WANT A GUARANTEED JAM-PACKED DRAFT PARTY?
Reward NY fans’ loyalty with scoop on No. 1 pick
Islanders Point Blank on Twitter
UPDATED at 8:30 am with my Comments on some of yours.
The Islanders report that more than 18,000 tickets have already been snapped up by fans for their free Draft Party at the Coliseum. Think about the extraordinary loyalty of fans who are getting themselves to Uniondale on the first Friday night of summer to watch the VERSUS broadcast of TSN’s coverage of the draft on the Coliseum scoreboard.
There’s no question about it. If you are a big Islanders fan, live within driving distance of the Coliseum and don’t have a wedding or job to go to, the Draft Party is the place to be. So what if not all 18,000 are going to use their tickets? If the Islanders get 6-10,000 – my prediction – that’s a remarkable accomplishment. There has never been a draft party in the NHL, NBA or NFL to match that crowd.
As a reward to the Islanders fans filling the arena to watch some must-see TV, Garth Snow should call in to the Draft Party at 7:00 pm, be transferred to the PA system and exclusively inform everyone at the Coliseum the identity of their first overall pick. If Snow can’t make the call, he can relay the information to partygoers Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier and they can do the honors.
The TSN broadcast – VERSUS just picks up the Canadian show – can film the reaction at the Coliseum, or go live. The first overall selection would have two moments: the reaction of the large crowd at the Coliseum and the reaction of the fans at the Bell Centre.
Of course, the 18-year old the Islanders pick first overall will be notified just before the announcement to the Coliseum crowd so he hears first. There’s a good chance he will know anyway before the official coronation on the draft’s stage at around 7:15 pm. The Islanders should also tell their contest winners in Montreal for the draft.
There are Islanders fans all over the planet. There are no doubt thousands who would love to be at the Coliseum next Friday but cannot be. Still, those die-hards at the Coliseum should be rewarded. Last time the old barn had a crowd this big to watch closed circuit TV was probably Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns.
In honor of your loyalty and dedication to the Islanders, we wanted to share this news with you before the rest of the hockey world.
With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders are proud to select _______________.
Season tickets are now available at the customer service booths conveniently located all over the place. Our merchandise staff is ready to start lettering and numbering your jerseys. Islanders prospect camp begins in two weeks. ____________ will be there”!
Right now, there are probably about 8,000 Islanders fans committed to attending the Draft Party at the Coliseum on Friday. There are thousands more weighing their options, including some leery of potential negative reaction if the majority of fans don’t get their man. It is all but certain they will get their man. Worst-case scenario, some really loud booing never bothered anyone. It will be far worse if RC Dugans is selling pints of beer for a quarter.
Want to guarantee the best possible crowd at the Coliseum on Friday? The Islanders should announce that they will first share the decision on their No. 1 pick with the loyalists who gave up their Friday night to make it to the future site of the Lighthouse Project.
Comment on this topic only. Comment Guidelines. In case you missed, here are the details on the Post-Draft and Draft Party Draught Celebration at RC Dugans in East Meadow. $1 Miller pints if the NYI take Tavares, 25 cents if anyone else goes first overall.
108 Responses to WANT A GUARANTEED JAM-PACKED DRAFT PARTY?
Reward NY fans’ loyalty with scoop on No. 1 pick
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tim says:
7:00pm
With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders are proud to select EVANDER KANE!7:15pm
Coliseum empty.Hopefully, that’s just a bad dream.
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Fantastic Chris! I love it! I was listening to XM 204-NHL Radio-and they had the TSN draft breakdown. If Landon Ferraro falls to the Isles at #26 and then a stud Defenseman they were talking about—Holland–falls to the #1 pick in the 2nd Round..and they pick Tavares…I will be the happiest I have been since Shawn Bates scored that Penalty Shot goal!
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beatlebailey says:
CB: With these ideas I can see why you were with the Isles for 20 years.. Hey Chris Dey listen to CB. Show the faithful some love!! Let’s Go Islanders!!!!!
