ONCE AGAIN, JT SAYS HE WILL JOIN THE ISLANDERS
In case it wasn’t clear the first few times
Globe & Mail columnist David Shoalts, Torontonian of skill, integrity and honor, reports that John Tavares will join the Islanders or any other team that drafts him. My favorite part of David’s piece, though, is the scout who says Tavares may not be a franchise player but predicts with certainty he “will score between 40 and 50 goals a year in the NHL.” Franchise player or not, sign us up! Draft Comments here, NYI blueline in next thread.
138 Responses to ONCE AGAIN, JT SAYS HE WILL JOIN THE ISLANDERS
In case it wasn’t clear the first few times
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2277 says:
This kid is pure class and says all the right things! I am quite excited at the prospect of him wearing blue and orange next week.
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Gloobenberg says:
Ok..again, We don’t need anymore articles about this. Easy choice.
Take JT and call it a night.
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Much like Filatov, he has publically stated he would like to play here. Marketing 101 mixed with a stud player? SIGN US UP … PLEASE!
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Mike from Philly says:
The words that have come out of this kids mouth are nothing but pure class and any kid about to become a potential stud in the NHL would probably be dying to steer clear of the media mess in Toronto and the embarassment they have been the last 2 weeks.
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I, for one, accept JT as a non-franchise player who can score 40+ per year. We’ve already got a franchise player anyway… Now if he can just stay healthy.
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Railbait says:
I feel he is a franchise player and will be one for the Islanders. He would bring respectability with him to the franchise.
Please draft Tavares.
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dan from va beach says:
if 40-50 goals a year (in todays nhl)isn’t a franchise player then i’m not dan from va beach:):):)
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2 things-
#1–2277 unless he is being drafted by the Dolphins he won’t be wearing blue and orange until the end of June.
#2-Don’t you love how now because TO won’t get him, it has become eh well he won’t be that great player anyway. Right ok. How many non-franchise players score 50 goals a year? Yeah don’t you just hate those role players that score 50 goals a year?
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rb says:
I saw this too and LMAO at at the line he’s NOT a franchise player, but he’ll only get you “40 to 50″ goals a year…what hockey professional would ever say something like that? something must’ve got mangled in the exchange
and BTW, I’m getting sick and tired of this Maple Laffs crap…the league really has to step in and squash the fat drama queen Burke for starting this…his clear intent was tampering…if I were Wang, I’d be in on the phone busting Gary Bettman’s ear…Wang has a lot riding on this pick, the Lighthouse, tix sales and fan support, and this franchise shouldn’t have to put up with the slimeball Burke publicly getting in the middle of that
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Dan from Westchester says:
Toronto media is becoming more comical by the minute!
Tavares is having “nothing but trouble” in the OHL playoffs. . 16 points in 12 games – I would gladly take that kind of trouble on my team.
Long Island is the “Siberia of the NHL”. . love it.
Keep it coming boys. . only going to get worse as these guys realize their golden boy is going to be playing far, far away.
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Mikey says:
Scoring goals don’t make you a franchise player. Cheechoo had 50 goals one year, but he can’t bring it every night 5 on 5. Dany Heatley had 2 50 goal seasons, but I would rather build my team around a guy like Jonathan Toews. If you take Tavares, you must be sure that he has the drive and ability to round out his game and improve on his weaknesses. If he doesn’t, then you will end up paying 6-7 million to a one-dimensional player. Beggars can’t be choosers, but you have to take everything into consideration when a potential franchise defender is at stake. Both are potentially great choices, but it’s not clear cut.
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Chris S says:
I love how the article say the Islanders are inept but makes no mention that the Leafs have not won a Cup since 1967 and have not made the playoffs since 2004.
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Jim says:
A player can score 40-50 goals and not be a franchise player. Marian Hossa, Ilya Kovalchuk and Dany Heatley are good examples. They aren’t franchise players. You can win with them, but you’ll never win because of them.
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Tom D 37 says:
There are lot of funny little comments in that article. Many of you have already pointed some out. Let me add the one about him not being a dazzling stick-handler. Go to youtube and type his name in and judge for yourself. The kid has amazing hands.
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JPinVA says:
There are [1967] two teams that can, IMHO, lure [1967] the first pick away from Snow. Both teams can offer a FRANCHISE player who they can’t afford, or would like to [1967] move to fix a mismanaged cap strategy.
Tampa can swap picks if they slide vinny our way. I think Snow would gladly take Vinny and [1967] Hedman.
ATL could give us an extended Ilya [1967] and the fourth pick.
