WELCOME, MATT
Duchene visited the Islanders on Monday
Point Blank on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nyipointblank
Matt Duchene, considered anywhere between the No. 1 and No. 3 prospect available in the 2009 NHL Draft, visited with Islanders management on Monday in New York.
John Tavares was at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum last week. Victor Hedman currently is scheduled to come to town the first week in June. The Islanders have plans to meet with as many as ten first-round prospects.
Since the Coliseum is not exactly the Air Canada Centre or any of the palaces around the NHL, the visits are not so much tours as an opportunity to meet face-to-face and discuss the plans of the franchise and goals of the young player.
The meetings are also markedly different than the kind of free agent visits you see in the NFL and NBA. With potential draft picks – even the first overall – there is little recruiting necessary. The Islanders want to make their prospective draft selections feel at home, should the club select them. They no doubt did that with Matt Duchene yesterday.
Discussion on the top pick here, picks 26-37 in next thread.
86 Responses to WELCOME, MATT
Duchene visited the Islanders on Monday
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Yanks26 says:
I think Matt will be a great player and wish him all the best as he helps a struggling team regain it’s past glory…in Colorado!
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Ajax says:
I saw him pushing DP around in his wheelchair in the parking lot of NVMC
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YellowHat says:
Good kid, good player, good luck elsewhere hopefully
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Original Rob says:
Thanks for stopping by, Matt.
CB, since you mentioned not having much to write about in the middle of May, how about running a “separated at birth”, interactive thread, complete with pictures and all?
I’ll start- is it just me, or does projected #2 NBA draft pick Ricky Rubio look EXACTLY like Corey Trivino?
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Blizzard says: Holy crap what a baby face that kid has!!! LOL!!! Might be my number one if it wasnt for JT. Good luck Matt. Unless you bring Hedman with you we will be going in a different direction.
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You know it’s probably a good thing management doesn’t tell us fans who is coming and when because you’d probably see a line of fans with signs outside the gates saying something like “We want Tavares. Go Home.” Snow is doing everything right so far, and probably demonstrating to the picks that it’s not all that bad being an Islander unlike what the picks may hear in Canada.
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Matt says:
good to hear. good luck to you Matt if it is here on Long Island or elsewhere.
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Crackhead Theo says:
Tavares + Komisarek + Anderson + Our other draft picks should be the offseason. Maybe they can get a B+ goal scorer in the offseason as well.
None of this Gaborik crap. the guy is a Chandelier and not worth the money he will get. Maybe the Rag$ will give him a 7 year, $56M deal. I love Glen Sather!!
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Rob76 says:
I hope he got a good view of the Marriott – thats where he and Smyth can stay when Colorado comes to town each year to take on JT and the Isles. I think Duchene has fallen back a little bit from when he was hot a month ago – The only one i am scared us taking over JT is that big bird doof Hedman
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Willis says:
WOW do I feel old looking at that kid’s picture!
Nice easy job for Garth though, last place team, nowhere to go but up, and you, son, could be a BIIIIIG part of it! That’s gotta sit better than knowing they’ll be going to some team where these kids will be invisible for at least a year or 2. Eh? -
bergie20 says:
rob76 – that big big doof hedman is probably going to contend for the norris trophy in the next 5 years. i don’t understand the lack of love for victor. we’re not taking duchene but i think mckenzie is right and that we pick hedman.
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Rob76 (#9). All the visiting teams stay at the Garden City Hotel, not the Marriot.
However, next time the Avalance come to Town, they can put Mr. Smyth at a hourly rate motel in Roosevelt or Wyandanch. -
Strummer's Army says:
Nice to see the team doing it’s homework. These visits are important for many reasons. 1) If you don’t draft the player now it gives you an opportunity to get to know him and he the organization in case down the road the team has interest in the player via trade or FA.