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Thomas32 says:
(7pm)….Snow at the podium , The New York Islanders organization is proud to select ….from the London Knights , John Tavares! Coliseum ERUPTS like when Ray Ferraro scored in Double OT in 93′ v.s Washington! The re-birth of the Islanders BEGINS!!!!!!
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Greg says:
That’s a great idea and thats why you were a great PR guy for the Islanders.I really hope that happens,it would be awesome.
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Glenn says:
Garth could really blow peoples minds if he SOMEHOW walked out with Tavares AND, provided Hedman goes 2nd, Duchene if he could somehow deal for the #3 pick without
moving Okposo (I’d be ok with dealing the
2010 #1 in that scenario).“We told you were bringing in a youngster of high character and excellent academic standing…how about TWO of them for you?”
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valentino says:
We need about 9,000 fans chanting the customary “lets go Islanders” while the other 9,000 fans chant what will be the new ear drum buster…. “John Ta-va_res”
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Staten Islander says:
just in case, i’m wearing a kevlar lined jersey
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Gary says:
Why do I keep getting that queasy uncomfortable feeling in my stomach that by the time I go to bed on Friday night Garth Snow will have ruined what could have been a wonderful evening!
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You know, even if they dont want to come out and literally tell everyone right there (not that I would mind!!!!) that would actually be a great time for the kind of fan hint that fellow Isles fan Frei was talking about in one of your other blog posts today. Like, they can say something about asking people to give the new player a chance and welcome him to the team (if it isnt Tavares) or telling fans how happy they will be with the pick (if it is Tavares.) An announcement like that could really help things.
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LOOOOOOOOVE the idea of going “live” from the draft CB!!! That would give me goosebumps seeing that on Versus!! Its KILLING me that Ill be in PA , so I hope they get it there!!
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txdbog says:
its tavares…they wouldnt piss 90% of the fans at the coliseum off and have everyone leave before they officially even announce the pick before the draft actually ever even starts.
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After reading this CB, I thought to myself, maybe Garth has something up his sleeve for when we arrive. Maybe we will see signs everywhere with Tavares name and soon to be Orange and Blue Number. Maybe it will be flashing on the big screen prior to 7pm. Maybe, just maybe….Bossy will be sporting a Tavares jersey walking around…that would really put a smile on a lot of faces….
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Otter says:
Not a chance in hell they give us that satisfaction. The sooner the pick is announced and if that player isn’t the popular pick the sooner everyone riots as they leave the building.
Speaking of, how does the team benefit financially by having this party? It’s not like they get any $$$ from concessions/parking.
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James says:
I second that idea.
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jethro09 says:
I can not make the draft party because I’ll be out of town. But I hope that those go get loud and vocal real early and let Management know who the Isles should select #1 overall, John Tavares. And not because that’s who we want, but because he’s the best player available. We need the John! Ta!-Var!-Es! chant to be loud inside the coliseum, on the cusp of obnoxious.
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You get near 10,000 people at the draft day party, that speaks volumes about the love the fans have for this franchise. I mean where else could you finish dead last and still get that kind of a turnout to listen to announcement that is by no means a fargone conclusion.
Pass the Maalox.
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The PolishPrince says:
I’ll have three children with me that night Garth. Please don’t make the Coli a more hazardous place then it has to be. Pick JT and let’s kick this rebuild up a notch!
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Eric says:
THe new Isles Gm should be the New Isles gm if Tavares isn’t taken. He has some good ideas atleast with marketing.
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Islanders 360 says:
CB, do you think there’s any chance they would actuallly do this? I love the idea, but it just doesn’t seem like something we should expect from the powers that be.
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C.J. says:
I’m from North Jersey… a little under 1 hr. away from NVMC w/no traffic. About 90 minutes w/normal traffic. About 3 hours w/insane traffic.
I secured 6 tickets to the draft party weeks back.
The ONLY thing standing in my way of attending the draft party is the fact that my wife is 39 weeks pregnant and due on the 28th. I secured the tickets thinking the baby might be born a week or two early (thus, allowing me to get a free night out and attend the draft party).
As is the case w/all Islander fans, life just ain’t that simple.
All those attending the draft party, ENJOY!
… and CB, have a beer at RC Dugans on me!
