THE SNOW FAMILY’S SECOND HOUSEGUEST
The PB Q & A with Matt Duchene, the Third Man In
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
The final tally on visits to Long Island…
Victor Hedman: Overnight at the Marriott with his father and agent in tow, only three hours the next morning with the Islanders. Both the Islanders and Hedman wanted to have a longer visit, but the NHL needed him for a Stanley Cup Final media tour.
John Tavares: Two days of meetings and touring, two nights lodging at the Nassau County home of Garth Snow.
And now Matt Duchene, who was well aware of the season-long Tavheduch Watch and kindly responded to our request for an interview:
Matt, did you stay at the Garden City Hotel or the Marriott when you visited the Islanders?
I stayed with Garth Snow and his family.
How long was your trip?
I was here for two days and parts of a third before flying home. Garth and his family were really great hosts.
Golf?
Yes, I played a round with Garth at a place I’m pretty sure is his club.
How was the trip?
It was excellent. Long Island’s a beautiful place. I’d never been to New York before. I got to meet the owner, Mr. Wang, for about an hour at the Coliseum. It was really a good time and I think the experience was good for me whether I end up with the Islanders or not. When we weren’t meeting, [assistant to the GM] Kerry Gwydir took me around and showed me Long Island. The trip could not have been better.
So the Islanders had you in for a few days and you’re doing one day in Tampa Bay with John Tavares and Victor Hedman. Any other trips on the schedule?
The only meeting left is some people from the Colorado Avalanche are coming to my family’s home to meet with me.
Your rise to being included with Tavares and Hedman as the clear-cut top three was sudden. Has all the talk surprised you?
A little bit, because like you said all the talk really grew over the last two or three months. Earlier in the season, I wouldn’t have expected it. I was just focused on having a good season in Brampton. I did hear about the Tavheduch Watch thing and thought that was pretty good.
How do you feel about being grouped with Tavares and Hedman?
It’s exciting, to be honest. Obviously, I know all about Johnny’s game. He’s an incredible hockey player. Mostly from what I hear from other hockey people, Victor is one of the best defensemen to come around over the last few years. So of course it’s humbling to be mentioned with them.
Do you know Tavares well from the Ontario League?
I had only talked to him once before. But at the combine, we roomed together and spent a good part of the week hanging around. We’ve become friends. We have the same agent and we’re going through similar stuff with the draft coming up, so it’s been nice to get to know him.
What would be your reaction if you’re drafted by the Islanders?
That would be incredible. I’d be thrilled because we have already started to form a good relationship. Mr. Wang and Garth came to watch me in a playoff game last month. I had the opportunity to spend two and a half really nice days on Long Island getting to know more about the franchise and the community. I also met with the Islanders at the draft combine.
How do you think you did at the combine?
I think I did well, but you’re never too sure. They asked a lot of questions. It was a good meeting. I saw Ryan Jankowski a few days later at the physical testing and he told me I did well. That was good to hear.
Besides your play, your leadership seems to have factored into your rise on draft boards. Where does that come from?
I would have to thank my parents for that. They helped me grow as a person and were always there for me. That’s why them being a part of all this excitement around the draft is so special.
What team do you think is going to draft you?
(Laughs) Not a clue. I don’t think John or Victor know either. Seems like it could go any number of ways. The good news is, the draft is in three weeks.
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Greg Logan has a blog entry on Doug Weight’s thoughts on the Islanders’ decision and a newspaper story on Weight’s breakfast with Tavares.
Comments on the Duchene conversation here. Visit Greg’s blog to share your thoughts on his Weight stories. News and views on the Lighthouse in next thread.
51 Responses to THE SNOW FAMILY’S SECOND HOUSEGUEST
The PB Q & A with Matt Duchene, the Third Man In
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Jeff in Oyster Bay says:
I want Tavares.
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Valentino says:
Chris Botta is a BLOGGING MACHINE !!!!!