Other than that I just don’t see [1967]too much happening with that first pick. -
The Commodore says:
Larry Brooks ( who is WAY overrated) mentioned the Isles- Burke-Snow-JT in his slapshots article on Sunday. His brief write-up made zero sense. It’s probably the biggest waste of my time ever – having read his 13 sentence article which rambles on without having a point, or a clue.
Not fit to print. -
Uhm…. “Toronto Maple Leafs”? You’re funning me, right? What’s next, debate over the California Seals’ next draft pick? I mean, Douggie Gilmour used to play there before they moved the team to Lincoln, Nebraska – unless I’m mixing them up with the Seattle Metropolitans. That happens sometimes.
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leviticus says:
Anyone see Logan’s blog? Red Line Report has Tavares #3 behind Hedman and Duchene. Says JT is log Hull, both as a goal scorer and a locker room problem. For the amateur GM’s out there, maybe you should let go of the infatuation with JT, step back, think about it, and let the pros make the pick!
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Notice how the author of that piece, AFTER Tavares’ quote stating he’ll go werever he’s drafted, writes…
“The question, then, is whether Tavares is good enough as a player to be worth all the fuss.”I wonder if that line is ever written, let alone pondered had Tavares said he’d consider holding out?
What a joke some of these writers are. And here I thought Steve Simmons was a hack writer more suited for Ringling Brothers than hockey analysis…now I know David Shoalts should join him. -
Vlad from Brooklyn says:
It is very unprofessional for journalists to express their opinions and judgements on paper. But, unfortunately, it happens everyware. So it’s up to us, readers, to learn how to read between these lines. CB is absolutely right: If drafted, JT will play for Isles with all his heart and skills and will have absolutely no problems doing this on the Island. I’m sick of some media workers trying to change history or direct big guns against each other. Just give us the FACTS and let us decide and judge.
BTW, looking forward to see JT on Long Island, not in Toronto or anyware else. -
Earwax says:
#12 The Leafs haven’t been in the finals since 1967. Their biggrst highlight since then was making the semis in 1992 and 1993….LOL.
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Guess Jeff Blair’s “Is Tavares stranded on Island?” G&M article needed a little “balance.” just rediculous.
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mrlbem says:
JP (14),
At this stage of the rebuild, I’d rather have Stamkos than Vinny. That is, if such a trade can be made, of course.
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d-man says:
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Makes me wonder if Snow declaring JT would have been a good idea. In the end it doesn’t matter I guess. he’s going where he is taken.
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Jerky says:
The old line of “Man has walked on the moon since the Leafs last won the cup” says it all.
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mLemb says:
Vinny doesn’t impress me…He is certainly better than any player we have, but I find it to be a little odd that while he’s been captain the bolts haven’t won anything. Yet after they took it from him the first time they managed a Stanley Cup, and Richards was the MVP on top of that. Also in terms of production he may have peaked and we are rebuilding, so I definitely agree with a trade having to involve Stamkos in place of Mr. Lecavalier
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Quez says:
J.T. should be the pick, but if Garth prefers Hedman, He had better Trade down to #2 and fleece the team that wants the #1. Do not even bother to make an offer unless the names Malkin, Nash, or something of like value comes up. Make someone FORCE you to trade this pick, Otherwise, draft J.T. and enjoy your new franchise player. Move up to mid 1st round to get a D-man,or sign a UFA like Beauchemin.
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Kevin Fitz says:
Mikey (11) – you are obviously a TO fan. I love how you and all your counterparts are now down playing JT. I’m sure if your team had the number 1 pick, this guy would be the next Wayne Gretzky up there in the great white north. Please stop saying how he will be a one dimensional player. Enough of the propoganda out of Canada and from their hockey fans.
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lefty says:
It would be a mistake not to pick this kid.
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JT says:
In what world is a 40-50 goal scorer not a franchise player? Sing me up too.
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If it wasn’t for the “propoganda” JT wouldn’t be seen as all that…NO ONE has said he is a “generational” or a “franchise” player except the fans…
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AK says:
That without a doubt has to be the dumbest scout or GM in the history of mankind. I swear, I wonder how these jackasses get their positions. Because 40-50 goal scorers grow on trees right? If JT becomes a consistent 40-50 goal scorer for the Islanders, I will gladly accept him as my franchise player thank you.
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I don’t care if he only puts up a few 30 goal seasons in say the next 3 years. As long as after we acquire a Joe Thorton/Marc Savard type dish master he can pump in 50+ I’ll live. He doesn’t have to be Alex Ovechkin, IMO we haven’t had a player even half of that in the past 15+ years. Even if he is “only” as good as say Heatley or Gaborik, sign me up.
