THE POINT BLANK 2009 NHL DRAFT PREVIEW
Repeat material, because we don’t have much left
(Just a coincidence that Tavares is front and center, no doubt)
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Warning: With six days left before the draft, there’s not much left in the tank on this subject. Heck, I still can’t even decide if I’m better off covering the Draft or just going to the jam-packed Draft Party.
If you thought I was stretching the last few weeks, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Sure, I’ll come up with some posts to stir it up and some to hopefully inform. But if you’ve had it with all the Tavheduch stuff long ago, it’s okay if you look away for a few days. I completely understand.
We’ve talked to John Tavares. Victor Hedman. Matt Duchene. After writing about Duchene since Christmas, we made it official three weeks ago: this is a three-horse race.
Pat Brisson, the agent for Tavares and Duchene. Peter Wallen, the agent for Hedman.
Bill Torrey. Jim Devellano. Denis Potvin. Mike Bossy, the big goal scorer passed up.
Billy (NYI May Trade Down in 08) Jaffe. E.J. McGuire of Central Scouting. Pierre McGuire of everywhere. Bob McKenzie of TSN. Butch Goring from the Country of Islanders.
Cripes, just in case, we even talked to Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson - our choice for this year’s “Geezus, I can’t believe we passed on him to take a two-way Canadian forward” Award.
No sense in talking to Garth Snow when the only thing you want to know is who the pick is. Same for Ryan Jankowski, whom the Islanders don’t seem to let out much.
We have our weekly Snojanks Scoreboard, with one to go before Friday. We even brought in a forensics expert to get a handle on what it’s going to cost to move up from pick 26. We predicted, as many others have, that the Islanders will move up from 26.
We looked at defensemen the Islanders could grab between pick 15 and 26 or maybe with their early second rounders. We looked at some forwards who could be had at those picks. We discussed the Islanders’ big need for some elite skill at forward. We even spoke to goaltender Robin Lehner, because the Islanders will draft a goalie after they take Ds and Fs with picks 1-26-31-37, and Robin was the first to take our phone call.
We wrote a fashion piece about the jersey the Islanders picks will be given. A witness texted us blow-by-blow accounts of the physical testing of the Big 3 at the Draft Combine. We dared Garth Snow to find a way to draft 2 of the top 3. We wondered if the Islanders could afford to pass on Tavares. (Even Canadian golfer Mike Weir told Logie the Islanders should take Tavares).
Big mistake: didn’t leave anything for the last week. I’ve got some little behind-the-scenes stuff, but you know those posts will only be followed by comments of “TAVARES”! or – please let’s stop - the latest variation of the Coliseum burning down joke.
So read up if you missed any of the above linked stories. Don’t forget to check out Newsday’s NHL Draft Preview on Sunday. Sounds like they have some good stuff planned. Most of all, enjoy the weekend. I’ll see if there’s anything left to scrape at the bottom of the barrel.
Comments.
94 Responses to THE POINT BLANK 2009 NHL DRAFT PREVIEW
Repeat material, because we don’t have much left
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Steve says:
Superb coverage, Chris. Thank you.
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Vinny says:
Take a rest before the draft CB. You did a amazing job. Now lets just hope your right and the Isles select Tavares!!
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kevin27nyi says:
cool. cant wait for the behind the scenes stuff
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Matt says:
great job as always Chris. i am with you on I just don’t know what else to say about the draft. i am very excited to see who the newest islanders is going to be and hope that management continues to stick to a full rebuild.
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Strummer's Army says:
CB, how about doing an analayze of the current defense on the roster and in Bridge and showing how if this team wants to be competitive it better find at least 2 new d-men?
Also, where is our Zach Kassian story? While it’s true as most journalist are saying “about 90% of all Islander fans want John Tavares”, it’s also true about 98% of all Islander fans want Zach Kassian. This does in fact involve a trade up higher then 15 probably. It could cover what having a guy like him would do for the team especially in the playoffs (noting there was more fighting, hitting, physical play in the playoffs this year then in a long time).
Could you see the Isles using some of their small puck movers in trades?
