“PASS ON TAVARES AT YOUR OWN RISK”
Two strong statements exposing the JT hypocrisy
When I suggested a while back that Kyle Woodlief of Redline Report put Matt Duchene ahead of Tavares because he needed to sell subscriptions to his independent scouting service, some readers were aghast.
Weeks later, the former short-time Nashville scout continues his media tour, maximizing all the attention he can get for pooping on Tavares. And now Hockey Canada chief scout Al Murray counters, “I think Kyle’s trying to sell more subscriptions. If someone wants to take a player ahead of John Tavares, do so at your own risk.” Think about it: Murray knows Duchene well and would never want to offend the young man, yet he didn’t hesistate to give his take on the insanity.
While we’re at it, two thumbs up to Islandermania poster Strickland for this observation on the inconsistency of evaluating Tavares vs. Duchene since the Islanders won the lottery:
I like how 3 weeks ago, everybody and their mother was ripping into Tavares for losing to Windsor. “He’s not clutch. He’s coasting.” But when Windsor followed that by thwomping Brampton in 5 games, in which the troika of Grachev, Hodgson and Duchene had all of three goals, no one utters a word. Seriously, silence.
So are we to think that because Duchene scored one goal in a 5 game series his team got its @$$ kicked in that he’s not as good as he was before the series began? Or Hodgson? Or Grachev?
Bravo, sir.
We’ve always liked Duchene, made him a big part of Tavheduch. But let’s keep our eye on the ball.
I suspect the Islanders will use their pick at No. 1 and select John Tavares.
Comments.
97 Responses to “PASS ON TAVARES AT YOUR OWN RISK”
Two strong statements exposing the JT hypocrisy
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I want Tavares. You take the best player available at every pick you have. Tavares is the best player in this draft!
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Tony says:
Because alot of people in Canada don’t want Tavares coming to a team like the Islanders,they want him to play in Canada,preferably the Leafs.Screw the Leafs and Canada,just hope the Isles dont screw this up!!
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Big Dog says:
*&^% you canada he is ours!!!
-disclaimer
to all canadiens if i offended you
MY BAD
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Sea Bass says:
Hey Botta,
Did you receive your inspiration for “Tavheduch” from “Tovah Feldshuch”, who played Golda Meir in “Golda’s Balcony” on Broadway and is the lead actress in the current play “Irena’s Vow”????Didn’t think so. But, I chuckled when I saw the billboard on the back of a city bus this morning…. -
Will Teese says:
It’s like a ploy to get the islanders not to take tavares. It’s amazing. The isles need to take tavares and shut everybody up, especially that damn kyle woodlief
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Jake says:
I think all the Islanders Silence is just so they can say they did there homework. I’m pretty sure Wang sees what Ovie did for the Caps and Crosby for the Pens. I’m not saying Tavares will be those guys. The isles know Tavares is a cash cow. He will sell tickets, and merchandise.
I am a die hard fan. I never get a name on a jersey. If they draft him i will go out and piss away $200 on a Tavares 91 3rd jersey and since I am out of state now. I will order center ice. ( I didn’t last season I was very very pissed over Nolan.) I am pretty sure I am not the only one that will do these things if Tavares is drafted and Wang/Snow know this.
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I say Snow should pick tavares because otherwise he will be fired. Its that simple… Tavares or were screwed yet again..
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bergie20 says:
the isles have to come away with either tavares or hedman. i would take tavares unless tampa makes me a good offer for the pick in which case i take hedman at 2. agree that woodlief put duchene ahead of tavares for the publicity.
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frank nyc says:
Please i just hope they pick John Tavares. I can’t take it, another 6 weeks of this insanity. We need a top line scorer. Tavares is it.
He is special. -
All teams left in the playoffs have great goal scorers; Staal, Crosby/Malkin, Zetterberg/Franzen/etc, Havlat/Toews/Kane. Islanders have none, TAVARAS all the way.
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doc says:
From your mouth to God’s ears (and Snows’).
IF the Islanders DON’T draft Tavares…
I will find it hard to continue to root for the team that I love… grew up watching since the Islanders/Rangers playoff series of 1975… Sitting through the disappointing playoff runs of ’77 and ’78… the great years of 79 through the mid to late 80′s… and so on through all of the difficult years… etc.
