TALKING NHL DRAFT COMBINE…With
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, No. 2-ranked European
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Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, second-ranked European by Central Scouting and No. 4 overall by the I.S.S., completed his physical testing today and was kind enough to give Point Blank a call.
Let’s cut to the chase, Magnus. Did you meet with the Islanders?
Oh yeah. (let’s out a small laugh)
What’s so funny?
Nothing. It was a great interview. It’s just that they have this really big guy as one of their scouts.
That’s Eric Cairns. He was a defenseman and enforcer in the NHL for a decade, mostly with the Islanders and Rangers.
He was a real nice guy. Him being there keeps you on your toes. It’s a little bit intimidating, but in a good way. You have so many meetings, you want to stay alert. He kept me alert at all times.
How many meetings did you have this week at the combine?
25. I had 17 meetings the first day.
You’re expected to go anywhere from around the No. 3 pick to probably no later than 8. When you’re meeting with teams like the Islanders who have picks at 1 and 26, or maybe the Devils – a team that you’ll be long gone before they select – is it hard to stay focused? Do you approach those interviews differently?
Not at all. I go into every interview thinking, “This is the team that could draft me.” I have to. You never know. A team could move up or move back. There could be a trade. Those meetings were my 15 minutes to make an impression. I went after every one like it was the big one.
Sounds like you have had some good guidance in your young career.
My father, Gunnar Svensson, is an agent. He represents players like Henrik Zetterberg.
Oh, so bottom-tier guys, small contracts.
Exactly. Ha! Zetterberg is amazing.
And you’re going to be drafted more than 200 selections before he was.
Can you believe that? It’s worked out well for Henrik and Detroit.
Was there an NHL player you modeled yourself after?
No. I always kind of did my own thing, but all week in Toronto people have been saying and writing my style is like Peter Forsberg or Markus Naslund.
That wouldn’t be so bad.
If I had their careers, I would take it. More than anything, I want to go to a great place and to a team where I can win the Stanley Cup.
When do you plan to come to North America to play?
I’m signed for one more year with Timra (Swedish Elite League), but I guess there’s always a chance something can change. If I play one more year back home, I would then come to the NHL hopefully in 2010.
Describe your play.
I’m a goal scorer and a playmaker who plays well on defense.
How was the Islanders interview?
One of the best ones. They asked tough questions, but I know from talking to my friends, other players here, that’s what you want. You don’t want to leave the room until you feel you have addressed everything.
What did the Islanders ask?
A lot about the World Junior Championships in Ottawa. They saw me at the Under-18s in Fargo and wanted to know why I wasn’t as effective. I was very good at the World Juniors in Under-20 competition (6-6-12 in 6 games) and not so good in Fargo (2-5-7 in 6 games). It was good to get it out in the open. They also challenged me with on-ice questions, like handling the puck on the rush, stuff like that. It was a busy 15, 20 minutes. They even asked me about my name because it has been listed so many different ways. I’m okay with just Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson or just Magnus Paajarvi.
You may have just saved some fans some cash on jersey-lettering. Are the Islanders bringing you to New York for a meeting?
No. I go back home Monday. (Note: from my discussions with players and agents at the combine, it appears the Islanders may have decided to narrow their Island-invite list to just the Big Three: John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Hedman arrives Sunday night for the final interview).
What would be your reaction if the Islanders drafted you?
That would be awesome. It would probably mean they made a big move to get me, whether it’s dropping back or a big trade to move up. I enjoyed meeting with them and love the future they have. That would be very exciting.
Which NHL team do you think is going to draft you?
Seriously, I have no clue. And I have a feeling when I’m sitting in the stands in Montreal on June 26, I still won’t have any idea what team is going to call my name.
Comments on the draft here, Lighthouse in next thread.
46 Responses to TALKING NHL DRAFT COMBINE…With
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, No. 2-ranked European
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Matt says:
Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson and John Tavares in one draft!
now that would be something if Garth could pull that off!
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MSA says:
Nice read CB
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Another great kid, and another great player. After each interview, I keep finding myself wanting to draft Tavares and trade up to grab one of these kids. This kid is the real deal, in my opinion, and he will be a great player. Whoever drafts him is very lucky, as he will have a very successful NHL career.
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Goran says:
I wish this kid wasn’t ranked so high. I wish he would fall all the way down somehow so that we could nab him 26th. Oh well. He will be awesome for whoever gets him.
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Rob says:
Sound like a good kid
Savetheisles.webs.com
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G. HOWITT says:
JT DONE !!
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Mike from Philly says:
C.B, can we get an interview like this with Tavares?
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JKP in Halifax says:
Great stuff, Chris. Thanks for always being on top of this stuff and bringing things that others aren’t.
It makes your site not just a pleasure to come to, but an absolute must!
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Warren says:
CB- I’m sure Mr. Snow know he’s on the clock and hopefully make the wise choice either now or else here from us fans. As for what I think he’ll pick the right one. And onward towards the chase for the “CUP” 2009-10. Just Keep The Faith.
