HNIC: LeBrun says NYI want Hedman. We’re not. Experts say Snow is cagey. We want Tavares. Now.
Really, why should the Islanders just claim John Tavares as their choice now? Why give Islanders fans reason to be overwhelmingly giddy? Why sell big numbers of season tickets and Tavares jerseys? With the Rangers and Devils eliminated and newspaper editors now completely abandoning the sport, why dominate the hockey conversation? Why have the joy that comes with knowing Tavares is an Islander cast a positive effect over all this Lighthouse discussion?
(Not for nothing, but sure seems to me those Newsday stories yesterday would have been digested a lot better if the Islanders had a future goal-scoring star in the fold as opposed to the uncertainty of what June 26 will bring).
Why grab Tavares when we can have more reports like the one on Hockey Night in Canada? Three minutes into the latest segment of “Satellite Hot Stove” on Saturday, Pierre LeBrun says word’s out the Islanders want Victor Hedman. As a result, according to Pierre, the Maple Leafs would try to move to the second pick to get JT. (As this blog knows well, all this Tavheduch stuff is media gold).
Then Pierre and Mike Milbury discuss how crafty Garth Snow may be for not showing all his cards. They theorize that Snow is purposefully leaking false information. Mike says, “I wouldn’t trust Garth Snow,” trying to make the audience think there’s friction with the Islanders GM. I didn’t buy it for a second. All he’s really doing is complimenting Snow on his misdirection techniques - as opposed to a lack of direction, I guess.
Al Strachan wonders why the Islanders just don’t get it over with and make their pick. This would be the first time I’ve ever agreed with Al. Yeah, I know, the Islanders want to play this out. Not sure how that’s working out so far.
Unless the Islanders make a blockbuster maneuver that significantly improves the hockey club without a single doubt in the minds of their followers – a longshot – the wait will not have been worth it. Sure, there’s a lot of people talking Islanders, but where does it ultimately get them?
June 26 will be here any day now.
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DOUGHTY’S BETTER: By the way, for some perspective on Hedman, know this. Almost every scout I’ve asked forecasts Drew Doughty to have a better NHL career than Hedman. Make no mistake, Doughty could be great. Let’s just lose the perception that defensemen the calibre of Hedman only come around once a decade.
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CONTEST CAUSES A STIR: In case you missed it earlier today, the Islanders are having a contest where fans can make their choice for the first pick overall. Eight winners each get a trip to Montreal.
The marketing idea is already a huge hit because it has generated a lot of talk and plenty of fans have signed up.
The conversation about the contest continues in the next thread. Your Comments on Tavheduch here, please.
138 Responses to HNIC: LeBrun says NYI want Hedman. We’re not. Experts say Snow is cagey. We want Tavares. Now.
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Gary says:
i think we should take Tavares but i do see Snow taking the big dman who could be the next Chara—The #2 picking team wants/needs Hedman bad, so look for Snow to possibly make a deal with them to flip picks and to pick up a real good prospect or player from their team
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rb says:
Milbury critiquing another GM over what he might do at the draft! LOL! HAHAHA
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Smokey says:
I don’t understand why it’s somehow insane that the Islanders MIGHT want Hedman. This draft– with Hedman, Ryan Ellis, Tim Erixon, David Rundblad, John Moore, and others, provides the Isles a chance to solidify the blueline for the next decade. Sounds like a solid plan to me.
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From what I recall, teams announce who they are drafting AT the draft. Im wondering, what other teams have done the “We already picked him, lets start celebrating (and marketing)” hoopala in the past? and, much more importantly, what caliber of player was all that hype for? Was it for someone like Tavares or Hedman? Or was it for a player the likes of Mario or Sid? TB with Stamkos last season was a bit silly, IMO. I have no problem with Garth holding the organizations cards to his chest- and I just dont see how the Isles org blabbing about what they will do really helps anything.
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Eric says:
TAVARES!!!!
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RRL says:
It’s amusing to read that Mad Mike is warning people not to trust a GM, regardless of his motives for making the statement.
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kevin fitz says:
HEDMAN!
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
This canadian media is crazy. I’m surprised they are not suggesting we bring back Oleg Kvasha.
I’m glad Garth Snow is not making any comments, let them act like babies until the draft. Their media is gonna have to deal with the fact that we are a rebuilding team, and we will take the best player available when we make our selections.
They can try to sell us any player they want, these reporters have nothing else to talk about because 5 out of their 6 teams are on vacation now.
If I were Garth Snow, I would try to grab Toronto’s first round pick for our late first rounder along with some second rounders. However, if they agree to a trade, Brian Burke has to announce their selection with his pants down.
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michael says:
how can anyone take mike milbury’s opinion on hockey related issues seriously? has anyone in the last 20 years exemplified failure and ineptitude in hockey related matters MORE than mike milbury?
the guy is a clown. i can’t believe he is allowed to be on television. any hockey fan who has been paying attention to the last 15 years of the nhl can’t possibly take this guy seriously!!
he’s a joke.
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Amoe says:
Ultimately it comes down to talent. Selecting a franchise defenseman is a rare, rare, position to be in. In the nfl its akin to taking an offensive left tackle. Not the sexy pick, but a smart investment. Tavares’ talent/upside if equal to Hedman’s.. we should go to the blueline, imo. Selling tickets in the short term.. is a poor rationale for taking the player at an easier position to fill.
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bob l says:
anyone read up on nhl.com’s article on how interest in isles season tix is up 300% from last year? i can’t imagine all the phone calls and emails are in anticipation of Hedman, lol
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Jimmy Williams says:
I sincerely hope that the Islanders just do this for the majority of their fans. Haven’t all of us that are still here been through enough? Draft Tavares. Announce it now. No more games.
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JayK says:
HEDMAN!
TAVARES!
TASTES GREAT!
LESS FILLING!
Should be a fun few weeks!
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Amoe (10): I think people on either ‘side’of this discussion are going a bit too far out there trying to support their points. I mean, not for nothing but if a goalscorer is such an “easier position to fill”, then why havent the Isles drafted ANY of note in the last decade or so?
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Isletry says:
I believe that LeBrun forgot the word “too.” The Islanders want John Tavares, and Victor Hedman too!
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Rangers SUCK says:
Yeah, the LAST person that should be making comments on ANY GM is Mad Mike.
