McKENZIE THINKS HEDMAN. PB THINKS TAVARES.
Keep in mind, Bob’s got a few decades of this on us
I don’t like to comment on other writer’s opinions…much. They don’t on mine, so I’d prefer you go to their sites to debate or agree with them. But I like Bob McKenzie a lot, he is one of the best and, oh yeah, the email Inbox has been jammed with hysterical TSN links from Islanders fans. (”You cannot ignore this story any longer, Botta!” wrote one). Power to the people.
Despite his endless connections, Bob doesn’t know. He thinks the NYI will take Hedman at 1 or 2 or wherever. Even Bob would tell you he doesn’t know for sure and it’s just a theory after talking to all of his sources around the game.
In fairness, Bob has about three decades to my seven months covering the NHL. When he was writing The Hockey News, I was making photocopies of The Hockey News for Bobby Clarke and Mike Keenan.
Just as McKenzie has Hedman, here’s what I think. The Islanders will make their pick at No. 1, and it will be John Tavares. He’s too good, too exciting, too upstanding. He’s got half of Canada telling him he shouldn’t commit to the Islanders, yet the 18-year old has the integrity to ignore them.
I believe Tavares is too important for the Islanders future. And I think, deep down, the Islanders know it.
Point Blank on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nyipointblank
Comments.
93 Responses to “McKENZIE THINKS HEDMAN. PB THINKS TAVARES.
Keep in mind, Bob’s got a few decades of this on us”
Please Wait
i think this may tie into a lecavalier trade from the bolts. if they deal him i think they need tavares to replace vinny on and off the ice. the bolts offer us a nice package to make sure they get tavares. we move to 2 and take hedman. we then probably move up from 26 to take a scoring forward. mckenzie hints that we move down to take hedman. mckenzie is the best hockey journalist out there so i say the pick will be hedman. i take what he says very seriously.
Wait, THAT blurb is what this big deal is about? Three sentences with no explanation?
Wow.
well said CB. Can only hope that you are right. Does anyone know if Dreger has said anything on the subject?
Good post. Bob obviously has some sources, or he wouldn’t say that, but without any elaboration, it isn’t much to go on. Remember, the Islanders haven’t even met with Hedman yet, so there is no way they are locked into him.
i hope ur right CB! i want tavares so bad! please garth!! TAVARES!
I understand how respected McKenzie is and everything but, this guys doesn’t know. He’s a great speculator. He has no real clue.
The Isles can’t afford to not take JT. Plain and simple.
CB…for what it’s worth, I definitely feel that YOU are correct and not Bob.
Well, all speculation aside from hockey writers, there is a decided mandate for the drafting of Taveres by Islander faithful. After last years draft if Snow doesnt pick JT there will be anarchy in Islander land. You draft JT and see a spike in ticket sales. Hedman, not so much.
Im with CB on this one.
get Lecavalier from tampa for the #1 then take Hedman #2
CB - you did not have a link on your twitter update for this story..fyi.
Thanks for all the great reads!
NO NO NO!
TAKE Taveres!
It is all speculation at this point. Mine is the Isles will take John Tavares of Victor Hedman and be happy with the pick.
Arguements can easily be made for both guys. The only thing that pushed me towards Tavares a bit more then Hedman is I am certain he has that “it” factor. Hedman might as well I just know less about him.
Interesting story. Bob McKenzie has great connections around the league, and his predictions are often correct. I am sure Isles management has not spilled the beans, but this is probably an educated guess based on his conversations with people who talk to Islander scouts, management, etc.
I’m personally fine with whomever the scouts think is the best fit. For all the talk about Tavares around here, I still have not seen anyone articulate a good (non-public relations) reason why Tavares is the obvious choice for a team lacking any top-pairing dmen in the system. It is also laughable to suggest that a prospect is “upstanding” because he doesn’t request a trade. Can we set the bar any lower for this guy?
Both are rated very close. Not only can Tavares help on the ice, he can do a lot off it. Just received the Hockey News draft preview in the mail, good stories on both.
