Monthly Archives: June 2009
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Do not count on the Islanders drafting a goaltender with any of their first four selections at 1, 26, 31 or 37 for three reasons. The Islanders must improve their roster with high-end skill at forward and defense. The goaltending talent in this draft does not include a no-questions-asked top-37 pick. The team is also said to be satisfied so far by the development of 2008 fifth round pick Kevin Poulin.
On the other hand, the Islanders, as you know, need goaltenders. Their depth chart at the position consists of an All-Star coming off major injuries in Rick DiPietro, seen recently at a charity event not walking with 100% comfort. Beyond DiPietro, the Islanders do not have a goaltender under contract – they will sign at least one at the opening of the UFA market on July 1 - and the prospect pool outside of Poulin ranges from uncertain to underwhelming.
Based on their draft board, look for Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski to consider the drafting of a goaltender with their third second round pick (56th overall, from Boston in the Petteri Nokelainen trade) or early third round pick (62nd overall).
One of about 4 or 5 netminders who could be available in that range is 6-4, 220-pound Robin Lehner, who started (but underachieved) for Team Sweden at the World Under-18 Championships. Lehner is flawed, but confident and determined. So much so that, well…here’s our conversation. To be clear, we present this interview not because we think the Islanders will draft Lehner, but because we were able to get him on the phone. These Swedish guys are class acts.
Do you have a timeline to come to North America to eventually start your hockey career?
Right away.
What do you mean? Most players from Sweden play in the Elite League for at least a year or two. I figured you’d be with Frolunda for a while.
I turned down my contract offer from Frolunda so I could be free to play anywhere.
Really?
Yes. I love my country, love playing there and have been proud to play for our national teams and hope I always earn that chance. But I want to be in the NHL, the best league in the world. I know there are areas of my game that have to get better to make it in the NHL, and I want to start working on them as soon as possible in North America. My goal is to get a lot of games in the Canadian Hockey League next season.
You seem very determined about this.
I am. It’s what I really want. My agent Don Meehan has known and we have a plan together. For me, it’s all about someday getting to the NHL.
Has Henrik Lundqvist’s success in the NHL and obvious joy of being over here changed the landscape for Swedish goalies?
For some of us, I think that is correct. Any competitor wants to play against the best. Coming straight to the CHL gives me the best opportunity.
I don’t mean to make the leap that everyone in Sweden knows each other, but do you know Lundqvist?
I know him very well. Our families are good friends. He is a good friend. My father Michael was his goalie coach for three years in Sweden and still talks with him. My father used to try techniques on me when I was younger and decide if they would be best for Henrik.
What would your father say you need to work on the most?
Rebound control. I feel I’ve made a lot of improvements just in the last few months. I’ve worked on it non-stop.
What would you think of being drafted by the Islanders?
Are you kidding? I love New York. I know all about the Islanders and their history. They have a great goaltender in Rick DiPietro. To maybe someday be teammates with him and maybe get to have a rivalry with Henrik against the Rangers would be an incredible thing. That sounds good to me.
Did you meet with the Islanders at the Draft Combine?
Yes, they were one of my 23 meetings. I had 16 the first day and they were one of them. I was so excited to meet with them.
What do you remember about the Islanders meeting?
They wanted to know what happened at the Under-18s in Fargo. [Sweden was considered a contender, but finished fifth and Lehner - 2.80 GAA, .916 save percentage - was inconsistent]. They were tough on that, but it was good to talk it over. I learned from that experience. I don’t want to get into it with you, but I went through everything with the Islanders. No excuses. I have to play better.
How was the overall combine experience?
It made me want to be in the NHL even more. I had a great week. I spent most of the time with Victor Hedman, (Jacob) Josefson and (Carl) Klingberg. We really enjoyed it.
Is Hedman any good?
Ha! He’s amazing.
How about Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson?
With his shot and offensive ability, I think he could be a star in the NHL if everything works out for him.
Is it tough doing the strenuous physical testing in front of more than a hundred scouts?
Not so bad. I have a method: I tried to pretend nobody else was in the room.
How did that work out?
I’m not sure if my method worked, but I did okay.
Are you going to the draft in Montreal?