Forever in the future we would always wonder… WHAT IF???
It’s not like missing on a pick at 16 or 17 like Zack Parise or a later round gem that all teams missed like a ZETTERBERG.
This would hurt a 1000 times more and for the rest of our rooting lifetime.
This guy Tavares is STARING the Islanders orgainization in the face… everyone knows he’s the #1 pick… so to miss it would be beyond FOOLISH. It would be career killers for the GM AND SCOUTING STAFF… and possibly the final death nail of the team we know as LONG ISLANDER’s own.
DOC
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GilliesKO says:
Brian Burke is a good GM….FOR ME TO POOP ON!
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bob l says:
7 days til the combine, can see it now, how press reacts if duchene benches more than tavares, or if he can jump higher, we’ll get things like “superior athletically to tavares”
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Brian B says:
Defense doesn’t win championships. Good teams and great play in the playoffs win championships. A starting point for building good teams is getting the best players you can. Tavares is the best player in the draft.
TAKE TAVARES
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Blizzard says: For Woodlief to all of a sudden drop JT to number 3 is strange. I understand drawing attention to your scouting service but what would it do to his service if JT scores 35, 40 goals his first year out? He is going to look like an idiot and marginalize his own scouting service.
How can anyone not take into account this kids accomplishments so far in his young career? Mind boggling to say the least. But rest assured, Tavares will be an Islander. It was written all over Morrows face at the lottery.
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John Tavares, John Tavares, John Tavares, Period. Will do as much for the NY Islander’s, Team, Organization, and Fan’s, as Denis Potvin, who I thought was incredible. Please Mr. Wang, and Mr. Snow, draft John Tavares. Thanks Chris, Mark N/J Go NY Islander’s!
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Matt says:
I hope you are right Chris. I hope they take Tavares as well.
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Warren says:
Remember, Mr.Snow you are on the clock make the wise choice, you don’t get these chances with a splash often unless….But fans remember what I say this year 2009-10 will be our big splash for the “CUP”
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CDrama says:
Hay I was wondering, and I know someone with more time than me can answer this.
Was Duchene on the WJC team? If so what where his stats? Which line was he on? What were his responsibilities? What were the scouts saying about him then? etct etc
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Mikey says:
CB, why don’t we add a new rule to the comment guidelines? Every time a poster (including you) has an adamant opinion about who we should draft, they should also note how many times they have seen each player in international and league play both on television and in person. I saw each player in 3-4 games on TV during the WJC. I have never seen them in person or in their respective leagues. Therefore, I am not qualified to make a decision. For the posters who suggest Snow should be fired or they will stop rooting for the Isles if we draft Hedman, I have one question: where can you find SEL games on cable? Surely, you must have scouted Hedman 15-20 times to make such a statement. People here need to get over themselves. If you are basing your opinion on draft previews and youtube videos, then you are unqualified to have a firm opinion. We need both a sniper and a potential franchise dman, so the positional need argument is moot as well. Just trust the scouting staff for once.
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i honestly feel that if hedman was from ontario and tavares was from sweden the hypemachine would have been for hedman, not tavares. in the fall hedman actually was the #1 ranked player on ISS’s list. i think a lot of people are severely underestimating the impact that hedman would have on the ice. not knocking jt at all but if tampa makes me a good offer… welcome to the islanders victor hedman.
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Strickland says:
Heh. Thanks for the name drop, Chris. But like you, my view has always been that you can’t use one short period of time; a playoff series, a WJC, an under 18 tournament, etc. to judge a player’s potential.
Taking the entirety of their junior careers, (which is admittedly a year longer for Tavares) you come to the conclusion that Tavares is a better prospect. He’s put up better stats, on worse teams (Oshawa, not London) and under greater scrutiny.
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the bomber says:
some teams may be able to risk picking tavares, but the isles most certainly cannot. quite simply the fate of the franchise could ride on this. he has been the lock #1 pick in 2009 for 3 FULL YEARS. I have been hoping we came in last this past season for nearly 2 years. We did it, and we won the lottery, despite everyone bitching about and crying woe is me over our luck.