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And, if Tampon Bay is that screwed up over Hedman, good for Snow to leak that he “wants” him, maybe TB will come up with a deal for another pick or player. Hell, Millbury would have traded the # 1 pick for a bag of used jocks and pucks by now.
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Mike from Philly says:
The Canadian Media is dying for Tavares to stay north of the boarder. I highly doubt any of these clowns have any clue as to what the Islanders want!
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Pete M says:
Even if not announcing the pick does nothing more than twist the nuts of Brian Burke, Toronto fans and the Canadian media, I’m all for it.
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nystrom23 says:
I still think your story last week about the Isles getting 2 players in the top 5 is a reality….the isles take hedman if and ONLY if they can maneuver into the top 5 and have 2 picks…. then i take hedman at 1 and the next best available forward with the next pick…..otherwise just pick JT…..and PS….i credited Wang for his willingness and ability not to give up on this team…but unless he didnt pay attention in marketing press Snow and the scouts to declare him their #1….and make some dam money!
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Garth Wang says:
You have a better chance of gettting a stud d-man through free agency or a trade, as apposed to getting a goal scorer. We have an opportunity to select a solid goal scorer, which this team has desperately needed over the last couple years. Even if we do get Hedman we will probably get rid of him before he reaches his full potential as an nhl d-man i.e. Chara, Bertuzzi, McCabe. Hedman may become the next Nick Linstom, but d-men generally take longer to emerge than goal scorers. The situation the islanders are in now they need that instant spark of this franchise. Tavares will put butts in the seats and put our franchise back on the map which hopefully solidifies the islanders staying on Long Island. Then we can think long term, but we need spark now.
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No Tavares = No Islanders in 2015. Total interest lost
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didnt mean bertuzzi..typed too fast to think..but u get my point
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joey303 says:
I prefer Hedman, certainly would not cry over Taveras. But Snow is doing exactly what I think he should be doing!! dont tip your hat Garth, even if Taveras is your pick, let Tampa squirm and maybe offer you a player!!
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Jon Mac says:
Im sorry but I stand by what Snow is doing. He is being smart. I know that it would probably be smart business to announce the pick now, but it is not Snow’s job to sell tickets. Snow’s job is to build a hockey team. Snow and his team are going to go through the process the right way. Interview both candidates, listen to offers, have a health debate internally and then make the pick. I don’t believe anything I hear from the Canadian press. They are just trying to generate ratings and buzz.
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Bones says:
I am sick to my stomach.
They pass on Tavares and i swear i give up on this team.
Who is with me?
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butch91 says:
if Milbury likes what Snow is doing, Snow should change tactics NOW!
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Arthur says:
Why dont we just trade our #1 pick to Russia for Alexi Yashin
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JP says:
It would be quite sweet if we went total misdirection, announced that we agreed to contract terms with Hedman… watched Toronto trade with Tampa… and then we took JT.
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Chris.. fair point. The Isles haven’t drafted the pure goal-scorer out of philosophy. Filatov would have been the pick last year if this was the case.. that story has already been written. Jankowski likes hockey-sense.. Josh Bailey. If an organization has a philosophy, AND a commitment to it, the pieces fit better, you get better value where you pick and you have an identity.
I’m not saying Tavares doesn’t fit these criteria.. but if Hedman does, and his talent grades out higher, he should be the pick. Regardless of potential ticket sales. I guess that is my point.
The need for a young top pairing defenseman equals that of goal-scorer. You take the better player bottom-line.
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The best player is John Tavares. PERIOD.
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blitz says:
Outside of Stamkos when was the last time over the past decade a team selecting #1 overall widely promoted the player they were selecting before actually drafting him?
I understand your perspective on this CB, but it is a little unusual for teams to do this. Let alone, NYI are known for their unusual nature, so why pile on and within two seconds NYI are automatically linked with the TB/Stamkos marketing debacle. IMO, NYI do not need to be associated with that via the media.
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Frei says:
Mike Milbury is depriving some small village of a pretty good idiot.
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JKP on LI says:
I question how much of a story anointing Tavares at this point would really be. Dominating the New York hockey press at this time of the year–with anything except performance in the playoffs, of course–isn’t really worth a ton. It’s better to keep our options open.
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Amoe (31): I think your point is a very good one. Any of us as readers/commenters who think we “know” who the best player is when even experts say that they dont “know” that is just projecting their hopes and calling them facts. Im with you on the take the better player thing, and like Jon Mac (26) said I think they are going about this the right way.
I know that some of you would be thrilled (CB included?) if there were posters and hype and Tavares already wearing an Isles jersey in posters at the team stores, but then what? When all is said and done, what would that really DO for this team??? The point has already been made that winning is going to be the deciding factor. The Isles dont win ANY more games by announcing their pick way before the draft.
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C.J. says:
This is silly. Why can’t GMG hold his cards to the vest? I LOVE what GMG is doing.
1. Media-impact: (As if this really matters) Right now, GMG is in the same place he would be if he claimed Tavares as the Isles #1 choice. CB, you just said it… they’re still talking Islanders, except it’s all speculation.
This world is so unacustomed to being patient (e.g., ppl. can’t wait to find out if they’re having a boy or girl as they need to paint the nursery, run out and buy clothes, etc.). Just chill. How about an element of surprise for once? Sheesh.
2. Marketing: No one would be buying anything Tavares (e.g., Jersies) as we won’t know what # he’ll be wearing (if the Isles choose him) for some time. There’s NOTHING good that can come from calling TAVARES right now.
3. Keeping ‘Value’ – If the Isles scream Tavares, they just lost a prospective opportunity cost if a team that coveted Hedman was to come calling. E.g., Tampa. What IF Tampa wants to give us something… let’s say, their 2nd rounder, to simply swap #1 for #2? GMG just shot himself in the foot.
4. Keep ‘em guessing. Let’s say we yell ‘Hedman’. Toronto immediately goes to Tampa and offers everyting including the kitchen sink for the #2 pick (7th overall, Schenn, Kaberle, 2010 2nd). GMG is sitting there w/his thumb up his butt w/this missed opportunity.
I mean, come on already. Why can’t we accept the fact that GMG is doing the right thing and remaining patient (and coy).
We will never be certain what’s going on behind those closed doors and will only find out where GMG is at on the 26th. People need to accept this instead of wouldda-couldda-shouldda.
