“TAKE THE BEST HOCKEY PLAYER. PERIOD”
NYI dynasty draft guru Jim Devellano speaks to PB
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Before we start with the interview, Garth Snow was just on “NHL Live” with Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe and said everything you’d think he say - nothing. Snow, as he should, wouldn’t say who he’s leaning toward. The GM said he’s putting the final touches on the team’s draft list, 16,000 fans will be at the Draft Party and Rick DiPietro will resume skating in August.
Ex-Lightning GM Jay Feaster came on after and said he thought Snow wanted Victor Hedman. Of course, Jay really has no idea. He’s just heard what other media people have said. Now on with the show…
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Just enough time had passed after his Red Wings lost Game 7 to call Islanders dynasty draft guru and current Detroit Senior VP Jim Devellano for his thoughts on the process.
Five days later, how are you holding up, Mr. D?
Ah, every day the pain dissipates a little more. Our guys gave everything they had and we lost to a great team, so that makes it a little better. Would have been nice to get that eighth Stanley Cup ring (laughs), but for now I’ll have to settle for seven. No regrets. No complaints. No excuses. Everyone here at the Red Wings is very proud of what has been accomplished and we hope to be back. It’s just when you get that close…you know?
No, I don’t. But here’s why I called - the draft. What picks are you most personally proud of from your time with the Red Wings and the Islanders?
Wow, there are so many to choose from. I’ve been involved in 41 NHL drafts. I’ll give you what I feel were the most important ones for each franchise. In 1973, we drafted Denis Potvin for the Islanders. Make no mistake: it’s a selection that no one, including me, should get credit for. Denis was the guy that year and then there was a drop-off.
Ten years later, we drafted Steve Yzerman for the Red Wings. In both cases, our teams selected the foundation players that would lead us to multiple championships. Hall of Fame captains. Above anything else I’ve been a part of at the draft, it doesn’t get any better than getting Denis Potvin and Steve Yzerman.
What was the management structure when you were with the Islanders?
Simple but effective. Of course, it was a much simpler time when we started. But our roles were very clear-cut. Bill Torrey was the ultimate boss as President and general manager. Al Arbour was the coach and no one ever got in his way or told him how to do his job. I was responsible for the draft and our farm team operations in Fort Worth and Indianapolis. I had a great scouting staff and we worked hard and as a team. I have incredible memories of my time with the Islanders.
You took Steve Yzerman 4th overall in 1983 after Pat LaFontaine went third to the Islanders. Were there any other players under consideration at 4 besides Yzerman?
(Laughs) The only other player under consideration was Patty LaFontaine. He was a local boy, and for us in Detroit that meant a lot. No only was he a fantastic prospect - right on par with Yzerman - but we couldn’t sell any tickets back then and having a Detroit kid as talented as Pat would have meant a lot. I think Bill Torrey knew that and still took Pat. That’s okay. I’d say it worked out nicely for the Red Wings that Stevie landed in our laps.
It’s perfect that you mentioned the Red Wings and ticket sales. On Long Island, there are tickets to sell and a large majority of the fanbase wants John Tavares and would not be pleased if the Islanders take anyone else.
Look, no one has asked my opinion on this. I’ve gotten to know Charles Wang well over the last few years and like him very much. He and Garth Snow and their staff will do what’s best for the Islanders. I’m not going to tell you who a team should pick because my days of running the draft are over. I haven’t scouted the top players like the Islanders’ scouts have. But if someone was asking for my counsel…
I’m asking for your counsel. You have seven Stanley Cup rings, so you probably know what you’re talking about.
Okay, since you’re asking, my advice is take the best hockey player. Period. This happens a lot with players perceived as the “popular” pick. It is sheer goofiness that a franchise would ever let anyone other than their scouts determine which player to draft.
Forward or defenseman, best player available - no question about it?
None at all. The only thing I might do differently, because the business has changed, is that I would probably make the announcement of the pick before the draft.
Like the day before?
Days, weeks, just do it. All the top prospects finished playing a month ago. How many times do you need to interview the top kids? I mean, what’s the hold-up? Why drag it out? Be bold.
The teams picking at the top of the draft have known they were for a long time. The scouts have seen these kids dozens of times. They have all the data. Show confidence in your decision-making, respect the scouting process, make the pick and do a contract. Under the new CBA, these entry-level contracts are not tough negotiations. Make the best player part of your franchise as soon as possible, make him feel like he was your guy. Let your fans get excited about him.
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159 Responses to ““TAKE THE BEST HOCKEY PLAYER. PERIOD”
NYI dynasty draft guru Jim Devellano speaks to PB”
Please Wait
YEAH!! NAME HIM ALREADY. JT. there done. ; )
C’mon, CB, we know you wrote the last part about announcing the pick, right?
Just kidding - good interview.
BPA is always the best policy. No question.
HOWEVER - if Hedman and Tavares are so close that it is really a toss-up, then I think you pick Tavares because of the off ice intangibles.
As always, I agree with Jim Devellano.
He doesn’t get enough credit for building the Islanders dynasty. After his departure, the Islanders success with the draft quickly went downhill.
now feaster saying hedman…my blood is starting to boil because with him and Mckenzie thats two people who have tons of connections. God please let them draft JT.
If the Isles take Hedman then you know Tampa is going to look to trade out of #2.
WATCH OUT FOR TORONTO!!!!! If JT ends up in TORONTO… We will never live it down if JT brings them the CUP!!! NEVER!
The 26th can’t come soon enough for me! End the speculation already!
Considering that the New York Islanders have been the laughingstock of the NHL for over 15 years and had NOT ONE SINGLE 20-GOAL SCORER on the squad last year, failure to select John Tavares with the first overall pick would be a wanton, blatant, arrogant insult to the intelligent, long-suffering fans of this franchise, and would be the ultimate symbol and proof of Garth Snow’s inexcusable incompetence.
It would, in my opinion, be unforgivable, and would be the last circus act this particular fan is willing to endure.
#4 Tom you are so correct. Could it be possible that part of this Isles will draft Hedman bit is because the Toronto media wants it so badly. They know that the only chance they have of possibly moving up and getting Tavares is with Tampa.
still couldn’t get him to drop JT of VH on us could ya CB? lol, still a great read, especially the part about potvin being the ONLY guy, because a lot has come out that we should take VH just like we took DP back then, so it really isn’t anything like that draft
This drama is killing me, but yet, I still find myself refreshing this site multiple times daily.
Cant wait until it’s all over.
JT
So Chris,
Is what Jim D. saying is that a team who is picking at # 1 could start contract negotiations with a player NOW and sign him NOW (pending the actual selection at the draft being a mere paperwork formality)? I had heard that it was not allowed………I think the NFL allows it though. Can you clear this up for me?
I would be negotiating with Tavares’ agent right about now……and have the contract be signed right at the draft as Tavares is announced………:)
Pat
Last two sentences, best ones on the net today.
Im beginning to get the feeling that this may not turm out how we want it. Not to say Hedman is a consolation prize. Kid is still a stud, but I want goals. Like they say….chicks dig the long ball. I dont know if this is genius posturing (and if so - Garth is absolutely the man) so that we scare Tampa into making a deal with us. The obvious pick for them is Hedman - they already have Vinny, St Louis, Stamkos and a few other solid forwards. D is a big concern for them. Nobody would cry with Tavares to add to the list but we all know that Hedman is the ideal choice for them right now. I can already envision it - Isles take Hedman - Tampa trades pick to Toronto for Schenn and 7th pick. Toronto gets their man…..he goes on to avergae 40 goals a year and is the face if the NHL with Sid and Ovie….Toronto finally wins a cup. Hedman has a decent career - solid D man and the ISles never win. This goes down as one of the worst moves (amongst many). Isles move as they totally aliented their loyal fan base. Enough said. I hope I am wrong but I am really getting nervous now and feel this is what is going to happen! I still look at the last 10 years of cups and say….no single D man won a cup. The teams that could score and had a hot goalie won. Without the stud forwards - no goals no cup. We have to tale Tavares - if we tank this year and end up with a top 10 pick in 2010- than next year we focus solely on Defensemen. This opportunity only comes around oh so often. Do you think we would be cup contenders if we still had Chara - no way. Would we be better if we had Heatley, Gaborik - hell yeah. I am getting sick thinking about next Friday.
this is great stuff, again. for me the best info here is when CB gets the top hockey people there are, especially when there’s an islander connection. helleva a job getting mckenzie and “mr. D” back to back.