Eventually, it turns. We have been crappy long enough. It ends soon, and it starts by picking the #1 player with the #1 pick. Maybe he wont be as promised on the ice, but he will be a godsend off it at first. There’s no way the Isles do anything but take this kid. No way
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chos500 says:
Can not listen to any of the canadian media outlets (specifically Toronto) as they are doing whatever they can to create doubt that JT is the best player. In addition they were creating unfounded rumours about Toronto and Tampay Bay swapping picks, in case the boubt they do cast works
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apologies. i meant not picking tavares. isles are not im a position to get clever and pass on this kid. everyones jobs and the franchises future hangs in the balance. look at the numbers. he’s the least risky of anyone. he is our man….
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blocknessmonster says:
I am still not understanding why Tampa would take Tavares at #1? THEY NEED DEFENSE. There is no Hedman consolation prize for the Isles if they swap with Tampa. The Isles need to make it seem like they want to pick Hedman to get Tampa to swap picks with them. If Tampa believes the Isles are poicking Tavares, there will be no offers from Tampa.
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NickyL says:
CB, Honestly how much would you bet that the Isles take JT? Would you bet the farm? Also, do you think the Isles know what would happen with fan base if JT is not taken?
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streit02 says:
Lets see. Tavaras stats by season:
05-06: 45G 32A 77pts
06-07: 72G 62A 134pts
07-08: 40G 78A 118pts
08-09: 26G 28A 54pts (oshawa 32gms)
08-09: 32G 18A 50pts (london 24gms)Killing Doubters:
Off year? if 40G and 78 assists is an off year then sign me up for this guy. Great players stats vary every year. No one increases on their pt. totals every season they play. Probably was also a case of other teams keying on him more since they were more aware of his capabilities.
One dimensional: He scored 72G one season and had 78A in another. So hes only a sniper and cant pass the puck right? Or are they referring to an 18 year olds defensive game?
cant skate? Well apparently with #’s like that it doesnt matter. He can wear sneakers on the ice for all i care if hes putting up #’s like that.
As Ive said before with Tavares playing on a team that wasnt very good it seems like other teams main focus would be to stop Tavares. While still putting up good #’s on Oshawa, when he was traded to London he scored at a pace of over 2points per game and 1.3 goals per game.
He was also invisible in the playoffs scoring only 10g and 11a in 14gms.
So in the end, i guess what you get with Tavares is a guy who, when hes not scoring, hes setting up his teammates. What a headache!
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Triumph says:
Oh ches, Chris you are too funny for invoking the great Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. You have the greatest blog ever… FOR ME TO POOP ON ;-p
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isles68 says:
John Tavares is what we (the islnders) need pick up a D man through UFA…its been a while since we have had a guy like this…im sick of seeing the islanders make the wrong move..lets do the right thing here for the team and the fans.
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If Tavares was from Sweden and Hedman from Canada i do agree with the media attention shifting focus. However, I would still want Tavares simply for what he can do, not where he is from. Its apparent what he can do.
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Isle_in_LA says:
I poop on Kyle Woodlief!
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geduffer says:
CDrama (#20) – I believe Duchene was not on Team Canada in the WJC…when they lost a player to injury I believe they brought Evander Kane in.
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Mikey (21): You cant hear me applauding your comment so I wanted to comment myself and let you know.
The idea that basing your opinion on nothing but draft previews and youtube videos makes one unqualified to have a firm air-tight opinion is something with which I agree 100%. I think CB has some more insight into these kids than many/most/all of us have, but he (thankfully) isnt throwing continuous threats around because of it. There is nothing more ridiculous than fans who insist that their (uninformed) opinion MUST be heeded or else (insert threat). If JT does wind up seeming as great as the threateners and CB believe him to be, which is certainly possible IMO, well then I think the Isles WILL draft him and that will be that. But if he doesnt impress them, well shouldnt THAT be accepted as a relevant part of making this decision? I dont see why not!
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Alex O says:
What evrybody forgets in evaluating Duch is that Hodgson is by far the best player on that team and the one opposing defenses focus on. Tavares is an always was the person who defenses focus on the most when they played him. when Hodgson is playing with Vancouver and if Duch is the main man in Jrs (assumin he goes back for another year) will he be as succesful?
Its completely hypocritical to critisize Tavares for taking Windsor to 7 games and not to do the same to Duch for his team getting a beat down against the same team and basically not showing up.
JY all the way!!!!!
