BOB McKENZIE OF TSN: “If the NYI pass on Tavares, there could be high drama on the draft floor”
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TSN’s Bob McKenzie, in my book the most respected and connected hockey reporter in North America, has stated that he believes the Islanders are leaning toward drafting Victor Hedman. I called Bob today to get some insight into his prediction. Our conversation broke out into other areas.
You’ve said on TSN it will be Victor Hedman for the Islanders. Can you explain how you’ve come to the prediction?
First things first. Would I take it to the bank? Probably not. I first predicted Hedman on a fun segment we do call the “TSN Quiz.” It was more than a month ago. Fact is, anyone can make a case for the Islanders taking Hedman, John Tavares or Matt Duchene because that’s how the Islanders have decided to play it. How do I come up with Hedman for the Islanders? I can’t get into specifics, but it’s from listening to people.
Can you understand why I believe they are drafting John Tavares?
Of course, because selecting Tavares would be the easist, most logical thing to do.
Why do you say that?
For TSN, I do draft ratings that will be out a week on Monday. I talk to 10-12 top scouts and then rank the players. Tavares was the No. 1 pick, and it was virtually unanimous.
I know you don’t want to give up your entire story, but were Hedman and Duchene 2-3 in either order?
Yes, that was also clear-cut, although some people in hockey don’t see it as a big fall-off from the third pick to 4 and 5 like others do.
If the Islanders don’t draft John first overall, what will your reaction be?
I don’t scout players, so you’ll never hear me say, “What a stupid pick”! You might hear me say, “What a ballsy pick,” but I won’t go after a team. All three of these kids are excellent young hockey players. Also keep in mind that the scouts I interview for the rankings, they don’t necessarily have their jobs on the line. Their picks could always be different if they were making the selection for the Islanders. I should also point out that no one seems to view John Tavares as a generational talent.
That’s said a lot about Tavares, but is there even a slight chance that he could be?
There always is. If you score enough goals, say more than 50 in this era, you’d have to at least be considered generational. And Tavares can score goals. He’s not dynamic like Alexander Ovechkin. He’s not going to take it the length of the ice and go through people. To use a basketball term, Tavares is an outstanding half-court player, fantastic inside the blueline.
Does it go without saying Tampa Bay would like Victor Hedman?
I don’t know. I can tell you this: if the Islanders do not draft Tavares, there could be high drama on the draft floor. Tampa Bay will listen to every offer it gets in those minutes.
So that would mean…
If the Islanders are not planning on drafting John Tavares, they have to be listening to offers.
What does Colorado want?
They have the easiest job, unless they want to re-invent the wheel. They take who is left of Tavares, Hedman and Duchene.
Who comes after the Big Three?
Lately the consensus is pretty strong in favor of Evander Kane and Brayden Schenn in some order. Those are the players that some scouts feel are very close behind Matt Duchene.
What do you recall about the Pierre McGuire meltdown after the Islanders passed on Zach Parise to take Robert Nilsson?
I was sitting next to Pierre in our TSN studio above the draft floor. As each team passed on Zach, Pierre’s anxiety was building. He just didn’t understand a pick he felt for a few teams should have been obvious. As for the Islanders, it was really bad timing – because of his father being J.P., because of the skill, because he seemed to land in the Islanders’ lap. I tell you, it was like Mount Vesuvius with Pierre. What I remember most is you at the bottom of the platform playfully pleading with Gord Miller to try to get Pierre to calm down. “Stop! Alright already”!
If you’re making the first overall selection for the Islanders on June 26, who do you draft?
John Tavares. The only issue, compared to Hedman and Duchene, is how much JT is going to score. Will it be 30? 40? 50? He has hands, vision, sense of timing. My son played both hockey and lacrosse against John, who always played in a group a year or two ahead of his age. I’m not a scout, but I understand what Tavares could mean to a franchise like the Islanders. The thing about him is, he’s an amazing athlete and he’s fearless.
Comments.
192 Responses to BOB McKENZIE OF TSN: “If the NYI pass on Tavares, there could be high drama on the draft floor”
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Muller9 says:
My heart hurts……alot
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Tom Barone says:
they better take Tavares! It will crush this franchise to miss out on this kid, take it to the bank.
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Isles fan in CA says:
This is scaring me. Come on…we need Tavares!!
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Ajax says:
This is dumb, first he says hes not a scout, then follows with ” I should also point out that John Tavares is not a generational talent.”
Says who?
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Gloobenberg says:
Ok Garth, I don’t care what Mr. McKenzie THINKS you’re gonna do…However, I do care what he thinks YOU SHOULD DO!
Like it says in the article…Let’s not re-ivent the wheel here. The choice to me and over 75% of Islander fans is JOHN TAVARES.
Yes, It’s as clean cut as that. Game, set, match. Thank you for coming.
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isles99 says:
these stories are interesting but they are also of little value since snow has kept this real close. this is just posturing to get us through until next friday when the draft actually happenes. on that day, the only people to know who we will draft will be snow, jankowski, and wang. no one else knows so i don’t put too much stock into what they say. we all know what the fans would like and i genuinly beleive snow will do the conventional thing for once. if he doesn’t, the colessium will burn and the little fan base we have will be alienated.
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streit 02 says:
All we hear is how Tavares isnt this elite level talent. Who do these guys actually consider “generational talent”? Is there anybody outside of Malkin, Crosby and Ovechkin who would be considered a generational talent? Doesnt sound like it. Everybody knows he isnt those players. If a guy can score 50 goals a season, have hands, vision and be fearless, operate at a almost a two point per game pace, win the mvp and lead canada to a gold medal, perform under pressure situations and break gretzkys scoring record in the ohl and is not a “generational talent” then who is? And if hes not, after all the things i have just listed, does it really matter? CB, I havent asked a question at all in that segment of the blog, but i would like to hear your opinion on this matter.
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Bossy22 says:
With the anticipated large draft party and the Isles organization promoting it more then ever, I find it hard to believe Snow would take anyone but Tavares. Seriously, how stupid can a person be. Snow knows 80% + of Isles fan want Tavares. Snow knows how many tickets have been picked up. Anything but Tavares wouldn’t make any sense at all. I find it hard to believe that Snow would pull a “Milbury” when he knows whats at stake.
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savetheisles.webs.com says:
CB everytime you post about Islanders might be leading toward Hedman, it scares me.
i still think islanders go tavares
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Strummer's Army says:
Again take the best player available in my opinon but it is hard to ignore all the evidence that points to that being Tavares. Interesting that according to McKenzie Duchene isn’t considered ranked even with Tavares or Hedman. I always thought this, until a month or two ago no one mentioned Duchene in consideration for the top 2. You have to be wary of late risers, not that he won’t be good but it is clear who the top 2 are and have been for a loooooong time.
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BTBoss says:
CB – If none of the scouts Bob has spoken to view John Tavares as a generational talent.
Could you ask him or others if any of the same scouts feel that Victor Hedman is more generational talent being a defenseman? -
Islanders1984 says:
could garth snow be this good, I mean he has everyone thinking were taking hedman. I can’t see him not taking Tavares
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admin says:
savetheisles: Where does it say that I think the Islanders might be leaning toward Hedman?
Streit02: You’re preaching to the wrong guy. Whether he’s generational or not, I’m All Tavares…CB
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AveryinPanties says:
How may people do you think are holding off on buying season tickets until the draft pick is announced? Not choosing Tavares would be devastating to the isles. If snow take hedman then getting rid of milbury really wont mean a thing cause we will have his twin as our GM.
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isles316 says:
This isn’t the first source to say Hedman. Interesting.
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Brian says:
They are serving beer at the draft party… If they dont pick JT, cover your heads in the front row cause beers will be a flyin’ You can always sign or trade for a dman. A player like JT comes along, you grab him.
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Mike from Queens says:
If the Islanders do not draft Tavares, I may just vote for Kate Murray and encourage her to ship the team out of town so that I don’t have to keep getting sucked back in every 10 years they show promise as a franchise.
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Frank James says:
If the Isles draft Hedman at #1 I will feel like I was punched in the gut.
I can see taking Duchene or Hedman IF the Isles moved to 2 or 3 and picked up other assets.
Just picking Hedman at 1 will hurt.
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Blizzard says: Either Garth is doing a good job of “Snowing” everybody or he is going to make a big mistake. Truthfully passing on Tavares and picking Hedman would be a very ballsey move. Reckless IMO. People would be calling for his head if Tavares nets thirty goals with someone else.
CB if this was last years draft where do you think Hedman would rank with the likes of Stamkos, Doughty, etc. We know Tavares would have been number 1.
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CB, other the trades involving picks are you expecting any Isles to be shipped off or any players brought in draft weekend?