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Isles6 says:
So, a 40-50 goal scorer that is not a franchise player, on a team whose top goal scorer was a 20-goal scorer??? I can live with that. I know they are going to take Hedman, because it seems that is what the Isles do (go against convention) but to the rest of us, this is such no-brainer, taking Tavares.
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The “Siberia of the NHL”??? LOL! Wow do these guys need to get over themselves!!! The Leafs do nothing, are nothing, have nobody other than our UFA AND draft rejects, they accomplish nothing, they havent gone anywhere in the PO since the same time Isles did (and the Isles went farther) AND they havent won a cup in 42 years. If those dried-up Leafs want to see the Siberia of the NHL, they should look outside their very own window.
“But, but, we have better attendance statistics!!” Whoopity do for you.
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Coach B says:
This is a non story. If Snow takes Tavares he’s coming.
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WeschesISLESfan says:
Here’s who scored 40 goals or more:
Alexander Ovechkin, Was LW 79 56 54 110
Jeff Carter, Phi C 82 46 38 84
Zach Parise, NJ LW 82 45 49 94
Ilya Kovalchuk, Atl LW 79 43 48 91
Thomas Vanek, Buf LW 73 40 24 64
Marian Hossa, Det RW 74 40 31 71
Rick Nash, Cls LW 78 40 39 79
Eric Staal, Car C 82 40 35 75I’d take any of them.
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JB says:
If 16 points in 12 playoff games is considered slacking for this mofo, where do we sign.
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I’ll say it again. Our best player right now is Mark Streit. If your going by points…He’s our guy. He’s also a D-man. We didn’t have ONE 20 goal scorer this year. We should have atleast 3 a year. Atleast. Tavares is a must.
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Aaron says:
will he get Oveckin like goals? Proabably not. will he get Crosby like assists? Probably not. Can he get Ovechkin like assists and Crosby like goals…Heck YEAH! i’ll take an 80-90 pt producer any day!
JT! JT! JT!
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West Coast Fan says:
That scouting report alluded to by Logan was pretty ugly. Not so much the defensive liability (we all remember what they said about Bossy), but the sense of entitlement. I seriously hope the report is inaccurate. But if not, and our scouting staff gets the same sense, I think there’s a pretty good chance they’ll pass on Tavares – particulalrly since they’ve come out and said that character is a key component in their decision making process…
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
that was so funny. 40-50 goals a year and not a franchise player. That is too funny.
btw, Kovachuk and Heatley are franchise players.
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Will C says:
It’s time for Snow to declare he needs Luke Schenn and will stop at nothing to get him by offering Tomas Pock and Andy Hilbert. We can make a TSN event out of it!
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Ryan says:
Redline Report has John Tavares at 3
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streit02 says:
I think the whole “franchise” player thing is blown out of proportion. What exactly makes him a “franchise” player? Would you consider that an offensive force whos responsible in his own end and comes up big in pressure situations? Would that be accurate? So who is a franchise player? Obviously there are the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux, Ovechkin. What about Sakic/Lafontaine? Would you consider Sakic one and not lafontaine b/c lafontaine hasnt won a cup? would you not consider either or consider them both? Like you said CB, franchise player or not if hes scoring 40-50 goals a year we’ll take him.
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Nicky Nice says:
the Leafs suck, and they have done so for much longer than the Isles have…… Funny to read those Globe articles in light of that fact….
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isles316 says:
That was my only worry with Tavares and thank god this guy isn’t a scumbag. The Isles will take Tavares based on skill and character.
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jonw says:
Sports Slang. a player of great talent or popular appeal, considered vitally important to a team’s success or future.as per dictionary.com
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Steve-O says:
The Redline report must be written by a leaf fan.
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I am starting to think that some of these reports coming out bashing tavares is another instance of canadian media playing mind games.
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i love how tavares is both desperately wanted in toronto, yet they are constantly pointing out that he’s not the player everyone wants him to be. poor maple leafs, you have the fan base, you have the location, you don’t have the team. nor will you in many many years. the new york islanders finally are on the right track and will win a playoff series well before the leafs even get back in.
i don’t think burke needs to shut up. i don’t think the canadian media needs to shut up. i love things the way they are. they are scared, they hate the opportunity that we have, and they know that the laughingstock that was the new york islanders will no longer be the eastern conference whipping boys.
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oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Tavares has 19 pts in 12 playoff games this season, not 16.