If I’m in a position of power, I personally NEVER show my hand. Good job GMG… keep up the good work!
(Oh, and BTW… MM’s EXACTLY right… I wouldn’t trust what’s being leaked either), but guess what? Folks will never know until the 26th and if that works out in the Isles favor (upping the ante) for someone who may covet one of Tavares, Hedman, and Duchene — sobeit.
Lastly, I love ya but I don’t put ANY stock in the GM poll that you did for those picking 15th or higher. All these guys are schrewd… I just assume those that said they would pick Hedman want Tavares and vice versa.
Gotta wear your poker face… at ALL times.
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KO21 says:
We CANT get rid of this “MADD Mike Dincklebury”…It’s unbelievable how WE just can’t get rid of this menace to the Isles…
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Dave says:
#27:
The only people who would give up on a team because they chose a stud d-man over a goal scorer aren’t real fans so please do us a favor and give up on the Islanders now. We don’t need people like you. -
Brian G says:
Snow has only 2 options that will make Islander fans Happy..
Tavares or a Forsberg/Lindros Trade package return -
Alex O says:
Im with CB, Lets just do it already. If were taking Hedman ok lets make the pick and deal with the backlash early. If were taking JT, lets do it and shut the hockey world up about how we will do whats not expected. If youre waiting for some huge offer well then put it out there that if you dont get your best offer today (Burke) then go away because well have made our choice in the media already and we couldnt take it back. But it better start with Schenn, this years first next years first and whatever we can extort from them (Kaberle +, yes I know too much to pay but I said extort). The longer this goes on the more you cause your fans to believe that Milbury’s spector is still in charge and we will do the wrong thing. Thats my $.2
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JP39 says:
I’m with blitz (post # 33)…Last year aside with Tampa/Stamkos, I don’t ever recall a team pubicly promoting the 1st overall pick as a member of their team before actually drafting the player. I could be wrong, but I don’t remember it happening.
I personally think that what Tampa did last year was wrong and unprofessional and should be avoided at all costs. Stamkos was not officially a member of the Lightning until the draft, yet they promoted him as if he’d been with the team for months. Garth and the Isles are doing the right thing here. Right now this is nobody’s business except the Isles. Let all of Canada and especially Brian Burke and the Leafs lose sleep every night knowing that “their boy”, John Tavares, could be coming to Long Island on June 26th. And then walk up to that podium and hold that Tavares Isles jersey up high and proud and announce that he is ours!! LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
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That should have been “publicly”** promoting in the first sentence of my last post. Sorry for the type-o…
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#28 That was super funny and I agree with you LOL
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Dan says:
Taste Great – Less Filling. Wow 53 days til draft day…….Should be fun
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UIF says:
I don’t know…the Canadian media was “crazy” when they first reported the rift between Snow and Nolan, and we all know that turned out to be true. Maybe they really did hear something.
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Jimmy Mac says:
Do you have to live within 75 mile radius to be an Isles fan?
No wonder we can’t sell out every game…lol.
You do have to hold out until draft weekend to do what you have to do.
If somebody wants the #1 pick… they will panick and offer up more than they want to.
Nothing wrong with a good old fashion bidding war.
Option#1…take Tavarses with the #1.
Option#2…trade the #1, but do not move any lower than #3…. Only if we make out like bandits.
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JTinafishermanhat says:
Off the subject but anyone watching the worlds? Looks like in the second period Okposo and Sreit both got a rouching penalty at the same time. Wonder what was up with that? Also Streit has an assist so far after two. USA leads 3-2
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jonw says:
CB, Doughty better then Hedman? Offensively maybe,but all around? I would like to know what E.J.McGuire thinks about that rather then random scouts you asked.You like challenges don’t you?
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Maybe the Isles already have a Great Offensive DMan in their System?-5-2-09.. USHL-Dominant Donovan Deserving of ‘D’Award…
McKeen’s Hockey Prospects Staff-Kevin WeyChicago Steel defenseman John Moore will go down as the 2008-09 USHL Defenseman of the Year, but the award could just as easily have gone to Cedar Rapids RoughRiders defenseman Matt Donovan. The New York Islanders prospect joined Moore on the USHL First All-Star Team and he led the USHL in defenseman scoring with 19 goals and 32 assists, proving he was worthy of consideration, but his worthiness of the top honor was even more evident in how Donovan played. No other USHL defenseman displayed the same poise with the puck nor utilized the subtle moves to disguise his intents like Donovan, tricks of the trade numerous NHL defensemen don’t have, not to mention the second-year USHLer is also decent defensively. That offensive awareness and that level of offensive execution led Donovan to All-Tournament status at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, and it also helped Donovan keep the RoughRiders in contention for first place in the USHL’s East Division while Moore’s production trailed toward the end of the season and the Steel missed the playoffs.
McKeen’s correspondent Kevin Wey had the opportunity to catch the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders once in early March and once during the Clark Cup Playoffs and enters notes on several players. Matt Donovan, Dallas Stars prospect Scott Winkler, notable 2009 draft-eligible prospects Jeff Costello and Paul Phillips, and a number of other Cedar Rapids prospects are featured.
Matt Donovan (NYI), D, Cedar Rapids
As noted above, my pick for USHL Defenseman of the Year .. taking his offensive game to new levels .. now incorporating subtle head fakes and jukes that disguise where he’ll be passing the puck .. consistently able to skate the puck through the neutral zone through deceptive speed and sheer calm .. so composed he can make a short saucer pass to himself over a checker’s stick while he calmly goes around .. has good offensive vision from the point and distributes the puck well .. has a hard slapshot and one-timer from the point, but needs to improve the accuracy of these .. has a crisp wristshot that is dangerous .. makes smooth, crisp d-to-d and point-to-point passes .. able to execute powerful stops with the puck .. adept at keeping the puck in at the point .. sees plenty of icetime in all situations .. engages physically, but isn’t overly physical .. good defensively, but his poised offensive game is what sets him apart .. Donovan is now a distinct possibility to turn pro after two years of college hockey, if he wants .. demonstrating NHL top-four defenseman potential .. played for Team USA at World Junior A Challenge and scored 3 goals and 3 assists in 5 games .. named to the WJAC All-Tournament Team .. played for Team CCM (East) at USHL Prospects/All-Star Game .. named to RBK USHL First All-Star Team .. finished the regular season with 19 goals and 32 assists in 57 games, tops in USHL defenseman goal-scoring and points .. finished the playoffs with 0 goals and 4 assists in 5 games .. committed to Denver University for 2009-10. -
Unit_King says:
Tavares!.