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Ketch says:
I agree with the idea of letting the fans know first who the Isles pick. And if it’s Tavares, I think it would be quite foolish to start lettering jerseys unless it’s announced what number Tavares takes…I assume it’d be 91, but maybe he likes 61 now?
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Steve says:
You would jam the place to the rafters if they announced Tavares right now!
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
#15
on IM we were talking about getting a John Ta!-Var!-Es chant going for the last 5 minutes prior to the pick being made.
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Hey Chris
love your insight….I see no reason at all for Garth Snow to announce his pick before Fri Night. I don’t see why he would even be questioned on it. The Draft is set on Fri night and he will make his selection then……anything can happen up until that time…95% of Islanders fans have NEVER even seen Taveras or Hedman even play. Snow should not be presured at all by media or a fan base that has little idea about these prospects……I find it funny that most Islanders fans want Joh nTaveras when those very sam,e people will call for Snow’s head if Duchene or Hedman or god for bid the #6 pick turns out better…..to tell you the truth, the articles about JT have been less than entusiastic about his “ALL AROUND GAME” and this player has a good chance to turn into a Ray Ferraro…….Forget about Draft Party’s(thats a laugh, NY media, etc when it comes to selection……Pick the best available player…..the rest is conversation
I still remember when Brendyl was supposed to be the next Mike Bossy…..I have a feelin that people feel taveras will be Crosby. He will not.
Thx
mark
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Justin says:
It is an awesome idea but then everyone at the draft would also know the pick before Garth gets to the podium. He seems to want to keep a lid on it until that exact moment, for better or worse.
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#22: I like where your head’s at. I’ll be chanting John!-Ta!-Var!-Es! as well. Only I’ll be in front of a TV around hundreds of strangers who will probably have no idea what on Earth I’m chanting about.
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Hank says:
To put it simply, if the Islanders and Snow do not select John Tavares with our 1st pick, the Coliseum part of the Lighthouse renovations will commence A LOT earlier than expected, WITHOUT permits
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isles99 says:
that is an awesome idea man….if it is in fact jt, i would like one-half of the people to chant lets go islanders! and the other half to chant john ta-va-res! hopefully this is the rebirth of our team! i can just imaginine it now, the TKO line with tavares and okie.
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No. 23,
You’re kidding right? We’re suddenly supposed to take Garth Snow on his merits because you say so?
Whatever pal.
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GGC says:
Love the idea (if it’s indeed JT), would really take the atmosphere up a notch or three.
Isn’t that telling though, this could be the largest draft party in professional sports history. Not that these things are prevalent, but still speaks volumes that there is an NYI fan contingency out there–both diehard and casuals alike!
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
CB- That is an interesting “outside the box” idea …. hymmmmm … I guess like a two-way video conference. I wonder what the draftee would think about that?
I’ll email you what I know regarding the CC TV part of the festivities.
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jeff says:
If Isles were going to pick anyone but Tavares, why wouldn’t they look to trade the #1 pick? It just wouldn’t make any sense, which is why I think Isles will keep the #1 pick and select Matt Duchene. Looking at some of the videos, it looks like Tavares is more like Bossy and Duchene is more like Trottier. As great a two-way player as Trotts was, Bossy scored buckets full of goals. Bottom line, I’ll be happy to get either one. Either one will be the best player wearing an Islander uniform as soon as he puts on the jersey Friday night. Friday can’t get here soon enough!
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Hud says:
JT will know he is the pick, hopefully Thursday night. I have said before, if the Isles have this huge draft party and do not take JT they are clueless. The draft party actually is the clincher that it will be JT, or else I root for the dumbest franchise in the history of sports. Let’s give em beer and rip their hearts out, then try to sell season seats! No draft party, worried, draft party, JT.
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Eric says:
How could the islanders give tickets away to a draft party where there are not enough seats to hand out. It would make sense for them to start limiting the tickets they are giving out.
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mtrico says:
I will be at Citi Field for the Mets/Yankees game that night, but I am liking the idea.
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Blizzard says: Party on Garth!!!!!
