Comments on: AGENT: ISLANDERS WILL SELECT “ONE OF MY GUYS”Meet Pat Brisson, rep for Tav and Duch, not Hed

By: jimmy

jimmy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:20:43 +0000

just draft tavares at #1
then trade bailey, 2010 1st round, 26th this year and draft duchene at #2.. u think they have any chance at something like that?

By: Isles81

Isles81 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:34:14 +0000

My biggest fear is that Garth pulls an MM move and tries to get cute and make a big splash. Just pick JT or Hedman. Personally I hope we get JT. Where the Isles are now we desperaetly need some excitement and with JT and Hedman rated about the same we should go for the guy that gets the fans excited.

By: doc

doc — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:22:14 +0000

If you trade with Tampa… you don’t swap picks. What if TAMPA double crosses you and they chose the guy that you wanted?

What you do is… you agree NOT to chose the player that Tampa wants, and you do it for a sweetner.

By: dalcy

dalcy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:57:29 +0000

maybe this whole “Snow really wanting Hedman” thing is a red herring to swap picks with Tampa still get Tavares and also get another decent NHLer from Tampa. Tampa wants Hedman, actually they NEED Hedman.

By: Brian B

Brian B — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:53:57 +0000

Isles are taking Tavares. the Isles scouts don’t want to be known as the guys who passed on JT. Snow is just playing this the right way and not saying a word. Why would he…why should he? Snow is gonna pick Tavares and everyone is gonna love him for his ability to keep it on the down low and having us fans excited for the last 3 months.

JT all the way. No issue.

By: JAS

JAS — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:33:52 +0000

Maybe its because I want Tavares more than Hedman but I think the signs point to Tavares being #1.

First off, I don’t even remember Duchene being in the conversation the day the Isles won the lottery. Garth clearly said he had a favored player between Tavares and Hedman but wasn’t going to say who it was.

Second, he restated that his position hasn’t changed since then in the interview with Deb and Jaffy yesterday. Which means it’s either Tavares or Hedman.

After Tavares’ visit to Long Island, he goes out of his way to call CB and say he WANTS to be an Islander. That’s the language of someone who feels they know where they’re heading.

Now an agent with a strong relationship with Snow calls and sounds confident it will be one of his guys.

I think even though they haven’t been told directly they’ve got some inside reason they feel confident. I think both know better than to violate confidentiality. I think Garth’s mind is made up because he hasn’t changed it since April.

By: KO21

KO21 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:29:55 +0000

It would be nice to regain some respectability thru out the NHL..

By: 19 ISLE in NJ 22

19 ISLE in NJ 22 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:02:21 +0000

Reasons Snow has decided on Tavares…

Exhibit A – Garth knows the fans overwhelmingly desire Tavares … he’s said on a few occasions… that the fans will be very happy, he’s excited for the fans.

Exhibit B – Hockey Ops hasn’t stopped the marketing dept. from promoting the draft party to avoid an angry mob if they don’t take JT.

Exhibit C – Pat Brisson’s comment that lines of communication between the Isles and himself regarding JT & MD have been really strong.

Exhibit D – I give Garth for understanding what’s at stake in this “watershed” moment in Isles history.

By: BringtheReign

BringtheReign — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:39:47 +0000

we’re not picking matt with the first pick. if snow really wants matt he’ll trade with the av’s to swap spots. you can get him at 3, get something else in return.

By: 19 ISLE in NJ 22

19 ISLE in NJ 22 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:13:39 +0000

It’s great to see that Snow has good trusting relationships with player’s agents … especially agents of top tier players. What a huge contrast to Mike Milbury’s battles with Paul Kraus, Don Meehan, Rich Winter and a bunch of other player agents … Didn’t Milbury make Kenny Jonsson cry at an arbitration hearing? Or am I mistaking him for someone else.

Thank God that Snow has a more businesslike / amicable relationship with agents. This coupled with accumulating talent and a renovated arena may move agents to see the Island as a top notch destination.

Draft JT Garth.

By: On Edge

On Edge — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:13:04 +0000

I’m more and more certain that we are taking Tavares. Which can only mean we’re taking Hedman lol

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:06:20 +0000

Well Everyday I come here and it seems the #1 pick changes each day. As a full season ticket holder and knowing the majority of the fan base wants Tavares I can’t see them promoting this draft party and doing the poll if they don’t intend on taking him..they know what would happen if they didn’t.

Pittsburgh just won the cup with young offensive stars and an average goalie at best..they didn’t win with a big defenseman scoring 30 points in a season.

Nothing surprises me with this team anymore, however if they don’t take Tavares I think it’s a huge mistake and they certainly won’t be selling more tickets. I don’t understand why Duchene is even in the argument, but then again I am not a hockey scout.

If it’s really this close between Hedman and Tavares, than you go with what the fan base wants, and take the scorer. No one is going to be complaining later if we do. If we pass on this kid and he scores 50 goals, it will be a disaster.

I was going to go to the draft party but the thought of driving over an hour with the possibility of not taking Tavares has ended that.

This team DESPERATELY needs goal scoring, and I really don’t get what the hang up is or what the point is of “playing it close to the chest” unless your going to score a major talent by trading out of this pick.

Please don’t alienate anymore of the loyal fans like myself that buy full season tickets. Take Tavares