I agree with CB. “I believe Tavares is too important for the Islanders future.” They cannot afford to pass on him.
Lets hope it is JT. I respect McKenzie alot though and his criptic message may mean that he has heards lots of stuff out there about the pick
good post. i will be honest and say the only time I have seen Hedman and Tavares play was at the WJC in a small sample. i will be happy with whoever management picks because it will be a step in the right direction to where this team wants to be.
Interesting that his take is Hedman, but not necessarily at #1 overall. That would lead me to believe that there is a rumor going around. I believe MacKenzie is a lot like Peter Gammons in baseball. They get the rumors right over 50%, and in rumor (rumour to our northern friends)percentage, that is quite high.
Wait!!! This just in from the Town of Hempstead……
Kate Murray wants to see the results of the Isles draft pick poll. If they make it public……….she agrees to show up at the next meeting! LOL
Given that it’s Bob McKenzie (didn’t he call Bailey last year) you give it more weight. In the end tho its still just his opinion.
By the way, I went to the “controversial” make the pick contest on the Isles site with all intention of picking Hedman but when it was time to make the choice I had to go with JT.
Not to compare the two but at this point maybe Garth doesn’t even know.
I also think the Islanders will pick Hedman. While I feel Tavares would be the sexy pick, with all the questions surrounding DP and are defense, I think drafting a big puck moving defenseman is the smart pick. Victor will solidify the Islanders blue line for years to come. Imagine a power play with Hedman and Streit. Wow! With that being said, I wonder what it would take for the Islanders to move down a spot?
Think About this - Crosby & Malkin get 8.7 a year, but Lidstom gets 7.4, Neids & Pronger, 6.5, The most expensive part of a hockey team is the goal scoring, that in tandem with the belief that defense can be taut, but offense can only come with talent. And don’t forget that usually a d-man take a few years more to reach their prime. Taveres is a no-brainer. It can be argued that Streit was a top 10 d-man this year and @ 4.1 mil he’s making less that Dougie Weight.
All of this is moot is Snow start to wheel & deal, Like I have been posting fof months, get ready for “Duschene to Okposo, he scores!!!”
As great a reporter as McKenzie is, he has an agenda here, and that agenda is to keep Maple Leafs fans believing they have a shot at John Tavares. Even if he believed it to be true, I don’t believe he would come right out and say, “The Islanders are taking John Tavares, so just forget about the possibility of him winding up in Toronto.” Such a statement would probably hurt TSN’s readership/viewership the next 6 weeks, especially with Canada no longer represented in the playoffs. The one he did make, on the other hand, probably has it buzzing with Leaf fans.
I perfer Tavares, no question…but if they love Hedman its ok IF IF IF they get additional assets to pass on Tavares.
If they pass on Tavares TB can then Auction off Tavares…..that pick is our asset….it must be maximized.
I dont pretend to know better than the hockey personnel but I say take whoever you think is beast. I think to get two players is better than one when you need so much. whether it is Hedman/Lecavalier, tavares/d-man (trade up for the d-man is a must though) I think they have a few options that work.I also agree cb that Tavares is important to the future but only…only if he is the real deal.
I like how all of a sudden, now that a “respected” hockey guy says the Islanders will take Hedman, that everyone agrees.
Didn’t the poll that happened show that it was way more than a landslide showing who Isles fans wanted? JT BY FAR.
Whatever at this point. If the Isles take Hedman, I’m VERY upset. I don’t care what his potential is. I know understand you shouldn’t draft by who the fans want but gimme a break with this one.
To me it’s either JT or this Draft is a disaster.
Bobbie Mack’s insight in to draft predictions is very good. I’d say second to none.
I’m looking forward to Hedman as well as seeing what else we’ll get if we do trade down 1 spot.
But with Garth Snow… All bets might be off as he may leak out misinformation just to throw off the so called hockey insiders.
As long as it’s one of the top 3 and not a name lingering around the 7 or 10 spot, I think we should all be happy.
(I seriously can’t wait until June 27th.)