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after reviewing some clips of Hedman, the guy he reminds me the most is Larry Robinson…tall, very long reach, skates like the wind, can either join the play or carry the puck on a rush
I’ll trust our scouts to pick whoever they have ranked higher…just NO PLAYING GAMES WITH THE PICK
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Eric says:
List of franchise players in the league in my opinion. Please add or subtract any if you disagree. In no particular order…
ovechkin, Malkin, Crosby, Lecalvier, Luongo&Brodeur(the only 2 franchise goalies), toews looks like he will be a franchise player but its very early, same goes with parise and carter. Zetterberg is very good but he is a 70-80 point player. I have considered Heatley a franchise player or borderline for a long time. Pronger and lidstrom are definitely franchise dmen. Pheneuf and Green will probably join them. The Bruins are too young and I do not consider savard a franchise player but a very good playmaker any team would love to have. I think Eric Staal turns into a franchise player. He is very good. Rich Nash? close but no, but then again he has not had a lot of help until this season. I still think he has a breakout 90-100 point season in him. Anyway thats about it right now. There are a ton of yoing players in the league who can be franchise players down the road. Maybe dustin brown. -
Pritchett says:
“But for all that, Tavares is not the kind of player who pulls fans out of their seats. He is not a dazzling skater and stick-handler like Malkin or Alexander Ovechkin.”
I generally dont stand up at a game when I see a dazzling skating display or great stick handling, I stand up for GOALS! What kind of moronic statement is this? If the guy lights the lamp 45 times a year, I will stand up 45 times. If he scores 4 goals and does a couple of double axels out there, i couldnt care less.
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Rich says:
That was from Kyle Woodlief of the redline report by the way. CB, Is this guy affiliated to Toronto in any way or should we take his opinion seriously?
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Tavares is a +8 and he scores about half his pts on the power play just like crosby, malkin, ovie, and all the top scorers.
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Drew from Jersey says:
That just put a nice big smile on face. DAT’A BOY JOHNNY!
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bergie20 says:
the red line report is run by kyle woodlief – ex nashville scout. no leaf affiliation.
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Nick S. says:
I love how to the Toronto media, JT was the next coming of Gretzky himself… until they realized he wasn’t going to playing in Toronto. Now they’re saying he won’t even be a franchise player and is struggling in the playoffs (16pts in 12 games LMAO)
Maybe they’re just mad JT said he wont hold out for Toronto
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Say it with me #91 John Tavares!!!! I use to be in the Hedman camp. But this franchise is best served by drafting JT. Interesting Redline report has JT at #3. Who besides Hedman do they have ahead of him? Im gonna guess Duschene? Sorry Tavares is the pick no question.
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Thanks Bergie. So the red line report now has Duschene 1st, Hedman 2nd, and Tavares third. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.
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One last post. Tavares had 58 goals this year. 21 on the power play, 6 short handed, 31 even strength. For a supposedly crappy defensive player they should had him out on the PK a lot. 31 even strength goals, and they say he is useless 5 on 5.
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the bomber says:
DP is our franchise player, and he bites and never plays….. trust me, if he scores 20 or 50, Tavares will be our franchise player from minute one, and there will be 15 K tavares jerseys in the stands next season. let the dope from canada define franchise hoe he likes, thats how i define it. Tavares has been our franchise player since we lost every game in december and january, and itll just get bigger. he’s all we have…
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Alex O says:
Newsday is reporting that Red Line report agrees with CB’s original rating of Duchene being on par with the other 2. They have Duchene before Tavares with Hedman #1
plus they critisize the hell out of Tavares.
Id still pick him. One playoff round does not make a carrer specially since Ive read that he may have been injured. Plus we all know that the opositions best plays against Tavares.
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Toronto probably has a dela in place with Colorado for Toskala and something else for the 3rd pick. Talk Tavares down to 3 b/c us and TB arent moving. Sounds like it is Burkes attempt.
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#66: get off the hate dp bandwagon… another embarrassing islander fan trait. hope the guy gets healthy and he will be awesome like before the injury. people have such short memories. then we can have 2 great players.
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UIF says:
Pritchett (57) – perfect example to illustrate your point would be Afinogenov. Great stickhandling, great skating, but no finish. How many times a game do you see Max bring the crowd at HSBC Arena to its feet? Heck, the guy was benched for many games this year. I’ll take the guy who can score over the figure skater as well.
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dedshark says:
all this crap from toronto is just straight bitterness.. its better of we just ignore it all and be the bigger person. Tavares is their god but as soon as they realize hes not gonna be a leaf he suddenly sucks. Let them go sit in their little bubble and talk all they want.
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With DP back and hopefully pre-all star game form, adding JT and hopefully a little better depth winger (Afinogenov, or someone like) we will be in the hunt. KO and Bailey had some big jumps toward the end with Bergie as well. Franzy is looking solid too. I think if he gets a talented winger he can have 40 assists.
