SNOW SAYS NYI WILL CONSIDER EVERYTHING
Logie has the story on the poker game, we think
Turns out the Islanders are not just looking at Tavares and Hedman in the 1-2 hole. Garth Snow tells Greg Logan they’ll go through the process and look at 5 or 6 players. Scott Gordon kids about trading down two spots. Yes, I understand Snow doesn’t want to tip his hand. But do we even need to watch the lottery tonight? Comments.
149 Responses to “SNOW SAYS NYI WILL CONSIDER EVERYTHING
Logie has the story on the poker game, we think”
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Definitely starting to get a sick feeling in my stomach about this. Thanks for nothing, Garth.
Why do they do this to us? 5 or 6 players? In reality, it should be two players. Real funny joke coach, hah. I think the rest of the league may be doing a lot of laughing at us if the Islanders screw up this draft.
so garth is just doing his job as gm by listening to offers. this means tampa did not do their job last year. he should just commit to tavares. i think he would loose a lot of fans if he gets the 1st pick and trades it away.
Really not liking that article at all…This makes me think there’s gonna be a giant WTF in Isles Country after the draft.
I honestly feel that the wind is going to be taken out of the sails of Islanders Country on draft day. not a good feeling. I actually hope we get teh number 2 pick just to save ourselves from doing the dumbest thing ever and trading down from #1. looks like i’ll be holding my breath until draft day.
do you really think that snow (or gordon) are going to give people any hint as to who they are taking? take what is said with many grains of salt. they very well could have decided on who they want but they’re not going to tell you that.
Exactly Bergie20. People need to look up the definition of smokescreen. That’s all this is.
And BTW, last year Tampa interviewed at least the top 15 projected picks. It’s standard protocol.
The last thing this organization should be doing is pissing off the fanbase. This is a crucial time for getting fans into the seats and getting public pressure to get this Lighthouse Project completed. You KNOW who the fans want, don’t insult our intelligence by saying there are 5 or 6 guys because that’s just stupid.
I know this article dosen’t signify much but after past years, this article is giving me a very bad feeling. We NEED to take JT or Hedman, if we dont walk away with one of them I would be extremely upset with Isles.
A diligent GM is not doing his job if he doesn’t explore every single available option to improve his club.
trading to the 3rd and then to the 5th to take filatov…just a year late
We have 11 picks in this draft.. With 5 being in the first two rounds. In my opinion we take the best player available at number 1, or 2. I know we need to keep replenishing the system, but Tavares and Hedman are possible franchise players. I would hope we take the safe route and land one of those two guys.
I’ve got to think that Snow’s not talking to us. By putting those comments out there, he’s letting all other GMs know he’s ready to hear their offers. Either at one or two, he’ll be dealing from a position of strength, and the more offers he gets, the better. Let’s not throw him under the bus before he even gets on.
And for all you know Snow could be talking about the 2nd 1st round pick in disguise. It’s just not something to be worked up over.
Snow’s just doing his job. He’s not giving up the Isles plan’s so the other teams can plan and he’ll be gathering information on the other teams that will help in the future. When it’s over Tavares or Hedman will be an Isle and Garth will have been able to gather enough info to swing deal or two and have a more set draft board. All good GM’s in sports do this.
It does show they learned something because last year they were so ready to declare their love for Stamkos if they won and Tavares is thought to be better then Stamkos.
Oh, this is brilliant. There is no fan experience like being an Islander fan! At least since we don’t get our excitement in the postseason, leave it up to Isles mgmt to give us the perennial nerve-jangling agita just the same, but in the offseason. Not only does Garth not throw out the easy compliment about the skills of the universally-recognized top duo, but he actually tells us that “it’s too early” to figure out who’s going to be on top of the Isles’ draft board, and that we’re entertaining trade options! For Isles fans, there is *never* a “desirable place to be in leading up to the draft.” Bah.
Reassurances be damned!
The good news is that common sense tells me that there isn’t much available in trades where it would actually be beneficial for the Isles to trade out of the top 2. Besides for Vinny L. (I can’t spell his last name) from tampa who on earth is actually available so a trade would make sense for both teams?
The bad news is, this is the Islanders and common sense isn’t something they have a lot of.
If they trade out of a top 2 pick, they BETTER be getting a young superstar in return. If they trade out of the top 2 and they just wind up getting some 26 year old 20 goal scorer a 2009 2nd & a 2010 1st rounder I’ll be very upset.
Well, looking at the top 5 lotto teams, sure looks like NYI can go JT or VH. TB could do the same. However, seems like COL, ATL, and LAK would go forward.
Again, I don’t see a scenario that is very attractive for NYI, if #1, to move down and actually picking up something very, very good in the process.
Said ’something’ does not include some overpaid, underperforming player(s) under NHL contract.
If NYI don’t win the lotto, then hopefully LAK do. They take JT and NYI, well, make things very interesting…
#16 - I hear what you’re saying. But I’m sure in reality, Snow & Jankowski know exactly who is at the top of their draft board. In fact I’m sure that they have their top 30 picked already in preparation for their late round pick from San Jose.
They’ve had literally all winter to think about this.
I’m glad Snow’s not showing his hand. Keep it to your chest and listen to all offers. Like everyone has said… JT is not Mario / Wayne / Sid / Ovie / etc. Why not listen to offers?
And I want to thank Isles Management for NOT listening to anonymous posters on blogs and messageboards!
Snow is going to screw this up.
