TALKING NHL DRAFT COMBINE…
With E. J. McGuire of Central Scouting
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WARNING: While Mr. McGuire is very realistic in describing the ultimate upside of John Tavares in this post, he also says something wildly complimentary of the player. Whether you are pro-Tavares or not, please do not read any further if you believe this could cause a reaction.
This week at the NHL Draft Combine in Toronto, 104 prospects are running the gauntlet of team interviews and Central Scouting-led psychological and physical evaluations. Starting yesterday and ending Thursday, NHL teams sign up for meetings with as many prospects as they require. A typical day for team scouts is a 20-minute meeting, 5-minute break and then repeat non-stop for up to ten hours. The “interviews” are conducted in small hotel suites re-arranged to look like conference rooms.
One NHL source we spoke with this week could not shed much light on the Islanders’ schedule of events in Toronto. They could only confirm two facts: “They’re one of the busiest, if not the busiest team here.” Our source also reported that the Islanders have had or are going to have meetings with the following, among others: Magnus Pajaarvi-Svensson, Jared Cowen, Brayden Schenn – gotta keep him away from the Leafs! – and Zach Kassian. (Cool down, Islanders Country. They’re meeting with just about everyone.)
The Islanders declined to participate in a Point Blank story on their week at the combine. When I asked if I could get confirmation on which scouts were in Toronto this week, I received a one-word text: “Nope.” So I called NHL Central Scouting director E.J. McGuire for his input. E.J., who has run Central Scouting for five years and oversees the combine, was an assistant coach in Philadelphia when I was with the Flyers as a college intern in the Cup Final season of 1986-87.
My thinking is that nothing will happen at the combine that could alter a team’s opinion of the top prospects like John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. But is it fair to say, E.J., that the combine could be a big assistance to a team like the Islanders with picks at 26, 31 and 37?
I think the combine will be very useful to the Islanders. There is a lot of talent in this draft. With their late first round pick and early second-rounders, the Islanders are in position to draft kids that I believe would be legitimate first-round talents in other years. I like to say that the Draft Combine is for splitting hairs, but that little difference can make a big difference.
Maybe a team like the Islanders sees something in a prospect when they interview him. Maybe they see something in how he performs in our fitness testing. Maybe there’s something in the physical evaluation that makes them put one player higher than another on their list.
Do most teams have their draft lists done around now?
I’d say most have a “95% list,” as in it’s 95% done and this is the time when a player is moved slightly up or down on the list That’s where the combine comes in.
In some of the other major team sports, we hear about top prospects blowing off the combine because their agents told them nothing good could come out of their attendance. But the NHL Draft Combines seem to get everyone.
I’m in the hotel lobby talking to you, Chris, and at this very second I’m looking right at John Tavares. I’d like to think it’s a tribute to the dedication of the players in our game that everyone shows up. Tavares is going to go first or second – he knows it and everyone knows it. Yet he is here going through every meeting, every test, every physical like the kids going in the fourth round. Sidney Crosby came to the combine his draft year. Ryan Ellis won the Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires on Sunday, celebrated and then made it here two days later. That’s the great mentality of hockey players.
Are the Islanders well-represented at the combine this week?
You bet. I’ve seen (scouting director) Ryan Jankowski and at least 3 or 4 of their scouts here. This is an exciting week for them. They’ll get to see as many of the top prospects as they wish. We have 104 of them here. I’m sure Ryan and the guys are having meetings from morning ’til night.
Central Scouting ranked John Tavares No. 1 among North American skaters and Victor Hedman tops among Europeans…
I know where you’re going with this, Chris. Yes, our ranking system enables us to cop out (laughs). But if you want to ask me who I have ranked above everyone else, I’ll tell you.
Okay. In your opinion, who’s the top player in this draft?
John Tavares. Today, John’s already as good as any player in the NHL from the top of the faceoff circles down. He is just a phenomenal offensive weapon. He has dominated at the highest level of junior hockey for three straight years. Will he score a lot right out of the gate from October to December next season? That would be a challenge, but I can’t rule it out. He’s that good a player.
What are his flaws?
He doesn’t really have any that will hold him back. The biggest question you hear about John is, “Does he have the commitment to play in the defensive zone”? Personally, I don’t have any doubt about that. He’s proven that he’s a winner.
You mentioned you just saw him in the lobby in street clothes. Good size at this age for an NHLer?
He’s lean. Not skinny, but lean. He’s a great athlete. He was essentially a power forward in junior. He drives to the net and has the hands to finish. There’s nothing, especially size, that will hold him back from being successful in the NHL.
Most scouts are quick to point out that Tavares has the potential to be a perennial all-star, but he’s not in the same class as Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin. Do you agree?
Definitely not right away, and in the long run…yeah, those scouts will probably be right. But you’re comparing someone to talents that come along once a decade – in this case twice with Sidney and Alex. To think our game could get a third might be stretching it. Still, the team that takes John is not going to complain.
Why do you rank Tavares over Hedman?
I’ll admit that, in the final analysis, I could be biased toward North Americans. I can put you on the phone with the man who runs Central Scouting for us in Scandinavia, and he’d probably tell you Victor is the best player in the draft. If you’re that divided on Tavares or Hedman, I guess you can make the pick based on what you need. Tampa’s pretty strong at forward, especially after getting Stamkos last year. Not hard to make the case that Hedman is ideal for them.
What if you have needs at all positions?
My choice would be Tavares. I’m real good at GMing when I don’t have anything on the line, aren’t I?