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Redline is getting exactly what it wants. Attention, oh and by the way…it’s a pay service (hint hint).
Go ahead, take out your credit cards and sign up for this well timed nonsense. Can’t blame them. If Toronto came out and suggested they wanted to draft someone so bad but found out they didn’t have the means and the team drafting 1st wasn’t going to part with the pick…hmm, make sense now?
I call shenanigans with RLR.
By the way CB, I like this site but don’t you go having any funny ideas and start charging for this. -
butch91 says:
Brett Hull 741 goals, 2 cups (including cup winning OT goal, that btw was only controversial b/c the league had that ridiculous in the crease rule for 2-3 years), hall of fame, 86 goals in one season over 70 in another. UH I’ll take that. And is being a scout for Nashville that impressive of a resume?
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Dave says:
Duschene first? He’s a great player but I didn’t realize that he was thought of THAT highly. I hope we choose Tavares, though. We have a really great all around player in Okposo, now we need a pure goal scorer.
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John Tavares says:
I dont think Rick DiPietro is a franchise player at all. I’ve never payed to go see him. I will pay plenty this year to go see JT
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i love DP, and hope he can start to have a career worthy of his hype. however, other than a hot month here and there, i am not blinded enough by my fandom to think he is a top flight NHL goalie. he has never had a consistent, all star level full healthy season in his career. im sorry, but it true. theres nobody on this board that hopes he can put the injuries behind him and have a vezina caliber year more than i, but he has not come close to that yet. not once…
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Anette says:
I said it all along I would pick Hedman and I stand by my comment. A defenceman of that size with that skating ability and speed and vision of the ice comes along once in a few years.
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#76 amen
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John Tavares has been in the minds of every Isles fan during every game for months. His name alone is so powerful that he had the most fanatical of Isles fans hoping for losses against even our most bitter rival. He is already our franchise player even before he is drafted. Stay the course, Garth and fans, don’t let the powerful Toronto media sway you.
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alex says:
wow just read the article and have lost all respect to the hockey writers in toronto! A nobody on LI? Sounds to me like somebody is jealous! At least my home town didn’t have a SARS epidemic a few years back!
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Chickendirt says:
Folks up in Canada are flipping out now that it’s pretty well official that Tavares is not going to Leafs. Not to mention any other Canadian team.
I think Burke has made an complete a$$ of himself and looks like a complete fool. The effort now is to downgrade this guy in order to sooth over all the hurt feelings. They’ve been following this kid since he was 14.
There’s a lot of BS flying that this kid is the next Daigle nor will be that great (mean while comparisons to Bossy).
It’s all very funny though. I think a lot of people are used to looking at this Isles franchise as a joke. With Tavares in the fold it makes it much harder for them to do so.
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just for the record, i feel this wasn’t just an attack on the NY Islanders, but an attack on Long Island as a whole! This is my home and i love it! get an f@#$^*g life Toronto!
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Macch says:
The Redline Report is 1. Hedman 2. Duchene 3. Tavares
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This is all just a HUGE smear campaign. On JT, on the Isles.
Tavares IS the #1 guy..don’t believe all the BS guys. We’re taking JT!
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Gary9-19-22 says:
A healty DP IS a franchise player. The guy carried this team before the injury/all star game. Whomever says diferent didnt watch this team. I’m just worried he will never be the same… lets see.
I say “TRUST IN GARTH”…
Personally I would trade down to #2 and give up the SJ pick to get Lecav. If TB doesnt want to trade then hold onto #1 and make JT and Islander.
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Al Arbour said it best when asked who the Isles should draft… Get me the horse.. They say Goring was the missing piece, well i was a big fan back in the day and it was Bossy that made us legitimate. Goring made us impossible to defend.
When you have a chance to get someone who potentially can put 40 in the net in the current NHL you take him.
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Smokey says:
Don’t be biased now, CB. Red Line may be onto something. This undoubtedly warrants a blog post from you.
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Staten Islander says:
he’ll score 40-50 goals a year? i’d sign on for that in a second
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4peatsake says:
Kyle,
Thanks for the plant. Should I make the check payable to Kyle Woodlief or The Redline Report?
All the best,
Brian Burke -
DP is never healthy anymore and it is likely that he will never be the same. So what is the point of continuing to act like he is our franchise player?