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Valentino says:
What is really sad is the fact that the canadian media smells blood. The fact that there is a belief that a ploy like this might actually work. The Islanders might be stupid enough to allow themselves to be spooked by all this hullabaloo. Think about it.
I hope this is much to do about nothing. I hope we are just being paranoid. I hope the Islanders shut the hockey world up on June 26th by taking John Tavares first overall.
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Al says:
Excellent post at 29 (streit02), agree 100%.
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isles99 says:
mikey or post 21,
if you look hard, you can find ohl games as well as sel games on the internet. now, i have watched both tavres and hedmanplay for about 20 games each on tv (not including the world juniors) and all i have to say is jt is clearly the better player. he has the “it” factor about him. teams put their entire gameplan around him yet he still produces. from watching hedman, he will be a very goodplayer in the NHL but tavares is just a better player…when you have the 1st pick,you pick the bes player and not the good player. i also don’t understand the hedman playing against men argument. the “men” in the SEl arent that great. thats why they’re there. duchene is not even a consideration among the top 2 in my opinion. hes not even the best player on his team, thats cody hodgson who went 10TH OVERALL. teams focus more on hodgson than duchene. cb, you have confirmed my suspicions all along….ever since the isles won the lottery, all we have heard is JT is whack bullcrap. come draft day, lets stick it to the canadian media machine. once again, apologize for long post.
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the isles will be much better served if they take tavares and move pieces to get someone like jared cowen who is also a monster.
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Brian G says:
Tavares should be taken #1 – unless they get a forsberg package in return, that’s it…and all of the other picks should be kept, not traded to move up…this team needs so much…keep building Garth.
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IsleofNJ says:
For those who hold to “Defense wins championships”, how about “Scoring more goals then the other teams wins championships” !
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Strummer's Army says:
Tavares is an amazing player. The guy just continues to step up and be a winner at every opportunity. I will jump for joy if the Isles select him. If the Isles feel Hedman is the best guy then I’ll be fine with that too.
The Duchene thing really is some guys trying to make the draft more interesting because everyone knows Tavares and Hedman are a cut above. The only way you take Duchene is if you’ve pulled manuevers to ensure you got one of the other two as well. Good lord I cannot wait for the draft!
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Mark P says:
Taveras is the #1 prospect in this draft
Hedman is 2, Duchene 3. (sorry Kyle W)
Its Garth’s job to take who he wants and get addtionals picks if he likes the 2 0r 3 better than JT.
for the most part I agree with #27…smoke screen Tampa…and make them Anti up for us passing on Hedman.
If isles did pick hedman, Tampa would need to either trade out of the #2 pick or trade Vinny or Stamkos.
I have always loved the idea of getting the 2 and 3……but it would take great GMing to get it done.
If we stay at #1 we must pick JT.
#21 is correct…I have not seen these guys, I only base my theories on what the majority of scouts have said over the past year…..Again if you want to pick someone other than JT, you must get additional compensation.
All and all this is likely a moot point. After a Year of knowing we would be in the top of draft, Isles scouting must know these guys better than anyone, and have a plan.
Who is going to sign autographs at the draft party this year Trever Smith and Thmas Marcinko? -
Railbait says:
We need scoring. We need Tavares. When Dipietro returns our goals against gets better. When John Tavares hits the ice our goals for gets better.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
ISS ranking update just out. Hedman Falls to 3rd. And im glad.
makes our decesion to take Tavares even easier.
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kabbage says:
It’s a good thing that not all Islanders fans are judged by those closed-minded, paranoid “fans” that feel that there is a conspiracy by Canadians to prevent John Tavares from coming to Long Island. I am a Canadian and have been an Islander fan for over 35 years. I know many other Islander fans who are Canadian as well. Perhaps we are too polite to respond to those comments or perhaps we just know better!
I want Tavares in an Islander uniform as much as anyone. No conspiracy theory here!
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Duchene at #1 would be a blunder not seen since Mad Mike gave away….well….everyone. Unless you get Hedman AND Duchene, you pick Tavares with the 1st pick and never look back. And unless Snow is completely blown away with an offer, you hold onto that number one pick with your life.