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I do understand, I truly do. Hedman is going to be one hell of a player in this league, if not the best defensemen in the entire league. But can someone explain to me how, and please place an absurd emphasis on the how, do you pass on Tavares? Like Streit02 said up top, the kid has done everything, broken records set by the best talent ever to play the game, and he is as fearless and courageous as they come. I just dont get it…it seems so easy its hard.
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The PolishPrince says:
John Ta-va-res “clap – clap – clap clap clap”.
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Avery im holding off to re-new until i see what they do at the draft, i bet many more are as well
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Don't screw this up.... says:
After sticking w/ this team through the last ~15 years of misery, I am DONE if they don’t take Tavares. The organization hasn’t earned the right to “get cute” and not take the consensus #1 pick. Could Hedman end up being the better pick in the end? Sure. But after what this organization has done over the last decade+, you simply don’t have the RIGHT to “do your own thing.”
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Dr. Generosity says:
I am leaning towards Hedman but would be thrilled with Tavares as well.
One thing’s for sure: If the hockey ops guys on the Island make their decision based on how fans will react at a draft party, we are in worse shape than anyone imagined.
C’mon folks, let the hockey ops people do their jobs, they’re the ones who have seen these players night after night. Whoever we pick, we’ve got a franchise player. None of these guys are going to be the second coming of Dave Chyzowski or Scott Scissons. Chill out already.
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@26: Why should we let the Islanders’ hockey ops people do their jobs? They haven’t proven anything.
As for the Isles “being in worse shape than anyone imagined” if they make their pick based on how fans will react, I ask you – how much worse can things get? Other than a good team in 2002, the Isles have been garbage since ’93. The fan base isn’t going to randomly decide on wanting a single guy based on chance – the majority wants him b/c the entire hockey world believes he should be taken first overall.
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Matt says:
the more time passes, the more I want John Tavares to be our pick. it has been some time since we had a guy who could possibly light the lamp 40 times a year. (i still think okposo will in the long run) even my father who isn’t a diehard fan mentions how great it would be to bring JT to Long Island. anyways, chris..great job as always.
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Quiz says:
C.B. great job on providing us “Draft Crackheads” with our drug of choice. I’m getting dizzy with all of the speculation between J.T., V.H., and Duch. I think this is exactly what Garth wants. Although I’m a J.T. guy, I’ll understand if Snow gets blown out of the water with an offer for the pick. But…if we keep the pick and select anyone but Tavares, you will hear me screaming from Malverne!
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Cb, when it comes to North america Bob may be the most connected, But i think your the most connected reporter/blogger to the Islanders, so im sticking with you and saying it will be Tavares
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Upgrade says:
The thing that scares me is Mckenzie is so connected that he rarely says anything unless he has substance.
Now I believe if there is smoke,there is fire and it could have them making this choice at 2 or 1 with a 3 way deal where someone has TB’s #2 in exchange for something and the Isles got a bone for not taking Tavares
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Ann Aquarian says:
Pierre McGuire isn’t the only one who had a meltdown. Yet another terrible move by Mad Mike.
Snow needs to set a new tone. He can’t do anything stupid on draft day.
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RAmen says:
WOW – two amazing articles in one day CB. If this isn’t a must read for hockey fans everywhere, I don’t know what is. Great fot hte Islanders, and great for hockey. Keep up the great work.
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Staten Islander says:
I really hope i dont have an anyeuerism thinking about all this for the next 2 weeks. that said, i still think it’ll be JT and i LOVE the last part where he said he was fearless
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Priest says:
Bob is definitely one of the most respected reporters around, and with just cause. I’ve been 100% behind being picking Tavares since the lottery, but now I am interested in what the Islanders can get to trade down a spot (or even two). It is hard to say because it depends so much on Tampa (and you HAVE to get one of those 3 guys) but if they could work something out, I’d be listening.
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islesfan999 says:
I really dont understand why we cant already say were taking Tavares. This is really hard.
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StevieL says:
” I spoke to 10-12 top NHL scouts and then rank the players, Tavares was the #1 pick, and it was virtually unanimous”.
Enough said!!Plus the last line,”he is an amazing athlete and he is Fearless”. OMG!! If he thinks there will be high drama on the draft floor if the Isles pass on Tavares, just imagine what the floor of the NVMC is going to look like!!No way, no way, no way we pass on Tavares, No way! -
bergie20 says:
mckenzie is the best hockey journalist out there so if he’s hearing whispers that nyi will select hedman, i think that’s our pick. i have no problem with this. as long as we come home with tavares or hedman i’m happy.
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as cb said the other day: your cousins brothers friends who is close to garth snow says the isles are taking ….
these people don’t know, so why would the people Bob Mckenzie know either
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Awesome interview CB!!! You pretty much asked all the questions I’d ask Bob.
My big concern is his cloak and dagger response to your question to explain how he came to the prediction that makes him think the Isles will pick Hedman … His answer: … Can’t get into specifics, but from listening to people…. Huh??? What people? I believe as you believe CB … that only about 5 people tops know at this time who the Isles are picking … and that is even if they have decided yet. My hunch is that they have … but are leaving the door open.
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Spartiarti from RVC says:
I dont know why Snow would want to put himself in that situation.
One the lost season ticket sales. If they fear Tavares might not live up to expectation what makes them think that Hedman will.
If you draft hedman and he doesnt deliver its like a Double Mess up. You draft Tavares and he doesnt deliver (which he wont) its not like we can all beat up Snow.
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MiKeT239 says:
Hedman isnt hyped up half as much as Tavares. I want the Isles to draft Hedman. Building a solid blueline with Streit and Hedman would be incredible. The Isles need to build from the goalie out. Streit and Hedman would be tremendous.
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Isles_Goal says:
Bob Mckenzie said the following:
“I don’t know. I can tell you this: if the Islanders do not draft Tavares, there could be high drama on the draft floor.”
Well…there will also be high drama on the Coliseum floor…as well.
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Doug F. says:
CB,
They better not screw this up and take Hedman…if they don’t take Taveras they should packup and move to KC…
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Mike79 says:
So if he is not Crosby level, we should not take him? He is pure goal scorer, clutch and fearless. We need him.
Botta, thanks for keeping this interesting during this long wait.
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why is everyone else but islander fans so high on Hedman. Yes he is a giant. A giant that doesn’t even use his size. Again snow you can be put into one of two catergories with Islander fans. The Hero worship catergory where Bill Torrey resides or you can join Mike milbury in the catergory as one of the most hated men in Islander history
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We all know that Mad Mike set this team back light years and so far Snow has done an admirable job of getting this team back on the right track, albeit slowly. I’m going keep the faith and believe that Snow will do the right thing with this pick and draft Tavares. If he doesn’t, maybe he has some interesting maneuver up his sleeve. But I still say take the best player available, and as much as I believe that Hedman is more than a tall smooth-skating d-man, I don’t see him being the home run hit that JT would be. Plus, if you REALLY want Hedman or Duchene you trade down to 2 or 3 and get a solid return, you definitely do not stay at #1.
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BringBackNyles says:
Isles fans are an angry lot as it is..anyone but JT is selected and I will start the Kansas City chant myself on the Coliseum floor. It will get ugly
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Quagmire says:
I hope that this is a situation of Garth Snow & Co. putting up a good smoke screen prior to the draft so no one knows their true intent. Maybe Garth’s just trying to squeeze Tampa by leaking this to get them to try and move up if they love Hedman. If the Isles are smart (and I hope that they are), no one should know where they are leaning.
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West Coast Fan says:
lol… “Is there anybody outside of Malkin, Crosby and Ovechkin who would be considered a generational talent?”
That’s why they’re called “generational”…
The Isles scouts know infinitely more about the target players in this draft than anybody posting on this board. Come draft day, they will select the right player – whomever that may be.
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WM says:
I guess I’m naive but I don’t get the comments about “not renewing my season tix” and “people will get PO’ed at the Draft Party” if Tavares is not selected. Hey, everyone, the Isles have holes throughout the lineup. As long as we pick Tavares OR Hedman, that’d be great. Both these guys are studs. People, let’s relax and enjoy the 26th. I really think the goaltending is the top priority so the free agent period is just as big a key, if not bigger, than the draft.
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Steve says:
You have outdone yourself today, Vhris. These posts may even be above your lofty standards!
I think Mckenzie is great too.
Tavares at all costs. “Generational” or not. Let’s give the kid a break already!
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In all honesty… I really can’t wait until this is over. Go to the podium. Say a name. Get back to work. Done.
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Quagmire – If Snow is trying to get TB to offer to move up to 1st to draft Hedman, What make you think they can’t just turn around and trade the pick to Toronto if they come up with a “blow your doors off” offer and the Isles lose out on JT anyways. If the Isles want JT they pick him at 1, if they want Hedman they pick him at 1. If they want Duchene the move down to 3. It really is no “smoke and mirrors” no “card game”. Listen to the offers, do whats best for the team’s future.