All I can say is watching the bruins last night and seeing lucic play makes me want kassian even more…ps take taveres granted the pr would be great the kid can take over a game with his scoring ability
I just can’t see passing up Tavarse. I like Hedman but if Isles trade #1 pick any goal scored by Tavarse will be used against the Isles. Look at Kazmir and the Mets…
Yo seriously what the hell!! The only team that would pass up on Tavares is Tampa Bay, but thats because they got someone who is going to be a great forward at #1 last year, have a franchise player in Lecalvier, have an all-star in st. louis and other good forwards. They set the record for dmen in a season. For the Islanders that need a franchise forward, this is inecusable not to take Tavares. ITs a joke if they dont take him, an absolute joke! If it was anyone but the Islanders this wouldnt even be a discussion. Why belower yourself as a fan and accept Hedman? Why because we have been screwed more than any other franchise with bone head decisions over the last 15 years?? Stop kidding yourselves and trying to make yourself “feel good” about drafting Hedman. Most of the fan base will be upset if they dont take Tavares and the hockey world will laugh at us once again if we dont take him. This is A NO BRAINER, you take the forward, you take the canadian born player, you take the player people have been talking about for years! This shouldnt even be up for discussion. So help me GOd if they dont take Tavares! Why must this even be a difficult decision or up for discussion. Stop belowering yourselves as fans. Drafting Tavares helps you on and off the ice immediately!
When it comes to the other 29 teams in the NHL, Bob knows 100x more than CB. But, when it comes to the islanders, there is no way Bob would know better than our man CB. Too bad the draft is still 6 weeks, I can’t wait. Good thing the playoffs have been amazing.
I understand the islanders can get hedman if they pick him #1. ButI dont understand how the islanders can get hedman if they dont pick him #1. Tampa doesnt need another center, so how would the islanders get Hedman not at # 1?
Thought it was kind of funny that for all of the “Pronger is on the Ducks, the Ducks are good, so we have to take Hedman!” talk, it was Pronger who was out of position for the OT goal last night. Obviously you can’t blame him alone for the series loss though, just like you can’t credit him alone for the previous series win.
I posted this scenario in the Malkin tread last night.
Isles swap 1st round picks with Tampa Bay.
TB gets 1st overall(Tavares) and Streit
Isles gets 2nd overall(Hedman) and Vinny Lecavalier.
Yes Isles pick up a lot of money but you wouldn’t have to worry about him leaving after 3-4 years like Malkin.
And they still get Hedman or Duchene.
Would you trade Streit for Lecavalier? The Isles can choose whomever they want with the first pick. Obviously in this scenario the Isles take Hedman first overall, make the trade, and Tampa Bay takes Tavares second overall.
NYI get Victor Hedman and Vincent Lecavalier
Tampa Bay get John Tavares and Mark Streit
Isles say yes.
I hope Mr. McKenzie is wrong on this one, and we land Tavares. the Hart trophy doesnt lie… 7 of the last 10 Hart trophy winners are forwards, including the last 5. Only one Defenceman in there, and that was pre-lock out when a Chris Pronger could have a huge impact on the game
The only reason I say all is still speculation is because the team hasn’t had meetings with the top 3 prospects yet…
But just to follow through on McKenzie’s comments, I’ve placed a question to Darren Dreger (who always has a nasty attitude thinking he will out-tip his fellow insiders) for his online chat today…let’s see what he says….
Tavares.
It’s Tavares, not Taveres, Tavarse or Traverse.
And I have no problem with McKenzie stirring the pot.
I also agree, my gut tells we’ll do the right thing and draft Tavares (<—–correct spelling).
I’m still not sure what on earth Tampa could possibly gain by swapping picks with the Isles:
If the Isles stick at one and take JT, the Bolts get Hedman, whom they need badly.
If the Isles take Hedman instead, then the Bolts get Tavares, and trade Lecavalier for a major asset on defense. With the money they save they could also push for Bouwmeester or whomever in free agency.