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StevieL says:
#46 Sparti! Nice catch! Tavares and Duschenne now both ranked ahead of Hedman! ISS Rankings are NHL scouts. Offense rules the new NHL! I think I have typed Tavares so many times the “T” key is wearing out! The closer we get, the more I think there is no way we pass on Tavares! He has to be the pick!
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Enuhmeofthestayt says:
While I think Hedman might be a good player we will be making a HUGE mistake if we pass on Tavares
Sam Bowie type of mistake
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I think Tavares s/b #1 but people are being too hard on Kyle Woodlief..The new May I.S.S Rankings came out today; they had 1-Tavares…2- Duchene..3- Hedman..So Woodlief isn’t the only one that loves Duchene..It is a 3 man race for #1..I’ve been reading Red Line Report for the last 9 years and Kyle always has original opinions..He usally loves the great skaters & the guys who finish the season strong..His Draft Preview is much better than The Hockey News & the most thorough of all the Previews(Central Scouting, McKeens, THN, ISS)..For whats its worth Red Line Report hasn’t even put out their Final Rankings or Draft Preview..When he wrote that article, he was giving his feelings that day..Woodlief might be wrong on his Tavares-Duchene assessment, but he isn’t some quick talking Life Insurance Salesman trying to make a quick buck…
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Chris Mc says:
Mike down there in VA brings up a good point about a player. Eric Staal is not a Malkin or Crosby or Ovechkin but hes 24 and in his 5 years has become a consistent 35-30 goal scorer in this league and a guy you want to build your team around. He went 2 overall bc the Penquins pulled a Mike Milbury and took a goalie number 1.
Imagine if Pitt had actually taken Staal and then added Crosby and Malkin. Theyd be unstoppable. Point is, even if Tavares doesnt become a Sueperstar, Id be happy drafting him and having him be our Eric Staal
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John Tavares will have such a great impact on our favorite team “The Islander’s”. Great player’s raise the bar of the rest of the player’s. When a team believes they have, a ligit chance of winning, they will play harder. It’s been provin. If you ask everyone involved, and the great minds of Hockey, what the #1 need for the team is, they would say a “Blue Chip Scorer”, well everyone the NY Islander’s have one, John Tavares. One of the many topics discussed on NYI Point Blank this year was, what should be played after the NY Islander’s score a Goal, whether it be a song, or siren, or both. Obviously besides winning the game, the most Fan friendly event during the game, is when the Islander’s score a goal. Pump’s everyone up, including the team. Especially goals that are going to make “Sports Highlights”. Seeing the Nassau Colisium filled with #91 NY Islander’s Classic jersey’s, going crazy every time #91 Tavares scores, is what NY Islander’s Country Needs and Deserves, more than anything, NOW! Thanks again Chris, Mark N/J “Go NY Islander’s”
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kreatiiv says:
not only this guy from redline…. its happening across the entire sports writers network. everyone that had JT as the next coming of gretzky six months ago are now all claiming the isles would be better off taking hedman. just read another article on espn.com about how the number one pick that would make sense for the summer is the isles taking hedman instead of JT…. and then backpeddles on how he thought JT would be best for the isles but now that hes pondered it, he thinks hedman would be better.
nobody wants to see this kid in an isles uniform and it has nothing to do with them honestly wanting the isles to draft the best they can…. it has to do with the fact that there is a bias against the isles in this game (probably due to jealousy over the last four cup run any team will ever probably have the dynasty to make in this salary cap era) and nobody and i mean nobody the kid every canadian wants to see on their team should be an islander.
the fact that taking JT will piss off every other hockey fan out there other than isles fans is almost worth taking him by itself.
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Jimmy Sparx says:
Too bad June 26 is not tomorrow. This has become all to do about nothing. The Islanders are picking Tavares case closed. Any other pick and they would have no building to play in. The Draft Party is going to be huge. The NVMC will be pretty much be filled for this.
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Vas says:
#23 Tampa wants Hedman not JT! If the isles take hedman there is no doubt JT is ticketed for TO!