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I think Snow should listen to every offer possible until he has to go up to the podium. If he wants Hedman, then trade down one spot, and get a “blown away” deal that favors the Islanders, and then draft Hedman. Other than that, he has to go Tavares. The closer we get to next Friday there could be a good chance, teams will offer more than they’re now. Forget trading with Toronto, and if there is not anything worth trading for in Tampa, Tavares will be the Islanders guy.
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dose says:
that was great stuff. he defined how tavares plays as aptly as anything i’ve read or heard.
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Walt says:
Remember his statement to Islander fans, a classy move. He will score on the power play and when the Isles cycle the puck down low, his defense will improve and low and behold he will score on some breakaways. He will inspire fear in opposing goalies and excitement for the fans. He will bring respect to the franchise and his team mates. So he doesn’t go coast to coast but he does light the lamp consistently. The pick John Tavares!!!
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Justin says:
I can’t be at the draft party but I sure hope Versus or whoever has a camera on the floor of the Coliseum when the Islanders make the top pick. It’s either going to be a lot of happy people or a very angry group that could turn ugly.
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John from ATL says:
I find it funny that McKenzie first states the Isles will draft Hedman but, finishes saying he would take Tavares. If the possible crowd of 10,000 or so show up at the draft party and they don’t pick Tavares. Well, the Nassau PD riot police better be on call.
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i love the point don’t screw this up makes(perfect name btw) that the isles haven’t done s*it since the early 90′s to pick anyone they want. diehards like me have been craving a face of the franchise player like tavares for 10 years now. if they don’t pick tavares, im done with them. they could go to kansas city, hamilton, saskatchawan, alaska, i dont really care. i think many others feel the same way.
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jethro09 says:
God I hope McKenzie is wrong on this. The Isles need Tavares.
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BTBoss – it is very much a card game. I’m just speculating on one of many reasons why Snow might put allow false info. to leak. What if they are happy to have either of JT or Hedman or even duchene? In that case, you try to create leverage any way you can. If you can get a player you would be happy with at 1 with pick 2 or 3, and pick up extra assets to boot, you do it.
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Jeff says:
One more time, all reasons to pick Tavares: Islanders need positive publicity and media attention, marketing as it would increase attendance and season tickets, makes NYI NYR rivalry better, would take pressure and attention off of Bailey and Okposo to perform at higher levels immediately which would only help them, Josh Bailey is not and will not become a #1 centere but a very good # 2 center, attractive UFA woud want to come here with a #1 center in Tavares, as a #1 d man does not attract top talent to the club, a great d man can always be picked later, a great d can always be added via UFA (Chara, Niedermeyer, Gonchar, Campbell), great d take more time to develop (Bouweester), Hedman has another option of leaving for Sweden if a personal or family thing should arise, Hedman would also need time to adjust to North American game in addition to taking more time to develop, Duchene only mentioned now, be aware of late bloomers, Duchene I believe did not make team Canada, Islanders fans (90%) all want Tavares, Tavares is the number one ranked prospect, scouts say at worst 40 goals and top 10 guy in league at scoring (when was the last time the Isladers had a palyer of that magnitude?), Islanders did not have one 20 goal scorer last year, Tavares ranked ahead of STamkos who scored 20 goals last year, Tavares admits to want to play here, Tavares the only young player in the draft to possibly have an impact on Lighthouse project, would alienate a lot of fans decreasing attendance if team does not pick him, and only 2 years in Islanders existence have they had more powerplay opportunities than opposition, having Canada’s next big star Tavares on team may mean that the Islanders are on the right side of penalty calls finally! Need I say more! Don’t draft d man who develop slowly to go UFA and be great for another team. Hedman can go to Sweden where he lives like Kenny JOnsson, Tavares will always play in NHL. Do the right thing Garth, draft Tavares! I have been saying this in other posts and will continue to say it. Need I say more! Enough said on the reasons to draft John Tavares!
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txdbog says:
Bob Mckenzie just ruined my day.
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eric says:
i want a f#!@ing warrior. jt
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Quagmire – My point is if JT is 100% the guy, you don’t take chances to take what Tampa would offer you to move one spot so they can take Hedman. Unless Players names are slotted within the deal TB trades 2nd overall(JT) and extra assets for 1st(Hedman), Because again what if Toronto then come in again with a offer to Tampa that over the top. I can see them moving down. But only for Duchene and if their guy is JT they take him at 1. Hedman they take at 1.
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James says:
I want the Isles to pick JT, but I think some are getting way too overdramatic saying that if the Isles dont pick JT they are done lol
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Brooks Simpson says:
The consensus is clear: most of you don’t trust Garth Snow.
In truth, if Snow’s interested in flipping with TB, he has to leak he’s leaning to Hedman … if you think TB wants him. So what’s going on here is that you are now speculating about the needs and thinking of two teams. The risk is that Toronto will go to TB and try to work out a deal because Burke wants Tavares, and the last thing TB needs is another skilled forward.
I don’t think Garth Snow’s going to take draft advice from the comments section of a blog. If the Islanders simply take Tavares, that will be because someone else made the final call. I’ve seen absolutely noting to indicate that Snow’s leaning toward Tavares, and more and more people who are respected sources here say … Hedman. Either Garth’s playing with them to strengthen his hand, or there will be a lot of unhappy people here come draft day.
Now watch him take Duchene.
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and especially those who dont care if they move to KC or anywhere else if they dont pick JT, um excuse me regardless of who they pick first there are thousands of Isles fans who do care whether they leave LI or not.
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Rob says:
I have been reading blogs, and ordering draft magazines about this draft since last year.. I was Tavares all the way.. I have finally read so much that I have confused myself.. Too much time to overanalyze.. I don’t know what we should do anymore… Let’s just take a goalie first overall!!
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Ryan T. says:
We need JT.
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big dog says:
i look ta things this way in terms of our franchise..
hedman blocks the shot and a bad rebound by depietro and the caps score again..
tavares scores to make it 4-2 isles.
yes many things can happen but cmon a game isnt won 0-0 its won by GOALS non of which we can count on hedman to produce.Take tavares so can stop drinking
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Seriously I am Tavares all the way, but here is my stab at why he isn’t considered “generational”…
Speed means so much in the NHL, especially the “new” NHL… A player like Ovechkin, and Crosby to a lesser extent can take the puck the length of the ice and blow by defenders with their speed.. Speed along with all the other amazing attributes makes a generational player.. Tavares has all the amazing attributes of a Crosby/Overchkin EXCEPT the speed, hence an important aspect of a generational player is missing… Tavares will probably be an amazing scorer, but much in the way a Turgeon played the game (a half court player).. great on the power play… But you won’t see him go end to end.. -
my attitude this…if JT can control the puck and control a game with offense than thats as just as good and better than any D can get you
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Jeff only 2 players from this yrs draft made Team Canada outright JT and Ellis. Kane was an injury replacement and Brampton Duchene’s team already had Cody Hodgson make the team.
How do we know if it was Brampton who didn’t allow both Hodgson and Duchene to play for Team Canada or Team Canada not allowing 2 players from the same team?
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puckhead says:
It has 2 b JT…….period, end of story.
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Dan L says:
Everyone who has posted on here and other sites that “John Tavares broke Wayne Gretzky’s OHL scoring record” needs to get their facts straight. He broke Peter Lee’s record of 213 goals. Wayne played a grand total of 67 games, and scored 70 goals, in the old OHA. http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2035
Just to be clear I want Tavares more than anything. Ill chip in to gas up the bus to ship them off to KC if they dont take him.
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rb says:
for crying out loud, for once can we just do the most obvious, logical thing? why do we always have to be the #%&@ Oakland Raiders of the NHL? must we remain a damn laughingstock?
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Brian B says:
No one knew what the Isles were gonna do last year…and no one knows this year. If snow thinks TB wants Hedman, he’s gonna try to get them to believe he’s taking Hedman. And don’t worry about Tampa then trading with the Toronto. If they want Hedman so much that they would trade up a spot for him, they won’t trade right out of that spot.
I doubt Snow is trading the pick. Tavares is our guy. Snow and Wang watched him play. He stayed over his house. Isles’ scouts don’t wanna take the chance of ruining their reputation as the guys who passed on Tavares. we are taking him. It makes too much sense. Our leading scorer last year got 18 goals. Come on.
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If we pick Hedman than the true winner of the lottery will be Tampa.
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Don't Mind the Haters says:
CB,
Did you ask Bob where the 10-12 scouts were located? Were they all based in Ontario? Were some of them European Scouts?