CB What did Devellano mean when he said there was a drop-off after Potvin for 10 years somehow there were many big names drafted by the Isles in those years that became part of our 4 year dynasty. Maybe he meant only # ones? Your comment please.
Jimmy D! I hope you did more of an interview with him on his past with the Isles and will post later. What a great hockey mind. I agree on BPA. I disagree with announcing it now. How many folks would attend the draft party and potentially buy ticket plans and merchandice if everyone knew who the pick was? Not that many.
If some team is gonna blow Snow away with an offer it won’t happen if he announces who is pick is.
What if God for bid the players gets hurt in a car wreck and you then have to pick the other guy who now knows he wasn’t your guy?
The Dolphins had the #1 2 years ago. They picked the guy I wanted them to in Jake Long (worked out very well too) he was signed to a contract well before the draft (good biz for the NFL) but the announcement of the pick was so anti-climatic and the media outlets didn’t cover it as much during and post draft because they’d already run it for a week.
Snow is doing the right thing here. Who’s he going to pick? No idea. I’d be thrilled to have either guy be an Isle and I’ll be sad to see the other get away.
He said there was a big drop off in talent in the draft Potvin was taken 1st. Meaning it was a no brainer
I find it hard to believe that fans will stop being fans if they take Hedman. Sure Tavares may score 40 goals a year but Hedman has the chance to become a stud dman in this league.
thank you frei for summing up how i have have been feeling about this entire process. this truly will be the last cicus act.
It’s really funny to me that Devellano said, in those exact words, that the “popular” pick should go out the window and nobody except the scouting staff should determine a pick - and then some people on here are saying not picking Tavares would be an insult TO THE FANS.
Guys - I want Tavares just as badly as you do, but seriously, if the team makes decisions based on what the fans think or want then we’re in much bigger trouble than any of us thought.
Decent article, and I agree w/all points except the last one.
Why the hell would you tip your hand and thus, better positioning your opponents and potentially allowing a team with a “heaping” offer to bring that offer to someone else.
E.g., let’s say Pitt was in love w/Victor Hedman and would offer Malkin for him (not likely, but it’s a hypothetical). GMG announces that Tavares is the pick weeks before the draft. Ray Shero gets on the horn w/Tampa Bay and locks up a deal.
GMG comes out looking like a clown.
I can’t believe the support people are giving because they can’t keep it in their pants until the 26th. It’s mind-boggling to me.
Art: Jimmy D was talking about a drop-off between 1 and 2 in 1973, from Potvin to Tom Lysiak. Bill Torrey told me for a story on this blog that Lysiak made them think, but I didn’t really buy it. Jimmy D set the record straight.
(Pat) Yes, the NYI could pick their player and negotiate a contract with him now. Maybe they will. That seems like something this group might do. The contract should take an hour to finalize, because the CBA makes it easy. More on that in my next post…CB
Matt on Jun 17th, 2009 13:35:34 said:
“I find it hard to believe that fans will stop being fans if they take Hedman.”
Watch me.
Jimmy Devellano’s more than a draft guru, his story is one of the best to come out of the game in the last 40 years. Not to plug his book, but it’s a good read! Tons about the early Isles and building today’s Wings, but overall just how far a straight-up love of hockey can take you as a non-player (and not a corporate lawyer like Bettman/Daly/etc.). A true legend.
Great idea bringing him in for his insight, CB! I’m always impressed with your reach in getting guys on here. Too bad he couldn’t come out and throw a best name out there for us…
maybe Snow wants everyone to think he is going to take VH so tampa will look to trade. why not trade with the isle? if it works great, if not tampa trades the pick to another team and we take JT last minute, and now try to trade with another team for #2 or #3.
and as long as the posts like this keep coming, so much for my idea about CB taking a break until a few days before the 26th.
one thing though, devellano was in line with CB’s idea of announcing the pick - if they know it - before the draft. even weeks before, to “Make the best player part of your franchise …Let your fans get excited about him.”
it makes a ton of sense. that they haven’t done so could mean a few different things, but is there any doubt that the fans aren’t excited and getting more so without knowing? this has been nuts, and it’s getting more and more nuts every day. it’s most sustained interest in this team since the ‘93 run, and this is THE PLACE for it all. again, helleva job CB!
CB - A couple of weeks ago I asked if you could do an interview with Jimmy Devellano about the draft. Thank you so much. The man has a great hockey mind and he’s a true legend. We should all be grateful for his service to this organization. I just started reading his autobiography (front cover pictured above), and I recommend all die-hards pick up a copy.
Jimmy speaks the truth. The only successful way to build a winner is to pick the best player available and let your trusted scouts run the draft table. Fan and blog chatter is just background noise. I urge everyone to just sit back, enjoy the draft, and stop pretending like you are qualified to make this decision. We are going to add a potentially great piece to the puzzle.
NICK- when do they listen to the fans? chants were sung for years as the angry villagers waved their pitchforks and torches in the air, and still, he-who’s-name-must-not-be-spoken, kept plunging the franchise deeper and deeper into nhl’s basement
So … if you’re not for Tavares, you’re not a real Isles fan, but if the Isles pick someone other than Tavares, you walk away from the team?
Hmmm.
CB- Let me start off by saying, I have my fingers crossed that they draft Tavares.
However, drafting Hedman or even Duschene will also be very good for the Isles futur.
If the team is looking to build quickly, look for JT to be the man, anyone else, and we are looking at a slow process, and another lottery pick next spring.
I am not saying that drafting Tavares will result in instant playoff potential, but I think it can mean the difference between 27-30 or 22-25 in positionning.
“The Islanders always zig when everyone else zags” - this line after last years draft still stings. Sums up the last 15 years quite concisely. I will be calling for the consensus pick up until that sentence finally (if ever?) becomes:
“The Islanders always zig when everone else zags…and its brought them the Stanley Cup”
Bob - I lived through it too, and unlike some people here I don’t have the memory of any championships to fall back on. The point I was making was the same as Devellano - you pick Tavares because you think he’s the best player, not because the fans want him. I genuinely don’t think a team should make personnel decisions based solely on what its fans want.
Although Mr. Devellano said that only the scouting dept should make the picks, he did mention that the hometown Kid Pat Lafontaine was on their board in 83 not only b/c of his great talent but also the ability to sell tickets to the fans who would pay to see a local hero-so scouting isn’t the only consideration. If Hedman and Tavares are “studs” at their respective positions, why not take the exciting offensive player to sell more tickets? Nobody buys season tickets to watch a stud D-man dive in front of pucks.
What if Taveres turns out to be like Spezza or Vanek and we are all insisting we take him over Hedman? Then Hedman turns out like Chara or Phaneuf.
Excitement disappears after these guys make it into the league. If Hedman truly is the better player then suck up the fans complaints and pick Hedman.
Wang is better off losing some ticket sales next summer and selling out for years with a great dman than selling out next year and living in mediocrity for years with a flashy one dimensional regular season forward.
Matt on Jun 17th, 2009 13:35:34 said:
“I find it hard to believe that fans will stop being fans if they take Hedman.”
Watch me too.
I just can not believe that the Islanders organization with all the hype they are putting into the draft party and telling everyone how many fans have their tickets for the event that Garth Snow would allow it all to happen if he wasn’t going to select JT. Just going by what happened last year when they traded down twice and the reaction from the fans (and that wasn’t even close to the level we are at this year having the 1st setection).
Even though I know VH will probably be a stud D-man, I am with a lot of you when I say if they don’t select JT, that may very well be the last straw for me.