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ny711ot says:
amazing how this no brainer is taking a life of its own. from a pr and hockey perspective it makes so much sense to leverage tavares now…the only reason not to is because they could seriously be considering not taking him….and there is no deal that makes sense.
even a schenn trade with toronto or anyone other than stamkos on tampa.
remember that schenn and filatov will be great…bailey could be very good.
we already screwed up one draft….is garth serious about screwing this one up as well? -
JKP in Halifax says:
People, please stop calling it the “Canadian Media”. It’s the “Toronto Media”.
Stop insulting the rest of us who probably can’t stand Toronto even more than any of you. We have to deal with Toronto’s superiority complex in everything, not just hockey…
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alex says:
CB, i just don’t understand how this team could go against the fans right now and not get Tavares! We finished last in the standings, The Lighthouses future looks bleak at best, We are the laughing stock of the media in Canada, We have just heard from Wang that he regrets buying the team, our current arena is falling apart, the ToH is trying to undermine efforts to keep this team in Uniondale and to top it off there might not be a team called the New York Islanders for much longer ! We need HOPE! We need it NOW!
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IslesFanInBkNY says:
K.O. just had a fight with Streit. Both got 2 min for roughing
And Tellquist signed with KHL for three times the money he used to get in Buffalo. -
KO got in a fight with Streit? Good to see that both of them are really playing with intensity.
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coral springs isle fan says:
Keep who your picking close to the vest at all costs. Just take a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning’s roster from this year and you will quickly see that they have no scoring from their blue line. They have three top flight centers in Stamkos, Vinny and you can make an argument for Prospal. They need Hedman more than anything. I would be sweating bullets that the Isles and Garth Snow might pick Hedman, so much so that I may just offer an asset so I can assure myself of filling the biggest need for the team while taking the best player available as well.
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bruce says:
I don’t understand why Garth should come out and announce his pick now. people will still buy season tickets and merchandise after the draft right? Garth shouldn’t compromise his options to sell tickets and merchandise before June. Even in the NFL draft this year everyone knew stafford was the 1st pick since the season ended but it wasn’t announced until the day before the draft. John Tavares is not the next Crosby or Ovechkin so why should Garth have to treat him like them?
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Dr. Generosity says:
Snow’s not disclosing his pick because he’s focusing on the hockey ops business, not the PR flak business.
The Isles have all summer to parade John Tavares through the streets if that’s who they pick.
For once, I applaud the Isles for making a decision based on hockey ops not crass opportunism.
PS Drew Doughty may be a quick read, but try teaching him size. Hedman towers over him.
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JJ says:
If the Islanders don’t pick Tavares, it will be a huge kick in the nuts to all Islanders fans.
Last year, we all desperately wanted Filatov, who scored a hat trick in his first NHL game – almost half of Bailey’s season total. What does Garth do, trades down two spots and grabs someone who may or may not end up a 2nd line center.
Had they drafted Filatov last year, I would say go ahead and consider Hedman, but WE NEED goals! We haven’t had an exciting goal scorer since Palffy! Enough is enough… just do what common wisdom predicts. Enough already!
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Willis says:
Yeah CB, why make Islanders fans overwhelmingly giddy? Giddy is something foreign to us, it needs to be broken in slowly.
In all seriousness, I would be embarrased if they announced it prior to the draft. But here’s another comment for your cause. Seems like a smashing success so far. -
where were all the idiots who wanted defense last year? Why not Schenn? Why did everyone want Filatov last year and not the big bad defenseman???
Filatov doesnt even come close to Tavares yet everyone wanted him over Schenn. This year, everyone wants the softie from sweden. I cant wait to see Tavares light up the league. This way we can be known as the team that passed over Heatley, Gaborik, Parise, AND TAVARES !
AWESOME !
MAYBE BIG BAD HEDMAN AND DIPIETRO COMBINED CAN LEAD US TO 1-0 WINS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. WHO NEEDS GOALSCORING. WEVE GOT PLENTY OF 4TH LINERS TO DO THAT. -
Robby D says:
The best chance of keeping this franchise here is picking Tavares. If it weren’t for Crosby, the Penguins would be in KC right now. Maybe Tavares could do that for us. Wang certainly seems to need all the help he can get to keep this team here. Getting angry Islander fans back isn’t the problem. Finding an arena for them to visit is. We can’t afford to be cute about this. Our franchise depends on it and that means you take the best player. Jon Tavares!
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Matt says:
#62, Tavares will not be half the player Crosby is. Both Tavares or Hedman will help the team but neither should help like Crosby did to the Penguins.
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Isles316 says:
I think the Islanders are in a rare position that this upcoming draft not only may decide the quickness of their rebuild, but wheather or not they still exsist in a few years potentially.
I think coming out now and saying that Tavares is the pick would help ticket sales and also help with the Lighthouse project.
If that wasn’t the situation then I wouldn’t ever want Snow to show his hand.
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The balance of the Milbury quote was “I don’t trust Garth Snow as far as I can throw him — right now.”
I too almost jumped through my keyboard when I found out about it, until I saw the clip myself and realized he was praising him for keeping the choice to himself.
We’ll know when the rest of the world does. June 26th. Someone call me when it happens. I’m too afraid to watch myself.
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I’m glad Snow isn’t showing his hand yet. I say keep everyone guessing. It’s good leverage just in case something comes along that may be too good to pass up. If not, who cares? It’s not like Tavares is going anywhere.
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Valentino says:
#61 Ouch !
The man has a point. Who in their right minds passes over Heatley, Gaborik, Parise, and now Tavares.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. We are clearly insane.
Just make the obvious pick for once.
Take Tavares. -
Rick says:
CB, a question for you. You say ‘Let’s just lose the perception that defensemen the calibre of Hedman only come around once a decade.’ If that’s the case, then is it fair to say that Tavares is on one level and Hedman/Duchene are on a 2nd tier?