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matt says:
yea lets do it 7pm EVERYONE START THE JOHN TA VA RES CHANT LIKE 15 MINUTES NONSTOP!!!!!!!!!
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doc says:
I work downtown NYC and won’t be in the area of the NVMC until 8:30 – 9:00. Is that too late? I know I will miss the 1st pick… but i suppose I can make the RC Duggans celebration… (I hope it’s a celebration).
DOC
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Joe in Massapequa says:
“There’s no question about it. If you are a big Islanders fan, live within driving distance of the Coliseum and don’t have a wedding or job to go to, the Draft Party is the place to be.”
I have a wedding in Puerto Rico or else I’d be there!
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Billy says:
Thanks CB, life long Islanders fan here now living in British Columbia with all the rabid Canuck fans. This site allows me to keep in touch with the team. Oh and the Canadian Media is out of control here, always disrespecting our team and characterizing them as a mess, and how they feel bad for whomever they pick. What they dont understand is, the New York Islanders are good for the NHL and should hope we are successful!
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Strummer's Army says:
It’s exciting no matter which of the three they choose they are going to get an impact player.
CB, do you expect any Islander trades for actual players?
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JZimm says:
Really, there’s no need to rip Matt Ducnene, Evander Kane, or anyone else for that matter. These are all very good hockey players. It’s just more important to have Tavares right now.
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Al L says:
#38! They have the first pick overall in a draft with impact players. Therefore,of course they are going to get an impact player. It had better be the player who is projected to have the most impact(John Tavares)or else the Lottery winning mean’t nada!
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Gloobenberg says:
So Snow announces who he’ll be taking at 7:00pm. By the time the actualy first pick goes live on TV..the NVMC could be a ghost town.
With that being said….I think this proves John Tavares is our man.
Hmmm…Should i go to the draft party now?
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I was referring to #43,not 38. Again,although they are going to get an impact,it certainly does matter which one it is. They are drafting first overall with needs everwhere. Consequently you must use conventional wisdom and choose the guy who was for the past 4 years and still is projected to be the very best of the 2009 class! Doing anything else would in concept be downright idiotic!
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John Tavares has dominated the OHL and he has dominated the WJC. He has been the top prospect since he was 14. He broke or tied a few significant records in both the OHL and the WJC. He seems to be a solid person off the ice as well. For a team desperate for a goal scorer to not take him first overall would be pretty dumb if you ask me. Listen to spike Lee, Garth. Do the right thing!
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
#40
If you go to the draft party then you will be able to see the #26 pick. Based off the schedule I saw id say that you would probably see from pick about 26 to the end of the round if you get there at 9:00. If you can’t get there by then, then I wouldnt bother coming I would just get a headstart at the hopeful celebration!
CB a question, you said you were running out of stuff to post why not do a mock draft? Just wondering
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Michael says:
Chris, you are my god. I seriously hope that Snow reads this and starts catering to the fans that stil exist for this INEPT franchise. Can you imagine fans packing the arena for the damn ISLANDERS who have been irrelevant for 2 freaking decades?
Jesus Garth.. do right by us for ONCE. JUST ONCE. We aren’t asking the world.
I cannot wait for Friday, but admittedly, I will not be attending the Draft Party. I am not sure we are getting “our” man.. and I am not going to be surrounded by 10,000 people losing their minds.
That’ll be left to Snow to figure out what to do. I can’t believe we may not get Tavares. This really is insanity.
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
I’ll be on the Island Thursday, then leaving around 3:00 to come back home to the Shore. I’ll pick up a pizza from Raimo’s in Hicksville where mom and dad live, and eat the whole thing in Jersey as I watch the draft…..
….and hopefully won’t vomit it back up if the team picks someone other than JT.
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Robert says:
I think I would rather watch this from the comfort of my own home so I could hear the commentary and look at a few websites.. But I would be open to some type of islanderspointblank after party to discuss the picks and what may be done on Saturday… I remember you mentioned it CB, but is anything set yet??