Of course Snow should listen and then make Tavares (if #1) and Hedman (if #2) an Islander. Torrey listened to Montreal and then took Potvin and wrote sports history. Garth, take a page from Torrey’s book. Please!!
gordan is a dope, with our past he shouldnt even joke,,,and garth is a dope because poker or not whats the secret..eveyone know these 2 guys are studs..just say its a 2 horse racer unless im made an offer i cant refuse…were lookin at 5 players…well if we are we are wasting time.
Torrey was saying the same thing the year he drafted potvin. He said that he made remarks to the media that made it seem like he was considering picking someone else besides potvin, but he actually knew all along that he was taking him. So calm down folks.
Lou Lamoriello never tells anyone anything. Then again, Lou is the best GM in hockey.
The speculative hysteria in many of the comments so far is unwarratned. Let’s first see what unfolds tonight and the draft position is set. From there, Snow is doing exactly what he should be doing- his job. Many of us older fans are familiar with the story of how Sam Pollock of Mtl kept trying to pry #1 from Torrey before he picked Potvin in 1973. Snow would be derelict not to at least listen to what’s out there. That being said, if they do have the #1 pick, I would certainly like to see Tavares.
I’m really starting to dislike this team. Why can’t we just give Tavares a Jersey if our number is called. Why does everything have to be so difficult. Why does this team continue to go against the grain. Just do the right thing Snow and take 1 of the 2 stars. That’t it…no meetings, no scouting required and no thinking. You owe it to the fans to tip your hat after the season we just had and what you pulled last year.
Honestly, it feels like this is going to be blown. I don’t have a good feeling about this draft regardless of where we pick. It’s a huge opportunity for a perpetually struggling franchise, and I’m feeling a Milbury-type gaffe, here. We could have all been breathing easy tonight, but we’ll have to suffer for 2 months and 11 days, then hope that Snow and Co. does the right thing. Right now, I don’t even feel assured that the Islanders will pick in the top 10. To quote Beningo… oh the pain!
Just hearing that will make the next 2 months troubling instead of something to look forward to.
As a long-time Islander fan I can understand the uneasiness that is apparent on this board. However, some people are being hysterical!
I really don’t want the GM of my team to make his decisions based on what some silly fans want. Every GM with the top picks say they will listen to trade scenarios; Garth would be an idiot not to. For example, what if Waddell from Atlanta was offering up Kovalchuk and some other prospect (not that he would nor would I necessarily want Kovie at this point in the Islanders rebuild) for the top pick. Do you think other hockey people would be laughing at the Islanders if on Draft Day the cameras show an exasperated Waddell trying to talk to Garth, who has his fingers in his ears and yelling: “La, La, La, I can’t hear you!”
I understand people are nervous due to the Milbury years. Me too. However, Garth has shown himself to be a pretty capable GM. Yes, he locked up DP for 15 years but look around and you will see that he started a trend that is being used by alot of other GMs (including Detroit’s Ken Holland). His Smyth trade was pretty good as he got a rental for a playoff drive (they were in 6th place when the trade was made) and really gave up nobody (O’Marra will be 4th line C at best, Nilsson can’t put it together in Edmonton, either). Essentially, he gave up two crappy first round prospects and a 1st round pick in a weak draft. Even picking up Bailey is looking pretty good. Filatov is too small and has been injury-prone his first year. Boedeker has similar stats to Bailey in 10 more games and Colin Wilson played college hockey this year. And yes, I would have liked Schenn but he is also being a bit overhyped by the Toronto Media Machine (see Justin Pogge).
Everybody just needs to chill and have faith in Snow, I don’t think he’s done a bad job at all.
Sorry for the previous post, very long. It was my first one.
Also, thanks CB for this site.
Snow just wants to see who is on the trading block, and restock his pool of potential trade baits from other teams. You can definitely tell the difference between some of us older fans and younger fans, especially when we bring up Potvin
CB: so if we trade Tavares, what would Pierre do for an encore?
There is no benefit to tipping their hand at this point. Picture a scenario where the Isles get the first pick and Tampa gets the second pick. Lets say Tampa really wants Hedman cause they already have Stamkos, if Tampa is afraid the Islanders are going to select Hedman they could make the Isles an offer to secure Hedman. Just making this scenario up of course, but the point being if the Isles tipped their hand and said Tavares was the player they wanted they would lose all leverage in making a potential deal. Also what if Tavares got hurt or some character questions came up between now and the draft the Isles would look like fools for committing too early. They should keep all their options open until the draft, no need to commit to any player at this point so early before the draft.
By doing what he’s doing, Garth Snow:
–Gives himself leverage in potential pre-draft contract negotiations with Taveras/Hedman/Duchesne. You don’t think those guys don’t want to be known as #1 overall?
–Explores the possibility that Taveras or Hedman might pull a Lindros/Elway/Eli Manning.
–Gives himself leverage in potential trade talks
–Keeps fans talking about his team for 2.5 months.
What he said in the story was brilliant. He didn’t go to Yale because of how stupid he is.
Its plain and simple. If we have #1 we take JT at #2 we take Hedman. Plain and simple. Yes Garth it is that easy. No need to make your and more importantly our lives more difficult trying to be SUPER GM and making trades.
Is there any way to send an email to Garth Snow? Its about time the Isles did something to make the “die hards” happy for once!!!
Please, Garth, give us fans some respect for Heavens Sakes!
JayK - Garth went to Maine… You ready to panic now?
I can’t believe it but I am on the negative nancy side of this article. If taken with no context, Snow’s comments can be seen as a tactic to keep his plans close to the vest. And I agree with the people who say this is something GM’s do. However, this franchise has made so many questionable decisions in the last 10 years, I simply can’t take it at face value. I am afraid of another “we know better then everyone” move.