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Islanders1984 says:
The lottery was rigged, isles will definately be taking Tavares. But it would be a very smart move of snow to spike the interest of Tampa about Hedman. If they think isles are taking hedman they will be willing to trade up to get him. Tampa is the only one of the top (bottom) 5 who needs Hedman more than they need Tavares. Snow isn’t such a bad Gm after all, just has to be better when it comes to trades. That guerin trade kills me with every point he gets in the playoffss
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jaf10 says:
Hedman is the best player in the draft and if you want to contend in a few years you pick Hedman but if you want the press all over you and a chance of a bust or a top notch scorer you pick Tavares. Tavares is a bigger risk then Hedman.
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Outside says:
Beat toronto at their own game.. before we even make our 1st pick.. offer Tampa: Witt, Our 26th (whatever that pick is) and our 31st pick, for their 2nd pick.. so we take tavares-hedman 1-2, tampa gets the type of dman they need, we get major publicity, and toronto steams in thw pile of crap they are still in b/c we 1 upped their trade for the #2… bwhahaha
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NYICHAMP39 says:
Knowing how much of a personality Garth was with the Islanders as a goalie and how he was throughout his whole career I am going to go ahead and call BS on this one. On draft day I would be willing to bet almost anything that he calls out Johnny T’s name. This is just to get the gears grinding in the hockey world. Garth doesn’t want to make it easy for everyone else in the league to make their decisions come draft day. Especially the likes of Brian Burke who seems to always piss everyone off.
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Jmont6 says:
Draft JT. Then trade the rest of out picks this year to Tampa for Hedman.
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(69)
Offering Witt (old, past his prime defenseman) and the 26th and the 31st would not be enough for Tampa to give up number 2. They would want youth in return. That trade would be doable if you insert KO in for Witt. But, as Garth said, KO is untouchable so your trade is never gonna happen.
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-Big Van Vader says:
Let them all talk north of the border. Let them speculate. Whatever they want to say/do. Doesn’t matter.
What matters is that when we all attend that Draft Party and Garth Snow heads to the podium, he’d better say, “With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders are PROUD to select from the London Knights of the OHL, John Tavares.”
Anything else, and I have a strong feeling that the Coliseum will be demolished. (Eh, easier to build a new one)
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Magnus says:
What is all this lobbying for Tavares? Do you actually think you’ll be able to influence Snow & co. to pick a certain player?
We all know where you stand by now and I’m really starting to get sick & tired of reading about one “good” reason after another why to pick Tavares.
Let’s face it, either we pick Tavares or Hedman we’re gonna add a great player to our team but that won’t be enough to turn this franchise into a winning machine again.
What we need is for the boys to create a strong belief in themselves. Right now they’re skating around knowing they’re on the worst team of the league and with no great future ahead. Mental strength and coaching is vital at this point. Chicago’s finally turned it around, I hope the Islanders will follow in their footsteps next season. -
Staten Islander says:
We should give Milbury a choice of 2 players, then take the one he doesn’t pick
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Jim says:
I don’t trust anybody, not Toronto, not Tampa Bay . . . just keep the No. 1 pick and use some of other picks to trade up. There are plenty of good d-men propects in the draft that can be had
We need a face, we need some excitement, WE NEED A GOAL SCORER. I would not want to be at that switchboard if they don’t take Tavares No 1. -
Lance79 says:
So if Drew Doughty’s going to have a better NHL career, does that make this draft shallower than the ’08 draft? I don’t recall nearly as many questions about the ability of the top end of that draft aside from questions regarding the order (and the consensus of last April in draft order wound up being just how it happened, in spite of a LOT of noise in between about mixing that up). On a side note, I think it increases pressure on Garth to move up in the draft since we’ve got to reach more.
All of this could just be akin to last year’s noise when everyone wondered up until draft day about what if’s like if Pietrangelo would drop down to us since someone ahead of us was thinking of taking Filatov or if Schenn was going earlier. In the end, it could just turn out how the first predictions had it: 1. NYI – JT 2. TB – Hedman 3. COL – Duchene.
When you look at it that way, each of the top 3 go to teams where they fill a big need. All this speculation is just causing a lot of paralysis by overanalysis (because let’s face it, we haven’t anything better to do till then).
Given that, short of any trades or any GM blabbing to the media about their pick I’m ignoring the talking heads on Hotstove and places like that until Garth steps to the podium to announce the pick…
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art says:
Here’s my dream. Draft Tavares now with Wang present announcing that He will keep the ISLES on the ISLAND period and will do whatever it takes to accomplish this. (please don’t wake me from this beautiful dream!
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It sounds like Al was advocating announcing it “three days” before the draft — not now — for whatever that’s worth.
I still have no issue with keeping your cards close and preparing for the Waddell who is born every minute. Once the pick is announced in June, people will forget (and forgive) that you made them wait a whole two months to hear it. After all, the two-month debate on the identity of the pick is buzz in itself.
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Islanders haven’t had a good sniper in many years. In my opinion, Zigmund Palffy was our last great scorer. What has been the islanders biggest problems the past few years? SCORING. We need Tavares. Ok he doesn’t skate the best and “doesn’t play defense.” but, as Tavares has said many times, he’s always looking to mature, learn and improve. He’ll absorb the knowledge of how to play better defense like a sponge. If i am correct Bossy first wasn’t a good defensive player but he sure learned. We definitly do need a good defenseman though. I purpose to go after Jay Boumeester through Free Agency. I think he’ll be perfect for Gordon’s system. Trade our 26th overall pick and 2nd round picks to move up in the draft hopefully in the top 10.
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isles72 says:
Swedes show alot of loyalty to their teams -which is one of the key things on my mind when thinking of Hedman .
treat him well and he’ll want to be an islander for life .
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Dack1972 says:
Mike Milbury should be the last person that should be providing advice regarding the NYI. He should keep his mouth shut. I can’t beleive he said that he does not trust Snow….Are you serious?
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Mikey says:
Re the Doughty comparisons, who are these scouts you speak of? Are they NA based scouts who rarely watch the SEL? Why won’t they go on the record? Are these the same scouts you interviewed who put Hedman over Tavares?
CB – You’ve been pumping Tavares for a month now, but I still haven’t heard a good reason why you are so emphatic about this. Just because he put up a lot of points and has been on the radar for a few years doesn’t mean that he’s the clear cut choice over Hedman. Any mention of fan giddiness, jersey sales, and ticket sales makes me think you are behind this for PR reasons. Only a Mickey Mouse organization would draft players based on a few months of jersey sales.