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Comments.
130 Responses to TALKING NHL DRAFT COMBINE…
With E. J. McGuire of Central Scouting
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Jimmy Mac says:
I love the draft…so much fun trying to figure out what the Isles will do.
JT and hopefully another top flight forward.
I’m hoping they manage to trade up as high as they can with the 26th pick and 3 seconds.
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UIF says:
Nice interview, CB. McGuire gave you some straight answers, too. Good read.
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Sarge says:
Sounds similar to what they used to say about Bossy before he was drafted.
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Tom Barone says:
you don’t know if Tavares will turn out to be as good as Crosby or Ovechkin. He is a kid still, he is growing and has nothing but upside. If he turns out to be a 40 goal scorer and wears the “C” for the Islanders for 15 years. I’m a happy camper.
All that matters is how many cups the Isles can win in that span. Lets start with getting JT and the rest of the kids drafted and never look back.
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StevieL says:
Great read CB!”As good as anybody in the NHL right now from the faceoff circles in”!! He is 18! It seems that momentum is back on Tavares!No way we don’t pick him!!
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Aside from Snow drafting Tavares, I sure hope he holds onto the other early picks and doesn’t decide to trade up.
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lovin lethbridge says:
OTR will not be the same without Peter Zezel.
We lost a good one way too early -
Strummer's Army says:
Off reading that you say “no-brainer” for taking Tavares as I have thought for years. I’ll admit reading some stuff out there was cause for concern for a minute but EJ is a legit source based on his job and not some writer, so I value his opinion more then say a guy from CNN etc.
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Oh, it also seems pretty clear at this point Snow’s move to not draft Schenn and grab Bailey was the right one.
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Vinny says:
Draft night cant come soon enough!!! Cant wait to see Tavares in a Islanders uniform!
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Blizzard says: Nice info Chris, much appreciated. It will be JT I am sure. Let me take this opportunity to mention something here. I have read some negative things about you, this blog and your followers on Logans blog. I dont necessarily know what their motivation or what there beef is and after reading this peace I could care less. Any true Islander fan IMO would find this blog a treasure of information about their favorite team that they just will not get any where else. Its not like we are very well represented in the media, or “cough” Newsday Long Islands home news paper. I do not understand the animosity. Disagreement I can understand but the nastyness I do not.
Keep up the good work I am sure the majority of Islander fans who frequent this blog greatly appreciate it…..
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Alex O says:
Draft Tavares, keep the rest of the picks, you can pick up somebody on the cheap from some cap strapped teams (Hudler from Det for example) without having to give up too much as they most likely wont be able to resign him. at the same time you totally finish the job of replenishing the cupboard by using all these picks. Plus you get the added advantage of getting a lot of darts at the dartboard which increases your chances of hitting NHL’ers with those late first early second round picks.
If you look at LA and see how they have built a model group of prospects, they took at least 3 years of good drafts to build this up.
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isles99 says:
that john tavares is already as good as any other player in the nhl from the circles down is an astounding complement and shows how good tavares ALREADY is. the concerns about his skating and defense are slightly overblown becuase tavares has shown he is willing to do whatever it takes to be the best in all 3 zones. isles have the best pick. it only makes sense that we pick the BEST player. in my mind, duchene never was and is never in that conversation….likewise the the comparisions to pronger for hedman are blown way out of proportions becuase hedman is just not that physical….his comparisons to lidstrom are closer but still, players like lidstrom that can play and lead dont come around very often….hedman is not like him because he will never be a leader…there is a reason why lidstrom is the only euro captain in the nhl. pick tavares and then focus on how we can better our team with all our other picks.
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cusi says:
still a month away! thanks for the interview CB.
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Mike says:
“Jared Cowen, Brayden Schenn” I’ve thought all along that these two players, especially Cowan are the targeted players after they pick Tavares.
My gut tells me they trade 26, 37, and another asset to get to somewhere between 5 and 8 , pick Cowan and then use 31 on Olsen.
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Isles99….Saku Koivu, Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara are all European Captians in the NHL. Lidstrom is not the only one.
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Valentino says:
Show me ONE current NY Islander who consistently goes to the net hard, let alone scores and I will say you can afford to pass on John Tavares.
This guy is going to show all our forwards a thing or 2 on how to drive the net. He will set the bar. Guys like okposo will benefit greatly from having JT around.
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your right tony…my bad….i still dont understand why people compare hedman to lidstrom just becuase they are swedish…i mean lidstrom is a leader who scores 70 plus points every year…prennial norris candidate…to say that hedman will turn out to be that type of player is hyperbole.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
Glad you put something at the end about Peter Zezel. I had met Peter after an afternoon game during the mid 80′s with all of my Islanders gear on. Approached him for an autograph and he gladly signed my program. Asked me if I played hockey and talked about the game with me for a few minutes. Asked him where he was off to next and this stuck with me, “The team is taking the bus back to Philly, but I am going to visit a friend in the hospital.” Peter had told me the friend was a boy about my age (15 yo) who lives on Long Island and has cancer. The boys father an Islanders fan had written him to see if he could get an autograph picture for his son who loved the Flyers. Well Peter did more than that. I was truly impressed.
R.I.P. Peter Zezel……….
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Chris Mc says:
I know the Islanders are going through the motions, but lets hope talking to these 5-15 prospects means theyre looking to move up and not down. And how can you not get excited about what McGuire had to say about Tavares.