I don’t know yet. My agent is going to do some research, get an idea what round I could be taken. Based on that, we’ll decide if I should be there or not. Because the draft is over two days, most players that attend are ones who know for sure they will be in the first round, maybe the first half of the second.
Depending on who you ask, I’m not sure if I’m in that group right now. That’s okay. Even if I stay home, it’s going to be a great weekend. And I’ll be back in Canada soon enough.
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Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
1:10 pm - Today’s Lighthouse meeting started at 11:05 am and ended a little bit after noon. When it was over, the four principals did everything except hold hands. Well, actually, Charles Wang and Kate Murray did hold hands while a beaming union official triumphantly yelled, “I want a copy of that picture”!
Tom Suozzi, with Murray seated to his right and Wang and Scott Rechler to his left, described the showdown as “a very productive meeting.” The Nassau County Executive said, “We have turned the page. There is a new spirit of cooperation and collaboration.” He outlined three decisions agreed to by the four leaders at the meeting.
1. The Town of Hempstead has committed to holding a hearing on the completeness of the project’s environmental impact statement on July 7. This July 7.
2. Suozzi adamantly declared, “This project is no longer just in the hands of the Town of Hempstead.” It seems pretty clear that Murray was sick and tired of her Town being the poster child for the lack of movement on the Lighthouse Project. Suozzi went out of his way to list all of the other parties involved, including the State, the County and the developers. The message was clear: everyone needs to stop making this all about Murray.
3. Murray, Suozzi, Wang and Rechler agreed to a rough schedule of responsibilities, a document that will be made public within ten days. Said Suozzi: “Everyone will work together to make sure everything is being done in a timely maner.”
Kate Murray said the meeting was “great” and “we’re going to work cooperatively.”
Wang called it “a wonderful moment” and said it “sets a new tone. We’re not looking back, we’re looking forward.” He offered the potential for compromise by reiterating his stance for months regarding the Town: “If you say no, tell me what it is you don’t like and then I’ll tell you yes or no.”
Asked about his October 3 deadline, the Islanders owner said, “I want to have certainty by the start of the hockey season. If there is no certainty, we will explore other options. It doesn’t mean we are leaving immediately. This is our home. We don’t want to leave home.”
Comments.
As Tom Suozzi, Kate Murray, Charles Wang and Scott Rechler break ground bread on the Lighthouse, here are Gary Bettman’s thoughts on Wang’s ownership and the project from his radio show yesterday.
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
The final tally on visits to Long Island…
Victor Hedman: Overnight at the Marriott with his father and agent in tow, only three hours the next morning with the Islanders. Both the Islanders and Hedman wanted to have a longer visit, but the NHL needed him for a Stanley Cup Final media tour.
John Tavares: Two days of meetings and touring, two nights lodging at the Nassau County home of Garth Snow.
And now Matt Duchene, who was well aware of the season-long Tavheduch Watch and kindly responded to our request for an interview:
Matt, did you stay at the Garden City Hotel or the Marriott when you visited the Islanders?
I stayed with Garth Snow and his family.
How long was your trip?
I was here for two days and parts of a third before flying home. Garth and his family were really great hosts.
Golf?
Yes, I played a round with Garth at a place I’m pretty sure is his club.
How was the trip?
It was excellent. Long Island’s a beautiful place. I’d never been to New York before. I got to meet the owner, Mr. Wang, for about an hour at the Coliseum. It was really a good time and I think the experience was good for me whether I end up with the Islanders or not. When we weren’t meeting, [assistant to the GM] Kerry Gwydir took me around and showed me Long Island. The trip could not have been better.
So the Islanders had you in for a few days and you’re doing one day in Tampa Bay with John Tavares and Victor Hedman. Any other trips on the schedule?
The only meeting left is some people from the Colorado Avalanche are coming to my family’s home to meet with me.
Your rise to being included with Tavares and Hedman as the clear-cut top three was sudden. Has all the talk surprised you?
A little bit, because like you said all the talk really grew over the last two or three months. Earlier in the season, I wouldn’t have expected it. I was just focused on having a good season in Brampton. I did hear about the Tavheduch Watch thing and thought that was pretty good.