I am all set to go to the draft party and buy a ticket plan if the Isles draft JT, but if its anyone else the money stays with me. DRAFT JT !!!
Why can’t the Isles do what everyone else would do. Take JT. I am sorry but a backup goalie who lucked out getting a gm job, should not be trying to outsmart the rest of the league. JT has been the 2009 #1 pick for 3 years.
If he picks Hedman I will no longer cheer for the isles. I will become indifferent. Then in a few years if Hedman actually developes and the team is good I will get on the bandwagon. I have every right to say this cause I have been a fan since the late 70’s as a kid.
I am sick of these people saying how JT is a one dimensional player. If you would look back a few years you just might find one of the best scorers in the league was considered a one dimensional player, a timid player who couldn’t check anyone and yet we still managed to win a few games. If your wondering that player was Mike Bossy #22. How did that turn out? So please shut your stinking mouth about one dimensional. DRAFT JT !!!!
Can you imagine, the whole hockey world looking at the Islanders, TSN VS and all the writers, the Islanders step up to the podium and select.. Hedman the broadcasts go to the draft party at the coliseum to show 12-16,000 fans booing, making angry gestures and chanting Garth must go. Don’t think Snow hasn’t thought of this. I am not saying it won’t happen but how could this organization embarrass itself again and again,if they are going to pick Hedman or Duchene they should do it NOW, at least to avoid the public flogging that would accompany such an unpopular pick.
Yeah, nobody ever came to the arena to see Potvin play. Nobody ever cared if Bobby Orr was playing… or Ray Bourque. The fans in Detroit aren’t even aware of who Nick Lidstrom is. The Ranger fans never cared much for watching Brian Leetch play.
There’s absolutely no reason to take Hedman.
But seriously… for you whiners… the reason you don’t mention your pick is to leave the possibility that some team gives you something for nothing… i.e. TB does want Hedman badly and is willing to give you something to ensure you take Tavares even though you were planning that all along.
But to point out to you… TB is cash strapped. There is wide speculation that they want to move VL and his large contract and replace him with younger cheaper talent a.k.a. Tavares.
Also, if not having some unproven 18 year old kid is actually the thing that will make you abandon your team then you’re really not a fan to begin with. You should want your team to win. Personally, I don’t care if they win 1-0 or 9-4. I just want to see wins… and tight defensive play is very exciting. Hedman provides top defensive play AND exciting offensive puck movement.
Either one of these guys will be great. Stop whining. It doesn’t suit hockey.
Please dont compare JT to Bossy. I can name a ton of one dimensional players that never expanded their game. Bossy also had the luxury of playing with 4 other Hall of Famers and a Hall of Fame Coach. Look at Hedman at this point vs. where Lidstrom was at his age playing in the same league. Hedman might be farther along. I am NOT saying he will be better than Lidstrom, but the kid is a stud.
“Also, if not having some unproven 18 year old kid is actually the thing that will make you abandon your team then you’re really not a fan to begin with. You should want your team to win. Personally, I don’t care if they win 1-0 or 9-4. I just want to see wins… and tight defensive play is very exciting. Hedman provides top defensive play AND exciting offensive puck movement.
Either one of these guys will be great. Stop whining. It doesn’t suit hockey.”
Bingo. I’ve loved the idea of taking Hedman from the beginning and would die laughing at how many Islanders fans jump ship at that decision as if VH was chopped liver. Get over yourselves.
CB - great back to back blogs!! Thank you for keeping us entertained and keep up the good work!
Bryan #34 - you and others bring up a valid question (”What if Taveres turns out to be like Spezza or Vanek and we are all insisting we take him over Hedman? Then Hedman turns out like Chara or Phaneuf.”) Nobody can predict the career of either JT or VH, so there’s a high degree of luck involved either way. The majority of fans (me included) want JT and most people would agree that VH will probably be an outstanding defenseman for many years to come. But those of us who prefer JT can not and will never fault Snow and Co. for taking JT over VH given that JT is the nearly unanimous first choice around the league. If JT nevers scores one goal in the NHL, we have no right to blame Snow for the pick and say that he should’ve known. I think most pro-JT fans on this site would agree.
Matt on Jun 17th, 2009 13:35:34 said:
“I find it hard to believe that fans will stop being fans if they take Hedman.”
Oh, I’ll still be a fan alright, from my EASY CHAIR IN MY HOUSE WHILE I’M WAITING FOR THE TEAM TO FIRE SNOW OR MOVE TO KC.
And no, I’m not kidding. No JT, no ticket plan. We ain’t writin’ on a clean slate here. This would not be ONE instance of zagging rather than zigging a fan could overlook. We’ve had 15 YEARS OF THIS CRAP.
Wonderful interview, CB. I love when you get people from the dynasty era to speak with you. Jimmy D has some great insight.
Jerky #43 - I hear what you are saying and to some extent I agree. However, when Milbury traded #2 overall and Chara for Yashin everyone said the exact same thing. People didnt care what we had to give up so long as we had a legit star coming to bring the Islanders back to glory. For one season we got our wish however that move has killed the organization as a whole for years to come.
There is no way for you or I to predict how they will be in the NHL but if the Islander scouts truly believe in their hearts that Hedman is the much better hockey player then we have to choose Hedman.
I will be happy either way.
Snow is picking JT! After listening to the encore of NHL Live if you listen to Snow’s voice when Billy asked him about 90% of the fans wanting JT, you can hear the excitement in his voice. It didn’t sound AT ALL like he was already preparing for a huge backlash from fans. I, myself, am now convinced. Are you?
I too hope the Isles draft JT. However, some of these comments are just shameful, and more than a little embarrassing. For all you Isles “fans,” who would abandon this team for taking Hedman (a player of unlimited and immense potential):
GOOD RIDDANCE
ok, lets all come back to reality. They will choose Tavares. it is not even close. for all the reasons mentioned. they will not fill up the coli to select Hedman and have people chanting “Snow must go” Garth’s a good guy, he will do us right. they said on day we won lottery that they are very excited for the fans. Since almost all of us want JT that is who he is referring to. we are a week away… to keep it interesting the pendulum is swinging towards hedman now a bit.. (not really- but just in appearance) it will come back full force Tavares.
#46 thanks! any way to listen to it?
I’m amazed at all General Manager-Bloggers on this site who have drawn a line in the sand and will quit being a fan and hold there breath until they turn blue if they don’t get the present they want on x-mas morning (or draft night). Really….abandoning a team that you claim to be a fan of over a player that you have never seen play and that has never played in the NHL. Part of being a fan is enjoying the debate and offering opinions…but that’s all they are opinions. None of us are hockey professionals, we do not know more than our GM (like or hate him, it is still true). I’ve gone back an forth on who I wanted and right now I’m hoping for Tavares but I if we take Hedman than
I centainly won’t be crying. Obviously the hockey world is far from united about the best player. Either way we get a great prospect without any guarentees. Look, I survived their first season when they won only 12 games and I’ll survive (and enjoy) this draft no matter which way it turns out.
This is getting crazy. In the end I think it will be Tavares. I must say the speculation about the Islanders drafting VH has me thinking a couple of things.
1 Snow is doing a masterful job of running interference for his collegues.
2 There are a lot of people in Hockey who do not want to see Tavares in an Islander uniform.
3 I feel a majority of Hedman fans in this blog arent real Islander fans.
What ever the case draft the best player available. Tavares.
CB,
In light of recent news, and assuming Garth and CW were willing to take on the salary, you think Ottawa would consider picks #26 (thir pick anyway) and #31 plus a prospect for Heatley?
is it the 26th aleady. 8 more days of this is going to suck. it seems that we are all of the opinion that it is now between hedman and JT and not duchene. best is JT (how do you not draft a scorer after you did no have one 20 goal scorer and just 2 the year before)or hedman going to be a great defenseman but will only reach his potential coming on UFA and may abandon isles. either way we will ahve a good player at least on the outset. I have always said, while Hedman may be the better player over time for the isles, they need to draft JT for the present.