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Robert says:
Chris, I listened to the 2008 draft on XM and have been following this draft one year… you’re right, I am overloaded!!
But I do have one last question… Why is this a three horse race.. It should be a four horse race…
Evander Kane scored 25 more points then Duchene in a very comparable league (WHL-OHL)…. Evander Kane is being called a power forward at 170 pounds… People say he is fearless and will do anything to score a goal and he has a frame to put on 25 pounds easy as he gets older… We has great wheels, determination, guts, scoring ability and hockey sense…
I am a Tavares guy all the way.. BUT if the Isles passed on Tavares, I woulnd’t consider taking Kane a drop off from Duchene… If there is no return to drop to #3 and take Duchene because no value in trade return, but great value in dropping to #4 and getting Kane, I’d rather drop to four and get a better return, and the player i like better (Kane over Duchene)…
But my number 1 option is still Tavares..
What do you think of Kane compared to Duchene?? -
Strummer’s Army at #5..
If you are gonna have to move within the top 15, you might at well target a Jordan Schroeder or a Dmitri Kulikov or OEL, whichever of these three fall… All are valued much higher than Kassian, and the cosrt of moving so high isn’t worth a guy like Kassian who may or may pan out… Schroeder, Kulikov, and OEL are much higher skilled, and when drafting soo high, I want skill, not a banget penalty taker… More realsitic, trade to 18 and get a player from the next tier: Kreider, Leblance or Carter and Kassian if they fall. -
al says:
if you look at the posted picture, tavares is front and center and duchene is way back in the distance. coincidence, i think not.
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Blizzard says: less than a week. But when the draft is over what are we gonna complain about……….? Oh yeah Free agency LOL!!!!!
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JD says:
Whomever is the Isles pick with the number 1 I’ll be happy with but I feel that it won’t be pretty at the Coliseum if the Isles don’t take JT.
On another note….not sure if anyone mentioned this yet in a previous post but Kenny Jonsson has officially retired from pro hockey. Great player for the Isles. Just wish he would have stayed a little longer
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Johnny Jet says:
I heard on nhl live that columbus has no 2nd round pick and they want to get it back. They pick 16th. Perfect match for us to deal one of our 2nd’s and 26th for their 16th.
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Jimmy Mac says:
It’s just a waiting game now.
It will Tavares.
If Garth was taking Duchene, he would have already told everybody.
After reading all of the posts over the last few days, it might be in the Isles best interest to tell the fans what they are doing with the pick.
Fans are now being turned off by the fact that they might take Duchene, and there will be a negative reaction to the pick by the fans in attendance.
If it is causing people to think twice about bringing down their kids to the arena, then maybe they should just come out and tell us.
You don’t want to drive people away. We’re almost at the point of this being counter productive.
Just think of all the tickets sales and jersey sales they can get on Friday night if they just told us it is Tavares.
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usnabatman says:
Don’t get lazy on us chris – we need nonstop coverage!!! haha – actually I might be breaking the rules here but I saw today that Kenny Jonsson retired from pro-hockey. I was wondering if you could write about some fond memories you’ve had of him and maybe recap the career of one of the finest players the islanders have had in the past 15 years
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How about a trade down CB…. Filatov and the #16 for the 1st overall.
I know it’s not much… but at this point I don’t know if I want the 1st overall anymore…lol.
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Tom B says:
tick tick tick. 6 days!!! : )
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TONYSAC says:
CB, I must admitt that I have had enough with all this DRAFT talk(in a good way)…You have made this journey very entertaining and All us ISLANDER fans THANK YOU!!! SO with all due respect, I will not be back until the day before draft day!! I am going crazy thinking about who WE are drafting and reading all these posts are making me go completely INSANE!!!
Actually I will be back after I hear…And the New York Islanders are proud to select with the 2009 1st overall pick(OR however it goes) JOHN TAVARES!!!!
unitl then….LETS GO ISLANDERS!!!
