NO SHAME IN HOPING FOR THE BEST (DRAFT PICK)
Why the lottery matters as much as late-season wins
Chris Botta on Twitter
7:30 pm: Please allow me to spell this out one last time, so there can be no misunderstanding. Hopefully, no one gets hurt.
It is Scott Gordon’s responsibility to coach his team to as many wins as he can, to see that they fight to the end. Very good on the head coach, Dean Chynoweth, Scott Allen and their gritty-gutties for playing hard, fast and loose, and executing to the tune of 7-3-1 in their last 11 games.
You never know – these hot and happy runs have been more the norm than the exception for teams four lanes deep on the perimeter of the playoff race since the league went to 21 franchises. But maybe the Islanders shouldn’t have been sellers only before the trade deadline. They were 0-3-1 after March 3. When Garth Snow sold Andy Sutton and didn’t buy anything, he wasn’t strategizing for his team to make a strong push for the playoffs. And yet, followers okay with a Fall for Seguin, Fowler and Hall are the negative ones?
I just can’t imagine anyone having the stones to lecture fellow followers on the quality of their worship because they were disappointed in pyrric late-season victories against Columbus, Calgary and Ottawa. Those are the same folks who will go ga-ga if the Islanders lose this week to Pittsburgh and New Jersey while the Lightning and Panthers play to overtime twice over the weekend.
As long as I’ve been studying NHL coverage, I can never recall a coach crediting April out-of-it wins for his team’s maturation into a contender a year or two later. It’s all window dressing. Those games when the Islanders were in the thick of the playoff race from mid-January until early March – you know, the ones when they went 3-12 – they mattered a whole lot more.
Although Gordon has admirably instilled a style of play and a work ethic in his rebuilding team, this also isn’t the first time in the last decade that some Islanders players finished strong after going missing for 20-game spurts earlier in the year.
Crosby and Malkin aren’t leaving the conference anytime soon. Ovechkin’s loaded Capitals are only going to get better as John Carlsson and his fellow prospects mature. The Devils and Lou Lamoriello are not leaving New Jersey. Boston lost Phil Kessel and took a step back this season, but they have a strong chance of adding a franchise player with Toronto’s pick.
Led by Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic, the Islanders have a solid group of prospects. A few made big steps in their development over the last year. But heading into the 2010 draft, the Islanders’ prospects not currently with the NHL club are hardly any more special than most teams’. To use a local example, they are certainly no more special than the crew Gordie Clark has assembled with the Rangers.
The players and coaches should be inspired to win. There’s no shame in anyone else being inspired to hope for the best possible Draft Party. Remember, the Islanders’ stated goal is to eventually become a consistent contender – not just make the playoffs like they should next year.
The Draft Lottery is next Tuesday, April 13 at 8:00 pm. Comments.
116 Responses to NO SHAME IN HOPING FOR THE BEST (DRAFT PICK)
Why the lottery matters as much as late-season wins
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UIF says:
Some of us are just sick of “rooting for losses”. Doesn’t seem to be any harm in being happy or…and this is rare for Isles fans…actually entertained when your team rattles off a few wins and looks good doing it. Entertainment is why we watch, after all. Sure, the preaching is a bit much, I agree, but that cuts both ways.
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beatlebailey says:
we lose when we need to win and win when we should lose…the life of an Islanders fan….cant wait to see that 7th pick of the first round make the team in 3 years!
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jimisles says:
Since this team would not go deep, then yes the Islanders grabbing one of the top 4 or 5 in the draft is huge.
Next season I expect this team to make the playoffs.
Now hopefully Garth will open that wallet during free agency to add in the proper spots, not more 3rd liners.
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PotvinRocks says:
Late season wins, will not make this team better next year. A high draft pick will make them better.
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I won’t root for the team to lose but I’m not upset when they do these days. I’d like a top pick but like I’ve said in the past, my rooting for or against them has no outcome on the game so I might as well still back the team instead of a team I dislike.