Point being if some of the scouts were based in Europe the statement “Tavares was the No. 1 pick, and it was virtually unanimous.” would have more weight than if they were all based in Ontario.
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Lav says:
Look at McKenzie’s last sentence…”The thing about him is, he’s an amazing athlete and he’s fearless.” That says it all right there. Game. Set. Match. Tavares
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Booten says:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Johnny Teabags for the win.
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b-ri says:
If tavares is not picked, this rebuild gets pushed back another 3 years while Hedman adjusts to the NHL. Look, its not the Swedish Elite League and D-men take a while to develop usually. Stamkos had 22 goals this year, and he got off to a horrible start. Even if Tavares only got 20 goals next year, its still more than anyone else had this year, and most reports have said if Tavares was eligible last year that he would have been #1 overall over stamkos. Tavares’ name has been at the top of this draft class for at least 3 years. Lets not mess with that.
Victor, i’m sure youll be great too, but we need goals, and we need excitement. Does Hedman have a highlight reel? I know JT has many
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Rob76 says:
Ive had a sinking feeling that they would take Hedman and its stuff like these rumors out of Canada that only feeds it more. If they pass on Tavares after all that this team has put me and other Isles die hards over i will give up my season tix and be done with this team. For all of you that say I’m not a real fan for saying that – I’ve been to every home game but 2 since graduating high school in 2000. I live and breathe Islander hockey – But that would be the last straw. It would be like dating a girl for 16 years – giving her your all and every year she hurts you – eventually you have to leave
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Islanderfan1967 says:
I can’t wait till June 27th. All this bickering will be over. All three of these guys are going to be good, remember Bossy wasn’t a number one pick. Sometimes you find a sleeper in the crowd, and will they fit in with what you have in place.
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Generational? Come on before they were drafted only crosby was this hyped. Ovechkin, malkin became generational the second he started ripping it up. I can’t belive all this garbage the media puts out. If jt comes in to nhl and is top 5 in nhl in score you can sure bet people will be callin him generational.
Watch stamkos have great season this year and you’ll have them callin him generational.
Isles are getting JT. End of story. all the buzz is all for media attention. Think about it. If isles said we taken jt, tsn would have nothig to write about.
And for record I never once said hedman or duchene weren’t going to be good. They just are not the #1′s in the draft.
Jt is human highlight reel. that to me makes him generational.
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rob in nj says:
77-Dan L – a little fyi-jt broke gretzky’s record of most goals by a 16 yearold in the ohl,,. I am tired of all this, if snow wants to get booed out of town he should pick anyone not named tavares. Its gotta be JT
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the bomber says:
i saw a young islander player at a golf course yesterday….. he told me who he has heard the isles are picking….said he’d bet his car on it. get the riot gear ready…. im not taking my young kids anywhere near the coliseum next week. i am hoping he is wrong, but now im scared.
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frank nyc says:
hey cb thanx for keeping up the draft talk.
it is still entertaining. i know it cant be easy.
im really looking forward to
this draft. this is the most exciting thing in Islander country
since..since… i dont know its been a while.
As long as this team doesnt try to reinvent the wheel again we’ll be ok. take JT. -
Islander86 says:
Mr. Wang knows how to pick his GM’s.
Nothing will surprise me on June 26.
Does anybody remember draft of 2001 ? -
kevin fitz says:
I love how John Tavares became the second coming on this blog. Yes, he is one of the 2 best players in the draft. But to act like if they don’t pick him they missed out on the next Wayne Gretzky is absurd. Someone up above asked who said JT wasn’t going to be a generational talent. The answer? EVERY SCOUT. He is going to be a great player probably. But so is Hedman and most likely Duchene. So let’s stop the theatrics about how it will be the end of the world if they pass on Tavares, because no matter who they pick, they are getting a great great PROSPECT. Because that’s what all of them are, even including Jesus.. I mean John Tavares.
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Tavaras or Bust!!! says:
Tell Bob McKenzie, “if he has nothing nice to say then don’t say it at all”.
I’m kidding in case you feel the need to delete this.
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-Big Van Vader says:
(87) I don’t care how “good” Hedman turns out to be.
I will be at the Draft Party. If Snow doesn’t do the right thing and draft Tavares, he is committing career suicide, and (might be) basically killing the New York Islanders franchise. Just imagine if all Hedman turns into is Kenny Jonsson and Tavares scores 50 a year.
But in the short term the Coliseum will become a literal mess with people throwing things and it could get quite ugly as this fanbase has reached the breaking point. There has been too much b.s. with this team throughout the years. Too much heartbreak and embarrassment.
We want an OFFENSIVE STAR, Mr. Snow.
WE WANT JOHN TAVARES. How much more clear does your fanbase have to make it? Yeah, yeah, they shouldn’t make decisions based on the fanbase. That’s also part of the disconnect over the last 15 years between the team and the fans. They NEVER do what the fans want. Throw us a bone this time.
Truth be told, this could all be a ruse. But if it isn’t……You will lose most of us with just a few words.Make them the RIGHT words.
“With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders are proud to select from the London Knights, John Tavares.”
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G. HOWITT says:
JT or my season tickets are for the bird’s..
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So what if Snow picks Hedman and everyone loses their minds and stops watching and going to games and Hedman turns out to be a hall of fame type of player and Tavares turns into a bust. Would you all still hate Snow? Not likely. It’s not the fans job to make up the team, it’s the fans job to cheer for the team.
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Schultz39 says:
I would hope that we end up with Tavares but would also hope that Snow will make a decision that’s best for the organization and not just simply what the fans want.
We get nothing out of announcing to the world what we want to do now. It’s best to wait to see all the scenarios that may play out before we go to the podium.
In the meantime start working the lines to see who may be willing to trade down in the first round so we can start eyeing the possibilities from picks 12-20.
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Joey303 says:
I keep reading people on here saying “why would the islanders have a draft party, promote it hard, and not pick Tavares?” Its called promotion and marketing. Im sure he will pick John, however if they dont, its not beacuase 15k + will be there live (or so they hope). They can sell hats, jerseys, season tix, etc. With that said I do think they will pick Tavares, but why is everyone on a daily basis “threatening” chaos if they dont. Jeez……
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86- rob in nj- thats a terrible statistic that, to me, is about the equivalent of saying sidney crosby scored more goals than wayne on the 2nd wednesday of march in a leap year. theres no reason to look anywhere other than career statistics, but thats my opinion. enough facts. the only fact is we need tavares, not hedman
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CB- There are rumors floating out there about L.A. looking at offers for #5 overall. Could the Islanders possibly be players for that pick? And if they are, who should it be in your opinion?
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dose says:
streit 02 on Jun 16th, 2009 20:58:05 said: … Who do these guys actually consider “generational talent”? If a guy can score 50 goals a season, have hands, vision and be fearless, operate at a almost a two point per game pace, win the mvp and lead canada to a gold medal, perform under pressure situations and … and is not a “generational talent” then who is?
precisely. so maybe he’s not gretzky, bossy or lemiuex. maybe he’s only hull, selanne or esposito. only.
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While I’m not one of the “I’ll cancel my season tickets if they don’t draft JT” types, I can definitely understand where you are all coming from. The fact is, I defy any of you to name ONE TIME this organization has made a move that was contrary to the consensus opinion that actually worked. Just one. Because I can quickly name several that didn’t. I respectfully disagree with those that, logically, say that the organization doesn’t owe the fans anything when it comes to this decision. Under normal circumstances that would be true. But in this case, there has been ZERO goodwill earned by the organization over the last 15 years to demonstrate we should give them the benefit of the doubt. I know Garth isn’t Mad Mike, and he’s yet to make any obvious blunders. But I’m sorry, I do feel a sense of entitlement as someone who’s supported this team – including with my wallet (heavily) – for the last 30 years. I’m tired of witnessing decisions that I as a “mere” fan can foresee as disasters a mile away. I’m not saying Hedman is a disaster, and I don’t want to rehash all the points made here on a regular basis (Dman take long to develop, no 20+ goal scorers, hard to grab UFA snipers…etc.) but for once please just make the common sense move and stop with the unjustified sense of having a better business model than the rest of the NHL.
One last thing…if there is a live feed from the Coliseum on June 26 and we draft anyone other than JT, then I will gladly call Snow an idiot. We’ll be alienating our #1 pick before he even puts his jersey on and we will reinforce our place as the laughingstock of the NHL. Don’t tell me the marketing department works independently of the GM and scouts as they promote 15,000 tickets “sold”. Any GM should be smart enough to at least dull the impact of making a pick he knows goes against the wishes of 80%+ of the fan base.