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rb says:
I’m not saying this because I’m a regular reader but your draft coverage has been the best on the Web…I know that because every four or five days I’d put Tavares, Hedman or Duchene into Google and hit news and then blogs “past week” and nothing ever came up as informative as the info and interviews posted here
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jonw says:
CB,I know that he is slightly too far from the top or big 3 for even a consideration but Brayden Schenn reminds me alot of Wendel Clark.Same height,same weight and even the same province(Saskatchewan).Was wondering where you thought he would fall to and what your inpressions are of him?
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Pez says:
lol at “but you know those posts will only be followed by comments of “TAVARES”! or – please let’s stop – the latest variation of the Coliseum burning down joke.”
i come here for the humor
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IsleofNJ says:
Enough of this draft nonsense !!
We need another good lighthouse story to
stir the pot….
But seriously CB, take a well deserved rest for a few days.
For all of you who need a good laugh, check out latest post on BD’s website islandersindependent.com
The photoshop work is priceless !!! -
matt says:
#18 kane is just another okposo he is strong and tuff around the net and i think he will be better then MD in the long run as well but as for need with our team i dont think hes going to be that 40 goal scorer that we need. although i do have to agree that he has been flying under the radar more then i expected and he didnt get cut from team canada like some people we are considering
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slsangus says: I think you are all wrong. What the Isles REALLY need is another journeyman 3rd-line right wing with 12-goal potential and chronic groin problems.
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i like kane A LOT i think he’s REALLY underated and i think he is gonna be the guy that people slap their foreheads because they passed him
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I have been thinking about this a lot this morning. I actually now believe Garth is taking Hedman. Why? Well 2 weeks ago, when the thought of taking Duchene first overall wasn’t even a thought, everyone in the Tavares corner of the fanbase was ready to start yelling and screaming if Hedman was taken over JT. But now that the idea of Duchene is out there, the thought of taking Hedman is far less “icky” in the mind of Tavares lovers (not all of them I know). The past week I have been reading a lot more comments saying that they would be happy with Hedman or Tavares than I was a couple weeks ago. I think Garth and the Isles management put this Duchene rumor out there on purpose. McKenzie is right… it’s gonna be Hedman.
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G. HOWITT says:
Snow was on 12news and was asked what he tought of the fan base wanting u to draft JT. Comment i will do what best for the Islander’s Hmmmm
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Jeff says:
Thanks for all the coverage CB, I cant imagine how uninformed I would be without all the information you provide. Also, any update on the status of the blog in the coming months?
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Wow, CB… I knew youve done plenty to cover all this but once you string all those links together, it really adds up.
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I believe with 17k fans at the draft party the pick will be Taveras!! I think we will have some very happy drunken fans there to celebrate, so no more talk about burning down the Coliseum. It will happen and we will finally get some excitement back on the Island!!
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Jim in the UK says:
Does anyone know if the draft will be shown via the internet. Living here in the UK I would love to see the draft also but not sure if its being shown anywhere. If not I will have to get the play by play on the greatest web site in the world. Thanks for everything Chris.
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Robert at #8, repsectfully no more soft smurfs on this team regardless of skill please. Kassian’s skill is right there with those guys. His numbers are up there in points. He is also a game changer with his hitting, fighting, leadership (maybe Schroder might be a leader I doubt the other two). Kassian is project at worst as a 2nd line winger but probably a 1st. He is a game changer. The way the game is beign played to have a guy who at 18 is 6’3″ 215lbs and growing, can skate like the wind, put up points, keep his teammates save, crush their spirits with his monster hits is way more valuable then the skill alone those guys you mentioned bring.
We’ve all been waiting for a Gillies or a Nystrom for a long time and here he is. We all said there and said we wished we could have Milan Lucic on our team, well here is a guy who put up more points and despite being younger by two or three years was able to best Lucic in fights.
Also, check most Mock drafts Kassian is going ahead of most of the guys you mentioned in most of them.
Also, if Snow is pulling a Duchene he better grab kassian to take the sting off.
Best fit for the Isles moving forward Kassian. Size, toughness, skill, and character from now on at all positions! NO soft smurfs!
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I can’t believe I have been follwing this think since we drafted Bailey a year ago… geez.. it’s almost over… what a year of blogging and following minor league hockey… Now, about this Taylor Hall kid!!!