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Tyler says:
one more young stud and we have a quality young core to start building around. For the love of god please lose the last 4 games…if there’s one thing this team is very capable of, its losing. Dont stop now
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Here’s the thing, Chris:
I love watching this team succeed, because, well, almost every player here is an Islander for the long haul. When our defense plays a complete effort, I’m thrilled because aside from Streit and Meyer, the rest of the D is kids who’ve exceeded expectations and could be here in 10 years. When we score 5 goals, and it’s Tavares, Okposo, Comeau, Bergie, and Moulson coming through, it means that they’re ready to compete against teams chasing a playoff spot. Sure, I can take solace in a loss, and not pull my hair out if Rollie or Marty let in an easy one, but seeing this team win is reassuring, that the future is bright. Think about last year’s team–we didn’t have this many winning streaks, weeks of strong play. It was a dismal effort from start to finish. Now that we’ve seen this team compete, you simply can’t root for a loss. But you can look at the bright side when we don’t win. -
Barney Stinson says:
I’m torn on this. I’m sick of having a losing team, that whenever we can win I of course want them to. And I’d like to go into the summer on a bit of a high note. Even if we don’t make the playoffs, at least I will have seen my favorite team win a couple of games before the long break.
But, on the other hand, I’m sick of a losing team, so it might be better for them to lose to ensure a good draft pick.
It’s so frustrating being an Islanders fan.
Who are you rooting for in the playoffs (assuming the Isles don’t make it)?
I think I will have to with the Devils.
Suit up.
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Pat says:
Winning any of these last 4 games means absolutely nothing. A top 3 pick in this years draft…priceless, not to mention another piece to our rebuilding puzzle.
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Nobody says:
It doesn’t matter what we think or how we root, the way it plays out is the way it plays out…obviously the higher the pick the better the chances of immediate help, but that’s the way it goes…and, I think the hockey news rating of us as #8 in the league in prospects suggests a pool of prospects deeper than we have gotten used to.
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admin says:
(13) As readers have pointed out, The Hockey News team ranking of 8 included Tavares and Bailey. My story referred to prospects not on the Islanders. In that category, they are very middle-of-the-pack…CB
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John from ATL says:
“They should make to playoffs next year”? I don’t know about that. I could see the Isles improving to be a good as where the Rangers, Flyers, Trashers and Bruins find themselves this year.
Meaning they “could” if all goes well, still be in the hunter for a playoff spot this time next year.I doubt Snow will make any major FA signings that will improve the team that much. Maybe one stay at home D-man. The players they have (may/could/should?) improve next year but, nothing is certain. Gervais took a step back since he first came up, Bergenheim is about the same as he was 2 years ago. Hunter didn’t improve after a good start to his career and DiPietro, well we all know about him.
I do think they will be better next year and could have 5 twenty/a more goal scorers, with Taveres, Moulson, Okposo, Bailey, Comeau, maybe even Schremp. But Seguin or Hall would have been nice.
They should still get a 3rd to 7th overall pick and that should be a good player. However will that player be on the team next year or 2-3 years from now?
Fowler or Gudbradson would look real good with de Haan, Hamonic and Donovan.
Be patient year 3 of the rebuild will not be a cake walk to a playoff spot. I think 2011-12 is more realistic.
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dose says:
maybe there’s a difference between holding back and trying to lose. going out of your way to not win games is averse to the whole point of sports. the reason i watch.
corrupts it all.
a team that needs to lose games to get better is a losing team at its core. i don’t know how else to put it. -
"Never easy being an Isles fan" says:
When Im watching the games I get excited when they score and I root for em but at the end of the games, after a win, I have mixed feelings…
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MJS says:
#3 – funny how the guy that gets the most Calder trophy talk was the 12th overall pick in 2008…
I hate to say it, but there’s a strong possibility that the next first rounder the Isles have will go through some struggles just like Bailey and Tavares did, so whoever the pick is likely won’t be the player that puts them over the top into the playoffs next season anyway. That’s more of a development of current players and free agency thing, so while adding to the core is great, pick 6 and pick 4 are probably going to be similarly talented players, so why not root for some wins?