In this case the bold move is to take Tavares first or Hedmen second. I don’t really care if either of them turn out to be mediocre players even. The fan base needs a shot in the arm. A winning team is the ultimate goal, but the whole organization needs something to rally around right now. The kids we got are already a great start, but the media attention and excitement from drafting a Canadian scoring stud would be big step forward. Please please please Snow, listen to offers, but make the consensus pick this one time.
Ok, so let’s not lynch Garth just yet. It is his job to listen to all offers on the table. It would be kinda dumb to show his cards ahead of time wouldn’t it? Trust me I really understand the desire to have Isles brass just announce they’re going to take Tavares if they get the #1 overall. I’ve been a suffering fan since the ‘96 - ‘97 season so I’ve been smacked down plenty. I’d like to sleep soundly from tonight through draft day but I know it’s not gonna happen. I do feel that IF the Isles win the lottery tonight they will be taking Tavares in June not matter what offers are on the table but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t listen.
Garth Snow went to Yale? I thought he was a Maine alum.
1) Come on Snow, enough of the, uh, Snow-job there. The Isles win the lotery and they have ONE player on their list.
2) Now, IF they lose(have to pick second then we could understand they might entertain a trade offer to move down a spot or two.
Happy Birthday Mrs. CB.
We have enough picks this year, its quality over quantity
Please stop the hysteria. Being a GM is like playing chess. You don’t want your opponent to know your strategy. Everyone take a collective deep breath. We are still 2.5 months away from the draft and we’re acting like Garth just took a goalie with the number one pick. All he said was he’s going to take his time and do what is in the best interest of the team. If a GM acted on pure emotion, we would have to come up with a crazy nickname like Mad Mike. Like Smitty said, what has Garth really done that has been that awful (besides the DP contract)?
Garth is just being a good poker player. As I mentioned in a post yesterday, the Isles will be in a position to listen to some incredible offers. What is everyone afraid of? I love the so called GM’s on here. How do we know what Aaron Ness will bring to the table along with Bailey? To say he screwed up last year, is being way too presumptious. We have no clue until 3-4 years down the road if what he did at last years draft will pan out. Last year, I thought it was a great move. In this years draft, different scenario. If we get #1 tonite, no brainer. If we get # 2, Garth would be nuts not to listen to the multitude of offers coming from other teams, especially if the 3rd team is Tampa. I love someones thought of Malone, next years #1, and the 3rd pick if we get #2. We could even throw in one of this years 3rd rounders
That’s the problem. Snow is not a GM!!!!
Do we expect anything less from “Bozo the Snow”! If we don’t draft either Tavares or Hedman then you know we really have no clue. The LH is screwing us up! If we don’t draft those two expect us to be dreadful forever! Why do we always have incompentent management! Its the New Angeles Cliplanders!
What Garth did last year was brilliant. Our three top prospects are from last years draft. He knows what he is doing its all a process.
This organization has been a flat out joke for 15+ years. And now joking about this monumental decision? Hard to believe Gordon and/or Snow find anything funny after finishing dead last in the league. You have ZERO credibility with your fans to joke around. Actually worse than that; the org has proven to be grossly incompetent over an extended period of time. Take your time and make the right decision. Don’t get cute. And be quite until you pick Tavares or Hedman.
Kevin Fritz (23) Thanks for the words of reason. It seems as arm-chair GM’s, there are a lot of people out there that have all the right answers. I would love for the Islanders to draft John Tavares, but…if they happen to take Victor Hedman and are able to grab one of the other top centerman in the draft I won’t lose any sleep over it. It’s officially baseball and golf season!
Make that Kevin Fritz (24)
I think we have to take JT if we get #1, take either JT or VH if we get #2, and then look to package the SJ pick and one of our early 2nd rd picks to get a mid rd pick in the 1st rd.
Hey, If anyone doesn’t like when Snow says/does then you are more then welcomed to go root for the Rangers. Don’t let the door hit you in the you know what on the way out.
If Snow win the #1 and announces he will draft Tavares, you can already begin the PR movement and get people to buy some sort of ticket package, with Tavares its a win-win both on and off the ice. The hype alone will be awesome.
i dont know why things have to be made so complicated. Every single Rating and Scouting service has John Tavares as most exciting and #1 prospect. Hedman is a close second at top Defense.
Both these guys are in close of themselves. Duchense, Kane, Cowen are all second tier 1st rounders.
Why entertain offers. Isles need to save rhe franchise.
The one thing that Tavares has that Hedman doesn’t is the ability to fill up the Nassau Coloseum instantenously.
How i know this. Im getting season tickets next year if John Tavares is an Isles.
you get Duchene and im just fine sitting at home or getting discounted season tickets all year to every game like this year.
No Goalie or Dman should be every taken #1. that is fact. Look at history of NHL draft if you think otherwise. You think this year would be any different.
CB sorry for the extra post.
Someone else said a perfect situation though. Lets say we win the number 2 and you have Duchene close to Hedman. TB calls and offers a number 1 this year and there number 1 next year plus a second this year. Do you switch take the extra 1 and two next year and grab Duchene or not. I would do that. WOuldnt you?
1st overall pick to Tampa for the 2nd overall pick and Stamkos. With those nut jobs in Tampa a trade with us would just be a crap shoot. Two teams that do the most ridiculous things in the world.
you have to listen….if tampa says hey we want to move up from 3 to 2 and we’ll give you st.louis and the third pick are you going to say no??? listen to every offer…you have to do your job…everybody relax we are worrying about players who none of us have even seen…we have to trust the scouts..its not like other sports where you have a pretty good idea of a players talent coming out..