If the Isles and Tampa swap picks, Tampa has to send an additional asset to the Islanders for the right to do what could be more simply done by standing pat. It’s much more likely that Tampa would move DOWN, picking up assets along the way, and then grab a guy like Jared Cowan.
In other words, the Isles aren’t getting two goes in the top five (or ten) unless they move up from 26. AND if they move down a bit (and they are scouting Duchesne, keeping their options open) then it would be for a major return - Colorado would probably have to give up the #3 and Stastny, possibly more.
I rather think the Isles should keep the one, take whom they think is better between VH and JT, and then look to move from 26 to the mid-teens if a guy they love has slid to them there (Kassian, Despres, etc).
we DONT score goals!!!!!!! we NEED tavares!!!!!!! we can find dmen in free agency and later in the draft, maybe we use our picks to move up for one. we need someone that will excite the team and fans
Have any of you people actually seen John Tavares play? Besides the YouTube videos? I am not saying one way or another whether he is the right pick, but I am an Oshawa fan who watched John play alot, he isnt the player who you all think he is.
I hope you’re right CB … and believe in my heart that you are.
I tried to make arguements for each player and weighed what I know about each … and what the Isles’ most critical need is right now … I know I know … The Light House … but you know what I mean.
oshontario (33): so, what kind of player is Tavares?
(35) You took the words right out of my fingers….
I dont see a scenario where isles would get Vinny L. if we could i would do in heartbeat. Vinny is monster player. I can wish isles get Tavares and he becomes just liike Vinny.
Isles are draft Tavares. Unless they send us Stamkos and the #2 pick. which they wont.
your right 33. why should we listen to paid scouts who analyze every part of his game? thats absurd. lets here what a fan thinks. anyway, i would think much of it becuase like chris said, its only his opinion. i dont think garth will have the clear cut answer until a week from the draft. much debates, interveiws and scouting and the prospect testing hasnt even been done yet right? i guess we will have to wait and see
Chris I understand your respect for McKenzies opinion, but no one knows the Islanders like the fans of the Islanders. People who follow the franchise and are a part of it know what the team and the organization is all about. All anyone else sees from the outside is the apparent circus from the media and otherwise unconventional approaches that the team has made in the past. Even for the argument of Tavares. The Isles can build however they want. You dont need a Hedman in your lineup, but you need a Tavares. You need to have a game breaker who is a threat to score everytime the puck is on his stick. Those do not come cheap. If the Isles build every other intangible on this team they will still lack a sniper. If they ahve to go a trade route they will be sacraficing other peices to get it. We all know about the Isles Free agency problems as well. You can make the same case for a dman, but you will have to grossly overpay for a goal scorer. Look at the teams left in the playoffs right now. All are more offensively inclined than they are defensively. Besides Lidstrom, what team has a defenseman that is head and shoulders (no pun intended) above the next best dman on his team? None. they are all comprised of a good mix of skill and toughness with not one of them standing out as elite over the rest. Pronger is gone, Chara is gone. The NHL is not what it once was. We need a gamebreaker. I dont feel Tavares is the type who makes everyone else around him better in the sense that crosby does, but surround JT with the right players and we can have a guy with the goal scoring prowess of a gaborik.
For anyone who thinks we should draft Hedman, just consider that Sidney Crosby has 12 goals so far in the playoffs through two rounds. After the next round he will probably have more than any Islander scored through an 82 game season. Not only is that embarrassing, but a pretty good sign that you don’t pass on a potential 40 goal scorer in the draft.
I don’t see why the Lightning just don’t take Hedman, if available, or trade down if the Isles take him. I know it’s important to take the best player, but even if Tavares is not (we really don’t know that), his intangibles are just too much to pass up on. The Islanders are in need of more than just a player, and Tavares may be that. But, me personally - I am for moving down for Hedman under one condition - the Islanders get something good for not taking Tavares or moving down to #2. Snow will play it close to the vest and should. Let them all panic over what they want and see where the chips fall. I do see the Lightning wanting Hedman as they are current, unless they trade Vinny …. We shall see. Snowy’s in the drivers seat … enjoy.