Most importantly though, Seguin and Hall are both going to be taken 1 and 2, and the Isles improvement always had them slated for pick 4-7 anyways, so as sweet as it is to hope for the best player in the draft, the Isles probably we never in the running to get one of the three marquee players available. It was great to root for the #1 overall pick last year, I’m sick of that this year. Let’s be happy with the player we get, and lobby Snow to add some players and get into the playoffs next year.
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Mike L says:
I would love to get a top 5 pick but I will not be disappointed in getting the 6. If we go out beating some of the better teams in the league, that is nothing to feel ashamed about. I still dont believe next year is a playoff year. This year is an improvement over last and I’m hoping next year is an improvement over this one. Many fans will be disappointed if we dont make the playoffs next year, but as long as the organization builds upon what it has already accomplished then I will still be very optomistic. The FA market also seems kind of dry, so I hope Garth can sign a few guys but I’m not holding my breath for a Kovy or Marleau.
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Andre says:
I am curious to see how the Isles will play the rest of the way if they are officially eliminated from the playoffs with a Boston point tonight. The Isles need to lose out. I see them with a pick between 3rd and 5th if they dont win the lottery.
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Amen CB, amen. Been saying this for weeks. These wins are completely meaningless. Much easier to win when you have nothing to play for and the teams you are playing underestimate you and play their back up goaltenders. I hate to say it but each of these wins in the past few weeks (save the Vancouver one for some reason) have mad me unhappy.
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Eastonhockey says:
The islanders payroll next season will be the lowest in the NHL asuming the status quo continues on long island. So winning meaningless games and drafting a worse prospect is terrible. That point can’t be argued. Also by winning games Wang has less motivation to get a better coach…better gm..spend money on NHL above avg players. Pittsburgh pirate fans keep thinking they will draft there way out of last place while ownership spends no $$$
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a REAL hockey fan says:
.. Cmon guys who REALLY remebers a late season meaningless game in late March/April? LETS BE 100% HONEST, NOBODY REMEMBERS!!
.. I wont lose any sleep if the Isles lose the last 4 MEANINGLESS regular season games, ill take good efforts with the guys playing well but lets think BIG BIG picture guys and getting better talent is the ultimate priority.
.. If the Isles can be gauranteed to move into the top 3 draft by losing their next 4 games, would ANYONE on this site be upset??. anyone? I doubt it very much! I want a top 3 pick for my Isles!
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Marc says:
Lose the rest of the games and hope to increase lottery chances. Go Bruins & Columbus, both leading their games tonight.
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isle5 says:
LOSE NOW! WIN 2010-11 ON! HEY IT WORKED FOR PITTSBURGH! IT FOR US IN THE EARLY 1970′S!
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Toby says:
The past week or so has been awesome. The development of Tavares and the D has given me hope for next year (I agree CB, playoffs next year are very possible). I haven’t followed hockey that much, this is actually my first year a fan of both sport, and Isles. BUT, looking at drafts of other sports (NFL, NBA etc.) and making loose connections shows that any team can get luck in the top 10 (and beyond . . .Tom Brady anyone?).
Great insight Chris, keep it up.
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chris says:
anyone remember when the Jets won that pointless late season game and missed out on reggie bush and drafted vernon terrible gholston?
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Strummer's Army says:
I agree CB, the pick is more important then anything and has been. Snow never intended the playoffs based on his training camp, regular season and post deadline roster.
Fans still running scenarios for the Isles to make it if they win out ignore the fact that if one of two teams simply wins tonight the Isles are mathamatically eliminated.
Some of these same fans will start posting unrealistick trade up scenarios if the Isles get the 6th pick because it’ll hit them they want one of the better players. Ya know they’ll write “Geravis, Tambelleni and our 6th overall for the #2 overall and then Hunter, 2011 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Meyer for the #1 overall. That way the Isles can select two of Hall, Sequein, Fowler, and Gudbranson.” They will then be iriate that Snow couldn’t trade up to get those picks and will whine for years that “we could have had Hall, Sequien, Gudbranson, or Fowler if not for SNow and Gordon”.