Now deliver us John Tavares !
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Ketch says:
If you’re a fan that loves Tavares over the other two…I suggest reading Botta’s Duchene post first…then read Greg Logan’s piece on Weight/Tavares. I felt kinda sour that Duchene spent just as much time here as Tavares and I started the “oh no…Tavares is going to fall to Tampa or Colorado”…but then reading the Weight story kinda put the focus back on JT for me.
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Chris Mc says:
Again, re-reading the interviews with all three potential picks, Duchesne and Hedman seem like fine young men but when Tavares interviewed he seemed to have a passion the other 2 didn’t display. I won’t be sad if we land either of them, but I’ll admit there will be a little disappointment if I don’t here JT’s name announced with that first pick.
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Marc says:
Let’s face it, most of us haven’t seen any of these guys plan much if at all. Tavares is the popular choice but is he the best choice? What will it take to get the 2nd or 3rd overall pick? Is it less likely to assume that the 3rd pick (Colorado) can be obtained considering they have an entirely new management team in place? Could they get the #2 pick from Tampa for next year’s first round pick plus ___? It will be a very interesting (and stressful) three weeks in anticipation of the draft. Hopefully there will also be some positive Lighthouse news too!
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Tavares is special. He is driven. He doesnt accept losing.
Its one thing to have character and talk the talk. Its another thing to have the skill and the will get execute.
I dont see that with the other 2. This kid has captain material written all over him. I see tavares carry himself with a quiet confidence. Much like messier did.
Put the team on your shoulders and go.
We need what tavares brings more so than anything else.
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isles99 says:
some of the people here truly amaze me. whenever cb writes something, you guys jump on it with fervor.i mean, please make your own decisions. please excludethe sentimental crap out. a guy’s personality isn’t going to help him score goals or give him innate talent. i cant wait till the draft comes so snow can put me out of my misery. either a new exciting era will dawn on this beleaguered team or a once proud franchise will put an end to the little fanbase they have.
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TimQ says:
Marc @ 5 – If someone was silly enough (e.g Toronto) to make the appropriate moves for us, I would be happy to end up with Duchene and Hedman, instead of Tavares
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Booten says:
To echo the sentiments of a lot of previous posters, I won’t shun Duchene or VH if they’re picked and I’ll back them all the way but I’d rather have JT. Johnny Teabags for the win.
CB you deserve to be plugged and advertised all next season during game commercials and inside the NVMC. Dare I say the colli should have a Point Blank night with you doing the ceremonial puck drop?
It’s already starting to show but I think time will tell just how much of an impact you’ll have on building to a packed house everynight like the old days.
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John G. says:
still want tavares. he said a couple of key words that neither duchene or hedman has. “I want to be an Islander.”
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
I agree #10 there should be a point blank night at the Coliseum next year! He does a great job with islanders coverage and deserves to be recognized by the team. Afterall he got us through Gueringate with updates into the twinight and got interviews with the top three picks in the draft. And hopefully you will have one of the first interviews with JT after we make him #1 overall in a little under 22 days.
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Tom Barone says:
They are all great kids. At the end of the day any of them are going to make the Islanders better and the fans will embrace whom ever the team drafts.
With that said…. I still say Tavares! ; )
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Easyisle says:
These 3 prospects and their interviews makes me glad I’m a hockey fan; other sports young studs just aren’t the same as hockey players. Of course plenty are jerks too and I’ve been disappointed a couple of times meeting players in different situations, but overall they’re the best of the overpaid entertainers. I vote for JT still, but any of the 3 seem very easy to root for.
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Matt says:
CB is the best! honestly, this blog is great.
question for Chris or anyone else who would know but I have heard that alot of Tavares’ goals in the OHL would never be scored in the NHL because of the time he had around the net. is anyone worried that he won’t be able to put up points because of this?