I think this is very smart. For example, say we land the number 1 overall pick and Tampa the second overall pick. It is almost a sure-fire thing they want Hedman because they already have Vinny and Stamkos at center. What if Garth Snow trades the number one overall pick to TB, and in return we get their first round pick, their second round pick in 09, and like a 3rd round pick in 2010? That would be a great trade for us, as not only can we still have either Tavares or Hedman (most likely Tavares with them), but we also get two extra picks. We need both Hedman and Tavares anyway.
Remember when Bill Torrey didn’t do his job by NOT even listening to offers for the #1 pick which became Denis Potvin! Hey Garth how did that work out?
Snow’s obviously just working on his “poker face”….you know, the one he worked on during those all nighters at Yale! Snow has a job we all would kill for, he doesn’t have to tip his hand to anyone, not other GM’s or the fanbase….he played this interview just right. He keeps us all guessing, but maybe tonight he does come out with some hint of his intentions….for me, I’d rather go into the draft not knowing the team’s intentions, it certainly makes the off season more interesting…I, like most of the team’s diehard fans long for that top talent, but even more, I hope each season brings a consistent winning team….after years of watching Maloney (former Rag) and Milbury (former Bruin), methodically take apart the franchise, I’m more than willing to have Snow do his job, but more importantly, do it right, and I believe that not showing his hand at this point is the right way to go…
I think that may be what Snow is thinking, If we win the lottery, he may be think that TB would want Hedman more than Tavares, you trade the #1 to TB (and have a agreement that they DO take Hedman) for their #2 and their 2nd or 3rd round pick as well
Snow is just doing his due diligence even though I don’t think he is that good of GM. My take is that they probably like Taveras and will take him if they get the #1 pick in the draft because of how he played in World Juniors. Also, he would sell a lot of season tickets for 2009 as most of you have pointed out. I don’t think they’re sold on Hedman. He looked awful in the World Juniors.I think if they get the #2 pick overall, look for them to trade down. Also, I look for them to trade a couple of their #2 picks for a some scoring.A good indication of how they feel about Hedman is if they sign Matt Gilroy this week.
So the ideal scenario for the Isles is they get #1 pick tonight and draft Taveras. Sign Gilroy on Wednesday. In the summer make a run at one of the defenseman in the free agent market and try and trade for some scoring help with the many extra picks that they have. Finally look for a goalie in the draft as well as picking up a veteran to help DiPietro if and when he comes back.
Doug
I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Please, don’t try to out smart the league again.
i dont know why things have to be made so complicated.-Spartiati-
That was perfectly worded.
I do not think I can support the team anymore if he trades the first overall pick. I am sure I am not the only one who shares the same feeling.
I’ll help load the Isles’ moving truck the day they decide not to take Tavares.
why would snow tip his hand at this point. You never know what someone may offer for the No.1 or No.2. Not going to beat him up over this..YET
Stop complaining everyone! People are calling Snow a moron and he hasn’t done anything yet. You all sound like little whiny babies. It’s just a hockey team people.
That statement right there shows why the Islanders have been run so poorly for 15 years. 5 or 6 players!!!!!! You are guaranteed a top 2 pick, it should start and end with Tavares and Hedman.
I asked on “ask the Isles announcers” on MSG.com, several times, too Howie Rose & Billy Jaffe, “Do you guy’s feel that if Garth has the chance to take Taveres or Hedman will he trade down for quantity or will he go for quality and take the favorite choice?”.
Finally, after a month of repeating the question several times and others as well were asking the same thing, they finally had the cahunas to address the question many Isles fans want to know. They both agreed, “Garth will take Taveres, hand down, there is no doubt about it, he is the obvious choice”.
Doesn’t look like us fans matter too much to Garth if he trades down, IMHO.
Snow’s quote “We know we aren’t taking a goalie.” Snow don’t get cute you might want to think about drafting one late 1st round, unless you think the NHL implements a new rule about using a goaliestick and crutches…
This team is really a joke. I am a die-hard islanders fan and I really dont understand the team direction right now. Every other team in the past, lets say 7 years who have received the #1 overall pick, never traded it and went with the clear-cut player to draft #1. People are going to go crazy and stop rooting or going to games, if the Islanders do something stupid
Nobody pay there season subscriber invoices that are due on the 30th. Wait it out till this mess clears up.
Snow will show all of the Islanders fans what he is made of over the next 3 or 4 months. By the End of July the Isles nation will ” Love or Hate ” Mr. Snow. He has a lot of work to do. He only has 2 goaltenders for both of his teams. He is also way under the cap. He is going to be very busy. I wonder who he will be able to get as a free agent…..
Sorry CB I know you don’t like it when posters go back and forth, but this is driving me crazy. Garth has done nothing, but tell a reporter that they are going to look at all of their options. This is what GM’s do. I don’t care that Tampa announced Stamkos right away. They are not the model franchise right now. As of now, Snow doesn’t know if he will have the second or first pick, so do you want him to say if we’re first Tavares and second Hedman? Should he tell us all every conversation he’s had with every GM over the past 3 years? I know we’re all entitled to our opinion, but again many are basing their anti-Snow tirade on something that hasn’t happened. Now I need to take a deep breath.