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
CB … you pretty much summed up my sentiments … Even though the Isles have improved on their prospect depth … there aren’t any real special prospects that stick out vs. other teams’ … John Tavares is the only one that can fit in that “Special” mold as an exceptional talent… But we need more than just One “special” player.
Look at Columbus with Nash, Wild had Gaborik, Atlanta had Kovie and Calgary’s had Inginla for what seems like forever… Where has that got those teams? Where has Inginla gotten Calgary? Chasing one of last years’ bottom 3 teams for the last playoff spot?
This is exactly why the Isles need to load up on studs … the only way it seems they can do that while the Light House Project seems to crumble away is via top blue chip draft prospects. How do they get them? Decline rapidly.
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dedshark says:
Do you think if the isles finish in the 6-7 range they could possibly trade up to 3-4? Could this be a possibility?
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kevin27nyi says:
the wins in the end may be meaningless but not how we get them. im sure blake comeau feels different. he is playing insane right now and its his strong play thats getting wins. thats why im not for the losing talk. im not completely against it but seeing how there getting wins is encouraging for the future.
i trust the scouts to get an impact player no matter where they are come draft day. im fine with losses to the pens away and devils away and montreal home (i want to win the last home game this year) as long as the team plays hard but i cant walk away with a smile and think about the draft when we lose 7-2 against the panthers or 5-0 against the rangers.
lets just hope we draft well again this year as even this early it looks like we have successfuly drafted two years in a row. sorry for the long response chris i just really needed to vent my thoughts on this.
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john says:
it is imperative for the growth of this team to be one of the five teams hoping for a miracle next tuesday night. hall might be the prize, but a top 5 pick will guarantee us a top 4 dman to go along with Dehaan, Donovan and Hamonic
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boss15 says:
If the isles finish with a 5 or later pick they just shot themselves in the foot. They cannot trade up because they don’t have anything they can afford to give up. I could see them trading down and picking up another second rounder, because after Seguin, Hall, Fowler, and Gudbranson there is no consensus (at least right now) of who is best so the isles could easily do what they did with Bailey.
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IsleFan73 says:
Post #18 hit the nail on the head with Tyler Myers. You just never know when you are drafting teenagers, unless it’s a can’t miss prospect. What ever will be will be regarding the draft. We still need at least another talented winger and defense men (6′ 2″ and 210 lbs.+) from a trade or free agency to smell the playoffs next year
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rb says:
I disagree. First, Isles were right not to be buyers at the deadline. Isles wouldn’t have better off, and the young guys took ownership of the team for good.
As for recent wins, if they were the result of guys like Jackman, Tambellini, Hunter, etc., going crazy while the young core players were still not developing, that would be counterproductive. But that hasn’t been the case — most of the recent wins have been because young core players have stepped up.
As for the draft, last year it was absolutely essential that the Isles get a franchise-type player to build around, and we now have that guy in Tavares. This year, I’m not sure it’s so necessary to be top 1-3. There might be a high-skill forward at 4-7 who’s just about as good as Hall on the wing. Seguin might not be any better than Tavares and Schremp, as 1-2 scoring centers, and you wouldn’t pick him to be on your 3rd line. And some scouts have two other d-men right up there with Fowler, and we’ve got deHaan coming.
Isles will eventually unseat the Devils in the conference to challenge Washington and Pittsburgh. Brodeur’s retirement is on the horizon, as is Cheap Lou’s and the Devils will suck after that. The Flyers and Rangers are poorly managed and never get it right. We can’t compete with the other teams? I don’t believe that.
As for prospects, we have so many guys coming we’ll be able to keep the best and move others for what we need.
I like where Garth has us. Heck, Gordon’s even starting to grow on me.
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Chris #28- Not the best point bringing up the Reggie Bush draft. Jets won a pointless last game that year but instead of drafting Bush or Vince Young they dropped to the 4th spot and got an All-Pro LT in Ferguson. This point just shows you never know who you’re going to get.