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#30 Jim, NHL.com will stream it. You going to Glastonbury this year?
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Ugly Roe From Massapequa says:
Draft? What draft?
And who is this Tavheduch guy I keep hearing about?
Doesn’t football season start soon?
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db says:
if snow liked/drafted bailey over hodgson and hodgson is better than duchene then it would be an incredible reach to say duchene over tavares everyone agree
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I have given up on drafting another top 5/10 player besides Tavares a long time ago.. The price is too high… BUT, the heck with it, here’s my last try….
Draft Tavares… and since Duchene became an untouchable…
Trade up for the guy I want more anyway that isn’t getting the respect he deserves…
Get the #4 pick (draft Kane)Give up #26 overall
#31 overall
#56 overall
#1 in 2010Yes i did it.. I included next years number 1.. It’s time to take our shot!!
Tavares and Kane with Okposo and Bailey…
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Irish Isle says:
I was finally able to get a copy of the Hockey News Draft preview, saving the cover, as if the Isles to select Tavares, I will want Johnny Fever to autograph it.
Anyway, after reading it the more I want JT. The fact he scored his first OHL goal on his FIRST SHOT while on the PK, says alot to me about his overall game. The fact that he made clutch shots, when the game mattered the most, and not just with a 5-1 lead. The Isles need him.
I find ittelling that there is no special feature on Duchene. I also find it telling that Sweeden had Hedman play a defensive role in the WJC, and the offense go to players who are going to pick after him.
Now I know there has been brief talk about the Isles 2010 pick, and how the Isles should not trade it, as we dont know the true value of the pick as it is likely to be another Top 5 pick.
My question to you CB, is do you think the Isles could trade their 2011 pick to move up into the 1st round and package it with a second from this year?
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allstar5 says:
Does anyone know if the draft will be on TV? I looked at the cable listings for Sat and I can’t find it anywhere. I will be away and would love to tape it. thanks
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Thanks Strummer. I am so looking forward to Friday night knowing that I can see it live. I wish I could be in NVMC that night and I have plans to come back to the states to see my beloved Isles once again live. I have no plans to changes teams no matter whom they draft on Friday even more so that I have the Isles logo tattooed on my right leg. But please let it be JT. As far as Glastonbury its so hard to get tickets so I will catch some of it on TV.
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Garth Wang says:
If Garth and Co. are going to pick either Hedman or Duchene they would have said something by now. They wouldnt be promoting the hell out of the draft party when they know that 90% of the 18,000 ticket holders want Tavares and would very upset if he isnt our pick. They wouldnt be building up this whole event to let down their fans. Persnally, ide take whoever im no scout, rather Tavares but I have a funny feeling. And im not going to the draft party because i dont feel like hearing everyone booing and complaining when Taveres isnt picked.
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Oliver says:
Having kept up to date on various draft musings and also having learned that the second group of ten draft picks (#’s 11 – 20) have a high bust rate with better value coming in picks 21 – 30, I for one do not want the Islanders to move up. We need to keep all of our picks and still stock up on prospects. As fans we will know that the Islanders are ready to take that next step when our AHL affiliate makes it past the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs with their roster of younger players/prospects. Also Taylor Hall may be the real deal and the Islanders may very well be a lottery pick team next year as well so lets not be so quick to toss away that first pick for next year.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
I’ve said a dozen different ways WHY the Isles should select John Tavares as the first pick … but … I think Isles99 in the previous thread (Logan picks Duchene)at post #52 really summed it up perfectly .. if you haven’t read it … go there.
If that isn’t enough … here are some brutal force stats to consider.
JT – 56GP – 58G – 46A – 104P Ranked #1 in scoring.
on London – 24GP – 32GMD – 57GP – 31G – 48A – 79P Ranked #14 in scoring.
Come on now … MD will be a good player … JT will be a star.