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Larry says:
#12, that not correct, only a few teams stay at the garden city hotel, my buddy works at the marriott and is in charge of the visiting team and most stay at the Marriott. not to mention I see players after games at Champions
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Snowman says:
bergie20 (#11). Hedman may not even be the best defenseman in this draft. I’ve read in a couple of places that some scouts feel Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a better player than Hedman, but Hedman gets the nod because he’s a rare physical specimen. Also, many scouts feel that Drew Doughty will have a better career. To say he’s going to contend for a Norris Trophy in the next 5 years is silly. Hedman will be a good player IMO, but I think he’s overrated.
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BERGIE/CRACKHEAD THEO— I dont care where they stay as long as they dont live on the Island. Bergie – its not so much a lack of love for Hedman as much as its a desire for what we need most. Hedman might be a great defenseman one day but in my opinion we need the goal scorer and anything less is unacceptable to this Isles fan. The whole year Tavares was the hands down top guy – his last 4 years in the OHL says enough – It will be nice to have a 20 goal scorer again one day since we didnt this year
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I have heard people say, they would only be happy with not drafting John Tavares, if the Islander’s got Victor Hedman, and Matt Duchene. I completely disagree with that opinion. #1 on the NY Islander’s list has to be John Tavares, forget getting Duchene, and Hedman. The NY Islander’s need select Tavares with their # 1 selection. What to me would be super! would be after selecting John Tavares #1, do what they have to, to select Zach Kassian #2. From there out, go for BIG defenceman. Thanks Chris, Mark N/J Go Islander’s!
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BTW…Wow on the NHL.com Mock draft one guy has us getting Tavares and Oliver Ekman-Larsson – dont think there is one Islander fan in the world even the Hedman guys that wouldn’t sign for that…ok thats my limit for this post Im done CB
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Anette says:
#16,I really would LOVE to know how you can make a statement that Hedman is overrated. Please, share your scouting methodologies with the class if you will, we’d ALL like to know how you arrived at that.
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Blizzard says:
I get the LULzz reading thses posts. Crack Head Theo, Big Bird doof Hedman…..LOL… but seriously, Hedman fans are clueless. No one has seen any of these two play so we go on scouting reports…oh and things like breaking Gretzky’s records and stuff……with the first overall selection in the 2009 NHL entry draft the New York Islanders pick…………..John Tavares!
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Lee says:
I’m sure Duchene will be a decent player, but I sure hope it’s not here on LI. It’s gotta be either Tavares or Hedman….I’ll be happy with either.
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matt says:
hey does anyone know if u need a ticket for the draft party or can u just go?
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lovin lethbridge says:
I just hope the tour included the visitor’s locker room, as that is the room Mr. Duchene will occupy when he makes it to the NHL.
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Jimmy Mac says:
Duchenes stats are similar to Baileys.
Just think if Bailey stayed in the “O” for one more year… he would be playing with Hall in the Memorial Cup.
P.S… I read an article today stating that the NY Isles are in the bottom 5 in TV revenue. I found this shocking.
If there is nobody @ the games, and nobody is watching from their homes then what is going on here.
Maybe I just thought there were more Isles fans than that… I figured everybody was at home watching the games.
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Booten says:
Off topic I know but are you going to the draft party CB?
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kevin27NYI says:
i hope matt has great success somehwere else but were picking tavares!( or hedman =( )
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blizzard – i am not clueless. i have watched hedman play a number of times in the sel and i’ve seen tavares play a number of ohl games. they both will be franchise players in the nhl. you can’t go wrong with either player. why do you have to take shots at people for suggesting that victor hedman will be a great player? that’s not cool. everybody is entitled to their opinion.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
Will someone fast forward the Calender to June 26 please!!!!!!!!!!!! That way I will be able to witness either an awesome celebration or some nasty anarchy.
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KO21 says:
Why waste the kids time???
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Rob says:
After reading that comment bergie you are clueless,
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Spartiarti says:
Bergie20. I’ll take that bet. Hedman no doubt be good dman but contend for norris in 5 yrs. Come on. Is that like DP getting vezina in his first 5 yrs? Like I’ve said only guy that had backed up all the expectation so far in his young career is tavares. He has disappointed yet. What makes u think otherwise?