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Joe Reekie says:
There is absolutely no way we take Duchene. he is a talented kid, no doubt. but he almost seems like a child compared to the other two. even at the combine, his strength etc. he looks like a boy. The Islanders are playing the same game that Toronto media is. we are giving them taste of their own medicine. they push Duchene, so Snow responds and uses Duchene as decoy. He and Wang go to his game (just like Tavares) and they have him in LI at Snows house, just like Tavares. to maybe confuse or keep the picture a little smokey. but have little doubt. there is absolutely no chance we draft Duchene #1 overall. Ketch #4, no reason for concern, even without the Weight article in Newsday. it will still go back forth a bit just to keep interest up, but our discussions should really turn to the other picks.
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Irish Isle says:
I agree w/ #11
Granted I am 100% in the Tavares Camp since January/February. However Tavares just seemed to want the #1 Pick More. He spoke of the Islanders Past, and how he wanted to shape the future.
Duchene nice. He can learn some from Smythe.
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i have one question for a lot of people.
what did you expect the three candidates to say? of course they say the right things…..otherwise it would come off in a bad way for the other teams……these guys are rehearsed, trained, and told exactly what to say by their families, agent, mentors, etc. sentiments do not lend to talent or games won. on ice ability does. im justhoping all this is just a smoke screen to generate buzz, piss of burke, stick it to toronto, etc. i hope garth does what i think and beleive he will do. -
Strummer's Army says:
Boy, I’ll tell you Snow is playing this draft very masterfully.
Reading Logie’s Weight article in makes you think JT but if you read his take in the blog he seems to put JT last. He just said more about Duchene and Hedman but especially M.D.
Point is we are all guessing and that is good for the Isles. More media attention and more chance of improving trade possibilities at the draft.
Also, in reading the Patterson article and that he has appiointed a liason to expedite the LH project it is fantastic! This is how things get done when the Gov gets behind it.
Now if they just make sure they get Kassian in the draft as well and add some big mean nasty/skilled d-men I’ll be very happy.
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dalcy says:
i get the feeling they really want the next pick to be a “long islander” not just an “islander”. as long as Tavares did not intimate that he would prefer Canada, i think he’s a go.
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The Express says:
Kerry is the “assistant to the general manager.”
Who is he, Dwight Schrute?
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I think maturity is on Tavares’ side. He’s played in major tournaments, he’s always handled pressure well, and he wants to be great, but also wants his team to win a championship. There is a lot of passion there that cannot be ignored.
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hathead68 says:
Lets all agree that Tavares, Hedman, and Duchene each seem like quality young men, mature, and great picks. We are extremely lucky that all our bad luck during the season put us in this position to choose whomever we want. However, I believe we have someone already with similar potential to Duchene… Josh Bailey. So now I think it’s really between Hedman and Tavares. Hedman seems like a stud defenseman, and in any other year, I’d want him without hesitation. But this is not any year. John Tavares is ours for the taking. He is a stud goal-scoring center, who has been under more scrutiny over the last four years than ANYONE in recent history not named Crosby. He has handled it well and is a more mature person for it. He is ready for the NHL and the Islanders. His maturity and pure offensive instincts cannot be taught. He truly is what the Islanders need RIGHT NOW for too many reasons to list. Doug Weight believes it too.
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I just read the Weight article and blog and the one thing that really stood out to me was the word hunger. The way Tavares says he is hungry to score goals, and how he is not satisfied no matter the score. How many huge leads did we blow this year?
Then you have Weight talk about Tavares and the one word he uses is hunger. The hunger to be great. The hunger for his team to be great.
I am hungry for a winner -
Pete says:
Marc….Tavares is the number choice, it sounds like you already trying to justify Snow not taking him.
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Muller9 says:
Be ready…..Matt Duchene’s name will be called……not that i want it to happen, but it is what will happen….we are all Islander fans and know our luck…..Prove me wrong Mr. Snow
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I was 80/20 Hedman until CB had the interview with Taveras. Then I was about 60/40 JT. The only constant is I’m 0% Matt Duchesne. I wish him all the luck in the world, but if we take him over Hedman or Taveras, I’ll be sick to my stomach.