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Seth says:
no joke if tavares isnt taken at this point i am going to cry myself to sleep for a few nights its just too much of a emotional thriller for me unless they take tavares this really is affecting my personal life PLEASE GARTH I BEGGING YOU DRAFT TAVARES
TAVARES OR BUST
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Brian B says:
This will somehow get leaked Thursday night or Friday morning of who the Isles are going to pick…someone will find out. But I don’t care cause its gonna be JT either way.
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Craig says:
CB, Thanks again for all the great info. I have tix for Fri night but will see if I’d rather go to the Colliseum or watch it from home. Nonetheless, although I would love Tavaraes….I’m starting to have a feeling that they will trade down, take Duchene at 2 or 3, and use the extra pick they get from the team moving up to trade up even further in the first round, possibly again into the top 10, and take one of the other top defensemen in the draft. Just a hunch….but you never know…
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Benjamin K says:
Is anyone lining up early at NVMC to make sure they get in?
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fwb says:
CB,I love the site, like all of us. I do want Tavares as well, but have no problem with Hedman either, Duchene – I think he came late to the party, so to speak. I know you worked many years for the team, but I just don’t get the advantage to naming the player until they have to. What if some crazy person goes to bed on Thursday and wakes up Friday and offers a ridiculous bounty for the pick, or a flip, or whatever – do you take it? Why not hold the value on that pick until the last minute? As for selling tickets/jerseys etc – all this message boards and articles and, basically, suspense, has built up. If they pick Tavares, like most want – an explosion over Islander country will sell more tickets and shirts in short order than would have from lottery winning until today. Snow has played this great. Hopefully he follows through with a even better draft than 08 – LETS GO ISLANDERS!!! (btw, saw a custom 91 Tavares Blue Islanders jersey at the Met game tonight – maybe that guy knows !!!).
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Timmy1 says:
Just found Jonn Tavares twitter account guys
its ….Twitter.com/The_Johntaveras
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JT #91 says:
Ill be cringing in my seat at the belle centre ill have my head down and my hands covering my face if they dont take tavares
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John G. says:
Im soo excited! I cant wait. I dont even care who they pick anymore, its going to be entertaining one way or another.
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Joe says:
Considering everything I have read, here, TSN, etc. there is just no way the pick cannot be Tavares.
Great player. Check.
Team player. Check.
Great personal character. Check.
Consensus #1 pick. Check.
INSTANT MONEY-MAKER. CHECK. CHECK. CHECK.The Islanders spent more time with him than any other prospect. Not likely a coincidence. The Islanders could easily book a couple of million in tix revenue on Friday alone with the right pick and they might as well just start prinitng up the Tavares jerseys the second his name is announced. They just won’t last. (Harkening back to the early 80′s, expect a boatload of guys in the parking lots selling “bootleg” Tavares t-shirts). In the short-term, this will actaully be a boon to the Nassau economy. (Maybe they will forget about the fast food tax!!!).
Hell, Kate Murray should be there to declare this John Tavares Day and present him with a Key to the Coliseum!!!Furthermore, as I have read some other poster’s comments and I too expect to bring my girls, 8 & 5, to this celebration. Is the Nassau Coliseum security force prepared to deal with even limited incidents? I think that Charles Wang (not Garth Snow as everyone including Wang says) has too much business sense and savvy to let the economic windfall that Tavares provides be sacrificed for some potential belief that there maybe a better “system player” which could also result in some serious liability issues should a riot ensue. Furthermore, that Zoo of a Nassau County Fair is going to be set up in the Parking Lot which surely will intensify the good or bad feelings from the draft. Just a few more reasons why the JT pick becomes essential for everyone’s well being!!!
btw – Is it possible that Butch Goring thinks Hedman is the pick in order to protect his sacred “91″ ?
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JF says:
i think we need rob schneider to get up on stage and say “YOU CAN DO IT! JUST PICK TAVARES!”
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Will from St. James says:
I don’t know that this is such a good idea CB. I respect your ideas, but I just think that announcing the pick even a couple minutes before the actual pick time would lessen the craziness that will ensue when we take tavares at #1. The first time i hear tavares’ name should be out of Snow’s mouth when he steps to the podium at 7:15.