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matt says:
i mean i would choose hedman but in the situation we are in about to get moved WE HAVE TO TAKE TAVARES HE MIGHT SAVE THE ISLES!!!!
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Brian B says:
Scouts said Doughty is going to be better than Hedman…Islanders have scouts who probably feel this way. Last year, CB said Isles would have taken Stamkos first overall. Scouts say Tavares is better than Stamkos…Again Isles have scouts who probably feel this way. Therefore: Tavares > Stamkos and since Isles would have taken Stamkos over Doughty and Doughty > Hedman, Tavares > Hedman.
The Isles were assured a top 2 pick. When they got the 1st. pick, Morrow was very excited. Snow called it a great moment for the franchise. If they wanted Hedman…wouldn’t they be just fine with the number 1 as they are with the number 2? Snow has always voiced the need for a TRUE number 1 center, and we all know they need a face of the franchise.
Considering all these things…I would be shocked if the Isles don’t take Tavares. Billy Jaffe even said Tavares is the way to go…and he’s the man.
Also, I don’t care what anyone else says, I really think the Isles are taking the state of the franchise into consideration and want to create that buzz with a player like Tavares.
I’m confident Isles will take Tavares..time will tell if it will pay off.
By the way, if Toronto had the number 1 pick…none of these bs articles will be out saying Hedman or Duchene better than Tavares. Duchene will be the clear cut number 1…no question about it.
P.S. Garth has already said that the team is going to have a few meetings in June leading up to the draft to discuss the pick (I think its more about discussing their other picks and their strategy more than anything else)…so he’s not going to announce the pick publicly…at least not for a while.
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Hud says:
I heard that the Lions might not take Stafford too, just everyone trying to posture and get what they want, no worries.
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drouin says:
One way to know that your idea is not that good…. Al Strachen had the same idea.
And they would have missed out on the chance for a nifty contest.
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Again plain in simple, isles need a scorer desperately. Tavares is our guy. Need defense? Sign Jay Boumeester this off-season. He’ll be perfect for gordon’s system and be a nice blue line presence w/ streit.
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hale says:
i love this..”if we don’t take tavares I SWEAR I AM DONE” motto…you know they could both stink…honestly we need a center we need a dman …let the scouts determine the best one…i am more concerned about moving up in the first round
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Rob76 says:
As far as my opinion on the matter – I want a goal scorer – it is a no brainer – I’d rather lose this contest and have them take Tavares with me watching on LI than me win the contest and have them take Hedman in my face in MTL
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BTBoss says:
Snow is not going to show he’s hand because he doesn’t know what offers will come in for the pick. If Burke thinks the Islanders will be taking an Hedman they TO will only need to get up to 2nd overall for TB pick. Which then snow go over to TO’s table and tell Burke we’re taking Taraves and what will you give up to move to the 1st spot. I can see it now, Matt Duchene and L Schenn in Islanders Jerseys. Snow should then trades up into the top 10-15 in 1st rd and takes a top forward or d-man. I would do this in a heartbeat. Tavares and Hedman are not the Isles savor by themselves. This team need plenty of top talent. It all comes down to who has the best poker face. We know the Isles have the best hand. Let see how well they play it. Draft day can’t come soon enough.
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Bottom line is.. playoffs, a stanley cup.. make very little impact on the money being lost by this franchise. The very thing that will effect islanders moving, or not, is money, not goals. That is a misplaced argument.
No player will save a franchise.. Politics, unfortunately.. is the only thing that will in the short term.
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Dave Chyzowski says:
Anyone wonder how Tavares will fit into Gordon’s system. I totally want Tavares. Am not sold on a big Defenseman. Even Defense, the great ones, doesnt have everything to do with size. Hedman is not a bone cruncher… i’ll give you names of Great defencemen that were’nt over 6’5 Leech, Potvin, MacInnis, Bobby Orr, Come on!! Zdeno Chara???? please. you don’t need someone so big to be great, and just because he’s tall and can skate means he’s automatically great. I’ll take 215 goals against 15 goals anytime. evem bringing Duschene and his 30 goals-50 point avg. against Tavares is ridiculous.
they dont even compare.. dont give me the defence crap. watch highlights, even some of JT’s goals were created from his forechecking-intercepting. he can work on that. THEY WILL PICK TAVARES.
MY real concern is the BLAIR THOMAS CONCERN. if you recall, Blair Thomas was drafted and used in the worse possible way that totallyh ruined him for life. Will Tavares fit Gordon’s skating system? is it a full ice high flying system where you need to skate well to score?? that’s my bigger concern… that Tavares doesnt get utilized properly becaused of Gordon..\any thoughts? -
19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Look … Snow, Wang & Janks ARE NOT that DENSE … they know damn well that the fans overwhelmingly want John Tavares … so they wouldn’t put out that kind of contest if they even thought of taking someone else … especially to take a fan along for the trip that in all probability wanted John Tavares to be the welcoming committee for who?? Matt Duchene? Victor Hedman? Cowan … blah blah blah???
I think Snow wants to keep his options open … but I think they are leaning HEAVY towards Tavares.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
In my opinion, it’s Snow keeping everyone on edge. It makes other teams like TB, TOR, et al, keep tipping their hands as to whom they MAY move in order to move up or down and take the #1 or the #2 or even the #3. It’s a good ploy NOT to name whomever the pick will be (provided it’s not traded – I sure hope not!). If Snow came out and named whomever he wanted at #1, it allows the other teams to begin the process of now dealing with TB at #2 with any mention of JT (hopefully) out of the mix. So long as the pick isn’t named, it is interesting to hear the names being thrown about – especially out of Toronto. Why give Burke any help by tipping out hand? Let him sit where he is and continue to bark up the wrong tree and feed the Toronto media his crapola.
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Tony says:
Take Tavares,the isles need scoring more than a dman.where can the isles acquire a possible 40 goal scorer from??They aren’t going to pay 5-7 million for 1 on the free agent market,so just draft tavares and u can get a good dman w/ the 2nd pick.A solid dman to me is easier to get on the free agent market than a bigtime scorer!!Take Tavares and don’t screw this chance up.If we pass on this guy and hes awesome we will never hear the end of it!