And its a shame about Peter Zezel. He was a good hockey player and from what Ive read, a good man. Its sad when bad things happen to good people.
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i meant to say that lidstrom is the only euro captain to lead his team to a stanley cup championship…..that says a lot about the type of player he is
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Brian says:
Get JT, sign Komi, and draft the Swedish “GIANT” goalie and we are looking good. Ill be happy with that. And if we can get another good forward in the draft lets do it. R.I.P. PETER ZEZEL
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Matt says:
interesting. i am excited to see where the Islanders go with not only the first overall but the 26th pick.
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Rob says:
How about this one … draft JT , then trade 26 and later pick with next year 1st rd.
Then take cowen
JT and cowen and we still have 3 second
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Steve says:
Super job once again, Chris. You sure make the off season fun! I wish Garth was not so smug and would open up a bit, as you know, the fans are everything. Without them the team would not exist.
Yay Tavares!Peter Zezel and family, we are thinking of you.
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kevin says:
good report..sounds good to me. lets draft j.t. and then worry about trading up..
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In a deep draft like this, moving up is great, but if you can’t, you can stand pat and be glad that you get four shots at the top forty. Either way, the Isles will hopefully do well – and not get sucked into a bidding war over a pick in order to grab a guy they know won’t last to them.
I’m dreaming of Despres or Kassian or Erixon somehow sliding to them at 26…
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isles72 says:
well done cbotts
keep em comin -
They’re one of the busiest, if not the busiest team here.”
Thanks for the good news, NHL source!
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Isles99
When you compare players to current players….normally it’s comparing their styles of play….more than trying to project if a player will have a similar career. Hedman may become a great defenseman, but to campare anyone to Lidstrom’s record would be almost impossible. Only a few defenseman in the histroy of the NHL have resume’s as good as Lidstrom.
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West Coast Fan says:
I still remember my buddy “Zezeling” my a** on the penalty kill playing Strat-o-matic hockey back in the 80s. Sad loss…
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Isle_in_LA says:
I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m super excited for next year. I would never trade our next years 1st rounder. As excited as I am about next year, I think we will still have a top ten pick. Remember, Pittsburgh drafted first or second for four straight years. They got the second pick the year after they drafted Crosby. We all have to be ready for another bad season. I don’t think it will be as bad as this season, but I don’t think we will make the playoffs next year. If we do, then we can all be pleasantly surprised. We have to be patient with the rebuild. TAVARES!
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Joey303 says:
Although an admitted Hedman guy, I do believe the Isles will draft Taveras, and trade up for a top 15 guy. From what I’m reading everywhere, many quality 1st/2nd line potential players in the top 15. Would be a great draft if we move up. If not, it will be up to the scouts to get the best at 26,31,37. Cant come soon enough……..
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Peter Zezel was one of the good ones – I guess Billy Joel was right.
It’s a very interesting article, and I’m not at all surprised the pendulum is swinging back toward Tavares as the draft nears. I truly think he’s the better player and the better fit for this organization. That’s especially true since most scouts think Drew Doughty will have a better career than Hedman – calling Hedman a “generational talent” on defense doesn’t match what I’ve seen.
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dack1972 says:
# 23 I like the fact that Snow keeps everything close to him. I think that’s a good trait to have not like Brian Burke who has a need to constantly feed his big ego and has a need to tell everyone what he’s thinking. i think Snow has the other GM’s thinking and wondering. The bottom line i think this approach along with his drafting will benefit the fans at the end.
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As for trading the picks – I think getting another top talent is imperative for the Islanders this year. Last year’s draft was about quantity, and this year they should grab all the quality they can.
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303Joe says:
Great article Chris. Like we have been hearing for a few years JT is the best player in this draft. Get him the BPA at 26 and get a goalie somewhere in the 2nd. On a side note why do the Isles have to be Jerks about the whole no comment thing when Botta asked. He’s just trying to inform the fans on what’s going on and in typical Isles fashion they have to give a stupid response. You know if it came from the Red Wings or a team that is always in it you could kinda of shrug it off but for it to come from a team that hasn’t won a playoff round since 1993 it’s kind of stupid. For a team that should be begging for fans after a few awful seasons they certainly make it tough to cheer for them.
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butch91 says:
A little trivia about Zezel, he, along with Steve Thomas, were in the movie Youngblood with Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe (a very odd pair for a hockey movie) Zezel was sent out on the ice at the end of the game to protect Lowe from a goon but Lowe sent him back to the bench to engage in one the most unrealistic fight scenes ever. P.S. Keanu Reeves played the goalie.
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Irish Isle says:
“He doesn’t really have any that will hold him back. The biggest question you hear about John is, “Does he have the commitment to play in the defensive zone”? Personally, I don’t have any doubt about that. He’s proven that he’s a winner.”
Exactly, a kid like JT doesn’t get as good as he is if he isnt committed to winning. JT will learn to play defense as he we wants to play hockey in June.
Also I am in favor of trading a couple of seconds/thirds from this year and getting a targeted player, read Kassain. However there is no way we can trade next yr’s 1st rounder. We cant think that w/ the addition of this yr’s rookie class and better health we are going to skyrocket into the elite of the nhl. As our pick may again be Top 10.