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Scott N. says:
You know these comments are just so silly. You guys are actually suggesting that Kyle Woodlief is in cahoots with the “Powerful” TO press in an attempt to manipulate ratings so the Isles think twice about Tavares…do you know how dumb that accusation is? I mean, Woodlief is in business to sell his service but I HIGHLY DOUBT that he would do such a thing at the behest of any media outlet. That’s an embarrassingly lame accusation honestly, you all really don’t think that one would do such a thing. JT is a GOOD PROSPECT, he is NOT Malkin, not Kovalchuk, not Mario Lemieux. Hedman would be far more valuable to this franchise than you guys think.
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Oliver says:
Since I am rather sure that our first pick in the first round of the June NHL entry draft will be JT already looking forward to reading the columns written by the fabulously impartial TO media after he nets his first hat trick on TO ice. Perhaps we can even display our well knowm hospitality for our Canadian cousins by serenading them with a six-tee se-ven when they visit our little piece of Hockey Siberia, especially after a Streit shot with Bailey collecting the rebound then dishing to Tavares who shoots and scores!!!!
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Matt says:
once again CB, job well done on the blog.
i would take 40 goals a year from a player any day of the week! call him a franchise player or not that is still impressive.
how about those ducks winning two games in san jose! helping our draft status a bit with our second first round pick.
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PSM1966 says:
“Tavares may score 40 or 50 goals a season, but he’s one-dimensional. If he’s not scoring, he’s not helping” – Kyle Woodlief
…” Son, let me tell you…all Cris Carter does is catch touchdown passes. Mark my words…” – Buddy Ryan (just before the Eagles released him.)
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Carcel Mousineau says:
Before you guys go head over heels criticizing Toronto let it be known that most Leafs fans criticize our media as well. Far from fawning over the Leafs they are relentlessly critical of Leafs fans for supporting such medicority. I’m surprised therefore they don’t praise you Isles fans for staying away in droves night after night.
As for Tavares not being a franchise player with 40-50 goals I assume the scout means that he’ll only get 2 assists a season.
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Brian B says:
The Red Line Report may be accurate…but any team drafting Tavares is drafting him because he is an offensive superstar. I’m sure scouts form other teams are well aware of his liabilities and strengths. If Tavares plays the worst defense in the league but is scoring 40-50 goals a year then so be it…he’ll be doing what he was picked to do, and it will be up to snow or whoever else picks him to build a championship caliber team around him.
Lastly, scouts are not always right…Tavares could be a huge bust…or he can be one of the best players all time.
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# 97, you can say “____ could be a huge bust…or he can be one of the best players all time” about just about any player drafted.
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smokey (87): Im pretty sure CB has made the point more than once that there are legit, reputable sources and organizations who may NOT
have Tavares comfortably atop their scouting lists waving at the peasant picks below him. A few people have made the point that we just dont KNOW (Im one of them lol.) When it comes down to it, all we can really do is trust in those who spend all their time watching and studying and getting to know these kids… its a lot better than just getting caught up in the hype. Hype often throws curveballs… and I think this Redline report is one of them! -
Joey303 says:
Hedman
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cusi says:
for the record. CB had the RedLine comment about the ranking last week.
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KO21 says:
Wasn’t Bossy considered a franchise player???This kid has s similar scouting report…The thing I’m wondering about is the injury issues hes having now…Whats up with that???Anything to worry about??
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todd says:
Little concerned here about some of the things that I have read about Tavares and Duchene. Seems that Duchene is more the Yzerman type (which is championships) and Tavares is more of a lesser Brett Hull. I know that sounds nice and all, but I’d rather win championships. Look at some of the stats with them right now. We need a championship number one center, not just a goal scorer.
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michael says:
on what planet does a 40/50 goal a year player not qualify as a franchise player??
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I think that with all the fan support, Garth can’t go wrong picking Tavares…Obviously he’s a question mark, who knows if he will actually be great in the NHL???I do know he’s got a very good shot at being great and the fans have shown their interest which means more fans will go to games…
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#98…good point. I know you can…but its especially true for number 1 overall picks.
Mike Bossy was supposedly terribly defensively (I never saw him play, but I’m sure he wasn’t too good in that aspect in the nhl) but he could score a ton. It’s always good to get a guy who scores a lot…especially when you have zero on your team.
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Great article. I take CB’s word that he is reputable, so it will make the decision easier. If TML had the #1 pick, he would have been pumped up more than Gretz, Mario and Sidney combined.
But since he is going to Sieria, they will make him look normal, and sub-star…
Ugh!
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KO21 – Bossy was considered one-dimensional, and possibly too small to be a consistent scorer at the top level. That’s how he slid to the Isles at 15 in ’77.
Just look at his one-dimensional career. I know how flawed +/- is, but jiminy – he was +66 in 67 games one season. Sadly, his back couldn’t take the pounding, or he could have scored more goals than Gretzky, I’m convinced.