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rb says:
prediction: Duchene won’t make the opening night roster of whichever team drafts him, and will return to junior for more seasoning
one decent year in junior, where he was not the best player on his team, and didn’t make WJC team…won’t be ready for NHL next year
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
Just read the “Weight Breakfast” article….and now I’m going to sleep.
Draft Tavares you idiots…this is a no brainer…..
may I quote Herb Brooks CB???
“If you lose this one, you’ll take it to your $%#^&^# graves……you’re %^%$#*& graves.
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Ryan says:
Duchene does sound like a great kid. But it’s still hard for me to understand why he’s up there with Tavares and Hedman. He had a good year, but he wasn’t even the top center on the team. As stated by RB, he didn’t even make the WJC team. Tavares went #2 in scoring in the WJC. Tavares has been consistently good throughout his junior career.
To be completely honest, you hear almost every draft “Oh yes, this kid is a Steve Yzerman/Iginla/Francis type.” Those guys are special players, and more than likely Duchene is not the second coming of Yzerman. That’s not a knock on Duchene, it’s just that’s an unfair comparison.
We need goal scoring, we need something to be excited about, and although Hedman may be a very good player down the road, we can pick a project d-man with our other 1st rounder (not that Hedman is a project, but it’s just takes defenseman significantly longer to develop).
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Long Suffering says:
Oh yeah!!!!! Just read the Weight interview in Newsday — the Islanders are picking JT! Can’t wait for the draft party and then buying season tix! Opening night is going to be insane…. JT! JT! JT! JT! JT! JT! JT! Good God this is going to be GREAT — we will have JT for the next 15-20 years!!!!!!!
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Wish Duchene all the best but JT — welcome home…you’re our guy!!!!!! JT you will surprised at the incredible support you will receive from the Long Island community…welcome home JT — you’re our guy…will be an honor to cheer for someone of your talent and character over the next 15-20 years…
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Last post on this thread before I get banned by CB…Dougie Weight — you are the man…take care of this kid…he is a gem…
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gary9-19-22 says:
Ok class, all together now…
JOHN TA-VA-RES!
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-Big Van Vader says:
Again people, let’s be serious.
Why in the heck, business-wise, would the Isles host a draft party where they count how many people are going to be there, probably by the time it comes around, sells out, have all those people chanting “TA-VA-RES!!!” over and over again with VERSUS cameras sending it out across a couple of countries, only to turn around and pick HEDMAN OR DUCHENE!?!?
Forget anything you have ever heard or seen as far as “Islander disasters” go, this would be the crowning achievement.
Because this will be LIVE TV. For EVERYone to see. Last year most of us were booing when they passed over Filatov and traded down twice. But that was a thousand of us contained in our building with only a few bloggers (and Newsday; eh, they stink anyway) to have a good laugh. This time, it’s PRIMETIME.It will be Tavares. Bank on it.
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Pete (#25): As a fan, I’m hoping for Tavares solely based on what I’ve been hearing about him for years. All I’m saying is that most fans have seen the top prospects play very little if at all.
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By trying to read between the lines it seems that Weight would choose JT but he is obviously very impressed with all three players. I still want Tavares and he should go number one. IF Snow really wants one of the other 2 players he’d be better off trading to #2 or #3 so as to get something to offset the gap. But if I were GM I’d just pick JT and not look back at this point. As much as I see Hedman being a conrnerstone on D for a decade and Duchene as a possible yearly 80pt. player, I see JT as a potential 50 goal scorer and while all three are very valuable, I think 50 goal men are hardest to get.
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Moosie says:
Tavares got Doug Weight, Duchene got Gwydir. That says it all.