I’ve been a fan since the team’s inception, been through the losing days in the beginning and savored all 4 cup victories….having said that, I read pretty much every post about the Isles and the draft, and the way most of you so-called fans are acting, it’s as if management is hired to listen to your qualms and desires…I’ll go out on a limb here and say that most of us have no hockey management experience whatsoever, and we may not agree on Wang’s choice of Snow to run the team, but that won’t keep me from being a fan of the Isles, nor should the 1st pick in the draft regardless of who they pick….for fans, alot of you come across as a joke….stop being fans because you didn’t get your way? that’s exactly how alot of you act, and I’m guessing that there are many children here….a true fan supports them through both the good and the bad, no matter who they decide to draft….I’ll still be there cheering or booing, as is my right as a fan, but I’ll not stop being a fan….I love that the Isles have the 1st pick, and will cheer for whomever they pick…the Isles are still “my team”, and for all of you who say you’ll quit following the team, I say good riddance, you’re not much of a fan anyway…this team, as it is today couldn’t contend for a spot in the playoffs, and it won’t matter which “stud” they take, the Isles are not going to change overnight….
i cant wait to see this site a week from today when were actully 48 hours from the draft. all of our crazy comments now will prob seem normal by then lol
Just wondering…..why did Devellano leave the Islanders? How would history be different had he stayed in the fold?
Sorry but in this situation I can compare Bossy to JT, because i am going on facts at the time Bossy was drafted and what was being said of his abilities which is the reasons why he wasn’t selected in the top 10.
I am not basing my not buying tickets this year on just the selection of JT. There are so many more decisions that have been made over the years from this and other Islander personel that have made me so on the edge with this team. I am a fan a true blue & orange fan, but can not understand how this team makes some of it’s decisions.
If we need defense why didn’t we select Schenn last year, or if defense is the corner stone why did we trade Chara or Kasparitis for that matter. You can not tell me that by drafting Hedman, there will be a roar around Long Island that says come see the Islanders play, we go a tall guy that can skate. Yeah!
But i will guarrantee that if they draft JT the Islanders will have LI’s attention as well as all of Canada to see him play. This guy has been the next coming for years and now that we have a chance to draft him we choose now to say defense wins games. Thats fine, I will still be a fan if they draft Hedman just won’t see the need to be in the building to see him skate around the rink as much as i would want to be there to see JT light the lamp. I am sorry to say but defenseman are boring and we need excitement.
The most telling comment was at the end. YES - ANNOUNCE YOUR PICK NOW!
I hope Snow listens and takes the best players available with ALL of his picks in the 1st 3 rounds….starting with JT of course.
It’s not like the fans want Steve Webb when Mario Lemieux is available though. The fans want the guy who the majority of scouts etc. agree is the best available player, and definitely the best available forward. All fans are asking for, I think, is that the Islanders do the normal thing this year.
Re: Bryan (34)… FWIW, Chara and Phaneuf have the exact same number of Stanley Cup championships between them as Spezza and Vanek do.
BPA, regardless of who it is.
Blizzard - I am an real islanders fan and I am for them drafting Hedman. I can’t be a real fan because I won’t jump on the Tavares bandwagon? Please.
well said #61
so if what he says is true, why arent we discussing about the player they announced were taking? why is it we are still arguing on who to take? just tell us already!!
All of you people that are saying that you won’t be fans if they don’t take Tavares are a bit of a joke. Listen, I want Tavares as badly as anyone here, and I’ve suffered as long as anyone here, but if the Islanders won zero games for ten straight seasons, all it would do would be to cause me more pain, but it would NEVER cause me to bail on this team. Either you are a fan or you are not a fan. If you tell me you won’t buy tickets, OK, I can buy that. But to tell me you aren’t a fan anymore means to me that you aren’t a fan right now. Sorry, that’s how I feel, I just think to me, the Isles are in my blood and making a bad draft pick (we’ve seen too many of them to count) won’t change that. All this being said, I’ll be one of the 15,000 helping to tear down the Coliseum next Friday if Tavares isn’t the pick.
Jeff #58
Well said!!! bravo!!!
For all of you who keep saying that “we need to quit being babies and trust our gm and management” what team have you been cheering for these last 15 or so years? They have not earned our trust. The management of this team has been a complete joke. What about trusting the vast majority of the other GMs who would take JT. I watch and cheer for a sports team becuase it is FUN. Well the isles being a joke and not winning is not FUN. So if you want to continue wasting your money on a joke of a team (if they take Hedman) that is fine. Just save enough money to buy that KC jersey.
I’ll say this much for Snow…with all the speculation and misdirection going on, he’s created a situation where he’ll be touted by fans as “GM of the Year” for making the pick (JT) that was the no-brainer all along. Shrewd move. All that assumes, of course, JT is the pick.
Great interview, CB- its so cool to hear from someone like Jim Devellano. Im happy that he said something that I believe is so true- that fan opinions shouldnt mean jack squat in this decision. Fortunately, I think the Islanders agree!
As far as the daily threats go, remember this- if JT is as good as you think he is, then he will make that clear and he WILL be the one that the Islanders pick. So whats the problem in that? If you are that confident in the kid, then be confident that he has the ability to wow a team into taking him 1st overall.
yellowhat. management has changed and theres a difference between milbury and snow so yea, i think that they will make the right decision evenif that means the fanbase wont like it becuase snow said he will build a team that will bring home the cup. if that means its hedman then so be it. im still confident he will pick JT though.
one of the 5 questions nhldotcom asked Tavares : what are your favorite pieces of sports memorabilia? the answer? a mike bossy stick and an espo stick, those mean the world to me because i model my game after them
how can an islander fan NOT want this kid? and not want him to succeed, 50 in 50 shirts baby! print them up at the draft party!!! lol ok ok i’m kidding about the 2nd paragraph of course, but the 5 questions thing is true
It’s not like Hedman is a defensive defenseman. He scores plenty. I read Jimmy’s book “Road to Hockeytown”, and this isn’t the first time Detroit has been close but lost. It’s easy to think of the Wings as perpetual winners, but they’ve had their share of misery as well.
#58… Bossy was drafted when we already had Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier (amongst others). You simply cannot (if you actually know what you’re talking about) compare the situations.
Why did we trade Chara? Easy. Because Milbury is a complete idiot.
Kasparaitis is kind of a non-issue. You must not watch much hockey if you think he was pivotal in any way.
The question about Luke Schenn may be valid. I would agree that Tavares is a no-brainer if they had taken Schenn last year but they didn’t. The team currently has 1 quality defenseman.
Though Tavares will undoubtedly be a star, your assessment is horribly overstated. In 4 years in the OHL did he win anything? Superstars in the minors tend to be able to lift their whole club. Tavares peaked in his second year in the OHL. His goal total in his third year was the lowest of the 4. His point total in year 4 was lower than that of years 2 or 3.
You’re excitement stems mostly from what a very young kid did 3 years ago and hasn’t done since.
So if a guy scores 80 goals and then the next two years he score 71 & 69 he isn’t good?
CB, the Isles have to know that they are building their fan base into a frenzy over this draft! I would have to think that if the pick is Hedman, it has to be announced prior to the draft to help promote him and give the fan base a chance to digest the pick! You can’t have the whole world watch the NVMC go beserk over not picking JT! It would be a total embarassment to the franchise and we would see the Isles org spend the whole week after the draft doing damage control and trying to build excitement for a defenseman instead of celebrating a great pick-up! And how would Hedman feel??You think he would be excited coming to a place where the fan’s didn’t want him? Waiting till draft night to announce Hedman is a disaster waiting to happen. If the announcement waits till draft night, it has to be Tavares!!