Let’s hope JT is so one-dimensional.
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BR says:
I’m happy to let our scouting staff do their job. All joking about the past disappointments aside, I’m confident that the organization will identify and pick the best player for the team. If it is one of Tavares/Hedman/Duchene/Kane, I will be pleased.
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102 – Last I checked Brett Hull has won Stanley Cups!
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Mark in Ottawa says:
I’m starting to like this guy.
He deserves to be a star.
He’s heading to a team in a rough spot and he hasn’t said one bad thing yet.
Mr. Tavares – You deserve greatness.
I hope you’re it for us !!!!!
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Johnny Islander says:
(100) Woodlief, was an NHL scout, and has run his own scouting service for years. You just get finished saying
“When it comes down to it, all we can really do is trust in those who spend all their time watching and studying and getting to know these kids”
Then you lump Redline Report into “hype”. Which is it? Trust the scouts or not?
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-Big Van Vader says:
Again, how loud will the boos be at the Draft Party should they draft Hedman over Tavares?
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Johnny (113): Hype is when one falls into the trap of thinking that everything lives or dies by some scouting report. Scouting reports like Redline Report and the others are not the ones I was referring to who are “spending all their time watching and studying and getting to know these kids.” They cant because they are not focusing on scouting for a particular pick- they have to look at hundreds upon hundreds of kids, and they want to make some statement about them ALL- even if they dont know all that much about them when it comes right down to it. Instead of fixating on something like that, or worrying about it, I instead will trust the ones who spend quality time watching and studying and getting to know them. I see the two as distinctly different and in no way contradictory.
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Rob76 says:
I think that Garth and his PR staff know enough not to be swayed by a single Red-line report. If anything maybe they should look at this site and also newsday’s poll – out of over 2000 Islanders fans polled 89% of them wanted Tavares…I know that Garth and his guys know that and have to take that into consideration
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Islanderfan1967 says:
I heard the guys on XM Radio (the war room) say that Tavares wouldn’t come to Long Island… I thought is this going to be another Lindros deal… If so as I live in B.C. Canada I would MAX my credit card to get to the first game he played on the Island just to do what Quebec did to Lindros… SHHHH I still have that game on tape, I watch from time to time….
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Rob76 (116): I sincerely hope Garth and the rest of the org is not swayed by either, Rob. If our organization made his decision even in part based on what a bunch of us know-nothings were clammoring for, then the whole lot of them would deserve to be fired. Thankfully, I dont think any of them give a crap what we have to say and they will pick who they think is best for the TEAM.
P.S. Johnny (113): CBs new post makes a great point about this!
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If you were talking about the #78 pick, maybe you’d have a point, but when you’re talking about the top 5… I’m sure the scouting services have a bit more man hours logged in on these guys than anyone else… Especially JT who has been closely watched since he was 15.
Who are theses other people you are refering to that spend “quality time watching studying and getting to know them”?.
You can choose to trust them or not, it’s really not an issue. But if Redline Report is hype, then so is the CSS and everyone else. You could make the same argument that anything an Islanders scout tells Snow is hype as well. The end of the day, they are all scouts.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Here is the thing … after the 2009 WJC … the Toronto / Canadian media was ALL Tavares … I remember reading those headlines … How Tavares is now the indisputable #1 ranked player … How JT is one of the best junior prospects since Sid the Kid … blah blah blah … but ever since T.O. rapidly ascended I noticed a tarnish develop on JT’s reputation as a player for every 2 points that the Leafs acquired … all of a sudden he just might not be such a big deal … what a bunch of rubbish .. JT doesn’t need the T.O. media … this is the kinda crap he’d have to deal with if he was drafted in Canada … he’ll welcome Long Island with open arms.
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If Long Island is Siberia … then Toronto is the Gobi dessert.
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First off … Tavares has 19 points in 12 games …
40 goals in today’s NHL is by today’s standards franchise player worthy.
Secondly .. regarding the Redline report … I was just looking for an article I read last June before the draft … it pretty much ranked Redline after Central Scouting and the International Scouting Service in reliability … Redline was more of an opinion scouting service … and less scientific than the later 2 services … I can’t find the article … but maybe CB has some more info he can share about Redline.
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slsangus says: SIX-TY-SE-VEN
Clap! Clap! Clap-clap-clap!
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Obviosuly I’m a bit excited so I sa
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Obviously I’m a bit excited so I said next week. I meant next year!
