. I’d rather we still had Ozzie before that. Craig Anderson would be a welcome addition and not too costly (maybe in the $750K – $1 mil range).
Here’s a question – and I ask this with no regard to the Redline report stashing JT behind Duchesne, since the Isles could always just take Hedman and be quite happy. Leaving TB out of it, since they have no incentive to pay heavily enough to move up just the one slot… Wouldn’t it be worth it for the Isles to exact the right price to move from one to three or one to four, pick up a guy like Kovalchuk, Wolski, or Paul Stastny, and then take Duchesne or Kane or Jared Cowan? Or make a team like Florida really pay to move up (Horton + Frolik + their first) and then take Kassian or Despres? (Good call on those guys, btw, whomever it was. They look very promising.)
You’d be getting three frontline players instead of just the one in that case. Moving up from the SJ pick to move UP to Florida’s neighborhood (they pick 14th) would get you less, and you’d be giving up additional assets.
It’s unlikely anyone would really blow the Isles away, and that’s what it would take. Just curious to know what everyone thinks.
(And for the record, I’ll be happy either way they pick, but I do have that fear of passing up on Hedman. I’ll take the #44 super-sized, thanks much! It’s not like we can just go sign a Bouwmeester whenever we like.)
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andrew says:
65 I agree with you, best case in my opinion is Hedman and duschene somehow. I’m starting to get the feeling duschene is going to pan out the best in this draft, that being said I’d be thrilled with tavares and 30 – 40 goals a year, can’t wait for the draft and think Garth Snow will do a great job
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UIF says:
Ha, I think we’re making this a lot more complicated than it should be. Just go to the podium and take Tavares. There will be many happy Islanders fans, and the Isles will hopefully have 2/3 of a good future first line in Tavares and Okposo, as well as the makings of a solid future second line in Bailey and Bergy. Plus some third liners with potential second line upside in Nielson, Comeau, and Hunter, and then some heart and soul fourth liners in park, Jackman, etc., as well as a couple of projects with upside like Joensuu and maybe Tambs. When we try to get too cute with the whole process is typically when very bad things happen. Don’t anger the Hockey Gods again!
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Dan says:
#39 Why are you even thinking about trading Bailey? Are you Mad Mike in hidding. Why would we trade our 1st round pick from last year for anyone? We traded down to get him and how we are going to trade him and next year’s first for Hedman? No thanks. Lets build this the right way.
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AK says:
I have been saying this for over a year now. At some point, the Islanders need to start trading away assets for players who are ready to step in and contribute. You can continue to trade players off your current roster to accumulate more picks but at some point you need to turn that overflow of picks into players who can help the team.
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On the goalie front I’d prefer a NHL ready young blue chipper. Several teams have multiple guys like that who could be had in trade.
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Rangers SUCK says:
Keep ALL the picks, don’t screw around trading up for one guy by trading two picks. The Isles might get d men DeHaan or Erixon at 26, the SJ Chokes are going down, so don’t trade up.
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Goalie will HAVE to be addressed, I fear Ricky D is done for good
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@43: You mean the same Rangers who are up 2-1 and, b/c they have the best goalie in the playoffs, may be poised for a Finals run b/c Washington is doing everything possible to choke (last night not withstanding)? Oh yeah, it would really ‘suck’ to have their ‘problems’ right now instead of the Isles ones…Let’s just perpetaully rebuild instead…
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John Tavares says:
Maybe we didn’t learn from our mistakes?
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I would also like to mention a prospect, whom the islanders already have, and could be NHL ready in about 2-3 years…..Blake Kessel. he played on Team USA at the World Juniors, and his coach has said he is an NHL caliber talent. That’s right around the time when we’ll lose Martinek and Witt, and Kessel would be a great addition soon (hopefully).
If we do draft a d-man in the late first, just draft the best available, and continue with the plan.
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I would much rather be in the rangers situation than the islanders, right now. We can deny it all we want and I hate saying it but henrik lundqvist is in a different world when it comes to goaltending compared to dipietro. this rebuild can’t end soon enough but i feel good with snow in charge.
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DM says:
#75 – i think they’re still a year away from doing that. i agree with you, but starting next year, not rushing to do it now. we’re only a year into having any real assets to begin with. that said, i would love to move 2 of our 4 late 1st/2nd rounders to move up a few more spots…and grab a veteran UFA goalie cause i’m suspecting Ricky D is D O N E.
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Dan from NJ says:
I think this is the year we put the finishing touches on stockpiling draft picks. After this draft it would not surprise me if the Isles do make a surprise big time UFA signing. They may also make some trades this year at the draft. I think Snow knows that he is doing and we are finally on the right track. To all the Ricky D haters out there, lets give him a chance to prove himself before saying he is done.
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Michael from T.O. says:
I think the Isles make one big signing. The Streit signing came out of nowhere last year and see what he brought.
This year is a very deep draft, but if the Isles feel they have stocked up well last year, I think they should try to move the 2nd 1st round pick to get another top players. Next years draft is considered weak. This years draft can will be the turning point in the Isles future.
Snow and his staff have a plan, and from what I see, it is a good one heading in the right direction.
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Dan says:
Once again could not agree more. Would like to see one or 2 free agents sign here and than its just the maturing process that needs to be done…
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Mad Mike says:
How much did Garth pay for the broccoli rabe today?
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My fadda there?
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I doubt we see any UFA signings this summer. The Isles need to keep as many spots open in the lineup as possible to try out some more kids and develop them. Another UFA signing just clogs up a spot where you can give guys like Dibo, Martin, Joensuu, Smith etc another look.