Where are people getting the idea that we have problems surroudning our D? Our problems are from injuries. With Streit, Witt, Sutton, Gervais, Meyer, Martinek, Hillen our defense is clearly our strong point right now on this team. A defenseman led our team in scoring last year. So y add another puck moving dman? Wheres the logic if we are basing it on our current team? Whos going to score goals? I love Mark Striet, but i do not want him leading the team in points again next year
Stfu with all these trade scenarios with us getting Hedman. The best thing for both NYI and Tampa Bay would be for the isles to take tavares and Tampa to take hedman. We need scoring and they need defense.
Blob Mckenzie is probably right! He probably doesn’t even know. He just knows the isles management will probably do something stupid, like passing on JT.
striet02 (38 & 41) makes some excellent and valid points …
I mentioned Chara before the playoffs kicked off as a player that is huge, physical and can skate and score … and has played with some excellent teams .. but he has no hardware to show for it … so Hedman isn’t the cure all for the Isles …
All the teams left have incredible offensive players … even Detroit with the aforementioned Lidstom has some big guns up front.
Another thing to think about … all the teams with Stud D-men (sans the Detroit Lidstrom combo) have acquired their big gun d-men via trade or free agency … D-men take a lot more time to enter their primes then forwards … and get to UFA shortly after entering or during their prime.
Lecavalier still has like double digit years left on his contract. There is no way the Islanders take him on in anyway, especially with the double digit years still left on DiPietros contract, so please, please can we stop with the trade For Vinny L garbage
And like a couple of you guys have said already, I too want Tavares but if Snow and Jankowski feel like someone else is a better fit for this team than I support their decision. I dont think theres any rumor out there that the Islanders are looking to trade down, I just think McKenzie is going by the way Snow is playing this one close to the vest and speculating. That is all. No one will no for sure until draft day, or Garth comes out with a press conference saying so and so is our guy
Unless we somehow get Lecav from TB then we must draft Johnny T.
But getting Lecav would not be a straight salary dump. They would want Baily or Okposo. I’d do Baily but not Kyle.
If Toronto wants JT so badly. We have to take him!
i really have no preference between tavares and hedman. we need both so if a team wants to send garth a nice package to move down one spot (as mckenzie implied might happen), i say go for it. i’m sure we’d deal down from 26 to aquire a scoring forward if we take hedman. franchise d-man + top 6 scoring forward + picks/prospects from trading partner is a very good scenario.
“I believe Tavares is too important for the Islanders future. And I think, deep down, the Islanders know it”…CB
AMEN! I hope your right CB the Islanders should come out and say “John Tavares” and put it all to rest.
Just wanted to emphasize one more point. We dont need Tavares to be a Crosby or Ovechkin. We just need him to care about winning (ala yashin) care about the team and franchise and put the puck in the back of the net. Like someone had posted before. Nobody was complaining that Turgeon and Lafontaine werent the kind of players that Gretzky or Lemieux were. This kid has been so overanalyzed its ridiculous. Just put it in your minds that we should atleast be locked into drafting a consistent 40 goal scorer. Everything else he can possibly do with his career is a bonus. Id be happy with that
Yeah, neither one is going to make the Islanders magical Stanley Cup contenders, so if I’m going to watch the team likely miss the playoffs again, I’d at least like to see some nice goals. Not a reason to draft Tavares, really, but just a personal preference of mine.
whoever the isles take on draft day i will still be a fan…all this tavares hedman talk is making my head hurt..they need both i honestly don’t care anymore
Again, it makes no sense to trade for a Lecavalier or Kovalchuk or anyone like that. Lecavalier has a better supporting cast with the Lightning and they barely finished ahead of the Isles. Why would we waste the cap space and give up a draft pick. I know I am the only one who every says this on here, but why not draft Tavares and offer Gaborik a blank check. When the guy is healthy he is the best pure goal scorer behind Ovechkin. It makes me laugh when people recommend we trade for a highly paid player by giving up the first pick. It makes a lot more sense to use the first pick and sign Gaborik. I know he probably wouldn’t want to sign with the Isles anyway, but who is to say Lecavalier or Kovalchuk would be happy playing here if they were traded to us?
no JT…
no Islanders for one year!!!!
and def no soup for G Snow either…
One thought maybe CB’s fantasy (Hedman Duchene) happens. if that happens Im ok with trading out of last place.