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purify says:
#35 great point. i was so pissed we didnt take cody hogson last year he will be a very solid player in the nhl. iam not a hedman supporter and heavily favor the kid that was drafted (after a rule change was made for tavares) to junior hockey at age 14 and at 16 outscored player who where 2 to 4 years older. a player who was a subject of another rule change last year because he was to good to be in the ohl and he missed the age limit for the draft by a few months. go to you tube if you havent seen him play most of his goals are in front of the net and down low. the kid is a phenom. hedman is soft (and yes i have seen several of his games) not including the wjc. he is known to be a little arrogant and about himself. let it be know that he is not physical at all. yes he can skate and he is big he is no game changer (or at least not yet). dont let his size fool you he will be a good player, but not a physical pressence like chara. jt has the determination and the drive to excell and is hungry to make his stance. he wants to be an islander and i want him. chicago and pit all excelled with skilled forwards. the new nhl rules favor the forward position and goal scores. a little side note: none of this years top 5 defenseman in points where drafted in the first round. snow will set this organization back even further if he passes on tavares.
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Also here is a something to consider since others keep brining up the WJC.
Duchene who didn’t make the team really had no shot … While Bailey was a possibility till it was decided not to send him … Duchene still wasn’t considered even after that.
When reading the Hockey Canada website in December they mentioned Duchene as somewhere between Yzerman and Mike Peca .. mentioning MD’s biggest strength was his wheels. Yes, he’ll be a great player … but I think with everything that the Isles need is way to big of an order for a two way center.
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Lastly for my 3rd post … People say how Tavares will be good for getting the Light House approved… I never saw that as a reason for drafting Tavares … mine was always hockey reasons.
But … now after seeing the progress that was made with the LHP recently due in part to riding the wave of Islander fan energy also brought by having the #1 selection in the draft … I wonder how much energy will be sucked away from support of the project IF the Isles select anyone other than Tavares.
That is one of my newest fears.
CB- Idea for a fresh thread … can you do a SnoJanks type score board that lists the percentages of what you think the Isles will be able to do as far as moving up into specific team’s draft slots by trading up … using that “rate card” for draft trade value?
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Thomas32 says:
#38, draft is on FRIDAY on Versus! Probably why you didn’t see it listed for saturday.
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Brian G says:
Take Tavares at #1 or Trade down for a big package – that’s it
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Strummer’s Army at #31….
I have seen more knocks on Zach Kassian alone then the three players I mentioned above combined…
This was Dmitri Kulikov’s first year of North American hockey and he dominated the QMJHL… Was voted the top QMJHL pro prospect… averaged more than a point a game, and is said to embrace the physical aspects of the game at 6’1 185 pounds and growing, hardly a smurf.
Jordan Schroeder is short but said to have a very strong core, Hard to knock off the puck.. Very thickly built.. and led the NCAA in freshman scoring as well as led the USA world junior team isn scoring..
OEL, swedish defenseman, smooth skater and great puck handler wish great poise, hockey sense, and a great shot.. 6’2 175 and the body to add on points.. Is 6’2 a smurf??Zach Kassian, yeah we all know he has size, but straight from my two well respected hocket magazines, “questionable hockey sense, not much offensive upside, scored many of his goals on the doorstep of smaller defenseman, good straight line speed, but bad lateral mobility and change of direction speed… Many more questions about Kassian than the three guys I mentioned combined…
I think when a team building from scratch has high draft picks, you draft for skill first, bangers, fighters, stay at home defenseman could be added later on.. SKILL CANNOT BE TAUGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRAFT SKILL DOESNT COME AROUND EVERY YEAR..
But this arguement is a waste of time… Isles arent getting within the top 15 again… Out guy is Chris Kreider!! -
Vas says:
If they don’t draft JT on Friday I think we should get a GARTH _____ at thr draft Party!
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Mike L says:
Rob #48, I agree. Kassian will be picked higher than he should be and I think mostly it’s because of the impact Milan Lucic had on the Bruins. For the price to move up, Kassian isn’t worth it. Plus, Kassian gave Tavares a cheap shot, in an exhibition game none the less, that had bothered JT throughout the remainder of the season, and it his shoulder may still not be 100%. He reminds me too much of a Kyle Beach-type player who’s hot head may become more of a cancer.