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Oliver says:
Since CB brought up The Coach yesterday, I am going to quote Al Arbour today – when Bill Torrey asked his take on whom he should draft Al answered “give me the sniper, I can teach him to play defense!” Maybe JT does have the flaws in his game that are the subject of so much of the Canadian rumor mongering – so what. He does not have to play center because Gordon can always move him to the wing to take some of the defensive responsibilities he have as a center off of his shoulders – Okposo, Weight and Tavares would make a tough to play against top line with quite a bit of scoring punch while still being able to play a responsible defensive game. Also does not everyone agree with me that the Islanders young players improved as the season from hell progressed, that Gordon is clearly as talented a teacher of how to play Hockey at a high level as he is a proactive coach who understands that we may have a rather promising future based upon some of the younger players in the pipeline? Draft Tavares first and then the best players available and then let the chips fall where they may because all of us Islander fans will still root for our Isles – its not like we’re about to become stRanger fans if JT is not our first pick.
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Tom says:
It only matters what Garth Snow thinks. I don’t care about anybody else’s opinion is regarding the #1. Everybody rates players differently. When you are talking about 18 year old kids, there’s LOTS of room for disagreement on what they’ll be when they are old enough to shave.
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Jersey Isles fan says:
Snow is damned if he does damned if he doesn’t. No matter what he does in this draft people are going to be unhappy or going i told you so. Personally I stand by my calling for JT. I won’t bash him for making the pick if duchenne becomes the better player or hedman does.
As far as the whole sweeden vs. ontario talk. Some of the best players in the league are sweedish granted theres not as many of them, but Lidstrom, zetterberg, Sundin, the sedins, alfredson the list goes on.
Bar getting both the 2nd and 3rd pick its clear as day the isles need someone who can put the puck in the back of the net and that is Tavares.
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Jimmy Mac says:
It’s not a conspircy against the Isles…lol.
Tavarses will be like Heatley or a Hull type player, and there is nothing wrong with that.
I do beleive the Isles will take Tavarses, and he will play the wing.
Guys… enjoy being in the spotlight until the draft.
There is lots of speculation about what the Isles will do.
Even the so called experts don’t know, and that where the fun lies.
When Bob McKenzie thinks the Isles might trae down and take Hedman… I love it.
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kevin says:
bergie 22. what does where they come from have to do anything with it? anyway, lets just draft tavares and worry about the rest of the 1st round and try and move up
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I feel that Garth will pick Tavares. If you look at the situation hes in. Right off the bat he said that he had a preference in one of the two. He also told toronto he is not inclined to deal the pick. If you were in Garths shoes, you would figure that Tampa wants Hedman. If you wanted Hedman (knowing TO would do anything to get Tavares) wouldnt you sit back and let Toronto fight tooth and nail to set up a trade where the Isles fall to the #2 spot? He has seemingly already cut ties with burke as their phone conversation didnt go exactly how burke had planned it. My point is, that if Garth Snow wanted anyone other than Tavares hed be listening to any and every offer to move down a slot.
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Hud says:
Only 37 more days of this. Al Arbour, I think I can say, knows a little about hockey? JT is the pick, let the days pass so the debate will be, what line is JT on?
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John says:
If it’s anyone besides Tavares you can “Meet me at the Nuthouse”
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4195mary says:
The safest route is picking Tavares. No question. If he is a bust, it’s hard to blame Garth. If he doesn’t pick JT, and whoever he picks crashes and burns, it’s open season on the GM. I’m just not sure he thinks that way.
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TuxTax says:
How long contract-wise, would the Isles have Tavares guaranteed to be in an Isles sweater? 3-4 years? Does Tavares(presuming hes a top player in the NHL) stay faithful to Snow’s plan after fulfilling his contract?
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Cincy says:
My reason for NOT selecting Duchene over Taveras…
when Duchene plays against the Rangers at MSG, Ranger fans will have a new chant… “Duch-bag sucks! Duch-bag sucks!”
Case closed. Pick JT.
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Isles fan says:
I want to start out by saying that, I think that they need to pick Tavares.
I have a bad feeling that there is too much noise out there about picking someone other than Tavares that this will actually now happen.(Example: Logan’s article)
My biggest problem is that the Isles management thinks that they know better than every other team in the league. But, we ended up in last place this year.
Why do they think that they know better ? ?
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isles72 says:
some days I kinda wish we lost the lotto to Tampa so the decision would be easier.
if the isles pass up the opportunity to draft Tavares it better be because their socks we’re blown off in a ”Holy crap , I cant believe TEAM X gave the Islanders all that ” kinda way
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Lance79 says:
CB, that Edmonton Journal article you linked had a great quote from EJ McGuire comparing Tavares to Dale Hawerchuk. JT may not be Crosby or Ovechkin but I’ll happily take a Dale Hawechuk clone.