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Acouple of days ago, CB talked about the possibility of having both Hedman and Duchene. Why can’t we go for both Tavares and Hedman. Work a trade out with Tampa so that we can attain that pick. If we’re gonna go for a FWD and a D, might as well go for the best 2. Maybe Tampa Bay would actually consider attaining a bunch of the picks the Islanders have racked up, along with Sutton (Theres your big D-man), Martinek, or if you really have to, Frans Neilson. Let’s be real, if we get Tavares, Neilson will be a 3rd line center at best. I think the possibility is there, the terms just have to be right and reasonable.
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Oh yea, did I mention our best player was a Defenseman last year. We need Tavares aka, a scoring forward.
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leviticus says:
I very much doubt any decisions have been made yet (nor should they). I only hope to God that no one in the organization will listen to what fans have to say…since the “fans” never saw these guys play…and, a bunch of draft picks, Sutton, Martinek and Neilson for the 2nd pick overall? Are you serious? MUST be a joke…this blog cracks me up…
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hank says:
98, I agree 10000%!1
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dave chyzowski says:
Will Tavares fit Gordons system??? i really hope so
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Only thing that works trade wise would be something like:
Toronto gets the #1. It costs them the #7, their 2nd rounder (I’m actually not sure if they have one), Schenn and another young player, like Pogge.
The Islanders Gives up the #1, the #27 and Brendan Witt. In return, they gets the #2 pick from TB, the #7 pick from TB, Toronto’s second rounder, and Vinnie Lecavalier from TB.
Tampa gets Schenn, Witt, Pogge (or a different TOR player) and the #27 pick. They give up #2 and Vinnie Lecavalier.
Before you say I’m crazy (which I freely admit), here’s why it works:
Burke pays a steep price, but claims victory with the big prize in Tavares… and if he doesn’t like it, he can sit back and know Tavares won’t fall to #7.
We walk away with Vinnie Lecavalier and improve from #27 to #7 (likely grabbing B. Schenn, but maybe P-S, or Kane) all for taking Hedman, which we may want to do anyway and dumping Witt, who doesn’t fit in anyway.
Tampa picks up a very good young defenseman, and another prospect, the #27 pick while adding a veteran D-man and clearing $6 million from their cap.
Too crazy?
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John R. says:
CB I usually agree with you but I can’t on this one. I understand that you worked for media relations and I think that your expertise in that job interferes with your opinion regarding draft strategies. You are saying they should just be done with it and claim Tavares is their pick. There are so many reasons this would be the wrong thing to do and I do not have enough words left to list them. Your contentions are that it would give Isles fans something to be happy about (until tomorrow when we wake up and realize the team is moving and we won’t get to see him play), it would sell more tickets (won’t they sell just as many tickets July through October) and Tavares jerseys (I’m not buying a Tavares jersey until we find out if A. He can actually play on the pro level and B. if he will actually be playing in NY for more than 1 season), and it would help them dominate headlines. I agree that it could help with the lighthouse but very little IMO, but the rest of your opinions speak to helping with media relations and image. But how does anything you mention, besides the possibility it may help bring a little attention to the LH, help the team in the future? I’m of the opinion that you hold your cards close to the vest and see if you can’t work out a blockbuster that could put the Isles in a better position to strengthen the team. I couldn’t care less about their image.
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Brad says:
you give snow too much credit he is clueless
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The New Isles GM (96): The ISles will not get both Tavares and Hedman because such a thing does not ever happen!!! I dont see how it would be possible. Heres the key: Would YOU trade the #2 overall pick under those circumstances if you were TB? I wouldnt.
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hathead68 says:
Tavares = WRIGHT!!!
Hedman = WRONG!!!It’s pretty simple. JT is the wright choice for both hockey reasons and business reasons. No, he can’t do it by himself. That’s why we have the 26th, 31st and 37th overall picks (get creative and move back into 10-15th spot for a top D prospect), as well as Okposo, Weight, Bailey, Neilsen, Comeau, Bergenheim, Streit, Witt, and DiPietro (I know, hopefully).
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Ovechkin and Crosby had Hat tricks tonight – Caps/Pens is a dream matchup for the NHL, Versus and NBC. Goal scoring isnt only exciting hockey, its good hockey and its what this town needs a goal scorer JT all the way
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Tavares will be our ovechkin and our crosby.
Do the right thing SNOW and take Tavares
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I know there is no Ovechkin out there, but, by earning the number one pick the Isles need to take JT(ok, he is not Ovechkin, nobody is). The caps took Ovechkin, and have built a great team with draft picks, some free agents and trades. Let’s all relax, take JT, make some solid picks or trades with the rest of the picks and build a contender. Too easy for Garth.
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doc says:
Yes… too crazy. Deals like that don’t happen.
Take Tavares and go home.
Use the 26th 31st and 37th picks to stock up or trade with. It’s all gravy after securing TAVARES!!!
DOC
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I understand the post that uses the Blair Thomas reference… but to be fair… Blair Thomas blew out his knee in like the 3rd or 4th game of his career. Running backs don’t come back from knee injuries…. EVER!!!
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TM says:
Will JT or Hedman be in Queens or KC?
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Lets go snow. Show us what you got here. Take Tavares and we will all be proud. I am not sure I would be against trading #1 for #2 and a solid prospect like a top 15 pick last 2 yrs and at least another #2…
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Moose says:
Get me a player who can do what Ovie and Sid did tonight.
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Railbait says:
I’m fine with Snow holding the cards close. He shouldn’t announce anything until he walks up to the podium and selects Tavares. It would be great if he could work a deal for Tampa’s 2nd round pick to “not” select Hedman. Then he’d have even more picks to package.
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michael says:
#104 is exactly right, Goal Scores are a special breed.
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#104 is exactly right, Goal Scores are a special breed. Who cares about defense, offense wins games.
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You can always teach defense. That’s what Al Arbour said. Tavares is the man. Snow has a lot of wiggle room with the 26th, 31st, and 37th picks to move up or even grab a number one pick from a Milbury type GM in 2010.