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Isn’t a player who scores up to 50 goals a season consistently, considered, a “franchise type player”???I would say so…
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#77 bomber you are completely wrong. in 2006-2007 Dipietro had a Great season. He was the islanders MVP. Do not tell me Jason Blake who had a great season, but lets be honest they do not make the playoffs that season without Dipietro. Remember that game he simply stole in Toronto? He was definitely better than lundquist that season but its Henry who gets the vezina nomination he simply did not deserve. By the way the ranger$ had a much more talented team. I know dubie played well the last 4 games especially in the shootout but the islanders were picked to finish dead last that season and the only reason they made the playoffs was because of dipietro. Last season, they had a worse team as they lost blake and smyth, however they were in a playoff spot somehow even with all the injuries at the all-star break where DP got hurt. That team had no business being in playoff contention with the lack of offense and terrible powerplay. But they were in it until dp got hurt in the skills competition.
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doc says:
Can you say that Bossy wasn’t a so called “FRANCHISE” player? I guess I can see someone arguing that he wasn’t. But he was my favorite without a doubt. Every time he stepped onto the ice and every time he touched the puck my eyes were glued onto him… and the Islanders don’t win without him.
(This is not to compare a 19 year old phenom who hasn’t played a day in the NHL to Bossy… because that would be stupid… but it is just an illustration of how stupid some of these beat writers in Toronto are getting).
DRAFT HIM!!!
DOC
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terry says:
Why are we a chronicaslly inept franchise? I know the Mlbury years.. yeah yeah yeah. Tornoto is an original six team who hasn’t won a Cup in 42 years. Somewhere on the wrong side of Lake Erie there is a 21 year old father telling his son that grandpa’s father told him stories about how awesome it was when the laffs won the cup. We are the Siberia of Hockey? They are the armpit of North America.
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Terry, Toronto as the armpit of North America, coming from someone from Long Island is rich. If Toronto is the armpit then Long Island is the part of the body usually covered by underwear.
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Joe says:
130, I dont feel like typing your name, LI is much nicer than many places around the world, coming from someone who has traveled enough to know that. Stop being a clown, go back to watching a franchise that makes the Islanders look good.
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Marc says:
Logie has a story up on newsday.com with quotes from JT’s agent. Apparently Charles Wang and Garth Snow travelled to London to see JT play last night. Go Caps (and Pens and Ducks!)
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Joe, I’ve travelled the world to. My memory of Long Island is being stuck in 2 hours of traffic on the bridge trying to get out.
As for the Leafs making the Isles look good how so? They finished 6 spots ahead of the NYI, they fleeced the Isles at the draft to pick Schenn and the Leafs weren’t decimated by Mike Milbury and his trading away of Luongo, Spezza, Jokinen, Bertuzzi, McCabe etc.
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“LI is much nicer than many places around the world”
You are correct there Joe. Long Island ranks just ahead of Baghdad, Kabul and any city in New Jersey (except Atlantic City).
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Carcel – you’re blaming Long Island for the bridge on the way out…. which is, for the record, in New York City. That’s like blaming Toronto for the traffic around Niagra Falls.
Besides, most folks are much more interested in the parts covered by underwear than the armpits – but you’ll be old enough to figure that out someday…
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kidkawartha says:
So, by the reckoning on this comment board, Jason Blake would, unequivocally, be a “franchise player”. Of course, now that he’s a Leaf, and rapidly moving back to his previous scoring highs, he’s a pariah. Nice.
“Had career best season in goals scored with 40 and points with 69…Finished tenth in the NHL and led the Islanders in goals scored…Led the Islanders in scoring, game-winning goals with seven and in shots with 305…Finished tenth in the NHL with 69 takeaways…”
Now,here’s the interesting thing in that article no one here wants to talk about-
“I know he’s a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan – I used to cheer for anybody but the Leafs just to go against him – and for him to play for the Leafs would be a very big dream,” said Mitchell. “But I’m sure to go first overall would be a pretty big dream, too.”
See, that’s class- a lifelong Leafs fan, yet he’s perfectly willing to play full-out wherever he goes..
You guys have to figure out that savaging Toronto sports media is our job, and we’re the best at it. Don’t take what they have to say in any seriousness, because we sure don’t. And if you want to discuss which Canadian team has been the best, bar none, in the last 15 years, feel free to read this-
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2009/4/5/823851/perspective-or-your-team-sucks-too
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Robby D says:
Again, just goes to show how desperate they really are in the English speaking Hockey Capital of the World, Toronto. It was bad enough that we had a decade of Milbury, now teams want to use the media to mess up the best thing we have had in over a decade! Garth has to take Tavares. The only way to keep this team here.
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Very nice Pilon write-up, CB!
He was the best.
What is a franchise player statistic wise?