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Dan says:
sorry to get off target but chris check your info. yes the Jets won that meaningless game but they selected DBrick that year. Reggie Bush was the greatest thing going in that draft according to draftniks but he is not the player he was touted to be in the end.
of course I want the best player and who that will be has yet to be determined because many terrific players are still found later in the draft. I am not a psych major but I think JT’s late season success will be a good thing for him overall. just like stamkos had late season success last year and carried it over this season.
by the way how does a team like Tampa Bay have some of the players that they have on their team and be in the position where they are? -
LouD says:
I don’t have any problem with fans wanting to lose for a draft pick OR for fans to want to watch their team win. It is what it is. What I DO have a problem with are the fans or the media acting as if the Islanders will never get better unless they draft in the top 3. That’s ridiculous considering there are teams who finish top ten in the standings every year and still are able to restock their teams with talent through the draft and free agency. So here’s a scenario, the Isles draft 6th over all and then also sign a solid d-man and an excellent scoring forward through free agency. Do we still care that they didn’t get the third pick? Yes it would be nice but don’t tell me not getting it is going to set this franchise back for years to come.
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This goes to show you that Islanders fans never know what they want, except that they always want exactly the opposite of how well the Isles are doing at the moment.
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James says:
Mister Botta: I understand what you’re saying, but couldn’t you have waited the three extra hours until the Isles were (are) eliminated to post this?
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With Boston’s OT loss, the Isles have been eliminated from playoff contention.
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isle in NYC says:
Like CB said even if we had the 5th pick in the draft we WOULDN’T have taken Jagr. We need to focus on who are the best players in the draft and make the right picks. If you target the wrong guy it won’t matter if we pick 3 , 5 or 7. As long as we identify and pick the right guy there is plenty of talent outside the top 5. I’m a 30 year old who missed out on the cup years so I’m taking any win I can get whether it be a useless April win or not.
There is a lesson to be learned in consistency and not letting the streaks extend for too long like CB has written about from JT and Gordon.
CB can we get a 1-7 draft rankings report before the lottery so we can get a feel for what is out there?
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thetruth says:
There is one and only one reason why we desperately need a top 3 pick. Charles wang will NOT I repeat NOT spend any money in the offseason…he has done nothing to prove he will…all the crap about our arena is window dressing….wang wants to minimize his losses….just look at the radio deal, parking hikes, etc. I know cb is too classy to say this so I willl…..wang will not spend a penny until the project goes through and that is why its paramount to get a top 3 pick
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neologizer says:
Isles are now eliminated from playoff contention….Bruins get a point in OT
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Priest says:
The way I see it is every game we should be rooting for a win, just like every game the players should be trying for a win. If they do lose though, I have no problem celebrating the fact that they’ve “gained” ground on the top pick. In a way, it is a win-win situation. Either we can cheer for a good game, or cheer for “gained” ground, but there is always a positive to take from the result (OT Loss excepted).
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I personally never held out any hope for playoffs so the news was basically just inevitable. Sigh. The reality that our season is over after Sunday is certainly depressing.
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jt91ko21jb12 says:
i really feel the reality is that we have to lose these last 4 games to add anyone significant whether it be hall seguin folwer gormley or gudbranson. the precedent has already been set that kovalchuk wil not come here… yes we have cap space.. but he has already turned down two rediculously wealthy cotract offers from the thrashers… its not money he wants, he wants to be on a winning team/franchise or thats atleast the way it seems and the isles havent shown that yet.. we have to go through the draft maybe swing a couple good trades… another few good free agent singings like moulson, streit, hillen… the realit is we have to get as good a pick we can
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
the only positive out of the recent surge in wins is Tavares looks great, Comeau has found his game finally, and you realize how bad Bruno Grevais is. Time to move on. Flood and Reese are already better than him.
But truth is, isles did blow their chance when the brought DP back ruined the team chemistry and we went on bad losing streak. and CB you are 100% correct. we were in the hunt and we dumped Sutton for draft pick and did not add anyone.
Isles could use a top 2 pick one more time. Then to the playoffs we go next year.
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battfist says:
I will not be rooting for my favorite team to lose…playoffs or not.