How do you feel about being grouped with Tavares and Hedman?
It’s exciting, to be honest. Obviously, I know all about Johnny’s game. He’s an incredible hockey player. Mostly from what I hear from other hockey people, Victor is one of the best defensemen to come around over the last few years. So of course it’s humbling to be mentioned with them.
Do you know Tavares well from the Ontario League?
I had only talked to him once before. But at the combine, we roomed together and spent a good part of the week hanging around. We’ve become friends. We have the same agent and we’re going through similar stuff with the draft coming up, so it’s been nice to get to know him.
What would be your reaction if you’re drafted by the Islanders?
That would be incredible. I’d be thrilled because we have already started to form a good relationship. Mr. Wang and Garth came to watch me in a playoff game last month. I had the opportunity to spend two and a half really nice days on Long Island getting to know more about the franchise and the community. I also met with the Islanders at the draft combine.
How do you think you did at the combine?
I think I did well, but you’re never too sure. They asked a lot of questions. It was a good meeting. I saw Ryan Jankowski a few days later at the physical testing and he told me I did well. That was good to hear.
Besides your play, your leadership seems to have factored into your rise on draft boards. Where does that come from?
I would have to thank my parents for that. They helped me grow as a person and were always there for me. That’s why them being a part of all this excitement around the draft is so special.
What team do you think is going to draft you?
(Laughs) Not a clue. I don’t think John or Victor know either. Seems like it could go any number of ways. The good news is, the draft is in three weeks.
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Greg Logan has a blog entry on Doug Weight’s thoughts on the Islanders’ decision and a newspaper story on Weight’s breakfast with Tavares.
Comments on the Duchene conversation here. Visit Greg’s blog to share your thoughts on his Weight stories. News and views on the Lighthouse in next thread.
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Charles Wang met with David Patterson at the Governor’s office in Manhattan for an hour this afternoon. A source told Point Blank that the New York State Governor was well-versed on the Lighthouse Project, is intrigued by its potential to add thousands of jobs and may eventually get involved in negotiations if needed.
(It’s worth noting that, although the Lighthouse Project may not work outside of Nassau County, Brooklyn, Queens and Suffolk are also located in the State of New York).
Tom Suozzi, Kate Murray, Wang and Scott Rechler will meet at 11:00 am on Friday to discuss Lighthouse Project “process.” The advisory released today by Suozzi’s office begins, “After months of delays, County Executive Suozzi brokered a meeting with…”
I’m not saying Suozzi did not indeed broker the meeting, but why be such an obvious politician and take credit and cite “months of delays”? Why potentially tick off Kate Murray and her people when everyone claims to be “moving forward, not looking back.” (I’m not, but they all agreed to on Tuesday).
Suozzi has been County Executive since 2001 and has been talking about the HUB since day one. Wang bought the Islanders in 2000 and first presented Lighthouse Project plans in 2003. The proposal was brought before the highly influential Long Island Planning Council on…Tuesday. After everything that has happened, leaders want to take bows just for getting Suozzi, Murray, Wang and Rechler in the same room to talk process?
C’mon. Prove to your residents and Islanders fans the nonsense is over. Prove Tuesday’s Kumbaya at the LIPC wasn’t just because there were reporters, cameras and concerned citizens around.
Get out of your silos. Work together. Get something done.
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More on this story from Eden Laikin of Newsday.
Comments.
I dropped this on Twitter first, since it’s not Islanders-specific news. A broadcast industry source told me the NHL and NBC are finalizing a new two-year deal and could have an announcement soon. Perhaps the John Tavares-led Islanders can get a few games on NBC by the end of the deal. Comments.
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
Point Blank has confirmed that when the Islanders announce their first round draft selections, the prospects attending in Montreal will receive the vintage Third Jersey and the above Reebok-issued cap with the matching royal blue logo.
At last check with team and league sources, the vintage royal blue jersey and matching pants, socks and gloves will still be the Third “uniform system” for 2009-10. The Islanders are unable to bust through league guidelines and make them the primaries, but will wear the vintage for approximately 20 home games.
Really now: when you order those Tavares Hedman Duchene Okposo jerseys, is there any other choice of model?
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