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big dally mac says:
Forget Hedman and Tavares we got our man….this guy…..trade down…..Joking fellas….JT or bust baby.
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Strummer's Army says:
John Tavares and Zach Kassian in one draft!
Look at Cairns still playing the intimidation game. lol
Magnus does seem like a good kid and good player and the need is there at LW but can’t see it happening. Wouldn’t be disapointed but can’t see the Isles getting up that high with the 2nd pick and Kassian is a much bigger need.
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Blizzard says: LOL at Cairns intimadating the rookies…..
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MilburyRuinedMyLife says:
Any chance a package of the 26th, one of the early 2nds and a choice of Comeau/Hillen/Kohn/or, at most, Gervais gets us into the top 10 with a chance to take a Magnus or Cowen level prospect?
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Jimmy Mac says:
I would take Magnus over Duchene.
I like Magnus and Kane.
Like I said before I’d give up all of our draft picks in 2009 for a chance to get another top 5 pick.
We need top notch prospects.
Let’s get this rebuild going.
I want this team ready for a playoff run… when we get the new arena.
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Erik says:
I like his confidence, seems ready for the spotlight. LA should pick him.
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CJCB says:
I’m with Strummer’s Army! John Tavares and Zach Kassian. Get it DONE Garth!!!
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rb says:
great interview, CB…if the Isles are only bringing the “big 3″ to LI, it’s probably safe to assume they’re staying put at No. 1 (or 2)
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Blizzard says:
I cant wait to see what we get after we draft Tavares. This is going to be an epic drfat
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Pat says:
Seems like a good kid. Wish him luck, so long as he is not drafted by a team that plays on top of a rat infested train station on West 33rd Street.
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IslesPassion21 says:
Hockey players are a breed of their own…Such nice, positive people with the media…This kid sounds just as good as any other…Its hard to choose a guy based on these interviews because they are all so positive and say the right things…As an isles fan I am easily flattered tho, after all the years of veterans shunning us its nice to feel wanted…lol
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Tond says:
I’m with Strummer’s Army! John Tavares and Zach Kassian. Get it DONE Garth!!!
pick it and post it -
geduffer says:
I’ll be at the draft party on the 26th, but following the 2nd day via BlackBerry as I’ll be headed to Newark airport to catch a flight to San Juan to board a cruise ship on the 28th. Hope nobody’s too jealous.
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Why is everybody settling for Zach Kassian…. if we are trading up, let make do it right.
Dream big… we have the ammo to pull it off.
I want either JT or Hedman along with Kane or Magnus.
Make it happen Garth…lol.
If Tampa Bay does make the trade with LA for Vinny, they will have the #2 and #5.
Tell Burke… he can have the #1 if he can get us those 2 picks.
How hard can it be???
Burke can trade Kaberle, Schenn and the #7 plus…
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Just watched The HotStove on HNIC.
Their saying Garth is torn on JT and Hedman.
They are worried about JT’s skating.
If they are not sold on JT… then Hedman and Kane or Magnus.
I like it!!!!
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dave chyzowski says:
KASSIAN IS NO SO SPECIAL!! C’mon, he’s big and can hiut alot, but he’s really not that talented when you read scouting reports. if we trade up we need to get a star 1st line defenseman or offenseman. not a 2nd or 3rd guy steve Webb that sometimes can score. i doubt he’ll even turn out to be anythingmore than davescatchard. we need skill.we should ttcrade up for Kulikov, Cowan
etc.( a top defensemen) or Magnus,Kane, etc. Top Offensemen. Otherwise stop with the infatuation with Kassian. he’s not so gifted -
i would even take Kreider over Kassian in a second
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Defensewins says:
I am really hoping Cowen falls because of his injury. Maybe he can fall to the 9-12 range, where we’d have an easier time trading up. Maybe something around:
To Ottawa:
26th overall
31st overall
Isles third round pick
Maybe a project prospect like KaticTo NYI:
9th overallCome out with Tavares and Cowen!
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hathead68 says:
To Jimmy Mac and everyone so concerned about JT’s skating… ENOUGH ALREADY!!! I’m not being disrespectful or confrontational, but let’s get focused here. He scores goals! He does it in close, under pressure, rolls off checks! Give me the sniper! I don’t give a rat’s a** if his skating isn’t pretty! He can improve his skating. He can improve his defensive play. You can’t teach pure offensive instincts. You can’t teach someone how to be a sniper. JT is what this franchise needs most. The majority of Canadian media, Toronto area especially, don’t want the Islanders to draft him, so now all the concern over his so-called weaknesses. After JT is selected, we’ll be in position to get another impact player in the 1st round, either another forward or defenseman. I don’t want to here anymore talk about trading the #1 pick for ANYTHING. This is not the year for it.
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Steve says:
There was some discussion on the Satellite Hotstove on CBC tonight about the Isles torn between Hedman and Tavares and the JT’s skating was a concern to them. Who cares about being the next Reijo Ruotsalainen if you can score almost at will?