OK, as far as poker, this is a pretty bad bluff. There is really no “hand” to tip. Everyone knows there are 2 and only 2 top prizes. “We have a plan and will stick to it unless someone blows us away with an offer” is probably a better bluff than another long-winded, overly complicated Garth answer about “evaluations” and “processes”. No one in their right mind believes that at 1 or 2 there are seriously 5 or 6 guys to consider. I wonder how short and simple a guy like Burke’s answer would be to this question…
Well said Brett - It gets a little ridiculous to read some of these posts
Has the draft order been set already? No! So why tell the world this is the guy you want before you even know if you can get him. It’s just part of the game… and it seems the NHL draft is becoming more like the NFL draft with the way teams try to divert attention from who they may be taking.
Macch — #37 — well, I heard he was at least waitlisted at Yale!
(Don’t know why I thought he went there…sorry!)
Still not panicking.
First off, any smart GM should explore all the options to improve his team.
Second, why does it necessarily mean that those 5-6 guys that are being looked at are for our first pick? He may be looking to trade up to get one of them. I’m sure that Ellis, Ekman-Larssonm and Kassian are among these players. Calm down and leave the hockey decisions to the hockey people.
75 - The disgruntle fans are actually basing their displeasure on the fact that after 3 years at the helm, the Islanders just finished last. He seems to be all over the place, lack of direction…seems to be anyway. Not great with veteran players as well.
Do you think that the Leafs will be giving Burke that same level of lenience?
I didn’t think so…
WE DON’T EVEN HAVE THE NUMBER ONE PICK YET….patience
15 years worth of stupid decisions is why people on this blog are freaking out right about now.
It was not always like this. There were days when we made *great* decisions that paid off in a Stanley Cup that had sequels. Arbour, Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, Bossy, etc.
My prayers for the Islanders is that we WIN the damned lottery.
THe lottery win could be the start of a feeling that things will go our way again. I can’t think of a single Isles fan I know who feels we will win the draft lottery tonight. We have developed a culture of losing on LI and a culture of lack of confidence.
Here’s hoping the Lottery will be step one.
Step two - will be Garth Snow resisting the attempt to “Out-GM” the other GM’s in the league and develop a five team trade where we deal down in the draft to acquire has been players and multiple second round picks.
This is not that time. Take “best on the board” at # 1. And may that player be John Tavares. And may this be the second step in a series of steps which will right our ship and put us firstly - in contention - and secondly - build a powerhouse team on LI.
I dont see what is upsetting about this. If Garth was doing interviews telling everyone exactly who he is taking, then the word could easily be how he blew it by squelching any offers other GMs might have made. CB himself said that Garth would be wise to listen to offers until the very last second- so whats wrong with Garth doing that and not giving away to the world what he wants to do?
You are all really overthinking this… Why would he say what he’s gonna do, right now?
“I feel I don’t have to defend the pick to anyone. There was a chance to get a talented big man…and it was too much to pass up. We’re delighted to have [him]. I know one thing, he is a hard worker.”
- Ed Tapscott, after drafting Frederic Weis for the Knicks ahead of Ron Artest
If the Islanders don’t win the lottery tonight, it’s going to be an interesting 2+ months until draft day.
This is a smokescreen. It has to be! The whole idea is to be in a position to draft the best player available! As Mcguire pointed out, the talent drops after #2. We own 1 of the top 2 players in the draft!I don’t want more picks, I don’t care about a number 1 in 2010. Kovalchuk will never be traded here, and if he was, he would never sign. Vinny L is starting to show his wear and tear, and what would they get us? 8th place and another early ouster? The whole idea of the rebuild is youngsters! And we can draft 1 of the best 2 youngsters in the world! As CB pointed out, this is one of the most important drafts in Isle history! The whole franchise teeters on the edge! Tavares or Hedman, nothing else!!
I hope they don’t screw this up, after all we have seen this season and in season’s past.
LETS GO CAPS.
This is what Snow is going to do:
-Draft John Tavares 1st overall.
-Then trade for the #2 pick and draft Victor Hedman.
This would make my Hockey Head Happy.
Shut up what a bunch of whiners…….Snow is doing his job. Dont tip your hat and let other G.M.’s wonder WTF we are going to do. You never know someone with cap issues might make a hell of an offer for our pick. If not well we know who the studs are.
#92, I was saying that in jest. It is very frustrating that he just will not declare Tavares #1 if we win the lottery tonight.
I don’t think the issue is the #1 or #2 pick. It is more what Snow can do to elevate the San Jose 1st round pick into a top ten pick. If he can somehow do that then he will walk away with two outstanding picks.
Pick up 1 or 2 key players in the off-season either through trade (cap issues for other teams) or UFA and the dynamics/ future of this team is soundly in place.
With the exception of in goal as we don’t know what is to become of DiPietro. History says that many of us are skeptical of Ricky’s condition and future. It is about what they are not saying about Ricky’s knees and hips as what they are saying.
I believe Garth will review things closely and make astute decisions after the #1 pick.
Look at what colorodo/quebec got for Lindros. But can Garth pull something like that off?
I’ll bet anything Garth doesn’t even know the lottery is tonight.
This is all good GM posturing by Snow. You cannot show your cards.
I get the feeling that regardless of what happens tonight, we still won’t know a whole lot. If we end up at #2, Tavares is less likely but not impossible. There can be many possible outcomes. We’ll be itching for draft day to come. That will be a LOOOONG wait.
The Isles have what 6 picks in the first 2 rounds, right? So, maybe he would like to move some of those picks.
I cannot see the Isles giving up the 1st or 2nd pick overall.
I’m not worried…..yet.
Hey Chris, it’s time to change the name of this site to “The Ledge”, cause that’s where the vast majority of the people here are standing. I gave up reading the negativity about half way through.