On the Blue line we have Hamonic, Ness, etc a few years out. Who ever signs here is gonna be another rehab project. I’d give it another year or so before adding peices via free agency.
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Here’s an idea.
Rangers are very tight against the cap already for 2009-10. They have a number of RFAs. If Snow wants to get really nasty, he should structure an offer for Callahan and/or Dubinsky that would be tough for Rangers to match. Both are talented, physical young players who are just about to enter their primes and could be excellent building blocks — and would hurt a divisional rival.
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#91 because that would involve giving the Rangers draft picks which essentially would work out to be a trade.Do you want that to possibly come back and haunt you if the picks the Isles have to give up become stars?
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Greg says:
75 whats the point, we have done this before and we have not gone past the first round. If this is to be a 2 – 3 year plan, CB has said it right. Come Summer 10 we look at free agents, right now, maybe grab 1 D or FWD and a goalie.
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#91 What happens if one of the picks we would give the Rangers because they are RFA’s turns out to be a great player. We would never live it down. That is way too risky. In no way shape or form to I want to help the Rag$ with the cap, draft picks or anything else. I hate them so much.
Lets go CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!
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Rob76 says:
This is going to be a long 2 months of throwing every possible scenario out there. It is already getting tiring. All i have wanted since last summer is John Tavares on this team. Now we have the chance to get him, most people polled want him but are intrigued by many other possibilities. IMO the next 6-8 weeks we will be convinced that we are taking Hedman for a week or so, there will be a 2 week period where we are going to definitely trade the pick, there will be a 2 week period where we want Duchene over the other two. There will be more scouting reports that favor Hedman, Tavares and Duchene and its going to drive Islander Nation crazy. Its going to be a long 2 months but I think when June 26th comes along most of us are going to want JT. I do not agree with trading this pick at all though, we have the FIRST PICK overall, its very valuable i see no reason to trade it for a possible Taylor Hall selection next year when we have to win ANOTHER lottery to even have a chance at him. Last summer all of us said lets trade so that we can get Tavares this year, now we have him and want to trade for Hall, who’s to say that next April we find out Hall is only going to be a 40-50 goal scorer when Toronto isnt in the lottery again? Haha i think u get my point
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blitz says:
Garth’s Nokie trade, which has been pretty much a wash to date awaiting the pick, can be a major factor in this draft and swing that trade in NYI’s favor.
Whatever Walter becomes, probably BST player, is just a Craig Darby style bonus…
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geduffer says:
CJ (21) – Witt has the two year extension that he signed before this season to go. Sutton is entering his walk year.
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Somebody had a comment like this a couple of weeks back about what Snow should comment after the Isles won the Lottery. On Draft Day… Snow gets up, says “We pick Tavares, Rangers Suck” and walks off the stage.
I love the Craig Darby reference!
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Nos. 91 and 94: The signings wouldn’t be until July, so you’re talking about 2010 picks. I’d give you next year’s No. 1 and then some for Callahan. He’s young and he’s ready to blossom.
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“an offer to good to refuse”. if somebody makes you such an offer, you take it. i’d PREFER to have Hedman or JT, but if somebody comes up with an offer too good to refuse, you have to take it. everybody hated moving down last year, 5-7-9, NOW the picks and prospects we got in return look good a year later. if your gonna write about bundling picks to move up, at least acknowledge those picks are in hand because we moved down when somebody made us “an offer to good to refuse”.
as for signing free agents, snow is on record stating he didnt understand some of the dollars being thrown about in 2008. but when he stepped up, he made what could be the best signing all year.
give the guy some credit, have some faith. -
john says:
The Isles are a long way from being a playoff contender. They need more picks. I would say this is a 3 draft rebuilding program. 2008; 2009 and 2010. After this year they should have 24 picks over the last two years. Plus the picks from 2010. That should be enough.
Trade any player over 25, over the next calender year for more picks in 2009 and 2010 drafts. Keep Streit and DP.
Then one year, 2010-11 to see what they have. I wouldn’t think about FA or big trades until the trade deadline March 2011. This should be a 3 to 4 year rebuild. Be patient, we just finishd year ONE. It would be to our benefit in the long run to be the 30th team next year too.
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Isle be Damned says:
ehhhh I don’t know about that CB.
Let’s take next season as an example. Say the Isles are somewhere between 15th & 12th in the East and well out of the playoff race come trading deadline. I wouldn’t mind trading guys like Sutton, Witt, Martinek, maybe even Hunter (though I’d hate to see him go as he’s one of my favs) to get more draft picks.
Every team whether they’re the Isles or the Red Wings needs to always continue to look to the draft to acquire more talent. The more picks the merrier IMO.
Now of course should the Isles be contending for a playoff spot then they should stick with the team they have or maybe even make a trade to improve themselves. Isles aren’t ready to compete for the cup yet, but if they’re right there at the deadline, I’m sure I’ll join most of Isles nation and clamor for a trade to improve the club.
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Chris A says:
If all succeeds over the next few years and the Isles win the cup Ken Morrow and Jankowski should get their names engraved too cause those two men can do what Torrey did in the 70′s and find all the pieces to the puzzle
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hathead68 says:
The majority of us have been hoping to be in the position to draft Tavares since game 30, and now that we have that opportunity, some of you are already talking about being able to draft Hall! We don’t even have Tavares yet people!!! I want Tavares badly, and hopefully Garth will draft him. I don’t ever want to be rooting for my team to lose for the sake of draft position again!!!
Great job, CB. I think this is spot on. If you don’t trust Jankowski & Co., you should jump ship now, Tavares or no Tavares. Anyone who watched the Frozen Four, though, could see that the Isles’ prospects are doing pretty damn well for themselves.