So I was wondering, when do you start blogging about next year’s draft class? -
there are lots of european players available in the begg. of the 2nd round that would ordinarily go in the 1st round in other draft years. this draft is very deep. im hoping we can draft eithe richard panik, tomas tatar,or jarsalov janus with our 2nd round picks. we should NOT trade our 1st rounder next year as we will most likely be picking in the top 10 again. next year’s draft is shallow but top heavy. i want the isles to build up our 1st and 2nd line and drafting the players i mentioned willgoa long way in doing that….if the isles want to think outside of the box, why not give gaborik a performance related deal for 6 mill, you know where if he plays 70 games, he makes that much. 70 games of gaborik =40 goals plus we will reach the cap floor. if they draft tavares and sign gaborik, ppl WILL show up at the colessium.
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Pete M says:
When that unnamed scout says that the Isles are “the busiest team there” does he mean in talking to the prospects, talking to other teams or both?
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LD55 says:
Chris, the pick has to be JT at #1 ; but how about packaging the 2nd #1(26),Witt,and Hunter to Calgary for the very available Dion Phaneuf?
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isles99, i think if that gaborik had played all his games then he would have gotten over 60 goals.
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Brian G says:
the islanders should keep every pick this year – this team needs everything. load up the system
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Victor Hedman says:
Pick John Tavares
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mike bossy, bryan trottier and #27 john tonelli. streit has the d covered. J.T #91
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drouin says:
Sounds like we have the hardest working team at the combine. Hopefully that will translate to the hardest working team on the ice.
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OhNoItsComeau57 says:
This was one of my favorite pieces on the draft yet. Good job. It’s nice to hear some kind words about JT.
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Snowman says:
LD55 (44) Gonna take a hell of a lot more than that to get Phaneuf. Yet another classic example of wanting another team’s gold for our team’s trash (I am a fan of Witt and Hunter, but you get my point).
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Isles6 says:
Already as good from the face-off circles to the net as anyone already in the NHL? Making this choice gets easier & easier every day. As if it wasn’t already.
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Incarcerated Bob says:
Please trade up & get Cowen ..Next year we will have Taveras & Cowen in opening day lineups
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Mark P says:
1) No Way we trade #1 in 2010
2)Getting pumped for JT! C’mon how many top scorers are great defensively when they first get drafted. I wonder what JT’s coaches needed him to do the last 10 years….play the role of checking winger?
3)Only trade up if we can get a forward we are targeting perhaps Glennie or Kassian? Otherwise keep these picks and stockpile these guys that EJ is saying are normally 1′s….At least one of the Swedish Defensemen will be available. Grab a forward….Pick up the 6-4 Physical D-man with the Boston 2nd rounder….Grab a goalie in the first 3 rounds….lets not trade up for the sake of trading up….only if there is real value there. -
You don’t think cowen could be top 2 defencemen.
I would trade up and draft kassian but if ur costs to much stay put
Kassian and JT would be amazing
Kassian could be the be the next 20 G 150 PIM guy
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KO21 says:
I wish I could get excited about the draft…I’m sure 99.9% of u know exactly how I feel…I’m a worrier tho
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geduffer says:
LD55 (#44) – This one ain’t happening. Calgary isn’t trading Phaneuf off of one down season.
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KO21 – you’re amongst fellow Islanders fans here. Believe me, we know how you feel
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UIF, joining “THE MOVEMENT”…It’s not my blog but its all about being proactive…
http://lettherebelighthouse.blogspot.com/2009/05/movement-week-need-for-emotional-appeal.html
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dave chyzowski says:
i’m not so thrilled with kassian. besides being big and hitting, he doesnt seem to have that much skill. i would really like them to get Kreider. he looks like a gem but is risky b/c of his competitiion, also, would like them to get Kulikov -looks like a real good defenseman that could do everything real well.
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Bport Fan says:
You heard it from a horses mouth many 2nd round picks would be first rounders in other years.
DON’T TRADE AWAY THE 26th 2ND AND 3RD ROUND PICKS TO MOVE UP.THE 8 PICKS IN THE TOP 91 IS HUGE.
I say 91 because of the Rags compensation.
This draft helps build the Islanders and there farm system for years to come. -
Alex Kinkead says:
Heads up to those who want to attend the Draft Party you have to go on to ticketmaster and get the free tickets to get in.
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bulldogs7 says:
i have to agree with Bport. originally i was like that yea trade up to get ellis or another big time defenssmen. lets see what falls to us at the 26. if larsson falls to around hte 20th pick then trade the 26th for 290 straight up. we can pick an amazing foward if this doesnt happen cause like mcguire said all of these late first round early second rounders will be mid first round in any other draft. save the 31 pick to get the sweddish goatender.
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Great piece. Nice to hear a bit of E.J.’s “voice.”
I’m on board for Tavares — and for lobbying the league to shrink goalie pads to the size they were in Bossy’s day.
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dalcy says:
“Today, John’s already as good as any player in the NHL from the top of the faceoff circles down. He is just a phenomenal offensive weapon.”
that quote says it all.
RIP Peter Zezel. one of the few, along with Steve Thomas, bright spots in Youngblood.
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gary9-19-22 says:
Can’t wait to hear… For the FIRST overall pick in the draft, the New York Islanders take…. JOHN TAVARES!
wow free tickets to anything via ticket master is a shock. I’m suprised they don’t charge a handling fee for the free event.
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I say keep all the picks we have. Trading up is not a smart idea. Keep the picks we have and we will be straight.
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4195mary says:
Hate to say it, but a very high draft position for 2010 is imperative. A bottom 5 finish next season is realistic and simply must happen for this plan to move forward. Maybe Taylor Hall is out of reach, but we need at least one more young stud. I don’t expect any big moves aimed at improving the teams fortunes for at least another year.