51 - I said the same thing to a few of my friends. Offer Gaborik 2 yrs 18-19 mil. We need to reach the cap floor some how. Its a big chunk of $$ we have to spend it somewhere. If we got Tavares and Gabs and DP played 60 games. It could be very interesting.
Marty - McKenzie has Hedman going to Isles At 1 or 2…. Isles wouldn’t be giving up a 1st round pick.
The question is want did the Isles get back in return of swapping the picks?
I meant 61 see above
I cant say I’m at surprised. I’ve been saying this from Day one…The Isles have no legitmate Top Notch young DMan in the system..The Isles NEVER do the Convential thing at the Top of the Draft Board..Gordon wants a great skater for his system and Snow always looks for 2 way players…If that doesn’t spell out Hedman I don’t know what does..If the Isles can trade down, p/u a valuable asset and end up at #3 and still get Hedman..W/ that Asset, the 26th overall(one of your three 2nd rd picks- and move up into the Top 10 of the Draft to get a notch forward(Scott Glennie, Nazem Kadri)…Then Snow would’ve pulled off a great feat…(All that Said if it was me, I’d still take Tavares at #1.)
NOOOO i dont want Vinny now, he’s good but on decline. i dont want hedman and vinny for Tavares period! just like i wouldnt want all the stastny brothers for Lemieux (i know there’s no comparison, but get my point) i want the potential face of franchise. the goal scorer born and bred by the team that drafted him. WE BETTER DRAFT TAVARES
I think everyone is downplaying Tavares because they don’t want him on L.I. Funny how his stock dropped a little after we Won the lottery.
So McKenzie implies the Islanders might move down, but if he still has them pegged for Hedman, they won’t be dropping any further than the 2nd pick. I’m intrigued by what compensation would be coming with another team’s move up to the one spot, be it Tampa or another team dealing with Tampa for their pick.
The math still doesn’t work if it’s TOR though. The Isles would need offense back in this move, and Toronto just doesn’t have it to give.
All we have to do is look at the final four. Scoring, scoring, scoring. With the exception of Listrom, where is the big stud d-man? Pronger? Green? Who do we have? Campbell? Letang? Cmon with this Hedman nonsense. You do not leave JT on the board for any defensemen.
No interest in Lecavalier either. Not worth his contract IMO. Cant wait for the sold out season opener when they annonce John Tavares to thunderous applause! The old barn will be rockin again!
Funny how his stock dropped a little after we won the lottery. Canada doesn’t want him here.
Garth himself has said that we can’t lure UFA’s here - so the only way to get a top scorer on this team is via trade or by somehow landing the top pick in the draft and hoping that there is a player there that even his critics say will be a 40-50 goal scorer. Oh yeah we did land that number 1 pick - yet because we are the Islanders we cant make the right conventional, and slam dunk pick. We have to be smarter than everyone else in the world and possibly go with a defenseman who wont be NHL ready for 2-3 years. Everyone for Hedman says - “oh Hedman/streit will be a great pairing. By the time VH gets here Streit will be on his way out. There should be no doubt about this pick, too bad i have no confidence in Garth and Co. to make the right choice….
Let me post this again:
If Garth says ANYthing other than “With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Islanders are proud to select John Tavares”, I will hurl the nearest seated fan through the Jumbotron.
I don’t give a crap if Hedman has the potential to be the next Pronger, WE NEED THE NEXT GREAT OFFENSIVE PLAYER!!!!
And even if he’s not, NO ONE will blame Garth. (Except for you Hedman lovers, that is)
Both players seem destined to be special, but my preference is still Tavares. If Hedman is drafted, Snow better at least have something up his sleeve to get a legitimate scorer.