So now we’re faced with picking the next Hawechuk, Chris Pronger or Steve Yzerman? I don’t think anyone should be upset unless we somehow come out of the first round with none of these guys. One way or another, next year’s gonna be lots of fun watching our young team compete…
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Tom Barone says:
unfortunately this is getting old, but I feel we can’t stop yelling so WANG and SNOW hear us like Horton hears a WHO (sorry I have kids) But still, We ARE HERE!!!! AND WE WANT TAVARES!!!!!!!
They better take JT, the risks are too great to pass him up. Just Imagine what it would be like if we pass and he lands in Tampa and hits the ground running. You think other fans in the NHL are rough on us now. I don’t even want to think about the SHAME if we miss out on this. (Like ostrich with the head in the ground embarrassed)
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Jared says:
Tavares or Hedman, that’s the bottom line.
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beatlebailey says:
#64 “Meet me at the nuthouse” LOL…so true and catchy. Any lyrics to add….meet me at the nuthouse – where sumo wrestlers play in goal – meet me at the nuthouse – ….little help here please to those musically inclined.
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KO21 says:
Would it be a shock if garth doesn’t take Tavaras with the #1 overall pick???
I’m not sure I would…
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Can we have enough respect to spell his name correctly at least?
His name is spelled TAVARES.
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hyedray says:
A open letter for Mr. John Tavares—
Hi John….Leafs nation, including those connected with the Leafs organization all the way to Brian Burke and beyond, and an “arrow-taker” in Nashville who could not cut it as a scout, are saying you suck in an effort to reduce your value so you fall in the draft to a team that either wants what the Leafs are offering in a trade OR you fall all the way to #7 in the draft so the Leafs can draft you. In addition, Leaf’s nation urged you not to sign with the Isles, because after all, to them, we are a joke to the profession of hockey—plus what kind of love are we hockey-ignorant boobs going to show you if you sign a contract here?
Well, John, though we did once have a flawed GM—and I am being kind—most of the fans on the Island know a thing or two about winning, and hockey tradition. The four cup banners you saw the other day are a heck of a lot more recent then the ones in Leaf Land. AND—we are not doing a darn thing to diminish your value—unlike the Leafs and their nation.
I hope we do draft you, but, if the Leafs do end up drafting you, I urge you to not sign a contract with a franchise of haters, who have spent the last 4 months plus telling the hockey world you suck. Who would want to play for a team and fans like that.
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mapisles2025 says:
Draft Tavares.
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When did the Leafs say he sucked?
I beleive Burke gave him the ultimate complement telling the world he wants to move up to draft him.
Why does everybody think people are down on Tavarses.
Redline Report is one opinion.
Did you know Redline had Rick DiPietro @ #7 in 2000.
Maybe we should have listened to him back then. If we did we would have Gaborik or Heatley on our team instead of DP.
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The NHL article on Doug Weight today makes me want to name Weight captain until he retires around which time one of the young guns (Okposo, JT, Bailey) may be ready to step up.
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Al L says:
Kudos to you Chris and contributor,Strickland for maintaining perspective. Unfortunately the power of the press is abused by some who either have personal agendas or simply desire to go against the grain by creating product differentiation in an effort to increase revenue. This guy lost me immediately after attacking Tavares’character. Nothing has changed. Tavares is still the same player who has wowed scouts since he was 14 years old. The stars have finally aligned for the Isles and a potentially very special player is theirs for the taking. The system was set up so that the neediest team has the best chance to acquire the best available young amateur player in the world. It is time to acquire quality over quantity. Considering the Islanders dire situation,doing the opposite, not keeping it simple and re-inventing what the draft was meant to do is nothing short of insane! DRAFT TAVARES,utilize quantity(excess 2nd round picks) to improve quality(an additional first round pick)and you have utilized the system to its optimum!!
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Jim says:
I don’t know if Tavares reads this blog, but I’d imagine he have to feel pretty good about himself in how the Islander fans are already in love with this kid. Talk about going somewhere that he’s wanted. Why in all honesty would he want to go to Toronto after what the media and scouting combines have said about him since the Isles won the lottery. CB if you know his emaiul address you should invite hime to read how much the Islander fans are going to welcome him in Royal Blue and Orange.