Rob #73. after that year, other teams totally changed their gameplan around to play him. he was by far (according to Justin Dibo) the most accounted for and planned for player in the entire league. this is coupled with media attention , scrutiny, and renzy that perhaps no canadian Kid has ever received. he also played a ridiculous amount of hockey (he started in the ohl at 14!!) and was really going agains tthe whole world as a worn out kid.. (he laso said that he was focusing on defense etc…) he still did great. if teams played against him like they did Duchene, for example, he would’ve probably duplicated his 70 plus goals. that’s why i am so excited to see what he does in the nhl in thwe beginning, when he isn’t shadowed
My opinion is if Garth Snow doesn’t draft JT he too will be an idiot. As is Mad Mike. That is my whole point, I have been putting up with Idiots running this team for too many years I put my heart and sole into this team year after year and just when i start to believe we are going in the right direction something stupid happens and we are right back where we were when we let Lafontain go, when we let Ziggy go, when we could have drafted Heatley or Gaborik, instead we trade away a stud goalie in Luongo and draft DP. (that year we had 2 picks in the top 5, and what did we do we drafted DP & Raffi Torres, we could have taken Heatley or Gaborik and then got DP at 5 but did we, NO!) If any other team had the first pick this would be a no brainer the talk would be about JT going to whoever, the only reason why this is even a topic is because the Islanders have the first pick and no other team thinks anything of us. I may be completely wrong about this but this is how i feel and I WANT JT to be a NY ISLANDER!
Yellowhat, if you’re just around here for the “FUN” of it, I’d have to say you’re coming from quite a different perspective than most of the diehards here. I’d even have to wonder why you’re even reading this blog.
Maybe you can find another activity that’s more amusing, because I (and I doubt I’m alone here) never thought of being an Islander fan as “FUN” - even in those rare occasions when they won. Honestly, I’d be perfectly happy if you did stay home this year. No need for any fairweather fans like you at the Coliseum.
IMO, this draft is pivotal for Snow and the scouts and all of us are going to rate them based on their selections and how they turn out. As long as they DO NOT select MD first overall, I will not disparage the GM and his crew. If they trade down and don’t get a kings ransom for the #1 pick, I will be extremely disappointed. I want JT 100% but will continue to watch the team on Center Ice same as before if they select VH.
If the hockey gods are listening, please don’t let JT end up on Toronto (or the Rangers somehow)! That would truly just suck to have to listen to them for the next 20 years.
#74 exactly. The video of the reaction at NVMC would be a staple for generations. It would make the franchise more of a joke in North America. Why would Hedman want to come here after viewing it. This will stick in his mind and he will bolt LI as soon as he can. If they want Hedman they HAVE to announce it in the next few days. If they don’t and take him; they better have plenty of security because it aint gonna be pretty. Management doesn’t want to pack the house with 16,000 fans who will embarass the organization. So I am confident it will be JT.
TMC, your faith in management is admirable, but if they always picked the best players, we wouldn’t be in last place by a country mile
The fans’ anxiety on this issue is precisely because of a long series of glaring blunders. If we were the Detroit Red Wings, fans would probably have a bit more faith that management will make the best decision regardless of who they select. The Islanders? They still have a bit more to prove to earn that trust and confidence.
#75 - Yes, that’s an understandable response. Note that I was not actually trying to bash Tavares… just saying that some are overstating his prowess. I’d be very happy to have him as an Islander. But I do think it’s odd that you don’t think he’d be shadowed in any way after all of the hype. That might be true if he was playing behind some other offensive star but other teams will likely shut him down as an Islander… especially with only 1 quality defenseman that can possibly get the puck up to him.
That said, I’d also be very happy to have Hedman. It should not be forgotten that his stock rose while playing in the Swedish Elite League against all over 18 players. It is not likely that the NHL is as big of a jump.
But again… my big issue is with the “Tavares or nothing” crowd. Havning Tavares would be great but that attitude is pure ignorance.
Rob how can you say we only have one quality D-MAN? ask crosby or jagar if they like playing against wittshift after shift. he is not a good offensive dman but a solid quality defender. plus if you add scuderi or komisarik to the mix our D is in pretty good shape imho
#61 put it best.
No picking a goalie #1 overall. No trading a #2 for an disgruntled Russian. No trading down from #5 TWICE. Just do what 90% of the teams would do to save us the embarrassment. Be normal. For once.
#80 - Witt is very strong and very tough… and very slow. I think his +/- was around -23 last season. That’s not very good. Few players want to battle him in front of the net but few players (maybe even myself) would be very worried at all if they’re carrying through the neutral zone and see Witt or Sutton in front of them. Simply too slow.
#20 - Right on. As Jim Devellano said, let Garth and his scouts get the guy that THEY feel is the best player.
As for anyone who would bolt if the Isles don’t take the player they want…the rest of us will survive.
CB-Great work as usual
Matt on Jun 17th, 2009 13:35:34 said:
I find it hard to believe that fans will stop being fans if they take Hedman. Sure Tavares may score 40 goals a year but Hedman has the chance to become a stud dman in this league.
I am done after almost 30 years, sick of the same old tired, lame boring team for over a decade.
#11….your last two sentences were great.
CHRISTMC…..the problem is Snow, unlike you we actually can face the faults of him and his team.
Isles need to focus on the simple rule of life
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple Stupid
JT
just some #’s since rob likes to pick and choose his stats…
5, 2, 3, 1 those are # of 50+ goal scorers in a season in 06, 07, 08, 09
11 total since the lockout done by 7 individuals, a lot of the scouts say he’s got that kind of potential, and we take a pass? i would be a little let down is all
“And with the number one pick the New York Islanders select Scott Scissons”
Please never again
I think Snow is being smart not announcing the pick- - keeps the suspense up, builds excitement and maximizes his options- -what if a great offer comes from another desperate team that enables him to get who the islanders deem the best player and a sweetener. . . never shut any doors until you have to. Would the fan base be so very upset if we got Hedman and Duchene??
Wow. I pick and choose my numbers? At least I’m going by actual numbers. You are in some kind of tizzy about theoretical numbers because I suggested that Tavares is not the next Gretzky/Lemieux/Crosby… or for that matter Bossy. He simply is not. There is not a single scout that has suggested that he is but some of the fans are getting a bit over excited.
If you think he will be scoring 50 goals for the Islanders any time soon then you’ve got a serious let down coming. The player they have suggested he is similar to is Brett Hull. I would certainly love to have a Brett Hull type player on the Islanders.
That said, I would also love to have a 6′6″ defenseman who was also compared very favorably to top defensemen. I’ve heard a lot of nonsense over the past year about “you can’t teach goal scoring” and other such things. That’s drivel but there are some things you truly cannot teach. One of them is size. Hedman is 6′6″
Hedman is more of a question mark than JT based on years and scrutiny. We should really make run at Bouwmeester. that dude is also 6-5 and he’s everything you want Hedman to become anyway. if you are so infatuated with Hedman size and skill, draft Tavares and sign Bouwmeester. how great would that be???? Tavares, Boumeester and another blue chipper in round 1. if they really want a big D man they can do it that way
Brett Hull scored over 50 goals numerous times!!!! Yet you say people are dreaming if they think he can score 50….
Hey guys- great post by CB and good comments by everyone involved. I would like to say something about the fans opinion not being included in a draft decision. I agree, as fans we do not know nearly as much about these draftees as the professional scouts do. However, we are the people who fill the seats in the arena. I’m a fan who kicks the damn television when they broadcast the Devils and Rangers games over Islanders games while I am at school in upstate NY. We are all fans who have endured the last 10-15 years of pain.. I don’t think any “fake” fans would spend their time on this site, espescially during June.
With that being said, I would like to think that Snojanks is aware of what their fanbase has gone through (if not during the last 15 years, then certainly with last season’s dismal performance alone). It’s clear the fans (and the players on the ice) want/need somebody to help us score goals. We have Mark Streit, a great offensive defensemen, and some really solid defensive d-men in Witt and Martinek. What we don’t have is a 40-goal scorer…. or a 30-goal scorer….. or a 20-goal scorer. The fans say pick Tavares. I’d like to think Garth isn’t that stupid.