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relax they will draft JT. fr what lawton said about Duchene, i would even bet that TB picks Duchene. Mark my wordas. lets trade up to #3 and take Hedman from Colorado. they owe us a favor for Smyth
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i cant wait for the draft
he sounds like a great kid.
savetheisles.webs.com
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
Sounds like a good kid, BUT … no disrespect, if the Islanders end up drafting him, it means they traded down … and something seriously is wrong … If they manage to trade up to grab him … it means they have parted with way to many draft picks in a very deep draft… The Isles will still can grab very very talented players in the 20th – 40th pick range … from EJ McGuire interviews there is very very little difference in first round talent after the top 10 … it will be a matter of the player’s and organization’s commitment to development that will decide the final product … infact … and CB can verify this … even the early 2nd round pool of players are gifted. All in all unless a team has a certain target player much higher on “their” list. There is less need to trade up in the later half of the 1st round, at that point it becomes a matter of the team’s want and needs.
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Hathead… I never said I have an issue with it.
All I did was comment on the commentary on Hockey Night In Canada. I beleive it was Pierre LeBrun who mentioned the Isles being torn between the two. And they might be worried about his skating.
I like JT also… all I’m saying that if there is a way to get another top 5 pick then I’m all for taking Hedman.
I would not take Hedman over JT without some sort of trade of assets.
If nobody offers you anything for the top spot, then take JT.
But if somebody want JT so bad, that it brings in some very good prospects… then make sure you pick no lower than 2nd overall.
Who knows maybe it is a ploy to get Tampa Bay to want to move up to the top spot to pick up Hedman.
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I don’t think there is any reason to trade 3 of our picks (26th, and two 2nd rounders) to move into the top 10 or even 5 … Maybe … and that is a huge maybe to add Hedman to the roster along with JT …
With all due respect to MPS or Kane … none of ‘em are worth 3 top level draft picks at this stage. The talent in the late 1st round and early 2nd round is probably a half step behind in “development” than either one of the two … the late 1st round / early 2nd round kids are well regarded players and have a good shot. Maybe the Isles’ 26th and 31st pick to move into the top 10 … but then I’d want Cowen with Tavares … Again … we are talking about “potential” here … so a couple of years from now all this analysis goes out the window.
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Jimmy Mac, like I said, no disrespect. I just get frustrated with all the scrutiny over JT’s supposed weaknesses. What makes so many people go gaga over Hedman? The scouts love that he’s a good skater, is a 2way defenseman, and is big. OK, I get it. But he does’nt use his size to full advantage. I would rather have Bagosian or Doughty from last year over Hedman. As for Paajarvi, we have someone very much like him already… Bergenheim. As far as trade offers, yes Garth needs to due his due diligence and listen to all serious offers, but this is NOT the year to pass up on the consensus (by the vast majority of scouts) no.1 – JT.
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Pete says:
Snow is going to screw us again.
On tonight’s edition of the CBC Satellite Hotstove, the panel mentioned the following information:
- NY Islanders are split between Victor Hedman and John Tavares for 1st overall in the 2009 NHL draft. They are very concerned about John Tavares’ ice skating ability.
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Joe in Massapequa says:
The Isles were also worried about Tim Jackman’s skating and were patient and he made major strides. This kid is only 18 and that shouldn’t be a reason to not draft a 40 goal scorer (in many people’s eyes).
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kevin27NYI says:
pete@39. do you honestly think they know what is going on? either way, its a shame we cant draft this guy, he seems to have his head on straight and has major skill. i hope garth gets creative draft day but still keeps the number one pick becuase its an untouchable right now
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
Draft Tavares, if they draft hedman id be able to deal but if trade out and loose both ill be furious!!
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blocknessmonster says:
LeBrun wrote an article on espn.com “Why John Tavares’ stock is dropping”. Its the usual crap reprocessed and recycled in article form special for espn. I would take anything he says with a HUGE grain of salt. Pro Toronto guy.
If none of the usual suspects, ie CB, Logan or anyone who covers the Islanders on a daily basis has a real clue or hint or lead in who the Islanders will pick, what makes you think they do on the Hot Stove?
I’ll say this….if the Islanders have a Poker Charity Night, I will put ALL my money on Garth Snow. This is going to be a wild draft. No one has a clue what he is going to do. I for one have faith in him and the scouts.
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@kevin27NYI, I am sure that they just made that statement up out of the blue….
Why would we draft this guy, when there are better players available?
Blockness…..right because Snow has proven so much, like not even knowing how long Petrov’s contract in Russia was for. LOL!
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Betcha he did. It was a BONUS pick. Next thing you are going to tell me Snow is bad because he didnt bring Volkov over.
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UIF says:
Interesting stuff on the “what did the Islanders ask” question, CB. And the Cairns stuff is hilarious.
If he is not coming over this year, then possibly picked by ATL or PHO for $ reasons. However, ATL needs their 1st rounder to play next season.
If LAK keep their pick, then off to LAK. Otherwise, most likely picked by PHO.
Burke stated on TSN that he expects Schenn to be gone before he picks at 7. So, he could be bluffing or MPS/Cowen are going to slip…