Duchene stats not even as good as DIBO. I really hope dibo proves his doubter wrong in pros. Hedman is good skater and has size. Does he have stats? No.
Tavares all the way.
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Justin Marques says:
1st Overall Pick: Draft John Tavares
then
Package the 26th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as well as TOR’s 2nd Rd Pick, the NYI 3rd Rd Pick, and maybe a player and move into the top 12 again, maybe even top 10? Grab a big winger, like Botta said (Kassian, Kreider, Caron, etc).
then
Package the NYI 2nd Rd Pick 09, NYI 2nd Rd Pick 2010, and Boston’s 2nd Rd Pick 2009 to move into the top 20 again in this year’s draft and try to grab a defenseman like Ekman-Larsson or the aforementioned by Botta.
We then leave the draft with not only Tavares, but possible a huge winger and a future number 1 or 2 defenseman. Next year’s draft is very thin according to experts, besides the first few picks. Let’s stock up on great talent this year and develop them ASAP!
That is what I would love to see. I am sure Snow has something up his sleeve, he has to. And yes, I know I may sound like dreamworld over here.
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The PolishPrince says:
It’s not a waste of his time to visit the Island if Garth and Company want to do all their homework for any deal that might be thrown their way. That being said I don’t see them taking MD unless it’s at #3 and they get a total haul for moving down. I for one don’t want to see that happen. Take JT and call it a day.
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Staten Islander says:
They have to look at everybody. I still think (want) it to be JT though. And I like Matt would like to know about the draft party too.
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C.J. says:
Ajax (3): Hillarious. Granted you’re probably a Raggie fan, but I still got a chuckle out of your brief, but effective post.
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Dino says:
i have a feeling we will not be picking JT or HEDMAN with the pick
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Dave Chyzowski says:
pizzaz, production, points, people in seats, PLEASE PICK Tavares.
half a__ stats, plays half his size by not crushing people, hear no English speak no English, HE should go somnewhere else.. hell no on Hedman
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frank nyc says:
They say Doughty is better than Hedman and
Tavares is the best offensive prospect since Crosby
Stamkos was #1 over Doughty. Tavares is a higher rated prospect than Stamkos
Therefore Tavares has to be the #1 pick
There you go, no way to pick anyone else
I will send this equation to Garth pronto -
Irish Isle says:
I really feel sorry for that kid if he gets drafted here over Tavares and the feces storm that is sure to follow
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Dave says:
I didn’t realize we had a board full of professional scouts.
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big dog says:
cj 36
that dope said the same line with tavares visiting
he is a dopey rags fan who trolls isles forums
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I may not be a professional scout, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night
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jonw says:
so if this was the first time i read this blog and comment section to find out more about Matt Duchene here is what I would c ome away with.
Duchene’s stats are not as good as DiBo…
Hedman’s fans are clueless…
Duchene’s stock has fallen back a bit…
Hedman is a big bird doof…
Hedman is not the best defenseman in the draft and is overated…
Hedman has no stats and can’t speak english… -
check these junior stats out from the swedish d-man.
34gp 1g 6a 7 pts 4 pims
39gp 8g 8a 16pts 14 pims
38gp 4g 19a 23pts 2 pims -
those stats are Nick Lidstroms from 88-91.
He played for Vasteras in the Hockey Allsvenskan which is the second best pro hockey league in Sweden.Victor Hedman plays for MODO in the Swedish Elite League which is the best pro hockey league in Sweden and is considered by most to be the fourth best pro league in Europe and his stats are:
39gp 2g 2a 4pts 44pims
43gp 7g 14a 21pts 52pims -
Lou says:
This guy is not even close to JT. He should not even be on their minds.
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Austin H says:
Comparing any draft eligible player to an All Star or Norris Trophy winner is pointless. You draft the best player based on past performance and future potential to play in the NHL or you draft for need. The Isles need are everywhere, so draft the best player. They need first line talent. I’m in the JT corner, hope VH and MD have great careers yet still win fewer Cups than JT. The other picks are also key…more scorers and big d-men would be great.