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Tom B says:
I think the last time the Islanders has a sellout crowd that watched he closed circuit TV was when we made the playoffs by beating the flyers in 1990 then goy to stay and watch the end of the Buffalo / Pens game to see Uwe Krupp score to eliminate the PEnns and put the Islanders into the playoffs.
and I don’t think they should let anyone know who they are drafting until they actually announce it. To wait all this time and then tell the fans right before seems stupid to me.
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sincityhockeyfan says:
maybe knows being so secretive about who he’s drafting, so when Bettman calls out a name other then JT’s He saves Wang a very GEICO bundles of loot when 20,000 angry fans rock the Colosseum down to it’s foundation
Pick us a winner Garth… Prove you went to an ivy league school because you had some brains -
B.P. says:
Still don’t agree Chris. Why can’t this just play out and we all get to see him step up the the podium and make the pick? Why does word have to get out that the Isles are in fact going to draft JT before they do? Because you damn well know Bob McKenzie or Pierre McGuire will have the info 5 minutes after Garth’s phone call.
Why can’t this just play out the way it is supposed to. We are all big boys and girls. We’ve waited this long, 1 more hour won’t be so hard.
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LRJ says:
Since when is Maine in the Ivy League?
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Tom B (61): Unfortunately, the down side to that event was the Islanders drafting Scott Scissons — just one slot behind Pitt who we knocked out that night.
I remember being in 8th grade and going w/my friends to play ManHunt that night (donning my Isles jersey).
In hindsite, Uwe Krupp screwed us!
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CB – I know you said Heatley is probably out of the question, but does it have to be? Maybe Garth is smooth enough to pull out a good trade for him. I mean, we can afford him…right? We need a scoring winger…right? He’s still young? Please tell us some possibilities Ottawa’s GM might look for in return of Heatley….given that only so many teams can afford him. Wouldn’t that make his options less in favor of Ottawa?
Just curious to know if you find time to write about it. -
BTBoss says:
The New Isles GM – The last time the Isles traded for a disgruntle Ottawa Senator their shot themselves in the foot and are still paying for it. The goal is not just making the playoffs, it’s winning THE CUP. Any Isles players that would be needed to get the deal done would hurt the team in the long run. Just as it did in the past. Patience with this young team and the young players they draft will make them a contender. I look at it as a marathon, not a sprint and the Isles are only on the first third of the race.
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Randy Wood says:
Up here in Canada I watched Bob Mckenzie rank the top 30 prospects last night on TSN. He based his ranking on 10 scouts who ranked the prospects.10 out of 10 scouts ranked Tavares #1. If that is not a eye opener for Garth and crew, then nothing is and we will be bottom feeders for a long time. Listen to the scouts Garth if you don’t want to listen to the fans!!!!!
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admin says:
(69) The Islanders are not acquiring Dany Heatley, so I don’t want to waste anyone’s time going there.
It’s like the Landon Ferraro thing. I’ve written a few times that there’s no way the NYI go for a player with Landon’s skill set with the 26 pick. I’ve listed 14 players the NYI could pick between 20 and 26 and Landon’s not one of them for a reason, yet I continue to be asked about it. It’s ok if you don’t believe me.
(65) I hear ya, BP. We’ve disagreed before. We can again. To me, it’s not about waiting a few more minutes. It’s showing the ultimate respect to your fanbase.
(56) You don’t need to get to the Coli really early if you have your tickets already. There will be plenty of seats available. Even the NYI staff has to admit there’s no way all the tix distributed are being used. If you want a really good seat, sure, get there early.
(51) Raimo’s in Hicksville rules. My best and oldest friend has a younger brother who I think still eats there like 3 days a week. The guy is 40.
(54) If only 3, maybe 4 NYI people know the pick, I don’t see why it would get leaked Thursday night. You’ll have a lot of people making bold predictions of the pick – including me. I know of at least one “expert” who’s going with Tavares because this site is. You’ll even have some scammers saying they KNOW who the pick is, and taking a guess so they can try to look smart. But the Islanders seem determined to not tell anyone their pick until Friday night.
