Comments on: EXCLUSIVE: FACE-TO-FACE SET WITH HEDMANTop-ranked dman coming to New York in June

By: C.Drama

C.Drama — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:07:21 +0000

Mike Golic just made a great point on espn radio, yes they are actually talking hockey. This post season there are 3 hat tricks, all scored by former #1 Over All picks: Ovechkin #1 in 04, Crosby #1 in 05, Kane #1 in 07.

By: hathead68

hathead68 — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:51:00 +0000

Garth ad Co. doing their due diligence. Hopefully it leads to JT.

By: JAS

JAS — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:37:35 +0000

Garth said in the interview after winning the lottery that he would love to have both players. And I think he can if he really wants too. You don’t get something for nothing so I think Streit would need to be part of the offer to TB.

TB ownership is hurting financially and has a strong desire for top offensive DMAN. TB is more of a win now team with Vinny L. and St. Louis. Isles trade Streit, #26 pick for #2 pick and Malone. TB gets a top DMAN, a first round pick, and dumps a bad contract. Isles get future franchise DMAN to grow with young team, and Malone a 25-30 goal scorer for a team desparate for offense.

Bottom line, take Tavares #1 and use Streit (who’s 31 yrs old) in a package to TB for Hedman. Isles have turned over entire offense to youth, maybe time to turnover aging defense and let them grow together.

By: DRIVE45

DRIVE45 — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:25:18 +0000

Snow should take Tavares. Great skill is at a premium in this diluted, overexpanded Bettman run league. Than make a big splash by trading picks 26, 31, 37 and a player or two to move into the top 10 to pick a defenseman like Jared Cowen. No way will they be able to move all the way up and get Hedman.

By: dave chyzowski

dave chyzowski — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:16:18 +0000

why does everyone have no doubt
HEdman will be perenial allstar?? he could very well be a bust (as can Tavares)i know 2 things though. he wont be a leader until he learns good english and he wont sell tickets like JT

By: dave chyzowski

dave chyzowski — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:13:56 +0000

isles 99, Great post, fully agree. team defense may be important, but an individual offensive star is more important than an individual defensive star. Garth, please take Tavares.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:09:09 +0000

I really hope we take Tavares. As an organization from top to bottom we do not have a single player with a nose for the net. The comparison between Bossy and Tavares is erie. I think Tavares will most definately be a prolific goal scorer. Hedman is an outstanding player who will no doubt be a perrenial All Star in the NHL. However I truly believe as an organization we have better debt at defense than forward. That said we need to take JT.

By: isles99

isles99 — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:55:48 +0000

apologize for the long post, had to release my anger.

By: isles99

isles99 — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:55:22 +0000

its good to do your homeowork on everyone but lets get real……this day in age, you need offense to win in the nhl. dont beleieve me, look at the team who won the cup last yr…i know they have lidstron but what about datsyuk, zetterberg, franzen, holmstrom, and company. they added hossa this year…need more proof, look at the team they beat last yr, pitt’s defense is average but they had crosby, malkin, hossa, staal, skyura, and company. need more proof, lets look at this year. everyteam except vancouver is a offensive powerhouse. look at the capitals especially, their defense average at best but look where they’re at with ovechkin, semin, backstom, and green (who is a average defensive d-man). my point is the old myth that you need to have a great defense is false. this day in age, you need balanced scoring, few standout skill offensive stars, and a hot goalie. defense isnt even as big a part of the game as it used to be. so tell me why would pass on tavares over hedman if they are both hyped. cb, when you say drew doughty is BETTER than victor hedman, tell me how are you going to pick hedman over tavares. tavares brings excitment, credibility, fans, and badly needed media attention to the island. snow, if you’re listeneing, just go with the consesus this time, you’re not smarter than everyone elese even though you might think you are. if this team drafts anyone but tavares, im seriously done with them. i took too much abuse before and this will be the straw that broke the camel’s back. im sure a lot of others feel the same way. this season was too much to stomach, especiallt if we’re not getting that offensive 40-50 goal scorer.

By: NJA

NJA — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:37:11 +0000

Isnt it true that defensement hit their prime years later than forwards- between 26 and 32 or thereabout? Isnt it also true that Hedman will be a UFA way before 26 years of age?

If we draft Hedman, we’ll develop him and then lose him without reaping the rewards. At least goal scorers tend to develop sooner and bring fan excitement back to the team.

Over his entire career, maybe Hedman is more valuable but for the Islanders- especially considering their problems landing/keeping UFAs, Tavares is a no brainer.

Anyone else thinking Hedman I direct you to Berard and/or Lachance. Defensemen are nice but they dont put fannies in the seats.

By: Jimmy Williams

Jimmy Williams — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:28:02 +0000

If one of your BEST players says, “We need a sniper,” shouldn’t we trust someone that is actually PLAYING for us? I think the only way we can screw this up is by not picking John Tavares. Please, Please, Please, do not screw this up.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:29:28 +0000

On the other hand if they go with Tavares since he seems to be hailed as more of a finisher than a playmaker even though im sure he can also make plays why not throw a bunch of money at a tanguay who is a great top line playmaking lw which we are in need of anyway since our lw depth isnt much after bergenheim anyway