You all need to take a pill. Snow says one damn thing, and you guys are all over him. Calm down. Please. He better damn well say that his options are open - what do you want him to say? Tavares or bust? Then what if we don’t get the #1? Or if he infers that he knows who he’s picking if we do get #1 - that would clearly be Tavares, and then if we don’t get him, we’ll call Snow amateurish for looking stupid.
In his time on LI, Snow has not proven to be the embarrassment we assumed he’d be when a backup goalie moved from the bench to the executive penthouse. He’s been a mediocre GM - the good - seemingly building a core from where there was none, the bad - rifts with a guy like Ted Nolan who very well could have coached this franchise to a Cup. But don’t just assume that because Snow said it, its ridiculous, and should be pounced upon. Was it so terrible that we moved down last year, got a damn good wise-beyond-his years player in Bailey, plus a slew of extra picks? Who of the 5-8 range in last year’s draft did anything this year anyway?
I don’t want to say I trust Snow, but he seems to be getting better at this thing. Now, my response has always been that Wang should have said “Snow, you may make a great GM down the line, but you’ll learn under someone more experienced for a few years.” However, he’s the GM now, and hasn’t done a terrible job thusfar.
But hell…cancelling season tickets? pissing off the fanbase? making you sick? Take a deep breath, and remember that THIS IS WHAT ALL NHL FRANCHISES DO. JUST BECAUSE ITS THE ISLANDERS DOESN’T MEAN IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DUMB.
If Snow doesn’t come out of this draft with either Tavares or Hedman, he will have screwed this draft up. If Snow pulls this trading down crap this year, we will be looking back at this draft in the same negative light that we do the 2000 draft. Passing on a franchise player when your team doesn’t have anything that resembles one is inexcusable. Its time Snow stops trying to outsmart the entire hockey world and play the percentages here.
People……Why is everyone freaking out right now….I woke up this morning, made my 8 o’clock coffee(which by the way is far superior then any coffee i have ever drank) and read the article in Newsday about the ISLANDERS!! I will admitt, I almost choked on my coffee and dripped out of my nose…But in reality, what GARTH said was EXACTLY what he should say…I dont agree that if we win the lottery tonight we automatically disclose who we are choosing…Ive been an ISLANDERS FAN for a looong time, and never in my years have I been able to witness and remember a winning TEAM…Guys, remember that we are REBUILDING, this process doesnt take 1 season to turn it around, it takes 3-4 seasons….I will say that if we win the lottery tonight and we dont pick TAVARES, I am going to be very very disappointed, but SNOW only said what a GM should say whose in his position, that he will listen to all offers on the table….WE have to be patient ladies and gents, this is a long brutal process with only a happy ending in store..AS LONG AS THE LH IS BUILT and it all happens on LI…Before we verbally assault SNOW and CO. lets wait until tonight is over and until draft day itself…Until then(maybe i can say until one more time) lets all sit back and enjoy the ride and talk about something less stressful, like the ECONOMY, or UNEMPLOYEMENT, or HOUSING MARKET, or GLOBAL WARMING…Ok who am i Kidding, all us die hard fans know that the ISLANDERS and this years draft is WAY more important then anything else that is going on in the WORLD….
LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
Snow would be the laughing-stock off the hockey world if he does not pick taveres at #1. Since the kid was 14 he has been something clearly special. Snow, you are fooling nobody. At least for the sake of the Islanders fans, I hope you are not trying to fool anybody.
How about stupis Snow saying that we will wait and see where we are drafting and make our decision from there…..NOPE not with this team they always say stupid things do stupid things and go totally against the grain of what would be considered normal. REMEMBER who Snow’s boss is? any one of a million things could happen at the draft with this team. You can only guess at this point. I’m sure they will find a way to look stupid and piss of what is left of the fan base. Let’s all hurry up and commit to this till 2012 by April 30th so by the time we are all pissed off in June we are stuck for 4 more years of this!!!
Lorne, go take a nap!
#34 - Garth went to the University of Maine where he won the NCAA Championship and earned his degrees.
Cruicky - (#104) (and all of the others who like to second guess in advance) - Garth Snow’s goal is to move forward in the rebuild of the Islanders. In order to accomplish that goal he is doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing, exploring all options. If he can find a deal to move back two spots while accumulating assets that can move him up into a second top 10 pick, I’d sign up for that in a minute. It’s going to take more than one player to complete the rebuild.
To those complaining about the complainers…after the 15 years of mismanagement, how can you fault anyone for hearing our GM say that he’s considering 5 or 6 players at the #1 or #2 spot and worrying that he might actually be doing just that? Granted, the draft hasn’t actually happened, and I hope Snow makes us proud. But you can’t help but have a little doubt at a joke here or a bluff there. If the Red Wings or Devils had made the exact same comments, none of us would be freaking, its all part of the context.
108 - Snow can move forward during this rebuild all he wants. He can look around, explore even talk and discuss.
If he has the #1 and does not take Taveres, CB help me out, He will not be in the position naxt year to make the same mistake.
geduffer (108): You can’t pass up on a potential franchise player to stock up on mid to late round picks. This is a two-player draft. Tavares and Hedman. The consensus around all of hockey is that everyone else on the board is a step below or more from those two. The Isles have NO franchise players. None. Zero. When was the last time a team underwent a successful rebuild without any franchise players to build around?
If Garth wants to play his little head games with the other GM’s out there, then fine. So long as he does the right thing and drafts either Tavares or Hedman in June. If he trades down out of the top two, he better be getting back three first rounders as compensation from another bad team that will be projected to finish in the bottom 10 the next three seasons and better not be trading down more than one or two spots max to get them.