How sad…
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va says:
The Sutton trade was a sign of Snow throwing in the towel on the season. Ottawa made out on that deal. If we package two second round picks, we may be able to move up to another #1 pick like last year. the only issue with draft picks are they do not make an impact until 3 or 4 years down the road, unless they are a top 3 pick.
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Ten of the top thirteen scorers in the league were chosen at #1 #2 or #3 in the draft – Sedin, Ovechkin, Crosby, Stamkos, Thornton, Kane, Gaborik, Marleau, Kovalchuk and Heatley.
Yes, you can strike gold. Plenty of stars are drafted with later picks. But the best chance to land an impact player (which this franchise needs and will never be able to add via free agency) is at the top of the draft.
And so far Snow has not struck gold at the draft. Did the trading back in 2008 result in the drafting of Tyler Myers, Erik Karlsson, Michael Del Zotto or John Carlson (all of whom would result in a click if Snow called offering Bailey)? No.
Of course if we had’nt picked up 4 points in our final 4 games that season (remember how much character we built!) perhaps we could have just drafted Bogosian(#3) or Pietrangelo(#4).
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Chris Mc says:
I understand its best for us to lose out. I realize that we need another top notch prospect for this team. But its not in my wiring to root for them to lose. Or to not be disappointed if they lose. So Im hoping for 4 OT losses and the 4 teams below us to win out. That would be alright in my book.
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.. These are like winning games in mid septemebr when your team is out of the playoff hunt, its kinda meaningless. YES i like the play of some of the guys of late but if it wasnt for the SILLY/DOPEY ‘new NHL’ rules (OT pts, losses, etc) the Isles would not have been in contention this late
.. I rather them better the chances of moving up the draft then win a game in April, it doesnt make me any less a fan, it makes me a realstic fan who just sees the bigger picture!
.. I want as high a pick as possible in 2010 END OF STORY! THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME the Isles will be in the lottery draft and we should make it count! We need some REAL TALENT – add a free agent or 2 and the Isles are REALLY making big strides next year!
for a loooong time imo -
Paul says:
let’s see….tickets are up for renewal. everyone is on to the fact the team will not spend money. the only way to not spend money and APPEAR as though the team is being improved is to nab a top 3 pick, yet the team rattles off a bunch of meaningless wins in the remaining 14 days of the season. no free agents, lowest payroll in the league and an (if lucky) sixth or seventh pick that might be ready by the time the team moves to brooklyn. yeah, i’m sure the 2011 season subscriber line is ringing off the hook. the most difficult, short-lived job in America has got to be that of an islanders’ sales rep. i truly feel sorry for those folks. nothing to sell other than a 10 percent off Modell’s coupons.
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There is nothing worse for a season ticket holder than having roughly 10 games a year that you have paid for to enjoy and have fun–and then feeling conflicted about how the outcome impacts your draft position.
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Bob says:
Only the Islanders could make winning games a bad thing.
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THE PORK CHOP EXPRESS says:
This is exactly what I have been saying. The draft IS the key to our future success. I hope we play competively for the next 4 games and lose out on a fluke goal lol. Seriously, the isles do not have any major impact prospects that will shake the roster in 2-3 yrs. that is why the top 2 pick will be ideal. you can draft top skill talented forwards.
yes, some of you are correct that you can find talent further down in the draft however you need good scouts just like NJ. How do you win every year and still develop good prospects? Ask Lou. I think the isles try to outsmart eveyone one and get themselves in trouble. it has been that way for the last 20 years. no matter where they draft, they need to draft the best available players no matter what position!!! -
i’d rather see the isles win all their home games. we pay money to go there and support the team. if they lose on the road it’s better i guess, but i can’t in good conscience want the other team to win when the game is at the coliseum. when i step foot in that building, the objective is to hear as many goal horns and giggities as possible.
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JKP on LI says:
Ulster in #40, you nailed it, at least for some fans.
Personally, I can never root for my favorite team to lose. I kind of want to take the self-contradictory position of rooting for them to win, yet also wanting a high pick. Who knows, we could finish 4th or 5th and then just win the lottery anyway.