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This is regarding the whole conditioning thing. I think we can all agree that we know players, maybe even ourselves that did not have the best endurance, maybe got alil slower in the 3rd period, however always came through with the big goal, or threw the big hit or even took the big hit and got right up and kept going. I know for myself, that I was maybe the 3rd or 4th most conditioned, however that did not change my hands or my mindset. I don’t know how much can come from this Combine just by looking at kids off the ice. Maybe I’m wrong.
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Blizzard says:
Because this is supposedly a deep draft, I would not have any problem trading down. Deep draft or not. If the scouts like a player and want him I am all for it. That is after we draft JT of course.
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Darryl says:
The Isles don’t need Tavares to be as good as Crosby or Ovechkin. They need to develop a balanced group of players that create match up problems for other squads and a deep defensive group. I’d love to see them take Tavares but I think the next 4 picks are ass important for the teams long term development. Getting those second and even third round picks right are what seperates great organizations from also rans.
Detroit doesn’t have Crosby or Ovechkin and they don’t draft near the top of the rotation ever yet they still develop high quality players and are dominant year after year. I’d love to see the Isles add size and grit up front and on D in this draft. Given the apparent depth I’m not so convinced they should part with too many of those 2nd round picks as those could well be guys that make a huge difference for the club in the years to come.
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Amen Darryl
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4195mary (69): Please, please, dont start calling for the team to tank for 2010 already.
Fans need a break from that, it cant go on and on line incessantly this. Please just let people be happy for a little while! -
chip saunders says:
Nice scouting report on Tavares,man,I hope the Isle’s take him with the pick.
R.I.P. to Peter Zezel,one of the good Flyers. If I remember correctly,I think he lost a niece to cancer many years ago. Very sad news. -
jonw says:
nick classic #36
Please link some articles that are informing people that Doughty will have a better career the Hedman. -
Justin says:
Would we rather have the Islanders finish with the worst record in the league again and pick first again or improve by 20 points, pack the Coliseum and be in contention for a playoff spot until the final week of the season, even if we fall short. I’ll take the improvement any day. Let another team get the top pick in 2010.
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Isles08025 says:
Tavares and keep the picks …. I want to be bored on draft day
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The PolishPrince says:
Thanks for the heads up on the tickets for the draft party.
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With the amount of the Isles draft picks in 2009, the Isles need to treat every pick like it is gold! Do not waste these picksv by trading down. Keep them and pick the best player available. Start looking at a goalie at37! Take Jt, a shut down defenseman at 26 and a winger who drives to the net at 31.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I can’t wait for the draft … Johnny Tavares is a must pick … he may not be an Ovie or Crosby … but he’s a Johnny T and I’ll take ‘em.
He always seems to rise to the occasion and shows clutch performance … He may be the guy who steals a game or two with timely goals.
The combine is a convention of the best young talent in the world.
******
RIP Peter Zezel!!It was just about 2 weeks ago that I named Zezel as my #1 experience in a one on one encounter with an NHL player on the Josh Bailey small gesture thread on this very blog.
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Pnut says:
@12 yes this is a great blog and dont worry about newsday they will be gone with the rest of tegh newspapers around here 10 = 20 years from now
@13 at the last thing you said it sounds good but
1-they said at the lotto they didnt want to be in teh draft lotto again next year because
2-this year and last year are very deep drafts that we have a lot of picks, hopefully these 2 wil be it for us
@44 i would do that, but replace Hunter with another player
@74 (The metal chick) wow yes i agree!
@78 yes i think we have enough picks and going on the more picks is better moniker that hapened last year i see Garth just drafting away. I could be wrongand yes RIP Peter Zezel
Peter da nut
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Ben says:
I hope that we pick JT with the first overall pick.
I hope that Garth is calling all teams in the top ten to see if it takes a second round pick in this years draft pick, a vet on the current roster and a prospect in the system to get to a top ten pick this year.
I hope we are aggressive and pick up a quality UFA over the summer – like we did with Streit and another top UFA in the following summer.
I hope Wang does not leave the area and finds a good location to build his Lighthouse Project to ensure that the team stays and he recoup at least some of his losses.
I hope the Islanders can do a turn-around like the Flyers did – but after one more struggling season for yet one more quality blue-chip pick.
I hope that Garth stays the course and that the Islanders organization continues to improve as an organization. (Garth has made many smaller moves which have been well rec’d by most)
I can only hope as a life-long Islander fan since day one that the Islanders re-establish their dominance over the Rangers for bragging rights at the bar.
I hope that CB continues this site because it is the best source for info on our team.
I hope . . .
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OK … once the Isles have JT on board … just as important is who is drafted the rest of the way … in a VERY deep draft … & 4 more picks among the top rated players … the Isles can build a stable of good young talent with each draftee brining a unique array of skills and talent … defense … offense … muscle … two way play. I think even if the Isles don’t move up in the first round … they have a good chance to get FOUR really good players to go with John Tavares … and even in the mid and later rounds.
That said I don’t expect the Isles to improve drasticlly in one season … we may be looking at a bottom 5 finish again and more young talent to join the fray.
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2 more years and we will be a force!!! Lets go islanders!!!
Tavares shoots and he scores!!!
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nystrom23 says:
Enough said….EJ Maguire does what he does for a reason.