Smitty (30): Garth had nothing to do with the DP signing. That was all Wang. Wang and DP negotiated the deal, even without DP’s agent being involved. But I see your point. Garth has been okay as GM, definitely better than Milbury for the simple reason that he doesn’t seem impulsive and actually has a rebuilding plan he is sticking to. But Garth has made some questionable moves in his short tenure (Smyth trade, trading down twice in the first round at last year’s draft) that can be scrutinized either way. It is not surprising that fans are nervous that he will roll the dice on draft day and pass on the two top ranked players in the draft and set this franchise back further.
This type of talk scares the be-jesus out of me. I’d rather take one of those young supperstars. However, if there was a deal on the table from Phoenix lets say for Kyle Turris and Shane Doan to swap picks and the Yotes gave us Calgray’s first rounder. That might be hard to pass up. That sixth pick would be an awesome pick then and only then.
Why is this team always trying to re-invent the wheel? Just pick the best player available.
I don’t know if anyone has said this yet but I’ve read some posts blaming Snow for the 15 year contract signed by DP. I just wanted to point out (unless CB corrects me) I believe that was Wangs doing. I seem to remember Wang pushing for the deal and I even remember Bettman trying to talk him out of it on numerous occasions. Also Snow is doing what GM in every sport does before a draft. Never close the window because you never know if someone will offer up the deal of a lifetime. It would be absolutely downright irresponsible and moronic to show your cards and tell everyone exactly who you want to draft. Good GMs do not operate that way.
correction, every GM
It is AMAZING how the Isles ALWAYS think they know better then the rest of the NHL?
Maybe they didn’t realize that they finished DEAD LAST? Pick either Hedman or Taveras PERIOD! If they screw this draft up like last year I will be DONE with this team they can move for all that I would care. Snow you don’t know more then the rest of the NHL even though you think you do you finished DEAD LAST!
You have to listen to offers, Remember that the winner of th Lindros trade was the Avs/Nordiques, Now Id pick tavares if I get the chance, but you do have to listen to offers, there could be a scenario that you could just not pass up.
#106, I can use one, I have a 9 week old daughter who I hope gets to grow up to see the Islanders.
Last years Snow did not even know how long Petrov’s Russian contract was for after he drafted him. Please stop trying to make Snow out like he is some great GM.
Post #54 you are 100% correct but do you really think the Isles are that smart?
Remember they fired a Stanley Cup winning GM to replace him with the backup goalie.
And if that Stanley Cup winning GM was so great why does he not have a GM job right now? Oh yeah and that coach that was going to take us to the Stanley Cup, what team is he coaching for right now?
All I’m going to say is this - I’ve gone to pretty much every home game this year …I’ve watched all of the other games on TV …I’ve sat through the losing with the hopes of getting Tavares (or secondly Hedman) …if they have the chance to get one of those two and then pull some crazy stunt like last year I’m going to really have a hard time spending ANY more money on this team …why can’t they just do the normal thing for once? Why must we go against the grain each time?
Snow, if you get the #1 pick why not just say to the World - “We’re taking Tavares” …stop trying to reinvent the wheel and be smarter than you are!!!
PeteM,
He was good enough to help win a cup. He does not have a GM job right now because most owners are not morons like Wang and just hire anybody. The Islanders have done nothing under Wang or Snow. A rebuild does not have to take 5 years.
Snow knows what he is doing. He is taking everything into consideration.
(46)… Get something straight “Real Vukota” and everyone else who’s currently standing on a ledge over something that hasn’t actually happened: YOU are the one(s) who are not a GM, no matter the wisdom you post on an internet blog. Snow IS the GM of this team, whether you like it or not.
Just out of curiosity, if the Isles do win the lottery and if Snow does draft Tavares @ #1, does that finally make him a “real” GM? Does he then stop being the “backup goalie”?
You people act like because he didn’t take some sort of preordained progression from player to GM that he’s not a “real” GM. What crap. Do you have any idea how many other GM’s haven’t exactly worked their way up the ranks? More than you think.
Lots of folks around here, and elsewhere, like to hold up Lou Lamoriello as the gold standard of GMs. And for mostly good reasons. But do you know what he did before he became GM of the Devils? His Wiki entry does (with emphasis by me): “Lamoriello was appointed as president of the Devils by then-owner John McMullen in April 1987. Lamoriello NAMED HIMSELF general manager just before the start of the next season–a move that surprised many NHL observers. He had NEVER PLAYED, COACHED OR MANAGED in the NHL, and was virtually unknown outside the American college hockey community.”
So, yeah, it obviously worked out for Lou and the Devils. He got the chance to learn on the job, and 8 years later they won a Cup. The point is that there is not one specific method to becoming a successful NHL GM. Whether some of you want to admit it or not, Snow has made more good moves than bad since taking over the Isles, and deserves - at minimum - to have this year’s draft actually take place before he gets crucified for the results of it.
I could envision Snow attempting to outsmart Tampa by making them think we’re looking at Hedman at #1. Tampa convinces Snow they need Hedman and give something significant to trade up to #1, and then Tampa takes Taveras lol… nice hand, sir.
So we get Hedman and something significant. Whats so wrong with that?
COME ON GARTH. 1 OR 2 DESERVES TAVARES OR HEDMAN, not a trade! It’s win-win tonight boys… but will it be that clear cut on draft day?!