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Harold C. says:
Brian (79) is dead on and I agree. Clearly if Snow can get TB to blink and give up something to swap picks for the ‘Bolts to take Hedman, fine with me. If he can add another 3rd rounder and have another chip to move up from 26 with, WHAT is wrong with that? I have been a fan since the mid 70′s and I bet dollars to donuts that Tavares is going to be an Islander, so I am fine with any clandestine effort by Snow to grab another pick without sacrificing Tavares. And if he doesn’t? Well we STILL have the #1 and will take Tavares.
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Jack says:
Not Generational. Some examples of players that are not “Generational”
Kovalchuk
Datsyuk
Parise
Nash
Staal
Gagne
Zeterberg
Heatley
Toews
Kane
Hossa
Vanek
Kessel
and several other up and coming players that will be underrated players in the NHL because Bettman and Co. has decided to promote only certain players to attract the casual fan. -
Please NO Snow-Blunder on draft day JT all the way. Snow will be on XM radio today, any HINTS HMMMM!!
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Vlad from Brooklyn says:
Kudos to Snow! Everyone seems to forget how the League laughed at Isles organization the whole last season starting with Media and ending with league officials. Garth didn’t. Good for him to keep them wondering, creating some bs stories and opinions. Suddenly, everyone talking Islanders! I’m about 100% sure it’s going to be JT, but the above mentioned people doesn’t have to know about it. Let them have some sleepless nights. Way to go, Garth!
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gord says:
To Ajax:
You misread the article, he says “I should also point out that no one seems to view John Tavares as a generational talent.” which implies it’s the scouts who feel this way…not necessarily himself (or if he does, it’s the same as those 12 scouts he talked to).
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El Exigente says:
We have to hope and pray that should the Isles draft Tavares that they don’t rush him onto the big club roster and ruin him like they did DP.
Note to CB – I am sure that you are working on this, but an article about Bob Lawrence would be much appreciated. During last night’s Yankee game, John Sterling spoke about his broadcast partner and it brought back alot of fond memories of when we had a team.
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Richard says:
It seems to me that Bob doesnt seem sure about who the isles will pick. He is just not changing his original stance. The recent mock drafts on tsn and nhl.com seem to be going with tavares.
Why is snow is on xm again? He isnt gonna say anything new.
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bob l says:
i love the beginning, double talking mckenz, “First things first. Would I take it to the bank? Probably not.”
i dont know why i continued reading after that…
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Jerry says:
I heard on the NHL network last year that it takes a good 3 to 4 years for a good defenseman to develope. So if thats the case and we take him Garth is pretty much setting this team up for another GM cause he won’t last long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Also, he can’t lose if he picks Tavares, if he’s what everybody thinks they are going to be good a lot faster and if he’s not that’s who evetyone wanted him to pick. We’ll see it’s going to get real interesting.
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VictorIScoming says:
Victor Hedman will be the Islanders #1 pick next week so deal with it Islander crybabies.
Taveras is nothing more then Joe Nieuwendyk-
so stop being John Tavares “GROUPIES” CAUSE THATS ALL YOU GUYS ARE! Tavares is 99% hype & he is not a Franchise Player, he is a good player will be comparable to Nieuwendyk & in no way in the class of Ovechkin or Crosby so stop it!Victor Hedmans come around once every 10 years and he will be our Nick Lidstrom for 12-15 years so stop the H.S Groupie Love affair with Tavares
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TuxTax says:
Would anyone be worrying this much right now if Snow hadnt traded down twice last year? I think not…A little over a week to go Ladies and Gents. Forget high drama on the draft floor, there will be rioting on the coliseum floor.
Tavares or Bust!
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Marc says:
It’s not out of the ordinary for GM’s with the #1 pick doing exactly what Garth Snow’s been doing — keeping his thoughts close to the vest. CB mentioned that maybe 3-5 Isles’ officials including Wang, Snow, and Jankowski know what, if any, decision has been reached. If any of them have leaked info it must be for good reason (ie, gauge potential trade scenarios) — therefore I wouldn’t put much stock into “I’ve heard they’re leaning towards…” I just hope that the Isles’ do the right thing.
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John T - Halifax, NS says:
You know what?? Although, I am HEAVILY in the Tavares camp, and I want them to take JT, Im slowly coming to the realization and acceptance that it doesnt matter which player we get. Both Hedman and Tavares are spectacular, either one of them are a must have for the team and it will be a benefit to the organization no matter what.
Look, Im just as frustrated with this team as a lot of you are, but we as fans, need to ignore the horrible past we had with Milbury at the helm (which people ALWAYS bring up) and stop associating Garths actions (or fans gut feelings of Garths future actions) with Mike. Let Garth build the way he wants and give it time. We need to have faith in the CURRENT management that they will do the right thing for the team.
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VictorIScoming #107
Joe Nieuwendyk had 4 seasons with 45+ goals and 3 more seasons where he came close to 40 goals. HE was a LEADER for the Flames and Dallas and a HOF candidate. He had numbers comparable to Bossy. And you WOULD NOT TAKE THAT??? BTW I think he can be better than Nieuwendyk was.and what do you base this claim that he is 99% hype and not a franchise player?
I can’t see how anyone can say JT can’t be every bit as good as any of these elite players out there now. Anything can happen my friend.
He is 19 years old!!!!! a kid who still will get better. You’re crazy, come on over to the JT “bandwagon” there is still time to get on.
JT OR BUST!!!!
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VisC, if i want a lidstrom type, i’ll try to find one where he was drafted, not at #1 overall, and honestly, your post is pure antagonism, you sure you’re an islander fan?
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Jimmy Mac says:
Wow… That’s all I can say.
Emotions are getting the best of us, and Garth hasn’t even made the pick yet…lol.
From a hockey standpoint is it a mistake to take Hedman… no.
But it is from a marketing, sales, fanbase point of view.
Even if Hedman is better than Tavares… you still have to take Tavares.
He will sell tickets, jerseys, bobbleheads, and whatever else you can thing of.
You just don’t promote a draft party, and invite 15,000 Isles diehards that you know 80% want Tavares bad. Then take somebody else.
Talk about throwing gasoline on a fire.
Maybe Garth is just playing this whole thing out.
If Isles fans expect him to screw up. And he takes Tavares, the fans will give Garth his own banner just for doing the right thing.
Garth will be a Living Legend!!!!
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matt says:
i agree with 78. can we please not be the raiders of the nhl. i still think we will take tavares though even if snow doesnt want to im sure the marketing department run by wangs son in law has told wang what tavares could do for ticket sales, jersey sales and helping the lighthouse move along alittle faster. you take all that into account plus the fact that his talent on the ice is just as good if not better then the other two options and add the fact that nearly80%ofour fanbase wants the guy i believe snows hands are tied he has only one player he can take.
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Donald says:
I don’t think there is any deal that can be made to make it worth the while of the Isles trading the pick. If Tampa gets the number 1 pick, the either take Tavares and trade him or they trade the pick to someone who does want him. Yes, they need help just as well, but they have a deeper lineup and can do without one fo the top 3 picks.
The only thing I would want from Colorado, in addition to their pick, is Statsny, and I don’t think they are trading him.
If anyone can come up with some kind of trade permutation that makes sense for the Isles, please do so, but in my opinion, they are taking Tavares.
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One other point about Hedman, does anyone else read about him and see Malakhov? Big d man, good hockey sense, good puck control, doesn’t use his body/size? Think about it.
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Jake says:
If they draft Tavares I order Center Ice buy a JT jersey. They draft Hedman I catch the limited NBC and verses games and go to the bar for about 5 others plus my 2 live games in Tampa.
JT = $$$$$
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Rob says:
We’ve focused so much on who Islander fans think should be taken with the first pick (with good reason). Can you post the following poll: Who should the Isles take with their 2nd pick if they decide to trade up to the middle of the first round?
Dmitry Kulikov
Carter Ashton
Scott Glennie
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Chris Kreider
Simon Despres
Zach Budish
Dylan Olsen
David Rundblad
Jordan Caron
Tim Erixon
Landon Ferraro
Other (sure I missed a few) -
JPinVA says:
25 minutes of a 230 lb defenseman who can move, distribute and shoot the puck is a lot more attractive than most people on this board brush it off to be.
Yes, a 40 goal, 70 point guy is also attractive, but they might be able to deal for one of those type guys before they ever make the first selection.
With the current roster they almost have to take Tavares.
If they can do something with all the picks and the cap space they have, then Hedman may be a better choice for the long term.
Just rememeber, the most painful thing to watch this year was when the Isles would spend 45-90 second periods where they couldn’t get the puck out of their own zone. Have we all forgotten the numerous times tehy would ice the puck two or three times with the same personnel on the ice.