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isles99 says:
thanks for the endorsement 19 isles in NJ 22…..i have been hearing a good rumor floating around that we might swap picks with columbus in the first round provided we give them the 37th pick also….cb, you got any info to this?
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Martin the french Canadian says:
TAVARES !!!
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Islesin2010 says:
Hey CB, not sure if you mentioned it in an old blog but I felt it necessary to congratulate Kenny Jonsson on a great career. I loved Kenny’s consistent play on the back end for the Islanders for many years, most of which were not the best teams. I have undoubtedly missed his presence over the years post-lockout. Good Luck to you Kenny.
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Thomas32 (46): Well, only round one is on Friday on VS. All the other rounds (and subsequently all the Isles other pics) will take place on Saturday.
I know the NHLN is doing a recap of round 1 at like 9am and then coverage of rounds 2-7 starts at 10am. My friends and I will be glued to the TV watching that! Im not sure what other station is covering all the other rounds.
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leviticus says:
#31 (Strummer)…no way we get to a place to draft Kassian…I am sure that we ill take whomever is next on the scouts list regardless of size…skill, skill, skill…we need more to compete…Pitt and Detroit were in the finals were there because of skill and competitiveness, not penalty meetings. Everyone on championship team hits in the playoffs!
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not some of the wussys on the Isles #54. You’d never see guys like Martinek or Geravis elevate their game (liek Pit and Det) playoffs or not.
#50 not at all to try to paint that label on kassian. The exact oppossite is said about him. He’s a leader on/off ice, a guy who gets out in the community more then the rest, and a kid who understands something about life having lost his Dad.
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i Don’t care if Duchesne is the best all around player or Hedman is a possible Chris Pronger! There will be nobody in the seats to watch them. Except 4 me because I bought season tickets thinking JT was a lock? I’m sorry but if Garth doesn’t draft Tavares and within 2 years he is the best player of the 3 he should be FIRED!!! No Tavares= No jersey sales = No Ticket sales= KC
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savetheisles.webs.com says:
thanks for all the coverage CB.
great job
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I’m hearing if TJ is not picked, it will take the fans some time to accept the non-JT pick….No JT= giving up my season tickets= $$ for a BMW…
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Draft Tavares who can play center or wing, We have enough 2 way centers(definition-Limited scoring ability) in Bailey and Franz. Move up between 16-20 and take the best d man. Hopefully take Ferraro’s kid at 31.
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I am sorry but I don’t think people are going to run right to the Islanders ticket reps.at the draft party if Snow takes John Tavares. That being said, I highly doubt people cancel season ticket orders if Snow takes Hedman or Duchene. Give it time people because either way,this team will probably be very bad again next year.
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Chris, the coverage has been awesome. Thanks for all the info and updates. I’m looking forward to Friday’s draft. If I’ve learned anything so far it’s that this draft most likely will not be boring. Let’s go Islanders!
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Bryan says:
WE NEED GOALS!!!!!!!!!!NUFF SAID………
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KO21 says:
Duchene was one of “Pointblanks” horses for a long time now…
During interviews with Wang and Garth, immediately following the draft, they were all about 2 players and we know who they were…This was a 2 horse race from the start…
This is good for keeping us interested but you’re gonna gice us all agita…
Common sense tells us we should calm down and rest assured, Tavaras will be Garths choice…
Sorry but I’m trying to be positive, not an easy thing to do as an Isles fan…
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“Sorry but I’m trying to be positive, not an easy thing to do as an Isles fan…”
so true.
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After everything I’ve read, watched, heard, etc. about these top three prospects, my final decision would still be to pick Tavares. I think people are nitpicking his flaws. He has as much skill (if not more) and upside than just about anyone in this draft. He’s be a great fit for this team….a match made in hockey heaven.
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Logan article in Newsday reads…
“The best player we and the staff identified could be different from public opinion,” Snow said. “We held Josh Bailey in higher regard than what others did last year. Our focus was to select a player who could help us win the Stanley Cup.”
…………………………….