Well… there’s nothing wrong with ending up with Hedman and something significant, but these guys are obviously building towards a specific outcome once the draft order is determined; it’s not a crapshoot. Picking Hedman vs. Taveras will have an effect on their planning for the remainder of the draft…
Burke in TO is saying to anybody that wants to listen that he is going to actively pursue a trade for Tavares
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/04/14/burke_tavares_pursuit/
Now if he wants to give me Scheen, His #1 this year and his #1 next year, you might have to start listening………
In re: Gilroy, courtesy of ESPN’s John Buccigross:
“…NHL team sources tell me Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy is apparently down to Toronto, Philadelphia, Chicago and Vancouver in terms of a free-agent contract.”
I am a Leafs fan, and Burke would sell his Mother to get Taveres. This must tell Snow something.
Its an exciting time for Islanders fans. These past 15 years have given us Jets itis. Unfortunately Im a jets fan as well. I truely have faith in Janosnow.
Marc from Troy,
Whether YOU like it or not, we can say what ever we want about Snow. It is called freedom of speech. If YOU do not like that is YOUR problem. The team has absolutely sucked under Snow. We looked no better than a AHL team at the end. When Snow actually accomplishes something with the team please let me know.
To all the fans freaking out…
As much as I want John Tavares wearing an Islanders uniform….Garth is exactly right playing this close to the vest.
Do not use Tampa as an example….that team has all kind of issues.
Now that Toronto has basically stated they are desperate for Tavares, what could Snow get from Brian Burke? Luke Schenn?…2 #1’s?….Matt Stajan? who knows…Garth is doing the right thing.
I know people are still afraid from the Milbury days….but relax and enjoy this time…It’s not every year you end up with a top 2 pick with 2 franchise type talents sitting there,and I just finished reading Bob MacKenzie’s chat and he is extremely high on Matt Duchene as well.
Look, if the team doen’t know who is at the top of their list by now, we need new management and scouts. Why do they continue to put us suffering fans through this crap?
Yeah, Burke’s public comments about Tavares are unsettling, but not as much as Tavares eyelash-batting response. “What a team, I’m so flattered,” etc. I just wish Garth wouldn’t play stuff close to the vest. He shouldn’t be listening to blog posters, either, but giving the fan base and the NHL audience–and the prospies themeselves–some confident assurances about how he values players can be valuable.
The word is Tavares doesn’t want to play for us–yeah, that was a misquote from some story a few months ago, but it’s gained momentum. Garth saying he values JT or Hedman isn’t tipping his hat to other GMs, it’s fluffing egos and giving respect to guys he may ask to join his team. I’m afraid his silence is code for not disrespecting the non-TavHed layer of top prospects that we’ll probably end up with.
I have a hunch that if we get #1, we’ll take controversy-free Hedman. If we’re at #2, and Hedman’s gone, then I see Garth pre-empting some awkwardness with Tavares’ people to see if he can auction off the pick. Mad Garth?
We will be fine…lol.
I did hear Brian Burke will do whatever it takes to get John Tavarses.
Could be interesting… they really don’t have much to give.
The only trade I would accept from Toronto is Schenn and their pick this year.
Tavares is the only choice if we get number one. I read before people changing their minds from JT to VH because Mr Torrey took Potvin first. Anyone who is a fan remembers guys like Bossy or Trottier, you need scorers and JT smashed #99’s record and is in a class like crosby, How is Pitt doing these days? With JT we can see real fans come back to see a great player , I am sick of all the soccer moms and kids that are more into catching a teeshirt then learning and watching the great sport of hockey. I just hope Snow does the right thing and takes the best player out there,I rahter take a chance with a scorer over a Dman. just do not pull a Mike and grab a injury prone bust (#39DP), would could have been with Luongo.
Jethro, I wouldnt go as far asd to say we don’t have a players who resembles franchise player, Okposo is showing he can be a huge goal scorer…
96 The Real Vukota on Apr 14th, 2009 10:12:03 said:
“I’ll bet anything Garth doesn’t even know the lottery is tonight.” LOLZZZZZZZz
AIM, you hust negged me out, man…
If we’re fortunate to have the 1st overall choice, all Snow needs to do is chhose the 1st overall choice and Isles fans everywhere will have a renewed sense of trust and faith in our teams brass…Please, Snow, just do it, DO IT, DO IT…
136 Tony, refreshing, after all the negitivity, just talked me off the ledge.
I just hope that was a brutal attempt at having a poker face … there is NOOOO WAYYY the Isles should even be looking past seriously drafting anyone other than Tavares or Hedman … and if they have the #1 pick … just interview Tavares and make roommate arrangements with him and DiBennedetto for Rookie camp … Stop Screwing around Garth … this is some serious doo doo.
Brother rat, Garth doesnt need to say he loves Taveres to the m,edia when he’s rolly gonna talk with him in person and tell him what he thinks of him…
… What ever Snowy does … don’t even consider doing business with Burke … I read comments from Burke that he doesn’t consider a deal unless he knows for certain that he’s getting the better end of the deal … If Snow does any deals … he’s going to get Fleeeeced.
I would have to think any deal Toronto wants to pull off not involving Schenn and at least one number 1 is a non-starter, and if Schenn isn’t on the table at all as is stated in the article, this conversation won’t take long on Garth’s end.
All Isles fans revolt! (141): Do you consider Okposo to be on the same level as Ovechkin? Crosby? Malkin? Lecavalier? Kovalchuk? Those are what I mean by franchise players. I don’t see Okposo ever becoming that. I do think he’ll become an elite player, an all-star, but to say that he’s a franchise player or will become one is lofty.