I can’t wait for Friday night, and I PROMISE I’m going to be a fan regardless of who gets to wear our 2009 draft hat. I am not going anywhere, and neither should any of you.
If Garth plans on taking someone other than Tavaras then they shouldn’t have had the draft party…
and which actual #’s did you use for hedman (besides his height) and just so we’re clear, gretzy, who put up almost 3 points per game in his OHL season, couldnt LIFT his team into the playoffs there… i love a good debate, but unfortunately we’re BOTH comparing apples to oranges here…. you are 100% wrong about teaching scoring tho, lapoint, if you could teach scoring should have been a 50+ goal scorer then no?
avolp55turgeonfichaud,
So if they go off the board and screw this up we should just be blind following fans and go along with mismanagement year after year. No thanks it is getting played out.
Devellano said “the scouts have seen these kids dozens of times. Make the best player part of your franchise as soon as possible, make him feel like he was your guy. Let your fans get excited about him.”…
Thats the gist of it and it begs the question for Chris Botta, what do you say about that?, agree or disagree???
#103 you say you can’t win it by yourself and I agree, but earlier you said JT never won anything in juniors, could it be the players around him weren’t that good? Plus nobody is expecting 50 goals from him his rookie season. 25 would make everybody happy…
The Isles are probably 4-5 players away from being contenders, and that’s if Okposo, Bailey, Nielsen, Comeau, Hillen and Gervais continue to progress.
Joensuu, Dibo, Martin and Katic may be part of their future. NOWHERE in that list is a 220+ lb defenseman that has the potential to mature into a 25 minute, PP/PK D.
I think we all saw what a difference Streit makes when he is on the ice… Can VH be that much of an influence with 15% more body mass?
I don’t know enough about either player, but if Snow can use some of his assets to get a 25-30 year old premiere forward, then Hedman is the pick.
If they F**K this up and pick anyone other then JT, They better move to Kansas because 16,000 will get rid of the Coliseum for them.
Maybe thats Wang’s plan for the Lighthouse, draft Hedman, let all the raging fans tear the Coliseum to the ground (free demolition, saves $$) and then build the Lighthouse!
JT or KC
geomc #92
“And with the number one pick the New York Islanders select Scott Scissons”
HA!!! remember that mess!
What a year draft to select 6th.
Doug Weight was drafted in that year as well!
Didn’t the Rangers take him?
“Maybe thats Wang’s plan for the Lighthouse, draft Hedman, let all the raging fans tear the Coliseum to the ground (free demolition, saves $$) and then build the Lighthouse!”
That’s funny!
Snow is a very smart man. He has the whole nhl believing we will take Hedman. We will trade the 1st pick to TB they select Hedman and then we get Tavares plus a sweetner at 2. He is a genious.
Unless Snow-Janks-Wang are masochists– which they could be, possibly– I am more convinced than ever they will be drafting Tavares.
Why have a poll? Why have a contest? Why have a running tally of how many people claimed tix to the draft party, when they have to know that if they don’t take Tavares, the Draft Party will turn into the Draft Riots?
I’m not saying taking Tavares is a good or a bad thing or the right or the wrong move, I’m just pointing out the overwhelming majority opinion and how the Isles HAVE to know about it at this point.
Marc #62 - Its not worth much being that the cup was also never won by Darryl Sittler, Cam Neely, Mats Sundin, Dino Ciccarelli, Mike Gartner, Michel Goulet, Pat Lafontaine, Dale Howerchuk, Brad Park, Marcel Dionne… Well no need to go on.
They’re even hyping all the things you can do during and after the draft…How could they piss everyone off, or almost everyone, and expect a party???
It would be a slap in the face…
In light of this week’s festivities involving David Letterman, I proudly present the Top 10 List of Isles First Round Picks:
1. Scott “we didn’t want Jagr anyway” Scissons
2. Brett “the better” Lindros
3. Duncan “tree? what tree?” MacPherson (OK, low blow, my apologies on that one)
4. Dave “I can’t think of a smart ass nickname for him” Chyzowski
5. Todd “anger management” Bertuzzi
6. Ryan “we’d really love another 3rd line player” O’Marra
7. Robert “we-don’t-need-no-more-stinkin’-Parise’s” Nilsson
8. Wade “why?” Redden
9. Michael “who?” Rupp
and, the best Isles first round pick ever…
10. Petteri Nokelainen
Ta
Va
Res
Please.
CB: I don’t think it ever gets old hearing that your work is truly respected and greatly appreciated so I will say it again. I love the reads and always look forward to opening your website to see what new perspective you were able to dig up. I think you should be commended for keeping post’s coming on a daily basis when hockey is not even being played.
I think at this point I would be disappointed if the Islanders announced their pick after keeping it a secret for so long. It would be like when you were a kid and you peeked at your Christmas presents before Christmas morning and the excitement was not quite there or maybe you did not get what you asked for and felt disappointed knowing. The Islanders would be crazy to reveal their pick at this point. They have built up so much excitement and anticipation amongst their fan base to this point. A sell out on Draft Party day? That is incredible. If we get what we want; I am sure it will absolutely crazy at the old barn. No matter what this has been a fun ride and the future looks bright. Have a good night and thanks again.
There are a few reasons why you would not announce that it’s Tavares if you are Snow:
1. It’s not Tavares. It’s Hedman or Duchene.
2. It’s Tavares, but you want TB to think it’s Hedman, so they trade with you, and you get another asset.
3. You just want to mess with Brian Burke, who would have to have approached TB already with the offer for #2 should the Isles take Hedman.
If Snow was simply set on Tavares without any other agenda, he’d have announced it by now.
If it’s not Tavares and it is Hedman, I hope all the people who say that if Tavares isn’t the pick, they’ll walk … do exactly that. I agree with those posters who say that Hedman might have second thoughts if he sees the whole place moan and groan. So be as good as your word … or you have no reason to complain about Snow’s supposed rationalizations after the fact. You would be no different.
kevin cheveldayoff,
Dean Chenewyth
scott lachance (sort of)
Brad Dalgarno
these guys weren’t superstars either
Jim D is right. Name the pick and make him part of the franchise ASAP. Help out the Marketing Dept, ticket sales, jersies etc etc. JUST NAME THE PICK.
The mock draft site I check has changed, getting scary out there.
Updated: June 15th
1 Islanders
Victor Hedman
Ht/Wt:6.06/220 lbs
Position:LD
Drafted From:Modo (Swe JE)
2 Tampa
John Tavares
Ht/Wt:6.00/199 lbs
Position:C
Drafted From:London (OHL)
3 Avs
Matt Duchene
Ht/Wt:5.11/200 lbs
Position:C
Drafted From:Brampton (OHL)
Dont worry yesterday i was on a mock draft database and over 70% them said tavares was the pick. Also i dont think snow has a choice with this pick at this point the fans have backed him the corner and will go crazy if tavares isnt the pick which creates a bad situation for hedman if he is the pick.
Why settle for 2nd or 3rd best, when you can have the best Tavaras, Tavaras, Tavaras. What alot of you are doing is what Mad Mike did trying to beat the odds.
I think most of you are hilarious, saying that you are done being a fan of the team if they draft hedman. I think we all want a winning team on the island, and i am pretty sure JT can’t do that alone. If Garth thinks hedman is better for the long term, better to have for a strong team, more power to him, and make him an islander. The team will do fine if all you so called fans stop rooting for them. They will always be my team to cheer for. Go Islanders Go!!!!!!!!!
troywinsor
How long have you been an Islander Fan? A week? You clearly have more patience than us fans that have been with the team since the cup years and have watched bone head move, after bone head move and ruin this franchises legacy.
I for one will not be a fan any longer if they blow this. If you’re not tired of the losing and not willing to sell a kidney for a STANLEY CUP, then you have not been here long enough to comment on how we feel about who the Islanders pick or how we express our feelings of frustration for 15 + years of miserable decisions running this franchise into the ground.