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jimmy mac, go to a leaf message board and they will tell you he sucks simply because they are starting to realize they can get their hands on them. chris, is it possible you can do an article on who may be captain or alternate capt. or will this be an article closer to next season?
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Webber says:
I can’t understand why any of us care at all about who the Islanders pick first when that first pick will be playing in K.C. Seriously, someone talk me down here because I see all of these posts arguing over who the Isles are going to draft and I can’t help but not care seeing how the Islanders won’t even be playing in the coliseum in a little while. Has everyone heard something about the lighthouse being approved by the TOH and I missed it? I just think we have bigger problems to worry about. It seems like people are taking the if we don’t talk about it, it’s not really happening approach and that is a serious mistake on our part. The only thing we should be worried about right now is keeping the team in N.Y. and I hope everyone is keeping the pressure up on the town so they don’t use our disinterest as a platform to prove a point, “see, their own fans don’t even care”! Please help to keep the pressure on the town people, lets not give them more reasons to deny the lighthouse.
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To be honest, and in my opinion, the recent playoffs does not prove anything compared to what the WJC had to offer in terms of talent, and clearly, Tavares established himself an one of the best in the world for that age level. Anybody can lose in the playoffs, but when you have a tournament like the WJC and you have that much international talent, and Tavares just took over the way he did, you cannot ignore that.
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mapisles i agree with you totally. In that article Weight sounded like not only a guy who is ready to lead these young players, but a guy who believes in these young players and this organization. I was behind Witt being captain but after reading that Im pulling for Dougie
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Neil says:
If the Isles don’t draft Tavares, I’m voting for Kate Murray.
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Steve says:
Another great post, Chris. Keep digging it up as you know Garth is reading. Appease the long suffering fans! Pick Tavares…and let us know that now!!
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Priest says:
OHL Commisioner David Branch used the exact same words (“Pass on Tavares…”) about 2 or 3 weeks ago on the radio in Toronto, FWIW.
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86 I’m with you
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A lot of the talk about Tavares is that hes not the kind of player the Islander fans think he is. I dont know how many people are with me on this one, but i know (and i believe every1 else does as well) that he is not a Crosby or Ovechkin and he may not be able to completely revive our franchise as those 2 before him. He has already though, created one hell of a buzz around Islander country. Let me know if everyone else is with me on this: All i want from Tavares is a commitment to winning, give it 100% every game and score goals. Is anyone else really asking for him to do more than that? I dont think anyone expects him to put the team on his back next year and carry us to the playoffs. I think every1 is excited to get a player who is an elite offensive talent, which there is absolutely no denying. As far as rejuvenating the franchise, he already has in a sense and if he comes out of the gate and has a good 1st month of the season the isles will be selling out like crazy. It doesnt take much for Isles fans to come out of the woods.
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hathead68 says:
I wish the draft was tomorrow and that the Isles were taking Tavares… then I could just enjoy the summer and be the happiest a***hole on LI. Hope you are right CB!
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JAS says:
#29 & #90, two good posts Steit02. Agree 100%. The last 24 games on London showed what JT could do on a team with talent. He seems like a real good character kid and if he tries hard and leaves it on the ice that’s all you can ask for. I don’t see how you pass him up.
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#60, I also had same thought, they would put Tavares on the wing, take some defensive responsibility off him. How about the isles own super top line of
Okoposo Baily Tavares
Let the gifted passer setup the two gifted finishers and be the responsible defender. Aside from scoring, passing, and running everyone over Okoposo can offer some good middleweight protection for Tavares.
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Lou says:
Agreed with #6 and #8.
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I think Tavares will make a better wing than center in the NHL at least early in his career. It will allow him to concentrate more on scoring and his skating won’t be as much of an issue.
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I was wondering what is Tavares’ rank/grade compared to Stamkos?
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Isles81 says:
Chris – Per Islandermanias poll and the comments that you receive here, 85% or more of the fanbase wants Tavares. This is reaching a point that I could see some serious backlash if the Isles don’t take him.
Just shows that you can’t make a final judgement over a few games. It is like they forgot what Tavares did at the World Junior.