It’s one thing if you can’t make it to the Coliseum on Friday night. But if you can, I would not let any fear of craziness get in the way of being part of the moment with your fellow Islanders fans. Not gonna happen…CB
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Ok..I know you guys will think this is a stretch but…
A friend of mines friend, will actually be sitting at the Draft table in Montreal on Friday night. He won’t share any info with my friend at all(no big surprise there) however, when asked about John Tavares as the #1 pick, he was told, “Don’t worry about the 1st pick, wait and see what we do after that”
So what does that mean? Anything? Nothing?
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bob l says:
wish i could make it, but my old man cant, so i’m spending that hour by his place to watch it, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed…
i disagree with leaking the pick, even 15 min early, the info gets out too quick nowadays, i’m sure there will be dozens of ‘live feeds’ from the coli anyway -
Denis Charles Potvin HOF 91 says:
I’m having my own draft party here in Cape Coral Florida with my sons, wife and myself. I’ll be live on the phone with my BF from LI and praying for JT. I have a bad feeling it’s gonna be MD or Evander Kane!
JT Please! -
VanVoorhees says:
Whish I could be there!I’m one of those fans “from around the globe”. I’ll be watching from afar on VS and drinking better beer than the rest of you guys, but really missing being with the Isles family. Please, Please, keep Milbury out of the building.
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Kane’s not in the equation unless Garth’s somehow picking up Kane and Hedman without giving up KO, Bailey or next year’s #1. In other words, ain’t gonna happen.
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Original Rob says:
If we still don’t know by 6:59pm on Friday, I’d rather just wait until the actual announcement is made at the draft. It would be sort of anti-climactic to announce it 15 minutes earlier to the fans at the Coliseum than anyone else.
And if the pick isn’t Tavares, please people, don’t be throwing beers or anything else. Garth won’t be at the coliseum so you’d only be throwing stuff at your own brethren. I’d hate to have to throw some right hooks at my own brothers!
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El Exigente says:
Over 18,000 for a draft party! Where are all these fans for the regular season games?
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Wait, calling in before air time, is that what IS going to happen or what you WANT to happen? And nothing that happens friday night will surprise me. Nothing.
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dose says:
i think snow is handling this really well. even as i think he’s tipped his hand one way, he’s also put out a little misdirection the other. indecision, bumbling,stumbling? no way. i think snow’s a sharp guy. i’ve had problems with some things he’s done or hasn’t done, but overall i think you can see the guy getting a solid grip on his job. and the cagey way he’s handling this – call it manipulation if you want – is maximizing the interest to a fever pitch among us all. maybe there would have been some benefit to announcing the decision early, but i think maintaining this level of craziness right up until the final moment is more valuable for this team. pretty deft if you ask me.
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OH lets get this over already!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
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Gutty34 says:
Surprised no one said we are learning of the pick 15 minutes earlier to let it sink in that it is not Tavares – Snow doent want Duchene to get booed so by than it would have settled in and we dont look like crazy animals on the versus feed. He also has time to tell us of his character and how he volunteers at the community nursing home and lays in puddles so women can cross the street….he will stay all night to sign autographs…..blah blah. I hope I am wrong but why would he announce the pick earlier – we waited 3 months so whats another 15 minutes. You want to show the fans resepct. Stick with consensus (and I dont mean fans consensus) and pick who the hockey gurus say should be #1.
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Hock says:
I agree with post #26. Anything can happen in the way of trades before Garth walks up to the podium, so how could he announce anything definitively beforehand? He has to consider all offers in the best interest of the team.
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jaymz27 says:
If they don’t take Tavares, I will burn every piece of Islander clothing I own and no longer be a fan of a team that I have lived and died with for the last 28 years. Snow…don’t think you are smarter than everyone else, or that you know something that the rest of the league doesn’t know. Milbury did that for 10 years and look where that got him. JT or KC!!!!!!
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G. HOWITT says:
Stop the drama !! Snow we have play makers now we need a sharp shooter JT is it DUH!!
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Also, we have waited this long, we might as well wait until they make the pick up at the podium at 7:15 pm.
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beezo says:
c,mon Chris . . . your sons gave you this idea (to preleak the pick to the draft party audience) didn’t they? That would only serve to dilute THE MOMENT.