I’m tired of the hearing “defense wins championships”. Its not true, its balance that wins championships. Look at all the great dynasty teams over the years in any sport and they were all very balanced on the offense and defense. Right now the Isles are unbalanced and far as offense, but they need defense too. Either pick would be good for them this year, but I fear with the development of a d-man that the chances they will bolt before the start to pay dividends in todays NHL is a real possibility. I say go for the “O” and pick up a developed d-man along the way. It will be easier if they draft Tavares to sign free agents, especially if he has a good rookie season and some of the kids like Okposo, Nielsen and Burgenheim continue to get better.
This is painful…Would TB actually give up a 2009 2nd rounder and a 2010 first for the #1 pick? The isles could use that and package the 26th pick and move up to 18. Then they keep all of their orig 2nd round picks and get Taveras at #2. If they pulled that off, I would need somne heart medication while that went down…
I wont go so far to say that I am not going to be a fan, however if they blow this pick I sure am not gonna be in a hurry to fork over money for tickets. As long as the Islanders are Long Islands team I will be a fan.
People who say we should have faith in our scouts are missing the fact that this franchise has pulled some serious bogus moves that basically have made this franchise the laughing stock of the NHL. Our anguish is real and sustained for a long time.
I do like Snow however, and as upset as I will be if we dont selsct JT I will wait to see how their pick plays out before I start calling for heads.
Granted Milbury isnt a hard act to follow, as impatient as I am I like the secrecy Snow is engaging in. And I like Baily. I was screaming when we passed on Filatov, now I feel differently.
But for heavens sake Garth, just take Tavares.
Tom, it sounds like I have been a fan for as long as you. Yes, i know there have been a lot of bonehead moves in the MM era, and I was just as fustrated. But I finally now see a gm who has a plan of building through the draft, which I am all for. If that means taking hedman, then that is good for me. I understand that most fans want JT, for good reason. But if the people in charge think one is better for bringing this team back to the playoffs, we should support them and not say we will quit being fans, even if its not the player we want as fans. By the way, anyone who jumps on the isles band wagon in the last week must have some good inside info on who they are drafting, lol.
Tavares or Hedman….either way I’m happy. Hearing fans say they’ll stop being fans if Hedman is selected is pathetic. It makes me want the Isles to draft Hedman to filter out those kind of fans. Go root for the Rangers. Hedman is an all-star talent and logs serious minutes. I’ve always thought the Isles will draft Hedman and still do. Either way, I’m happy.
I also disagree about the player being announced before the draft…no excitement then. Last years draft(Stamkos) was really boring. It’s smarter for the team, and the NHL, to wait until the draft.
#114 i think he would of announced it if it wasnt tavares i believe he hasnt announced it because he wants the picture from the NVMC with fans going crazy about the pick of tavares because lets be honest that place will rock if and when tavares is the pick.
I dont understand. Dont you guys who loves Tavares realize that him and Hedman are basically the same amount of skill.
That being said, why wouldnt you trade off the pick, draft Hedman anyways, and get enough to pry another top 5-10 pick and grab another foward.
Then you end up with Hedman, and possibly Kane, Schenn, MPS, Shroeder or Kassain.
Who in their right mind wouldnt want that?
Dont say it cant be done either, because Brian Burke has overpaid before at the draft and Im sure we can make him again!
Let’s be honest. As much as we all love Tavares, we will all still be Isles fans when the season opens in October should they pick anyone else and we would like them just as much. They are the professionals when it comes to scouting - not us. We are still very gun shy of all transactions due to the Milbury era. Garth is no Mike, lets stand behind him in a united front no matter what.
P.S., Garth: TAVARES…PLEASE! (Or the Taylor Hall watch will likely begin on June 27th!)
Hud #117- If it’s “my nhl draft” website then you should know that they consistently change their mock draft every week. I wouldn’t look too much into it. Nobody except Snow, RJ, and prob the scouts know who will be at the podium when the Isles pick. I have faith that the Isles will pick Tavares, as I already have his jerseys. But if it’s Hedman, well I have an old team Sweden jersey that could have lettering done.
Could we get a talent comparison of the top two picks into what they could develop into as an NHLer. For example I hear tavaras is going to probably be a Spezza and Hedman a Pronger or Chara. Are these approximations considered to be accurate, or are you hearing other things?
For those “fans” who say they are done if they don’t get there way…bye. What are you going to do become Maple Leaf fans until BB spews some more verbal diarrhea or doesn’t pick Taylor Hall next year with the #1 pick they get for finishing 30th? Then what? I’m quite sure I have been an Islander fan for longer than most of those that write here. I’ve lived through the bad times and the good times and the bad times again. I will be here for the good times again! Whomever we pick this year is but a piece to the championship puzzle. The pieces will come from the draft in the past and future, free agency and trades. They will combine to produce a successful team that I will be here to cheer for. So to all you quitters… don’t let the door of NVMC hit you on the way out!
Can’t wait to watch the draft so I can stop my crazy thinking. 16,000 fans at the colliseum is awesome. Perhaps Garth has something up his sleeve that will rock the house!!!!!!!!!!!
The Top Ten List is brutal, I hope our scouts aren’t allowed to drink before this draft like they did for the others.
Just listened on Internet to Garth’s interview on XM Radio. He was asked if he still favors one of the big 3, as he first indicated, he said “yes”. Meaning her has not changed his mind. He would not say who he would pick. He is well aware that there were 16,000 tickets given out, and is well aware the fans overwhelmingly want Tavares. He did go onto say it will be an exciting time (or something like that). Does this mean Taavres? I don’t know.
I don’t think Garth is a dummy and I trust he and his staff will make the right hockey\business decision. I want JT as much as anyone, but I will not stop following this team because people with better inside information and perspective have a differing opinion.
Miriam from Forest Hills was on Tony Paige’s WFAN recently and said she wants Tavares. That’s all Snow needs to know.
I agree that Snow should stand by his convictions and draft who he feels is the best player available FOR THIS FRANCHISE. If it is almost a tossup between JT and VH, with JT holding an edge, then you could argue who is the best player for the Isles. Most of us feel that player is John Tavares, and hopefully Snow is convinced of that as well. If JT was not in this draft, then I’d be for Hedman all the way. All the events of this past season have landed Tavares in our lap. Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth! Cmon, Ya gotta believe!
Matt Duchene will be wearing an Islanders uniform.
I am have a horrible feeling of deja vu. It was aprox 10 years ago when another “Star” in Ottawa wanted out. We had the 1st pick then as well. & dealt it for a “cant miss star” A.K.A Alexei Cash’in. I pray to all that is holy that we have learned from this an not to repeat the same mistake! Cuz you know they are going to coma a callin, just take JT! please.
Hi 127:
I said: “If Snow was simply set on Tavares without any other agenda, he’d have announced it by now.”
A desire for drama is another agenda. That said, I wonder whether Charles Wang will play any substantial part in this decision.
I think Garth Snow will do what he thinks is best for the team. Whether fans agree with his assessment is another issue.
Mike Bossy is the most popular Islander in team history for a reason. HE SCORED GOALS!!!!
Learn from this, take Tavares!!!!
Mike Bossy was the most popular Islander in team history? Seriously? Are you even an Islander fan? I was fairly young when he was first drafted but I was going to games with my dad who had season tix. Bryan Trottier was without a doubt more popular than Mike Bossy. I would also argue that Potvin and Smith were also more popular. I’ve easily talked to thousands of fans since before Bossy was drafted until today… I don’t actually recall anyone ever actually saying Bossy was their favorite player. Everyone liked him but when it wasn’t Trots, Denis, or Smitty it ended up being Tonelli or Nystrom. Occasionally, you even used to hear people say thier favorite was Gillies, Goring, or even Howatt. (Howatt was actually an awesome guy that everybody loved.) Everybody liked Bossy and he was most definitely exciting to watch - probably the greatest pure goal scorer to ever play in the NHL - but he was absolutely NOT the most popular Islander in team history.
That probably was Bryan.
BTW - Bryan scored goals, hit people, played defense, passed to Bossy, and was the only Islander in history to win a scoring title.