They need a guy like tavares, but Hedman could offer an answer to that problem, PLUS add offense. -
Mikey says:
The Tavares crowd has gotten out of control, and it’s really not fair to Victor Hedman. Hedman has been the talk of the scouting community for 2-3 years now, and his accomplishments at his age for his league are unprecedented. These are both good young players and apparently good kids as well. If the Isles draft Hedman at number one, the only embarrassment will be the loud and obnoxious fans booing the selection of a potential franchise defenseman with rare, game-changing abilities. I urge all my fellow Isles fans to stop the self-righteousness and bogus threats of violence. None of us (including CB and Bob McKenzie) have seen enough of these guys in-person to have hardened opinions. Just be patient, have fun at the draft, and stop pretending to know more about these players than scouts who have been watching them for 2-3 years.
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art says:
The isles take Tavares #1. Then they get Tampa’s pik and draft Hedman. The cost? Next years first round pik and this years’ #26 and any 2 players on the current team except OK, and Streit.
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isle5 says:
Relax everybody! Go on Youtube & watch the video John Tavares Future New York Islander, get ready for the draft party &
ENJOY!!!!! -
John T (115) and Mikey (122): Thank you both for talking such sense. I hope that people read what you both said and see the truth in it.
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EAF says:
Mikey-122 – very reasonable post, thank you
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@123 ….Yeah ok (LOL)
Then you woke up with Beyonce but naked next to u…Keep dreaming -
Mikey,
Excellent point!
Have some faith in the guys making the decisions. They haven’t given us reason not to trust them YET. Milbury is gone.
The only thing that worries me is that we take three undersized “D” in the second round. -
Irish Isle says:
Joey303 (100)
The Isles have about a 5% chance of getting LA’s pick, and that is being optimistic. The Kings want a proven goal scorer, think Heatley, Lecavlier for their pick. They think that with a proven goal scorer, and with the pieces they already have, they will be a serious playoff candidate.Also Tavares may not be the dynamic coast-to-coast guy ala Alex O; but how many of Crosby’s goals during the playoffs came w/in 5 feet of the goalie?
We’ve focused so much on who Islander fans think should be taken with the first pick (with good reason). Can you post the following poll: Who should the Isles take with their 2nd pick if they decide to trade up to the middle of the first round?
Dmitry Kulikov
Carter Ashton
Scott Glennie
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Chris Kreider
Simon Despres
Zach Budish
Dylan Olsen
David Rundblad
Jordan Caron
Tim Erixon
Landon Ferraro
Other (sure I missed a few)
Zach Kassain – +1 -
doc says:
who cares who they draft 2nd… it’s who they draft 1st.
Tavares!!!!!!!!
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Mikey…who cares what’s fair and what isn’t to whatever player?! After all this team and their fan base has been through, you don’t think that for maybe once the fans deserve a bit of a say or strong opinion on who Garth and Co take next week?! Gimme a break.
If there were no fans, there would be no team and no sport.
We all spend our hard earned money on this team, even through rough economic times. You post on here, you see what everyone says and thinks…How many more fans are pulling for JT over VH? A LOT. I’m not going to go over all the reasons to pick JT, you know what they are. -
mike says:
That was the most depressing thing I have read in a long time. Garth, get a grip and do the right thing. The only pick the Isles can make is Tavares.
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I cant wait till we draft Hedman & he is the Chara/Lidstrom/Phaneuf D-Man horse we need to put teams away in the third & when Tavares has 15 goals next year.
Guys Tavares is not a “SUPERSTAR” wake up its all hype since he was 16, this kid will be a 30-35 goal scorer and top out at 75-80 points a year.
Vic Hedmman will be the Go To guy on “D” Logging 23-26 mins a night , QB the PP ,Top PK “D MAN”, Shut down “D MAN” going up against the likes of Ovechkin & Crosby & every teams first line….. Now educated NHL fans know you take the “D-MAN” over the 30-35 goal scorer everyday of the week.
Ok answer this question, do you want
Patrick Marleau or do you want Dion Phaneuf? Tavares will be Marleau in the NHL ,a very good player maybe a pernenial ALL-STAR but never ever the “FRANCHISE” & you all know if Tavares comes to NY & is not putting up “FRANCHISE” type numbers in year 3 , he will be the A-ROD of the NHL. This kid will turn into Todd Bertuzzi & we all know how that turned out on the island, Islander fans & Tavares “GROUPIES” you have been warned-he is far from the “FRANCHISE” player you guys think he will be
SNOW I URGE U…TAKE HEDMAN & RUN! -
I don’t know how people can say Hedman is a d man that only comes along every 10 years, yet scouts say a d man who was drafted last year is better then him
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VictorIS…you are so not an Isles fan.
Even Isles fans who want VH over JT, dont talk about JT that way.
Go back to Toronto. You’re not getting Tavares.
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Everybody is getting too upset over this..Red Line Report, McKeens Hockey and the Prospect Advisor all rate Hedman #1 Overall…Just about every respectable service will tell you Hedman has a Chance to be a Generational Talent and Tavares does not.. Tavares doesn’t have great Stickhandling ability. He does not Dance around D-Man. Tavares does not have great speed..Add to that a small frame, not great Defensively, he doesn’t have a 97mph slapper…add that together; he is NOT a Generational Talent..Hedman might be the best D-Man in the NHL in 5 years..Get Mad if the Isles draft Duchene #1..I can understand some dissapointment if you love Tavares but if you think the Isles are making a terrible decision by picking Hedman #1, honestly, you just do not understand these 2 players abilities..
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bcarey says:
FYI: For those planning on purchasing the 2009 Islanders Draft Hat, it is navy/orange and not retro royal/orange as it appears on the Shop NHL site. Mine arrived yesterday and I was a bit disappointed at first. Then I wore it a bit. Love the fitted mesh look and feel. Flex fit just doesn’t suffocate the head as much. Kind of wish they went with all white inside the hate – the orange flex band inside can be seen underneath the white mesh. It also has a texture on the front and upper bill that does not translate to the JPEG on the NHL site.
All in all a sharp-looking hat though. Hope that JT will be sporting one on the cover of Newsday next Saturday.
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Victor is coming, How do you know Tavares isn’t a franchise player. He has already been the franchise player on every franchise he has played with so far. so I just want you to back up your statement with some facts. I mean has he not been the best player in every league he has ever played in before the NHL, did he not break Wayne Gretzskys OHL record.
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Hockey1919 says:
I was hoping that the Islanders would win the draft lottery for only one reason, to guarantee that they get to choose either Tavares or Hedman. Now it is up to the scouts to determine who is best. I give weight to what McKenzie stated only because he admits to not having scouted the players, but is relying on what 12 top scouts have told him.
The only one out of the big 3 that I’m not as high on is Duchene because it seems he is being built up based on momentum from past six months and not his entire career in Juniors. His skill set seems to be that of Bailey. The same Bailey that the Islander fans were willing to burn the Coliseum down over last year when Filatov wasn’t chosen.
My hope is that the Isles draft the best available at #1, then move this years 26, 56 and 5th in 2010 for a shot within the 16-20 range and then pick for need (either a stud D or a power forward) depending on who you picked first overall. I wouldn’t move the 31 or 37 picks to move up any further since this draft is deep and you have a better chance of striking gold with two shots than just one.
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I really just can’t wait until next Friday night so all this debating can stop. All the Hedman supporters on this site love to argue that nobody’s seen Tavares and that he’s not the “second coming”, but the same can be said about Hedman.
Who on this site actually has watched Hedman play (and I mean more than a game or two on TV during the recent Worlds)? I bet nobody. Just like nobody has seen Tavares that much. Hedman supporters are quick to compare Hedman to Nick Lidstrom and other perennial norris trophy nominated d-men in the league yet have never seen him play. Those same people complain that Tavares is not Crosby and will only be “an Iginla”, as if that’s a bad thing.
The hype and the push for Tavares is the result of the fact that scouts that have watched Tavares and Hedman consistently over the past four years have had him as the consensus #1 overall pick for this draft for years. Even those scouts who are his detractors concede Tavares will score 40-50 goals/season. I put my faith into scouts who are paid to watch these kids for years over any poster on some team blog. Virtually every scouting service has Tavares as the #1 overall.
And everyone who supports drafting Hedman over Tavares continues to ignore the off-ice issues facing this team. The Isles fan support in terms of attendance is abysmal. The owner is losing $20 Million/season. The team may be sold or moved if the Lighthouse doesn’t get approved. John Tavares doesn’t solve those problems, but selecting Tavares would do more to alleviate those problems than drafting Hedman will. And for those of you who say “you don’t pick a player based on off-ice considerations”, I submit that you do when the team is the Islanders, who can’t get more than 10,000 to a game on a routine basis and are a lot closer to being sold or moved that people want to admit.
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Just heard that an Ottawa newspaper man suggested the Isles #1 for Heatly. The guy had 39 goals and 72 points last season! He’s big and only 29. Yea he has atitude and a big salary but might come for the NY media and big endorsements. He may not be generational but he is a proven all star.