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Tom B #64, all Garth needs to do to help heal the wounds from Mad Mikes “reign of terror” is to simply choose John Tavaras…
Simple as that…We will all of a sudden have a renewed confidence in our GM’s competence and maybe we could stop being jaded…
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From Newsday:
Character is a big part of Snow’s equation. “Good people do great things,” Snow said. “We’re going to select a player who will spend significant time in the community here. Guys are close-knit in our sport. Whoever we select is going to be a fit personality-wise. It’s going to be a family.”
I say can’t we ONCE just pick the best damn hockey player available!!!!
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mapisles2025 says:
#68…Duchene is heavily involved in charity works…go to the Brampton website.
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3rd and last post,
CB, you mentioned that theres no questions worth asking Garth…This is the “pointblack” question for Garth Snow…
Do you understand that about 95% of the fans are going to the draft party BECAUSE they are so excited for John Tavaras???
Would you pack the house and send your fans home feeling like winners or losers???
and would you purposely invite all these fans knowing this fact and choose someone other than JT, are you concerned about the fans feeling totally disgusted and disappointed???
Pointblank!
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The PolishPrince says:
Why am I starting to get the very real feeling we’re not coming out of this draft with either Tavaras or Hedman?
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everything people had to say about John Tavares is positive. i do believe that he did work with the special olympics.
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Soprano12 says:
I dont know what to think anymore
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What about Zach Parise? They said the same thing about his skating and look where he scores his goals! Oh yeah! We picked the smooth skating Robert Nilson!
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Another great skater: Jeff Tambellini. He was said to be the best skater in his draft class.
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Why does everybody alway bring up Parise.
15 teams passed on him, not just the Islanders.
Lots of great NHL’ers get passed on every year.
It’s hard to judge 18 year old kids.
Kids are just getting out of high school.
It takes most kids until 22, 23 years old to develop.
Could you imagine playing against Chara when you were 18 years old…lol.
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wow..i read the newsday story and all i can say is snow will be another mike milbury if he picks duchene…he says character is very important and going out in the community is very important…i guess whatever a player does on the ice is meaningless then as long as you are a nice guy. wow, i dont even know what to say…we have beaten this issue to death….if they dont draft tavares, im not paying to go to the 20 games i go to every year…im done if they draft duchene…..he could have a whole team full of nice guys….just no one will watch it when we will be in this same position 10 yrs from now…duchene=me and ton of others are done!!!
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last thing, the words of jim devallano are meaningless (pick the best player) if going out in the community and being a nice guy is really, really important
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#77 Community service is nice and all but I think we’d all like great players. I’ve also heard Tavares is very good in the community. Bruno Geravis though not even an average NHL d-man is well liked by the Isles for his community service. I think he should retire and head the community service department.
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cb great job always everyday and thakyou for all your hard work. i understand its a personal decision and a financial one. iam willing and iam sure there are many others would pay for the privelage of this site to keep it going. if that other bs site can make it work imagine the potential of point blank. i would also partition the club itself to have you involved possible during the pregame for a point blank segment etc.. just a thought
cb how about a segment on how wang and snow are going to spin there desicion for not picking tavares (god help us all) when 28 of 30 teams would be drooling at the possibility of adding him to there roster?
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AveryinPanties says:
CB I feel bad for you if garth doesnt pick jt. Your readership will drop considerably cause I am sure that there are many like me who will cease to care about the isles. True shame cause I enjoy your blog but wont read it anymore if the team is dead to me.
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admin says:
I appreciate the sentiment, AiP, but I think it’s gonna be okay. That “community” stuff by Garth with Greg Logan in Newsday is pretty funny, though. I’ll have to write a followup on that, plus some of this “process” talk, too.
Just a reminder, everyone, so I can enjoy Fathers Day: let everyone have their say, 3 posts max per thread, not flamin’ each other, or lectures on who’s a good fan. If you’re on an Islanders blog in June, you’re a good fan. Thanks…CB
http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2008/12/comment-guidelinesthese-are-effective-immediately/
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Blizzard says:
Oh stop it. All this I will cease to be a fan crap. Like CB said, your reading an Islander blog in June, as much as you think you can you will still be watchin it all play out. Although heavely in the Tavares camp, who ever they draft will be fun to watch.