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hathead68 says:
CB, I need to get to bed for work in the morning, but how am I supposed to fall asleep now? I’m too pumped! If there are hockey gods, let them see fit to deliver John Tavares to us. Garth snow just needs to be the mailman. JT #1 overall and let everything else fall into place. I just ordered 4 free tickets to the draft party for me and my three boys. Let’s hope for a great evening!
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JZimm says:
Nice touch with Peter Zezel at the end there. Sad ocasion. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, 44 suddenly isn’t so old anymore.
As far as Tavares goes… at this point, I will be extremely upset if the Islanders DON’T take him. If there are two unbiased opinions that I trust, it’s EJ Maguire and Bob McKenzie.
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skye says:
Tavares and Cowen. i’m hoping for that next month.
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GGC says:
This is the stuff that puts your blog on my daily itinerary of online chores! Thanks!
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while i am a hedman guy, the things mcguire had to say about tavares are always good to read. i was also very happy that he described the isles as “one, if the not the busiest, team up here”. as a fan, love to see that my team is making a major effort.
there is clearly going to be a lot of smoke here with interviewing everybody, which seems smart. draft well garth and company. hopefully if sign a free agent, you have the same vision as when you got streit. you trade up or down LATER in the draft if you get value.
did i see the cap is going down 2.5 million in 09-10 crawl across the bottom of espn the other nite.
as for stuff posted on this or other web blogs. why care? its information and opinon sharing. i like hedman, but i read the stuff the tavares suporters put up. i even agree with some of it. i dont really feel the need to shout a guy down i disagree with him. if insulting someone over a web site passes for courage these days, or such banality gets your back up, our #1 pick is a minor problem. -
DPS says:
Man I feel sorry for JT. “will help ko”??? Come on guys. He is a rookie. His first year will be a non event. 15 goals 10 assists I would say. Snow adding quality fee agents is the only way to win some games. JT will not be a factor on 2010.
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Adam M says:
#92
If Bailey can squeeze out 25 points in 68 games, I think Tavares can at least match that. Probably more.
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rob76 says:
JT is a no brainer – I hope that Garth and Jankowski dont do anything “smarter” than the experts. But would it be a bad idea to try to take Frans Nielsen and one of our second rounders and offer it to Pitt. for J.Staal? They wont be able to afford him in a few years – and i think that JT, staal, and Bailey would be a great threesome down the middle.
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anthony c says:
This what I am dreaming and hoping will be the outcome when the Isles take the podium on june 26th. Here is how I envision it when snow, wang and the isles coaching and scouts announce their pick.
Garth Snow: “We the new york Islanders are proud and privileged to select from the London Knights of the OHL, center John Tavares”.
And if that don’t happen I got money on all the islanders fans at the islanders draft party will rush out of the nassau coliseum, and burn it to the ground. And then find out which airport snows plane will land at when he comes back to LI and beat the high holy hell out of him.
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To Rob76: this is not nhk 2k9 where you can override the trade veto. There is NO WAY Pittsburgh makes that trade.
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Justin Marques says:
Great read, Chris. I was already sold on Tavares, and articles like these only continue to push me harder and harder towards the Tavares camp. I think (and by think, I mean hope) that Snow has some tricks up his sleeve for this year’s draft. With so many picks stockpiled once again, I think it is fair to say that Snow knows he can move away from quantity of picks to quality of picks by trading up in the first round to grab who he wants. It would be a great weekend if the Islanders draft Tavares first overall, trade up to grab either a big defenseman like Jared Cowen or a power-forward like Zach Kassian, draft either Edward Pasquale or Robin Lehner as a goaltending project, and maybe even take a flyer pick in the third round or later on a player like Rajala from Finland.
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Gloobenberg says:
At this point I do feel that we’ll be taking Tavares. If that doesn’t happen, I’m a very very upset Isles fan and my faith and loyalty hang by a thread.
I think it’s very important that the Isles walk away with at least 2 players in this Draft that can play right away. I also wouldn’t mind if the Isles traded up to get another offensive weapon and wait to grab a D-man.
All i know is, this Draft can’t come soon enough.
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Islanders1984 says:
There was no way Isles were going to get Tavares if they had lost the lottery, Snow don’t kick a gift horse in the mouth. Draft Tavares
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
Like is said. Only guys questioning Tavares as not being hands down #1 is the canadian media and teams that dont have the #1 pick.
If Toronto or Habs had #1. they would say TAVARES is #1 by a mile. Not even a close second.
Careful what you read. I like how now as we are gettign closer to draft the truth is coming out. John Tavares is for real.
Following Crosby’s footsteps. Showing up ot combine even when he really doesnt have to.
The Combine in my opinion only helps guys that might be overlook and move them up.
For example it help Colin Wilson move up b/c he was so in shape. If you ask me it help us b/c they bailey fell to us at #9. Works for me. -
So who cares if JT is “not a Crosby or Ovechkin”, or Gretzky or Lemieux for that matter? these are “generational” players. I would be more than happy with one of the next level to lead my top line A la Yzerman, Messier, Lafontaine, Malkin, Lecavalier, Sakic, Francis, Trottier,Hawerchuk, Jagr…JT will be his own player, I am sure Garth will do the right thing in drafting him. He will also generate an incredible amount of excitement and revenue in doing so!