I think it’s sad that people who claim to be long time Islander fans are already bigger fans of some kid who hasn’t proven anything yet and are willing to throw their team to the curb in support of him.
Wins will bring fans out. A new arena could help. A high scoring player can help. It’s all fleeting if the team can’t win. Just build a freakin’ winner… I don’t care which young stud player you use to do it… because I’m a bigger fan of the Isles than I am of Tavares.
Starting to get the feeling that Isles may go with Hedman.
CB, any chance we can get Jimmy D. back on the Island in some capacity? And why did we ever let him go? Would love to hear about your interactions with the man who built the nearest thing to a dynasty we have seen since the Isles (Sorry, but I just can’t count the Oil with the 1-dimensional Wayne “The Wimp” Gretzky).
Oh, I would still pick Tavares, but am happy to leave it in the hands of those who make a living scouting and drafting players.
Rob (143). I’d recommend taking a peek at CB’s most recent article citing Comment Guidelines.
Also, take this for what it’s worth. At the Isles 25th anniversary and Cup Celebration, the Isles opened the AM skate to the fans and had the old timers on hand to sign autographs.
Each player (some were paired up) sat in designated sections and fans were asked to go sit in the corresponding section and wait to meet that player to shake hands, get an autograph, etc.
Time was limited and fans were informed they could only choose one player.
The greatest turn-out? — by far — quite possibly double any other player including Potvin, Trots, Smith, etc.
MIKE BOSSY!
Like I said, take that for what it’s worth. I know me and my buddy went immediately to Bossy’s section w/out hesitation.
I know Bossy was my parent’s favorite player.
I know Bossy was my buddy’s dad’s favorite player.
In short, I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about in knocking Bossy’s popularity.
Clearly it’s not accurate.
Take a look at pittsburgh. They 1st drafted a goalie 1st overall (fleury) in 2003, the following year they drafted a forward 2nd overall (malkin), then they drafted crosby 1st overall the next year, and finally staal 2nd overall. And now about 6 years into the whole rebuilding process they are stanley cup champions and are poised to contend for the cup for a very long time with the young core locked up. You got the goalie, if he ever gets healthy, you have okposo who is boised to breakout, bailey i’m not sold on mainly cause I preferred filatov, and bailey wasn’t even ranked among the current top 50 prospects while filatov was ranked #3. The offense was so pathetic that they couldn’t even light up the scoreboard against the worst defensive teams in the league. It’s tavares or bust. Their are other defensemen available later on in the 1st round and beyond like john moore, oliver ekman larrsson, and ryan ellis. Unless you want a packed house at the draft party to riot, and have the coliseum parking lot look like LA after the lakers win the nba finals then be my guest garth. You’ll have the coliseum torn to pieces, and be considered a bigger fool then milbury. So you better have a damn good reason to explain to 16,000 plus as to why tavares wasn’t the guy, and that you got all of islander country to come out to a draft party and be let down when the vast majority wanted tavares. Tavares is the best player in this draft. To hell what all those clowns in toronto have been saying that you should take hedman cause there are questions about JT’s game. Al Arbor convinced torrey to take bossy cause he could teach him how to play defense, and he turned out to have a great carreer. It all starts with tavares. After tavares you focus on building up the blueline and getting a young goalie. 18 years of rooting for this team, and i’m about tired of this. There are many who feel the same way who have been alive longer then me and have been cheering for this team since day 1. Pittsburgh and Washington have crosby and ovechkin as the faces of their franchises. Let’s make tavares the face of ours. 1st year prediction for tavares 20-25 goals.
#13
True words, some of the best I’ve ever read about this whole draft mess.
And yes, I’m scared too.
CB - In the past week I’ve read a whole lot of columns where people think that Hedman is going to be the pick. Even mock drafts have changed from JT to Hedman - Have you seen this too? Do you think there is any credible reason for these statements/changes? Is it something that has changed your mind about what they will do?
I cant wait for the sparks to fly on the draft floor when VH gets picked
People have revisionist history if they don’t think that Mike Bossy was without a doubt the MOST popular Islander during those years.
He was the back page story most days that there was an Islander story.
50 in 50, big time goals, etc. etc. etc.
He was without a doubt my FAVORITE Islander growing up and still is… and I’ve been a fan since ‘75.
I appreciate all the other core players… and have fond memories of them all… but noone brought people to the edge of their seats in anticipation like Bossy.
DOC
Well said DOC, Bossy was the scoring machine that made it work for the dynasty as Tavaras will be for the current Isles. Both natural born scoring machines.
I’m all for taking the best player available, as per Jimmy D., but ours is not the normal situation. With the Lighthouse hanging over us, we need to create a buzz and JT does that. JT and hedman are rated close enough that we have to keep “the big picutre” in mind
I agree, Doc. He wasn’t “THE BEST” player, but he was THE MOST POPULAR. So popular, and I suppose, marketable at the time, that there was a cartoon character who wore an Islanders #22 jersey in a pond hockey game. I don’t remember the name of the cartoon. Trottier was arguably the best, but Bossy was the most popular, and THE BEST GOAL SCORER EVER!!
Hey Hedman fans, stop comparing his numbers to Lidstrom at same age. You forget that Lidstrom stats got him drafted in #3 round and 53rd overall.
The 1989 draft in which lidstrom taken the First round Dman drafted were Adam Bennett (who?), Doub Zmolek?, Jason Herter? and Jason Marshall? Did any of those dman make the NHL?
Potvin was drafted in 1973. over 26 yrs ago. We didnt win a stanley cup till 1980.
We tried the Draft the Dman first round strategy for many years and if you look at history. All the top first rounds hall of famers were Fowards.
Other first round dman taken first round. Let me know how many of them you know.
1981 - Paul Boutiller, 1984- Duncan MacPherson, 1987- Dean Chynoweth, 1988 - Kevin Cheveldayoff, 1991 - Scott Lachance, 1992 Kaspiritis, 1995 Berard (actually redden drafted).
This compares to 1sr round fowards - Gillies, BOssy, Tambellini, D. Sutter, B. Sutter, Lafontaine, Bertuzzi, Dumont, Connolly.
With exception of Kasper and Berard, our success rate way lower with Dman.
Coming to this party late … been a busy couple of days … I’d like to throw in my 2 cents … maybe others have mentioned this … I haven’t read the posts on this thread yet.
I’ll start by restating the Jimmy D is one of my All-Time fave hockey executives … for obvious reasons.
I agree 100% with his statement that a club should select the BPA … but he also states that he was targeting Pat LaFontaine in 83 partly b/c he was a local boy and it would mean a lot to the fans. Jimmy … Love Ya Man … but have you since changed your tune because Yzerman delivered Detroit a Cup?? CB - ya should of played gottcha with that
anthony c reason why Bailey not on top 20 NHL prospects is same reason why Okposo not on there anymore, they are NHLer and not prospects were Filatov is not.
Bailey going to be great. His puck vision is amazing and he is incredible passer. He just needs to work on his strength which he will. I expect good things from him this year along with Bergie and Nielsen.
The freakin tension on this soap opera is amazing. I transplanted to South Florida, but will be at the draft party. I should be easy to find if Snowang chooses to go another route other than JT, I’ll be wearing my orange 3d jersey(should mask the bloodshed somewhat), and will be trying to get out of handcuffs to assist the other 16,234 in the early demolition of the ol’ barn! LOL…BUT, if the RIGHT option is taken, oh boy, the rafters will be shakin…LET”S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I felt the same way Devellano feels about announcing the 1st pick right away. I feel differently now that I’ve seen this fan energy playout. If the Isles announce Tavares early, the draft party would be anti-climatic.
I have a feeling Garth’s going to do the right thing by drafting Tavares while he has 18K of the biggest diehards at NVMC that will be storming the kiosks to be the first to have one of the first freshly minted Tavares jersey’s before Isles pick again.
Garth stating that “the fans will be excited” has me convinced he’s picking JT.