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the point about the Parise point is that everyone is knocking JT for his skating! Not every damn player that is an all star can skate! If you want me to name them I will be writing for quite a while! So yes I am pretty pissed! It should be JT and thats the end of the story already!
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beatlebailey says:
Very true i reupped for TWO more years of season tix so i am all in even if we trade all the way down out of the first round and end up with 20 second round picks…Tick Tock the draft cant get here soon enough!
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JZimm says:
Part of the problem is that we have no exposure to the CHL. Most of us can only go based on what we read. For whatever reason, Matt Duchene was not on the Canadian National Junior team. Tavares was first brought to our attention in 2005, and serious hockey fans are in tune with these things as early as the information is made available. Based on the WJC, my two favorites are Tavares and Ellis. I’m hoping to land both of them. We might get one. I still have to believe that Tavares is our first pick. If he’s not, Snow may not be wrong, but most Islander fans will have to wait quite a while to be ok with a pick other than Tavares.
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Jordan Schroeder might be small be he is far from soft,besides he is twice as gifted as Zach K.
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geduffer says:
Personally, I’m enjoying this. I just have this picture in my mind of the useless third of our fanbase laying down in Hempstead Turnpike Saturday morning to be run over by those new Hybrid buses. I actually both like and admire Garth. I think he’s doing the right thing holding his cards close and I can see reasons for whoever he picks first. I can’t wait until Friday!
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John k says:
I hope we are all over thinking this. With all this conjecture, this is how I see it and how I hope it plays out. Snow says it was the player they wanted all along. If it was md, morrow and the isles wouldn’t have been so excited about winning the lottery. They were never gonna pick lower than 2nd. The could have had md at third at the highest and they know it. They were happy at the choice of the top 2. Given the draft party and our severe lack of scoring, I gotta hope it’s jt.
And I’m sure as we all know, any of these players could be a bust. And to say one will score and one will bring the cup is nonsense at this point. Saying someone is like yzerman is not anywhere close to them becoming yzerman.
If I were betting, smart money is on jt having a fine NHL career. And that’s just another piece of the puzzle for us. The other perks of 90% of us wanting jt, ticket sales, media coverage and overall just feeling good about the isles are a bonus.
Come on…. JT !
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Auto_reply says:
I cannot wait for the Isles to draft Matt Duchene to weed out all of the poor fans. It is amazing that 1 in 10 people on this board, probably less than that, know anything about hockey…Garth Snow and the Islanders are doing a great job of sticking to a REBUILDING plan. A REBUILD does not mean winning the cup in a year. None of us have any clue who is going to be a better hockey player, someone from the 7th round could be the best player (Hank). Be a hockey fan and enjoy that there is a team to have something to talk about, or, you could just buy a new BMW. How Long Island.
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(#54 ChrisTMC) Oh , thats all I knew about it being on Versus on Friday night. Ive never seen a draft to have 2nd and 3rd rounds televised, it would be nice though right. My best guess would maybe to check the “NHL on the fly” channel if you have cablevison (channel 401). Let me know if you find anything bro.
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I have spent so much of my time following the Islanders over the last 25 years that when the season is over I go into complete hockey lock down mode. I do not watch the playoffs if they’re not in it, nothing…This year has been different. After the last game I found myself continuing to click on Point Blank. I want to thank you Chris for bringing all the die hard Islander fans (is there any other) a place where we can get great stories and points of view on our beloved team. We all know that we are third fiddle in this market and do not get the coverage a pro team deserves. Again thank you and also my wife thanks you, with spending so much time on the computer, she has control of the remote!!! Only until October….See everyone at the Colisuem.
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Thomas32 (92): You are right about the NHL network- they showed the other rounds last year, too- I watched it then and it was cool so Ill be watching it again this year for sure. Like I said the coverage on the NHL network for rounds 2-7 on Sat starts at 10am. There might be other stations covering things on Saturday, but I dont know.
CB, cover the draft party. Save you the travel and that will be where the big Isles action is…