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Steve says:
I live very close to Toronto, and the mere thought of landing Tavares has the self proclaimed “center of the hockey universe” in a frenzy. If this is Garth’s goal, to drive a stake in their hearts by picking JT at the deadline I am all for it. But as a pure blooded Isles fan, I think he is doing just as much damage to us by holding out. Also, please do not mistake the Canadian media with the Toronto media. Listen to Ron Maclean if you wish to learn what Canadian media is all about.
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JAS says:
Streit + Tavares + Okposo will give the Isles a killer power play, something they haven’t had in a long time. Tavares outstanding on PP, willing to take hits in front of net to score goals, awesome wrist shot and stickhandling. Imagine how many he will score when he doesn’t have to worry about keeping his grades up at school.
Trade the Boston #59 pick to Florida for rights to negotiate with Boumeester. He’s 6′ 4″ 220+, only 25, all-star dman with very good offensive skills. We have the cash, now lets be ahead of the pack and give him the sales pitch.
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Alex says:
You can teach defense. You can’t teach what Ovie and Crosby just did in game 2…maybe that will help Garth figure out who the Isles need most.
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Snow and Gordon were both goalies, it wouldn’t surprise me if they picked Hedman. I’d still rather they pick JT though
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JZimm says:
I think they’re going to take Tavares. I’m not sure, and I’m not convinced, but I think that’s the way they’re going to go. As a fan, I don’t like that we don’t know what’s happening, but from a purely NHL business standpoint, I understand why it’s being done.
I’m with most of you, take the goal scorer. This team has not had a guy where you can say, “in a one goal game, on want the puck on that guy’s stick” player since Bossy, really. You could argue Turgeon or Palffy, but no one could get you that emergency goal like Bossy. I’m not saying that Tavares is Bossy, but he is a goal scorer.
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joey bagodonuts says:
Do not draft down…look at our mid-1st round picks in the past 15 years….o’marra, nilsson, nokelainen, rupp, b. lindros….why on the world would we even consider a trade that had us drafting down. i dont even think this relates to the topic, sorry for the tangent.
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Anthony Labadie says:
Hey guys, doesn’t sound like there’s too many poker players on the board here!
Let Snow do his thing. Tampa is dieing for Hedman… Maybe they get something from TB for “not” taking him; or maybe they trade the the #1 pick for the #2 pick (plus) – and end up with Tavares anyway… Announcing their intentions would be like cheering at the Hold’em table over your pocket Aces before the flop! They’re in the drivers seat… RELAX ALL!!!
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Michael B. says:
Hedman all the way. Defenseman like him don’t come around. He’s more valuable than Tavares.
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Martin Harvey says:
Please Garth, stop it !
Announce Tavares and work to move up by trading our SJ first pick, our second round pick and our Boston pick.
Please Garth, have mercy on us… -
Jeff Kuntz says:
They’re both great players and we need both.. JT can obviously score, which he’s done all his life.. Hedman is a once in a decade defenceman for any given team..
Tavares does give the marketing department the shot in the arm that people are discussing along with his well documented on-ice abilities… Hedman has a Pronger-like aura surrounding him that NOBODY can overlook, not even CB… it sounds like we’ll win either way, which is nice..
So if all things are equal .. and both players are perfect for our team, and both want to be Islanders, and both are franchise players according to our scouts ……
You take the Canadian.
Call me every name under the sun, but if all things are equal in terms of potential and expected value to the franchise – take the guy who’s been bred to win the Stanley Cup. Who’s been immersed in the importance of the NHL his whole life. Who won his own Stanley Cup 400 times in his drive-way and now is in a position to get himself a real one.
If the talent is judged to be equal, team need is equal, potential is equal and desire to be an Islander is equal — if all things are equal, take the Canadian.
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here’s what i think could happen and i think it makes sense.
isles get hedman and lecavalier
leafs get tavares maybe a 2nd pick from whoever
bolts get kaberle and schenn
that being said, i really want Tavares more than anything else, but this would be acceptable no?
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4 thehardway says:
I almost want Garth to not draft JT so I can throw in the towel on the team and make it easier on myself come 2015 when the team moves to KC. How is even up for debate ? If he does pass on JT he would surpass Milbury in the incompetent category , a feat I never thought possible. Season Tickets ( JT ) or find a new team (any other pick ) …
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kk says:
Oh my. Lebrun among others on the NCIC crew script out their bits so poorly, it’s just embarrassing watching them. Al Strachan is a bit of a putz and rarely has an informative point to make.
I do like Ron McLean. Always have.
They dont’ have any NYI insider info. It’s just atrocious watching them try to sell it. Thumbs down here. -
Ugly Roe From Massapequa says:
“Tavares is the pick: PERIOD!”
“Tavares is a NO-BRAINER!”
Yeah, and those of you saying that know more than the scouts, right? Aside from a youtube clip or two, how many of you have even SEEN Tavares play?
“If they don’t take Tavares, I’m DONE being a fan!”
Good. Good riddance. We clearly have ENOUGH moronic people rooting for this team.
At the least, myself included, we certainly have enough UGLY people rooting for this team.
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WarrenG says:
I think its a bad idea to name the pick now, because g-d forbid, what happens if that player gets HURT! We still have a few weeks left and some are still playin, and im sure they will be training real hard to make a great impression. I think SNOW is playin it smart, waiting til draft. UNless he gets blown away by offers, he should NOT say he is picking Tavares. We all know its who he should choose.
The Islanders should also publicly try and sell the rights to buy the new Players jersey with whatever name is called out that day, and make sure they are delivered within a reasonable time frame after the draft, so we could support our new Draftee.
And PLEASE, PLEASE, everybody needs to lay off WANG. THe guy has dropped 300 million on this team, gave twice as much money as the Gang of 4 to put up a semi productive club, and everybody gives him sheit cause he may have to sell or move. TOH is the problem, Wang needs the Lighthouse inorder to recoup his money, you think he purchased the Islanders just so he could lose all his MONEY! Please, THE MANS GOT TO GET PAID!!! ANd RIghtfully SO! I live 1400 miles away in florida, still watch everygame and love this team with a passion, and all this crap just frustrates the crap out of me. -
frankie says:
I heard DP’s brother is in the draft and he had an unbelieveable last few games, maybe he’ll be our #1 pick
i think nyi are not naming names just in case a team comes forward with a bobby clarke lindros type of offer that nobody in their right mind could decline. once they name their pick it would very awkward and difficult to not pick that player.