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Blizzard says:
Those Hedman stats are atrocious……..
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big dally mac says:
I think the team to target in the first round might be Edmonton, sitting in the number ten spot. They might vey well be desparate to unload Penner. Now I don’t want him either for those thinking why would we want him? But to jump up in the draft and take that salary by just switching spots from 26-10 and maybe a mid-pick and Ben Walter or J. Colliton Edmonton might gladly move him along and still feel good about having a first rounder…..just a thought….as always long shot.
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janne niinimaa says:
a few points…first, Ajax(3) i saw on the great south bay newspaper that rick dipietro was at a public appearance at the sunrise mall, and signed some autographs. if he’s on LI making public appearances, thats a great sign, albeit a small one. second, duchene finished the year at 31-48-79. in his last year in the OHL, josh bailey had 17 more points than duchene. Does that mean if bailey was in this year’s draft, would he be ranked higher than duchene??
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doc says:
That moronic joke about spotting someone pushing DP around in a wheelchair around the NVMC has been told a thousand times on this board… (probably by the same person) and not once has it been even remotely funny… just moronic. It has the intelligence quotient of a 4 1/2 year old.
DOC
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BTBoss says:
NHL Director of Central Scouting E.J. McGuire
“Matt Duchene is a pure offensive player who also is a great penalty killer. He helps the Brampton Battalion in all facets of the game. A pure sniper, he plays the point on the power-play and is a threat to score on the penalty kill as well. He reminds me, probably most of the new breed of snipers, Patrick Kane, Sam Gagner and Steven Stamkos as he grows into his offensive position in the NHL.”NHL Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards
“Duchene has the ability to dominate a game. He is an excellent all-round skater with great speed, his playmaking, ability to see the ice and move the puck through traffic to create offense are outstanding. He has a very good shot, but I see his best asset as his speed and ability to beat defensemen to the middle or outside.One scout compared him to Stevie Y who was once was compared to an other who wore #19 who’s jersey hangs from the top of coliseum.
This kid is no 3 line player most have made him out to be. I know those remarks comes from wanting JT scoring so bad they fear if not taken the team will move to KC or Hamilton. That to much to put on any of the top 3. They not going anywhere, 5 yrs on the lease and to build a winning team, from the draft on out. They will come out winners of this draft. Snow and Co., I think is doing a great job, his doing what any good GM should be doing. Making sure they draft their guy. Whoever that might be. -
Jeff says:
Whether Snow picks Tavares, Hedman or Duchene, the Isles will be getting much better. Now we need a true #1 goalie!
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StevieL says:
Matt is a good looking kid, Good Luck to him! Back to reality, He was the second line center on his team, Tavares scored 27 more goals than him! He did not make the Canadian WJC team, Tavares not only made the team, he was the MVP of the Tourny. Tavares is bigger than him and is the all-time OHL scoring leader. Tavares has been a star since he was 14 and is projected to be a 40 goal scorer in the NHL, Duschenne is someone’s consolation prize. Nice kid, will never be an Islander. Tavares is the pick!
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db says:
think about it like this the islanders passed on hodgson last year to pick bailey at #9. duchene was the #2 center on brampton behind hodgson. so in essence the islanders already passed on hodgson and surely will pass on the center behind hodgson in the depth chart and will draft tavares.
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Brian says:
The draft party is free. You just come down to NVMC. They have games and players there. Its a fun time.
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Is it me, or does the idea of trading the number 1 pick to Colorado for JM Liles and the #3 pick sicken you?
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Nick says:
If you could walk away with Tavares OR pull off a crazy trade that would leave us with Hedman AND Duchene…which would you prefer?
I’ll start by putting one in the Tavares column…
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Doc, the joke about DP is funny. The man is done.
Jeff will actually be happy if we do not pick the best player. Amazing.
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#60:
Is it me, or does the idea of someone taking that trade scenario seriously sicken you? -
“This is the Mariott, Matt. It will be your home until we find you a slot for you in one of our Long Beach Frat houses. If you can cook, it will get you in faster.”