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#92-DPS
No need to feel sorry for JT. He has been living with lofty expectations since he was 14, maybe even younger. He will help KO and others a number of ways. First of all, JT operates inside the hashmarks and around the net. We really dont have anyone outside of Bergie who consistently drives the net. Most the isles forwards like to play perimeter hockey. That alone gives the Isles offense a different look. The more JT scores doing just that, the more his teamates will follow his lead and go to the net as well. KO included. He is great, but he can benefit from other great players around him.Also, other teams will pay close attention to JT and that will create space for KO and others. Again, KO benefits.
JT’s production will not only improve our dismal offensive statistics, but he will also improve players around him.
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Bossy22 says:
After drafting JT, Snow should work on a deal to bring PJ Subban here from Mtl. Subban is a good d-man (prospect) and really good friends with JT.
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isles08 says:
If the Islanders don’t pick Tavares this will sadly be the last straw for me with this franchise. With such a terrible recent history regarding personnel moves, to screw this up would just be too much. Although I can’t look myself in the mirror and honestly say I won’t watch or root for them, I will never sink another penny of my money into them.
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Isles 08 (105) may be right, allot of fans may feel this way. Islanders may not be able to afford to not pick JT. Fans have been through way too much with this franchsie to miss out on this guy would be a mistake
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Chris R says:
Islanders need JT, a talented defenseman(Ekman-Larsson or De Haan), a top level goalie(Stajcer, Roy, Lee), and a decent wing.
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cgs878 says:
Thanks for this story, CB! It’s good that you fill us less-than-hockey-phanatics in on things like the draft combine (I was pretty sure that it wasn’t all about a piece of farm equipment, but in Canada, ya never know, eh?). I was wondering what it was all about, and you answered every one of my questions.
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Lafontaine16 says:
Hey CB, wondering if you could get Josh Bailey’s take on JT, since he is
Only 1 year removed from playing against him in Junior?BTW, I live in London and watched all of JT’s games when he came to the knights
And the guy knows how to score. A lot of times I found myself saying “how did
Get that under the crossbar so fast”. Like a lot have already said you can’t teach that kind
Of knack around the net – he’s got it and man can he score when he gets the chance. As for all the talk he didn’t play well in the playoffs, It’s garbage. He dominated in the World Juniors against the best. Possibly having Tavares, Bailey and Nielsen as our 3 centers is pretty impressive. -
#69 Mary – Hate to say but it is NOT imperative that the Isles get a high spot next year. If we draft well this year, make a move up for quality over quantity, and make a trade or 2, we can compete for a playoff spot. I dont see a reason why not, considering our man lost games this year was like 50,000 or so. Draft well, get good young potential players, anothe year experience from KO, a sleeper somewhere and we can create excitement at the old (ugh) barn again.
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Mikey says:
Some of the fans around here have gone bonkers about a guy they have hardly seen play. Take a deep breath and relax. Even the straight talking EJ MaGuire admits that he may have a North American bias. Hedman’s upside is FRANCHISE defenseman. Either way, we are getting a highly touted prospect with unbelievable potential. Sometimes I feel like Islander fans will find any reason to complain. Only we can whine about the prospect of getting a 6-6, swift skating defenseman who had an unbelievable SEL season as a 17-18 year old.
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Eric says:
111-mikey, NO we just want a natural goal scorer! Our first since Ziggy Palffy! Is that too much to ask? Maybe Okposo turns into an all-star as well and I think he will be a solid player all around, but we need someone else as well.
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Willis says:
I want to address a couple of comments about no one ever going to the net. (Very true for the past few yrs here)
At the end of the season Bailey was in front of the net – at least enough for me to keep noticing it. Maybe it was Gordon telling him to give it a try for a few games, I don’t know. But I noticed, don’t any of you remember? I was kind of happy to see him keep at it, figured its good to groom someone for that since apparently no one really likes it there (hence our whole team of “allergic to net camping” guys).
I was sort of hoping to see him there next season too. Anyway, let me know if you think I’m off base with my thoughts on him there so I can adjust my thinking. At this point that was about the only thing I DID expect to see next season.
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Blizzard says:
#111 thats a 2 way street, no one had seen Hedman play either. On one hand you have a large swift skating potential franchise defeceman, on the other you have a pure goal scoring potential frachise center…..we we havent had in over a decade. Also he broke Gretzky’s goal scoring records in juniors. Cant blame anyone for getting excited about that. As fans that have endured so much it is my opinion that they have a right to complain about the product on the ice.
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Fist of Gillies says:
i had a random dream last night.
We took Hedman at #2. Boston or maybe Pittsburgh took Tavarez at #1. Was definitely a black/gold logo.
Just putting it on the record in case I have ‘the gift’…
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G. HOWITT says:
Suprise me on draft day 1st pick the light house project is a go thank you kate !!
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Also I just want to make another comment from another threas. There was talk, since it appears TB is more interested in Hedman trade to #2 in order to get an extra asset. I immediatelly rejected that saying lets treat JT w/ respect.
I have another and more important reason for saying no: Brian Burke & Toronto. There has been alot of talk about Burke swapping Toronto’s 1st pick #7 overall and players/salary relief for Tampa’s 1st Pick. Now how bad is the following scenario: Tampa swaps picks w/ us for a 3rd rounder. Tampa immediatelly trades the #1 pick to Toronto, Toronto then gets Tavares; Tampa then drafts Jared Cowen for. Is that extra 3rd pick worth the egg on our face? Or the criminal charges to follow by outraged Isle fans?
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“i had a random dream last night.
We took Hedman at #2. Boston or maybe Pittsburgh took Tavarez at #1. Was definitely a black/gold logo.