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#128 ya nd i cant wait till we draft hedman lose the rest of our fans and move to kc that should b fun to. this draft is bigger then just taking the best player(who i still think is tavares)its alsoabout creating a buzz around this team so they can stay on long island and when one player creates that buzz and one doesnt and they are very close on talent you take the player that can help the franchise on more then one leval
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Seth says:
i don’t believe this guy for one second.
there is no time to wait for a d-man to develop…if we take hedman, by the time he reaches his potential this team could no longer be playing on long island.
if snow takes hedman, it would be a huge disaster.
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Pete M says:
First let me say that my first choice would be John Tavares. But I don’t understand the whole ‘if the Islanders pick Hedman #1 they’ll be the laughing stock of the league again’ talk. The experts have been back and forth between these two kids for months, if not years. If they weren’t so close talent-wise we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. I understand some of the negativity of Islanders fans, but people seriously need to calm down. NO ONE knows how any of these guys careers will play out.
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TavaresISaBust says:
Also just so this is known throughout the NHL world. Chris “TAVARES LOVER” Botta is the #1 Tavares “GROUPIE” of them all.
He is also the main reason that Islander fans have this insane infatuation with thing Tavares is a “FRANCHISE” type player.
Chris & i would say 98.9% of these posters have seen Tavares play in no more then 5-10 games & have not seen Hedman play in no more then the WJC.
Please Botta stop your “GROUPIE” reaction to Tavares already, your a grown man and your looking rather silly around the NHL with your actions lately -
the # 1 for heatley would be a mistake, unless isles are getting ottawas pick back as well
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Blizzard says:
#129 What are you smoking? He cant dance around defenders? I have seen numerous videos of him doing just that. He has a very good ACCURATE shot. Small frame? 6 foot 190 at 19 years old? I bet you would have passed on Parise because he was small and has questionable skating ability. I think everyone that gets upset if the Islanders pass on JT has a real good arguement. Lets talk about some history here keeping in mind that the Islanders havent had anyone who can consistantly score since Palffy. The Islanders have had or could have had
Ollie Jokinen
Dany Heatly
Jason Spezza
Marion Gaborik
Todd Bertuzzi
JP Dumontand thats right off the top of my head. If the Islanders pass on Tavares it will be just more of the same crap that saw our leading goal scorer be a FA defesemen with 19 goals. Its clear. All you Hedman fans think he should be their choice based on what? Same for Tavares fans except Tavares has done nothing but dominate every level he played. Sorry it has to be Tavares.
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CT Isles Fan says:
JT
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Matt (134) – The best buzz is a consistently winning team. Nobody will be talking about Tavares and the Isles in March if he has 20 goals, and we’re 12 points out of a playoff spot. Didn’t we trade for Yashin to create a buzz and add some “credibility” (to use Milbury’s words) to our franchise? If our franchise had consistently made decisions based on the best HOCKEY reasons, then we wouldn’t find ourselves in this position today. You can’t undo the mistakes of the past by repeating those same mistakes. If they pick Tavares because they think he’s the best guy with the most potential to help us win over the long haul, then I’m happy. If they do it for marketing purposes, then this franchise is in deep, deep trouble.
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A huge disaster if we take Hedman? Please people, please. Any of the big three would not be a “huge disaster”. The argument against Hedman is that it will take 3 years to develop him. Does anyone really think that Tavares will come in here next year and score 50 goals? It’s going to take him a few years to develop too!
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Its still hard for me to believe that these Hedman supporters are really Islander fans. The need for JT is so evident that it seems impossible for an Islander fan not to clamour for him. I’m going to be in Montreal for the draft with the original anticipation of seeing Tavares picked by us, it will all be ruined if we get Hedman. And i would be missing out on the best video ever when News 12 shows the scene at the coliseum when all the fans rightfully so, walk out and boo Snow
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IsleofNJ says:
Listen to the Captain #5 Denny Potvin
“You have to consider the marketplace”
Take JT !!!!!! -
art @ 133- the story of heatley requesting a trade has been out for a week now, he has already stated that he wants to go to a western conference team. even if he didnt say that it would be a mistake to put him on the islanders. heatley is a 1 dimensional player and needs a setup man (Spezza). bailey will be a great playmaker some day but not yet. id rather develop tavares/bailey together and not have to pay either an obscene amount of money. not to mention that kind of money needs to go to a blue chip ufa d-man
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pete DeBenedetto says:
Hey 128….
….who did Chara “shut down” in this year’s playoff? How about when he played for Ottowa…shut down???
How about Phaneuf? Who did he shut down?
Lidstrom is the only one with rings….and a very deep supporting cast.
John Tavares must be drafted. Anything else will be a failure….
….for God’s sake, there will be 15,000 people back on Long Island….do you realize what a travesty that will be when TSN flashes back to the Coliseum and people are RUNNING out. They’ll have the wrecking ball ready and that Jim Ballislle with a bus pointed to Hamilton.
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#127 “Irish Isle” asked us to Rate the 13 players he named(as far as trading up to acquire)….Here are my Personal Rankings… 7-Kulikov..8-Ekman-Larsson..12-Kassian..13-Glennie..15-Olsen..16-Budish..18-Kreider..20- Despres..26-Ferraro..30- Erixon..31-Rundblad..32- Ashton..40-Caron..
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all i hope is that if they DO take victor, he doesnt turn out to be like SCHENN
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matt says:
well I can tell you there will be plenty of “drama” at the coliseum if tavares isnt picked by the isles…won`t be pretty.
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Dan C says:
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, if the Isles pass on Tavares, I won’t be worried about the drama on the draft floor. I’d be worried about the riots taking place within the Coliseum walls.
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138 i normally agree with you and on a normal year i wouldnt care hedman or jt but the fact is that this team needs to create a short term buzz. lets be honest whoever we draft this year were not making a huge cup run but the short term buzz tavares would make will help the isles sell tickets jerseys and that type of stuff could help the lighthouse project gain speed all of these things will help the isles stay on long island which to me is the most important thing. with all those factors and how close tavares and hedman are talent wise how do you not go with the guy who not only helps you off the ice but this team didnt have a player who scored 20 goals last year its not like you can say foward isnt a big need for this team.
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ron says:
Agreed, Kevin Fitz.
Do you ppl expect Tavares to be our Alex Ovechkin next season? Ok, let’s look at it this way: Size.
Hedman is Taller (AND FASTER!). Good chance this Hedman kid can STOP Ovechkin, something this team Can’t seem to do (among countless other players we can’t stop flying past our players).
How about speed? This is today’s NHL. This is today’s NY Islanders. Speed counts.
Tavares is not Ovechkin. Hedman comes closer- size and speed wise.
Hedman or Bust!
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Don’t screw this up….#25
I could not agree more! -
James #67
How long have you been a “suffering” Islanders Fan? If you can’t understand how some long timers could come out and say that they will be done with the team if JT is not picked… (I hate to say this but) then you have not been SUFFERING LONG ENOUGH! -
Jeff says:
What is the point of drafting Hedman when we don’t have a legit #1 goalie? Our only chance of stopping the other team from scoring is to be in their end, which means that JT is the only choice.
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Dan L #141 Thanx for your input. Yes Heatley would come high if he came at all. But Tavares will likely be the choice and only time will tell if he is a future star. Heatley is a star. I do take issue with your hopes for Bailey. Bailey in 68 games last season had 7 goals and 25 points in 68 games at age of 19 by comparison Heatley played every game of hi first season at the same age and had 26 goals and 67 points on a weak team! Not to mention Rookie of the year and great numbers since then.
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art #33…
the only way they should trade for heatly is if they correct the mistake and get the sens to take DP even up
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tond24 says:
JT…if hedman and jt came out last year, jt would go #1 and hedman would go number 5…if they both went in next years draft JT would go #1 and hedman would go #3..so y is anyone still sitting on hedmam..get the goal scorer snowey
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I’ve said it would be a “HUGE DISASTER’ if the Isles pass on JT and that is not because of the marketing, seat sales etc etc. I mean that This kid (and I stress KID at 19 years old) only has upside and no one can say he will be a clutch super star or an under achiever in the NHL.
The only thing I see is “DISASTER” if we pass on him and he ends up turning into a well rounded, 40-45 goal scorer, wearing the “C” for SOME OTHER team leading them to Stanley Cups. GOD FORBID Toronto get their hooks into him. Any chance the Islanders have for being respected again as a contender hinges on this #1 pick.
Do you want to be the team that had the chance to draft John Tavares #1 and passed on him if all of the aforementioned happens and he does become a “generation talent”? I can’t imagine it and THAT is why I say it would be a “HUGE DISASTER” if the Isles don’t roll the dice and bring him to NY to play for the Islanders. I’m sticking to it.