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Joanny says:
Crackhead Theo (#13)- Many teams stay at the Marriott. Not all stay at the Garden City Hotel. My cousin used to be a call girl and she knows. The night before an Islanders home game was always big money for her.
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Oren says:
Hedman will probably develop into a Lidstrom and he is 6’6. His stats were excellent for that league. He will be an elite player immediately because of his size, strength, durability, and pure talent. He’s fast and he is NOT soft. His 52 PIM were a fair amount for that league. Not a high scoring league. It’s ok to want Tavares but don’t downgrade Hedman for silly reasons…like he can’t speak english and that he is doofy. It’s dumb. My prediction is whoever we pick Hedman will develop quicker than Tavares with less pressure.
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jonsson3 says:
Tavares Tavares Tavares please take Tavares!!
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Jared says:
Joanny 64, lol!
Deriously, good job by the staff to bring in every potential high draft pick, but you’ve gotta Tavares/Hedman. KEEP IT SANE GARTH!
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isles72 says:
Bailey , Tavares ……two centermen not so fleet of foot speed
I hope the isles dont base their pick on gordo’s overspeed system otherwise Duchene might get a serious look over JT
just sayin ….
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NickyL says:
I wonder how much, if any at all, fan pressure plays a role into the teams picking process.
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Correction to Above:
To #65 – You must be so proud of your cousin
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the bomber says:
i need a time machime to skip a month
cause i cant take much more of this…. -
#65 – Whats your cousins number? Ill coincidentally be staying at the Marriot tonight.
Look I want Tavares as much as any of you all do. It would be a huge mistake to NOT draft him for the on ice AND off ice reasons. I just dont think he will put up Crosby like numbers in his first season. Seems like many people (not necessarily on this board but just in general) assume that he will break into the NHL and score 65 goals. I would expect that he puts up similar numbers to what Stamkos did last year. Nothing wrong with that at all in a rookie year! I just hope that some of our dumb fans dont boo him because he didnt get 90 points in his first season with the Isles.
Please Garth…dont mess this one up, its a no brainer. -
potvin05 says:
#50: Hedman’s stats are atrocious? The kid is 19 playing in the elite division in his country, not juniors. I want Tavares as much as 95 percent of this site, but to call his stats atrocious is ridiculous.
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Munsey says:
To # 61, if the Islanders could walk away with Duchene AND Hedman rather than just Tavares, they need to get it done. Regardless of what JT’s potential is, you are doubling your chances of getting a great player by taking 2 blue chippers, with one being a franchise D-man. The OTHER route is to stay at #1, take JT and trade up to draft Zach Kassian – that to me, would be a grand slam.
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Blizzard says:
#74 sarcasm eludes you. If JT wasnt draft eligable Hedman would be my number one.
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Hoser14 says:
NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!
I’m sorry, I DO NOT WANT Matt Duchene!!!!
If Snow picks Duchene over John Tavares. I rather have Snow trade the pick to the Rangers$ for Wade Redden Duchene or the Maple Loafs for Jason Blake then pick Duchene. Duchene is a waste of a lottery pick!
If Duchene turns out Dwight Foster-lite and Tavares turns into the next Mike Bossy, the Islanders fans will never, ever forgive Show & Wang.
Show should not do his Mad Mike Milbury impression and go against convention wisdom. I can live will Vickor Hedman, but not Matt Duchene over John Tavares.
Don’t ask for patience, been there done that: DP over Lungo, Nilsson over Parise and maybe Bailey over Schenn, Filatov and Wilson er al.
Don’t be cute, don’t listen to the Toronto Maple Loafs flacks trying to steal John Tavares!
If Show doesn’t pick either John Tavares or Victor Hedman, please cancel the draft party, last years party got pretty ugly after trading down……
….Duchene “might” be better than John Tavares, BUT he is being set up to fail big time on the Island; because anything short of Steve Yzerman numbers (37G 48A 87Pts rookie year) and what little fans reminds, are going boo him and run him out off Island faster than Ole Kvaska!!!!!