Just putting it on the record in case I have ‘the gift’…”mmm I thinking not… Tampa wants Hedman in the worst way, and if we took him at #2 then Tampa would have to be in that deal to allow us to drop to #2 and get either Boston or the Penns to pick #1 and get Tavares… and like the Penns need any more fire power on that team. Besides Tavares going to Pitt would not be his first choice I’m sure, he would never get out from under the shadow of Crosby.
Sorry but I’m not seeing it myself, but I could see us at #3 in a deal with Colorado. NOW clearly I’m not saying I want it to happen… but i think it’s more realistic than us at #2.
I want no messing around. Tavares with the #1. The hard part is trading up into the top 10 to get a defenseman.
It’s all just my opinion
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(114) I’m not saying that Isles fans don’t have a right to complain about the product on the ice. As paying customers of our team, we have a right to be angry when we haven’t seen a playoff round victory in 15 years. I also do not think it’s good for fans to get excited about Tavares and the draft. But I think some of the comments around here are bordering on the absurd. Some people have let their infatuation with Tavares cloud the fact that Hedman is a ridiculous talent who has also been the talk of the hockey world for a few years now. I just don’t want to see people angry at the draft party if we draft Hedman. A prospect of his talent does not deserve that.
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Michael says:
this is the same guy who said that Tavares seemed to be a clone of Dale Hawerchuk. I love the sound of that. I think all the hype that the Isles might not draft Tavares is overblown. Its too perfect a fit. Tavares fits with the Islanders in so many ways, just as Hedman is perfect for Tampa. Dont forget that hockey is a business and drafting Tavares would be great business. Im not saying that the Isles are only thinking in terms of business, its only a small portion.
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*Spelling correction to above post – “I DO think it’s good for fans to get excited about the draft.” Sorry for the typo.
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#111… this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance here to get a talent that may not come around for another decade. Are you willing as an Islander fan to just sit back all deal with the BASHING we would get if Tavares turned out to be as good as a guy called Bossy? GOD forbid if he ever panned out to be as good as Crosby. No one can say he can’t be as good as Crosby. It’s a roll of the dice. But I don’t want to even think about what would happen if the aforementioned happened and we passed.
And none of us have seen either of them play in person, but I think with all of the positive reports we read and YOU TUBE we watch of Tavares and these NHL scouting experts endorsing JT… that’s good enough for me!
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AMEN MIKEY!!!!
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I feel the same way as a lot of you do as far as the “Draft Tavares or Bust” campaign goes. Last year when we didn’t draft Filatov, I felt sick. If we don’t draft Tavares, I will feel heartbroken. I might say I’m done with the team, but if they start winning again, who among us will not come back? Look at the Blackhawks. They were long forgotten in that city. Now, all of a sudden, they have a product on the ice and they are the toast of the town again. Long story short, if they start winning again, it doesn’t matter who they draft.
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Ajax says:
Draft Party tickets are now available on Ticketmaster. There is no charge, but you NEED a ticket to get in. 6 ticket max. LETS SELL IT OUT!
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Terry19 says:
tavares
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I find myself agreeing with Mikey here. People get all overheated over the Tavares/Hedman/Duchene debate. While I believe that Garth will select Tavares with the #1 pick, we have holes everywhere. Garth’s job is not to select players based on what the fans want, not even the season ticket holders among us. Garth’s job is to select the player who, in his judgment, is the best fit for the long term future of the franchise and add as many good players that he can to fill the holes as quickly as is practical. The day he drafts a player because the fans want him is the day Charles needs to find a new GM.
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I think what Tavares adds to the Isles’ offense that may be understated is the way opposing teams play against us … they can’t cheat and pressure our offense as they have for the better part of the last decade … I think this is what folks are talking about when they say JT will help KO … it opens things up, and spreads out the ‘D’ … KO is the magician along the boards … and JT is the magician inside the hash marks … forcing the opposing defense to spread out their zone coverage … which not only lessens the pressure on KO and JT … but … the point men and the 3rd forward / LW who will have a lot of back door opportunities in Gordo’s system … and Bailey will get lots more opps on his line b/c of this too.
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EAF says:
5/29 – 2:25 pm – tsn – Some of the big boys were in this group and there were some big men on hand to watch. NHLPA agent Pat Brisson, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, Leafs’ Senior VP of Hockey Operations Dave Nonis, Leafs’ Senior Advisor Cliff Fletcher, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and Panthers GM Jacques Martin are all in attendance.
Possible #1 selection and OHL leading scorer John Tavares did not do upper-body exercises at all, leading to speculation that he has an upper-body injury. He did do 46 sit-ups, which is one of the highest totals seen on the day. Tavares is fit but there’s obviously something going on – possibly a shoulder injury – as he did not do push-ups or the bench press. Tavares did do cycling and is looking good.
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Jordan says:
I think Tavares will be amazing, but just look at what Lidstrom has done in Detroit. Hes the reason they are at the top of the leaue every year. Hes the MVP of the world IMO and Hedman looks just like him except bigger. No doubt in my mind, I would choose Hedman 1st overall. Defence wins championships and with Hedman on the Islanders, they would certainly be the better team in not only New York, and their divsion, but I bet we see the cup within the next 5-10 years when we draft as we will thins year, and build around possibly the future MVP of the league in Hedman. Please Snow, DONT LET HIM GET AWAY TO TAMPA BAY!!!!
John Tavares