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Gloobenberg says:
Vader..Man I hope you are right. I’m definitely in your camp about this. Just hope it plays out!
This Duchene article does nothing for me at all. Tavares seemed way more impressive than the other 2 combined.
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Angry Bill says:
Ever since the Yashin debacle, this franchise has always focused on players with character over just pure skill. It worries me a bit that Garth is spending so much personal time with these kids and that he just might pick the one he likes better as a person rather than the one we really need as a player. This team better stop being gun shy over skilled players and get someone who can light the damn lamp.
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beatlebailey says:
my head is going to explode with another three weeks of this
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Quez says:
Maybe Mr. Wang and Garth figure the only way they get a new arena is if they draft Duchene #1 or trade out of the top 3, and await the immediate burning of the NVMC to the ground! I agree with Vader, there will be too much pressure on Garth and the organization to draft anyone but J.T. Let them get all crazy with the remaining picks if they want…no one will care, if J.T. is selected 1st.
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G. HOWITT says:
Please !! Please !! hockey GOD-S bring Mr JT
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isles 14 says:
he seems like a good kid.but just bring me jt.thank you
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Pritchett54 says:
I want Tavares. Can we just take the top rated guy? The guy who everyone thinks is gonna be a 40 goals scorer. Please. I cant take the drama. Cant snow just say who he is taking so we can focus on the 26th pick and how we might move up.
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StevieL says:
As has been stated before, the only way Duschenne is an Islander is if we trade down. No way you pick Duschenne over Tavares. What is gained by that? What does he bring that Tavares doesn’t? Backchecking???No Way!As Big Van Vader points out, no way the Isles host a huge party live on VS. for all of North America to see, and then have a riot break out!They want a sell out crowd going wild with confetti, chanting and screaming announcing that the Isles franchise is back!!JT get’s picked #1,Then a live feed from the draft, after a 5 minute hi_lite reel of JT scoring goal after goal, of JT thanking the fans for coming out, and telling them where to line up for tickets. This is all a PR move to build us into a frenzy!!
Also the Newsday story of Gov. Patterson supporting the Lighthouse and asking what he can do to help is huge!!! As an Islander fan all this good news is hard to handle!! -
Steve says:
Great, kid. Would love to have him as well, but not at the sake of Tavares.
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hextall72 says:
“assistant to the GM] Kerry Gwydir took me around and showed me Long Island.”.. enough for me to know he will only be coming here if we trade to the 3 spot..
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HL says:
“However, I believe we have someone already with similar potential to Duchene… Josh Bailey.”
I really believe this is a case of people looking at descriptions of players and jumping to some inaccurate conclusions. They’re both well-rounded players but Duchene has a much higher ceiling than Bailey. IMO, a superior skater and more pure offensive talent.
And I’m a person who defends the Bailey pick. As a follower of the OHL, I think had he returned to Windsor this year the perception among Islanders fans of this player would be much better. He would have had an incredible season with the Spitfires and there’d be an excitement built up around seeing him this coming season.
As for Duchene seeming to be like a child compared to the other two… yeah, he looks young but at the combine where they grade prospects on both their upper and lower body development, he was one of only seven players to receive an ‘AA’ (Above Average) on both. Hedman was another of the seven and Tavares received an ‘A’ for both (as per Gare Joyce’s article on Sportsnet yesterday). So in terms of muscular development, he’s right there with them.
Either way, it’s not a race. 18 year olds shouldn’t be drafted based on the first year following their draft. They also shouldn’t be drafted to please fans at a draft party.
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Isle be Damned says:
Matt Duchene seems like a great kid. I’m sure the Avalanche fans will love him.
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If we select him over Taveras and Hedman, we would be the laughing stock of the NHL, we would be labeled blockheads!!!
They stayed at Garth’s house for a simple reason. It’s babysitter interviews. If Mario can have Crosby watching his kids since he was drafted, Garth can do the same. It builds… uh… Character… Yeah…