Sometimes the fans are right!-Hoser from Brooklyn
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Coach B says:
Snow is just covering all areas with Duchene and the combine is in Toronto next week so they can interview other prospects there. Nielsen was not a fast skater when drafted but he’s good now. Tavares and Bailey will get faster as they get older and stronger.
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Tom says:
Why can’t people want John Tavares without insulting Duchene or Hedman? You people are crazy, all 3 are fanatstic players & I’d bet 95%, probably 99.99% of you haven’t seen any of them play outside of the 30 second clips on YouTube.
The same people that worship Bailey & are the same people that insulted him prior to the draft last year. relax. The Isles will get an impact player/s in the 2010 draft. In this draft, even Garth can’t screw it up. RELAX.
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bob l says:
hey! be fair tom, those youtube clips are waaay longer than 30 seconds
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Johnny Islander says:
Where’s the story about how Duchene was here Monday, and nobody found out till Tuesday, so it must mean we’re drafting him?
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JAS says:
In 3 mock drafts on NHL.com on 3/27, the writers have Duchene going 4th, 6th, 7th.
Tavares #1 Hedman #2 on all 3
Duchene would be a nice conversation if we were picking 3rd – 6th but we’re picking #1. Let’s get our “crown jewel” with #1 and then get someone at #23 who can beat the crap out of anyone who screws with him!
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Netminder39 (7): I laughed when I read your post about people with signs but you know what? You are probably right!
Tom (79): Good points… except that I dont think anyone was really insulting Josh prior to the draft last year- I dont remember Isles fans really talking much about him much at all, honestly. But ultimately your final point is IMO correct, I too think that it would be great if everyone relaxed a bit.
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HL says:
“Why can’t people want John Tavares without insulting Duchene or Hedman?”
Ahhh, voice of reason. Based on all of the comments here, you’d think all of Long Island watches OHL hockey on a regular basis.
Duchene isn’t as far from Tavares as everyone here seems to think. I’ve seen Islanders’ scout, Tim Maclean quite frequently at the Powerade Centre, talking to Matt and his parents. Thankfully, the professional scouts will make their decisions based on what they see on the ice and not the comments here. I believe Tavares will end up being the pick, but some of the comments here are very foolish.
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anthony c says:
if duchene gets picked 1st overall by the isles here’s what will happen.
1. I’ll never root for this team again after being a loyal fan since I was 5(i’m 22 now) and personally help them pack for KC
2. Duchene will be in a world of s*** cause he is being compared to steve yzerman. And if he doesn’t make an impact quick he will be haunted by cheers of “JOHN TAVARES” everytime he touches coliseum ice.
3. Garth snow will be nearly beaten to death by isles fans the second he gets back from montreal.
4. Any of the ticket packages that were purchased and renewed when we got the #1 pick will be canceled. Attendance at nassau coliseum will more then likely not even eclipse more then 10,000 per game
5. Newsday and every sports section of almost every newspaper, and every sport station will be making insults and jokes about the islanders. And will also be something for ranger fans to laugh at us.
DRAFT JOHN TAVARES. Ignore what those reports about him from those “scouts” at redline. All the negative press about him is coming from toronto cause they think he will actually be drafted by the leafs. And they just don’t want him in an islanders uniform on draft day.
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The Islanders should pick John Tavares (and ultimately, I believe they will pick Tavares) if they believe he will end up giving them the best chance to win.
And for no other reason.
Not because some immature fans who’ve barely seen these guys play are threatening to not be Islanders fans anymore. Not because “the Rangers fans will make fun of us”. Not because ISS or Central says they should.
If they’d left Josh Bailey in the OHL last year, I believe there’s a strong possibility he would’ve outscored Cody Hodgson, the OHL MVP, and the perception of him as an NHL prospect would be a lot better.
This kid will probably be good as he has been compared to the great Steve Yzerman. I wish him the best, but I hope its on a different team because us ISLANDERS FANS WANT AND NEED TAVARES!