The fear is running rampade in O’ Canada that the Ice-Landers will draft JT. It’s a beautiful thing…Don’t blow this one Snowball…To me its like how Obama fear’s a talk show host like Mr. Rush Limbaugh…
Tavares is our guy…everyone can be wrong…even McKenzie
if this year’s playoffs are any indication, most goals in today’s NHL are scored right around the net by guys with great hands
Excellent article. How about a list of dmen in the 26-37 spots or earlier if we trade up for hopefully a top 4 tough dmen.
Stay open minded, people. If Snow can trade down a little and get a nice return, I for one trust him. He would only do this if it was to his benefit, obviously. I am pretty confident he knows who holds all the aces in this game. The Bailey deals last year still hold promise.
Hopefully Garth not announcing Tavares immediately was all about retaining the right of gamesmanship,nothing more. My greatest fear currently is the black cloud of doubt cast over us without an announcement. As said previously,anything other than seizing the opportunity awarded him and grabbing JT is a HUGE MISTAKE!!!! When I think the 28 year old Vinnie,the then 28 year old Yashin comes to mind along with Jason Spezza!! Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it!! Keep it simple,Garth!!! You won the Lottery affording you to draft the concensus #1 overall talent! Execute the draft the way it was mean’t to be!! Even at #1 Hedman is a reach. In your position drafting soley for need is just that in the form of Hedman! Having said that who the heck can put fear into a Goalie in this Organization?? In Tavares you get both the BEST and NEED!!! DO IT RIGHT!!!!
Things would be different if Toronto had pulled off a lottery win (after sucessfully tanking enough at the end of the season). All you would be hearing is how Tavares is by far the top guy this year. He would be the next Crosby if Toronto had a chance of drafting him outright.
I look at it this way if the Ice-Landers announced they will pick JT now. It wouldn’t make going to the Draft Party as exciting. The guy would be a marketing machine for Wang’s deep pockets…..
#75 Big Van!!LOL! Can you skate? You sound like exactly the type of player we need!! I’m with you on this one buddy! Garth say it with me , JohnTavares!! That is the only 2 words you have to say on draft day!
I can’t help wondering if we are so into shut down D-men, Why did Garth pass on Schenn last year?? Hedman may be a great player some day but he helps this team no where but on the Ice! He certainly won’t have fan’s running for the ticket office!! Tavares, Tavares, Tavares!
Everyone needs to relax, the Islanders will select John Tavares.
Now calm down and concentrate on what the Isles game plan is for picks #26, #31, #37, #56, and #62.
With JT and those picks the team quickly reloads and should see the benefits in a year or 2.
I see Peter laviolette was all for isles taking Tavares. Its was a mistake to fire him as a coach and it will be a mistake not to take John Tavares. Snow don’t think just take Tavares, no one can fault u for it
IF the NHL wants my $$$$. They need to draft Tavares. I wont order center ice unless we get him.
Logan says Tavares was on Long Island this week, Isles kept it very quiet
CB, you touched on it a little in your post, but I’d like to see you opine on this a little further one day. We all understand you can’t GM by what your fans want, but are the Isles truly aware of what the fan backlash would be if they don’t take Tavares. People talk about the business positives of taking JT. What about the reverse…the fans feeling the organization (again) has gone out of its way to stick their thumb in the fan’s collective eye? Might the season ticket base utterly collapse in protest? Might what support there is for the Lighthouse disappear? People eventually warmed up to the Bailey trade…imagine somethin 100x worse.
post #59, amen.
YES!!! short and to the point. Tavares.
NOw Lets move on to the rest of the draft picks and build this team up around this kid and start KICKIN SOME ARS again.
Bob McKenzie probably has an old Leaf’s jersey in his closet. I’d bet my house he was a Leaf’s fan growing up. I’d call that wishful thinking on his part. His job would be much more interesting with JT in Toronto. Keep that in mind. Im sure 1967 is on the minds of Leaf’s fans much of the time. That means desperation time. They missed out on Crosby. We were kind enough to give them Schenn. Let’s not do the Leafs any more favors, please. I hope Garth reads PB.