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UIF says:
I don’t know…for two years straight I’ve watched this team score very few goals. I don’t care how “up-tempo” the system is, it’s flat out boring to watch the Islanders. I’ll accept it if Hedman’s a better player in the long run if they take a “chance” (if you even want to call it that) on the goal scorer this time. The Islanders are boring…I love ‘em, but they’re boring as heck. I think realistically Tavares can net 20 next year (as Stamkos did last year). And sadly, that could make him the team’s top goal scorer!
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If Bruce Garrioch is the source out of Ottawa then it may as well be the anonymous hockey blogger. Heatley has demanded out on two organizations, has a no trade clause which limits where he can be delat and any future move, wants to be the coach, is due a $4 mil bonus if dealt before the July 1 and is 7 years older than every other player in the Islanders rebuild.
If drafting Hedman will cause a riot, I can”t imagine how bad it would be trading the number 1 for Heatley. That would be a “Milbury” move.
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WOW JAffy asks Snow point blank!
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Pritchett54 says:
Maybe the plan is to draft duchene and then 14,000 isles fans tear/burn the coliseum to the ground and then they have to rebuild it. That is wangs plan all along. The county would be responsible for redoing it.
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Snow won’t say anything. Hardly worth the interview. I’m not knocking that approach because it makes sense from Garth’s point of view, but from an interviewer’s standpoint, those are the worst. I’m not even listening but I’m guessing the answer will be something about processes and meetings.
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UIF – of course but if your an Isles junkie, you still want to listen. There is only so much you can get from a text interview, and this is the first time I’ve actually HEARD him talk about fan reaction if Tavares isn’t picked. Still, it was very general.
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Lafontaine16 says:
Not sure if anyone caught it, but prior to Game 5 of the Stanley cup finals, Ken Holland was on CBC. He said the red wings build their teams with strength through the middle. He said the key to their success has been strenght at the center position. (i.e. Yzerman, Federov now Datsyuk and Zetterberg) plus the Pens just won with Crosby, Malkin and Stall. Bailey is a nice start and the pick should be JT to make the strength down the middle even better. Plus with Nielson and Trivino the islanders could be set for a long time.
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Hock says:
If I remember correctly, stamkos got most of his goals in the second half of the season….after he acclimated a bit to the NHL. Tavares wil likely do the same. Don’t expect immediate results. If he is an instant scoring machine, GOD Bless him!!! But the reality is that he doesn’t have the proper support around him….yet.
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If snow drafts JT and hedman turns out to me the better pick in the future snow wont be subject to any of the hatred and ridicule that is focused on Milbury for his mistakes. Now if Snow takes Hedman and JT turns into a allstar and hedman doesnt mature as a player (or he does after we trade him to someone else), well then snow will be looked at as the same as milbury. JT is the no brainer pick.
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I think the fans will be happy to take their chances on JT rather than the “sure thing” of hedman.
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Jordan says:
I am all for drafting Hedman, but I do agree that if they draft him at 1, they are very stupid. They can stock up big time while dropping to 3rd and getting him becaause Colorado wants Duchene I am sure
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the islanders website says over 16,000 people bought the free draft tickets…even if 6,000 of those people dont show up, 10,000 will be an amazing turnout for a draft party though im pretty sure around 12-14 thousand will come…..with that many people, the colessium will turn into iran if they dont pick tavares….do you want to be known as the team that passed up on tavares?
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the islanders website says over 16,000 people bought the free draft tickets…even if 6,000 of those people dont show up, 10,000 will be an amazing turnout for a draft party though im pretty sure around 12-14 thousand will come…..with that many people, the colessium will turn into iran if they dont pick tavares….do you want to be known as the team that passed up on tavares?
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To Respond to ‘Blizzard’—No, I would not have Passed on Parise..Actually I always say that was one of the biggest Isles draft mistakes ever. I went thru the Friggin roof when they picked Nilsson….I had Parise rated 5th overall in 2003, & I didn’t know anybody who rated him higher than that before the draft…I actually think small players are usually underrated..Did you read the PB post where they were saying that Duchene is much thicker, has bigger legs & hips, a better frame than Tavares? Did you see him w/ his shirt off at the Combine? I wasn’t saying that he can’t stickhandle, I was saying he isn’t as good a stickhandler as a Kovalev, Palffy, Duchene, etc..No Reputable Scouting source has called J.T. one of the best stickhandlers in the draft.. He’s a very good stickhandler,(10th best in the Draft-would be a quick estimate)..The bottom line is Tavares “Awareness” and Shooting Accuracy are probably within the top 5 best in the NHL; today..I think he will be a 40-50 goal a year guy…But that’s not a “Generational Talent”…He is not in the Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin category..He will be a Perennial All Star; that was my only point.
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So… he thinks the Isles would/should select Tavares, but he thinks they’ll take Hedman. Huh??
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Jordan #181
If the Islanders want Hedman, they have to take him #1 because Tampa wants Hedman in the worst way. And they are at #2.You could argue that if the Isles really want JT and play Tampa they could swap places with Tampa and get a future or later round draft pick out of Tampa to allow them to move up to #1 and get their guy. Then the Isles can take JT at #2.
Ii wouldn’t mess around, I would just take their guy # 1 and move on to the other important picks they have.
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Danielle says:
This is getting so out of hand. I can’t wait for the draft party and to see them call John Tavares’ name, but if people are prepared to abandon the Islanders completely if they choose anyone else, come on that’s ridiculous. Maybe pass on those season tickets, but how boring is life without hockey?! Even losing hockey is better than none at all.
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Julian R says:
This is as excited as I’ve been about the Islanders in a long time. They better pick Tavares or else I will be absolutely crushed and just forget about hockey for a while. I’m scared though because the Islanders draft history has been spotty at times. Shouldn’t Ryan O’Marra be up by now? and what pick was he?? It would also be quite a different dynamic and franchise if we had Parise instead of Nilsson. So please Garth, make the right choice. Making the wrong one can really hurt the franchise for an even longer period of time.
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Other than Hedman being Swedish … What qualifies him to earn the comparison with Lidstrom? Please … facts only … What has he done in his short life career without ever skating in N.A. other than being schooled at the WJC.
Thanks … b/c I really would like to be convinced by the Hedman side with supporting facts. Oh, and his size doesn’t impress me after seeing him get leveled by several CHL players … including Tavares.
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Isle be Damned says:
while I am sure that Hedman will be a wonderful player and I know we’ll love him once he’s on the ice as an Isle, But, the Islanders NEED tavares. They need to have the entire sport focused on them, if only for one or two days. They need a star to combat the high priced Rangers and other talented teams in the Atlantic. they need someone to score goals.
Right or wrong, it will be embarrassing if the NYI do not pick Tavares. A perenial doormat always trying to prove they know something the rest of the league doesn’t know. That is why they’ve had such awful drafts the last 10 years. Do the right thing & make Tavares an Islander.
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Andrew says:
Forget drama at the draft, there will be drama with Islanders fans if they don’t take JT. As a lifelong Islanders fan I think I might be done with this team forever if they don’t draft the goal scorer. You can get solid defensemen through free agency and trades, top goal scoring is much harder to get.
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MUST READ!!!– Replying to (Post#189)”19 ISLE in NJ 22″ who asked give me facts why Hedman is the next Lidstrom?…MY ANSWER– Hedman has played in the WJC 2 years in a row..This yr he struggled because of injured shoulder..In 2007-08 season he also made the Swe WJC Team and was named to the All WJC 1st team!(an Amazing feat for someone that young)..This yr in the Highest league in Sweden, playing against Men, he won ‘Rookie of the Year’. He played over 21 minutes a game on a line w/ Mattias Timander. Here’s what the Top Scout at RedLine Report said about him: “Has as much pure talent as any Player in the last 4 Drafts. Incredibly fluid, mobile & has a great stride..Always has his head up looking for a play. Can take over & dominate games..Enormous point shot & has a great one-timer..See’s the ice beautifully. Oozes maturity & presence. Has already played 82 games against Men in Sweden. Makes crisp, confident passes, firm & on the tape. Superb poise & patience w/ puck, even under heavy pressure- doesn’t give up w/out a reason. Instinctive; makes great plays & reads in all zones & gets the puck to the right place at right time. Tremendous Defensive range & uses long reach well to break up the rush & disrupt passing lanes. Uses body, but isn’t overly physical yet. Tends to let feet get a bit lazy against the rush. Has the all around game to be a true franchise player.”
Projection: Elite, World class star two-way Defenseman
Style Compares to: A less edgy Chris Pronger
C’mon Garth. It’s easy: John Tavares. Then have your fun with the 26th pick/trading up or down, i dont care. Just pick Tavares!