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Mike79 says:
@#26..You do not get it. Tavares is the #1 pick so that is who you go with. If someone else turns out better, Snow still did the best thing. It is called going with the odds.
I have never seen one person stating that he will be as good as Crosby. But since he might not be, I guess we should not take him even though he is the #1 on scouts list. Talk about negativity. -
#77- Evander Kane not PATRICK Kane
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kevin fitz says:
Great article on B.D.’s website this morning. Suggest you guys check it out.
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#90 – Never said or even insinuated he was. I simply implied that there’s no way he can even be a consideration at #1.
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starz31 says:
#91…what website is that?
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anyone know if the draft will be covered on the radio in NY-region?
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Vukota says:
CB- Don’t be too sure that the fans don’t tear it up if the Isles don’t take JT. Don’t underestimate the Isles faithful who have had just about enough of this team.
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matt says:
91 it really was a good article and actully made me feel alittle at ease. the emeinem song was funny to
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i wish i could be at the coliseum on friday night… i will be live blogging from toronto though… go tavares! go islanders!
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TimQ says:
Raimo’s is the best!!! It is scary though that the same guys works there now as when I was teenager 30 years ago
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An absolute must… If you haven’t read that Gallof or the Koshan articles about John Tavares and his desire on and off the ice… then you are missing out. Great stuff. All of this talk about Tavares not having the character, leadership, scholastic endeavors or community awareness of Duchene is a bunch of bull.
DOC
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WM says:
Per the Isles web site, over 20,000 tickets have now been ordered/distributed.
Holy smokes. -
Dan L says:
I like the idea CB, I could certainly see why Garth & Co would do that. But, personally, unless they announce the pick somewhere between today and Thursday (which I know they won’t), if I’m already at the Coliseum I would rather see him just announce it at the podium IMO. All that aside, I don’t care how its announced as long as the players last name ends in “avares” Garth can hit me in the face with a John Tavares baseball bat to announce it for all I care.
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Tavaras or Bust!!! says:
This all sounds fine & dandy but over the last few days, Garth has been giving suttle hints regarding NOT going with the POPULAR choice. I highly doubt he will tell Isles fan’s anything of substance right before the draft. What’s the point of ruining the BIG moment we’ve all been waiting for after waiting this long? I just don’t see the point unless its not Tavaras in order to let us digest it a little so we’re not as devestated, it won’t work anyway. It will only piss us all off before the anouncement and not after.
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Spud 31 says:
I’m going to the draft in Montreal…don’t blow this Garth…
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Obs says:
Excellent Idea, Hey Chris, why are you not working with the club again? These are the kind of little things a club can do to really rally the base. Since Wang has taken over the club, the Isles have been much more fan friendly.
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Tickets to the Draft Party = $0.00
Parking at the Draft Party = $10.00
New Jersey for the player selected = $200.00
Getting to pick JT first overall = PRICELESS
Give the fans what they need, make it so, Mr. Snow!
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22Isles22 says:
GONNA SAY IT ONE MORE TIME-
JUST IN CASE U HAVENT HEARD MY PLEA FOR A PROTEST (devoid of foolish antics&threats)
If the Islanders DONT SELECT Tavares-
At The Draft Party- WE SHOULD ALL BOO-
THEN TURN SILIENT AND WALK OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE #1 Pick,
Dont stick around for #2, also dont buy a single ticket package or souvenir.
A PEACEFUL WALKOUT / SILENT PROTEST
In reality only 10k will be there
(not the falsly inflated 18K)-If 7K of Us walk out, thats a powerful statement right there-
Who’s With Me on The WalkOut?
JT91 or BUST!!!!!!!!
DRAFT TAVARES!!! or SNOW MUST GO!!!
-22Isles22-
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CB, This would be the right thing to do. However, will they. Being a long suffering Islanders fan I suspect they will botch it. The thought crossed my mind to come down for the party from Boston- but I somehow know I will be disappointed by what they do. Maybe you should be Wangs right hand man…at least from a marketing perspective.
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#67… it’s not.. I thought it was obvious the whole post was written tongue in cheek. It’s like a curse sometimes only being equipped with dry humor and sarcasm
agreed