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Walt says:
If we end up with the 5th Pick or later it will be Nino Neidereiter time. He looks like a real good prospect, has size
and skill. He may be Swiss but plays in the WHL and is a fan favorite there. I believe he is also a roommate of Seguin. -
Isles 420 says:
The isles are Eliminated!! THEY BETTER LOSE. ill be extremely P***** off if they win any of the upcoming games
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James says:
I give up on most of islander nation lol
some of you fans get it, and some of you dont. Again for the last time; the draft is still a crapshoot regardless of what the experts say. To play for draft position is about the dumbest thing you can ever do in sports.
Also for those who feel these are meaningless wins, ask Comeau and Okposo and Tavares and all the young core how good they feel about playing good hockey at the end of the season; playoffs or not.
Whether you believe it or not, it absolutely helps them with their confidence; especially if they get to beat a team that is desperate to get into the playoffs like Philly.
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I could never in my life, root for my team to lose for the possible chance to draft a guy who for all we know becomes a huge bust in the NHL.
It makes no sense at all to do that, but you guys have your opinion; so have fun with that dream. All I know is I will be excited every time the Isles win in these last 4 games
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Mad Pete says:
Lets say the Isles get a pick between 3 and 5, the best available players at those slots after hall and seguin are defensemen. The Islanders seem to have more quality prospects at defense than on offense, and we’re talking about a team that is desperate for some offense. So if they do secure one of those spots, who do they draft, the best prospect or what they need? CB? Anyone?
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the draft lottery allows any of the top 5 teams to get the #1 pick
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Ajax says:
Here is the problem as I see it with THIS and MANY other clubs … too many coaches and GMs are not “held accountable” for what they do or say.
Snow and Gordon are prime examples of this.
If Snow was looking to make a playoff push, he did NOTHING to help it.
“It is Scott Gordon’s responsibility to coach his team to as many wins as he can”
Well, lets look at the losses we took due to bad coaching decisions. I think that number is 10ish. With those 10 wins, we would be pushing the playoffs today.
Am I wrong? Just look at the first 20 games of the season. I bet if we picked up JUST ONE solid D-man in the off season an/or had a NHL level coach, we would be in a better position right now. -
TM says:
Very true Chris. These recent wins in meaningless games means nothing. NYI choked in games that were important. They did the same thing last season. Not to mention other teams taking them lightly recently.
Thetruth 44 is correct. Nothing will change and Wang will spend no money this offseason either. How does the 2011 draft look? Sad.
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TuxTax says:
Big reason the team is not still in the playoff hunt still is thier road record. The questions on defense is my biggest concerns this coming offseason. Any news on reupping Matt Moulson?
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DJMC93 says:
this is the same conversation that has been going on for weeks now, those that want to win the last games and those that rather a higher draft pick (me). i highly doubt we get Hall, but 2 through 5 are solid also….im more concerned with what snow will do over the summer in regards of resigning, getting rid of and NEW NEW NEW signings. I respect all my fellow islanders fans point of views, i just think with florda and tampa scheds, we’re kinda set on 3 through 5 (this is by all means subject to change pending performance and I would LOVE that) …. and that we should also discuss Snow’s options in the UFA market, whose coming up from Bridgeport (Martin, Jesse …. sorry, but thats my hope) for good next year, and goaltender options, THANKS CB and everyone….GO ISLES
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Barry says:
Food for thought…
If the rag fans can hold a rally outside MSG calling for Sather to be fired, why haven’t isles fans done the same to demand some answers from our beloved owner. The future of the franchise inclunding insight into the building and ownership in general need be addressed before the season is over.
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islesfan16 says:
cb, you protest too much. i agree the wins are meaningless. a high draft pick would serve the franchise best. but what gets me is the way some fans get angry when the isles win. like they would rather see the team try to lose. its one thing to be content with a loss– its another to blame your team for working its hardest and winning.
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I remember Kyle Okposo’s OT winner in Montreal. I remember Peter Mannino’s 4-2 win in Chicago and a 2-0 shutout at Detroit where Bailey out muscled Lidstrom to bury a goal. The NHL draft is a crap shoot. Say what you want about losing and falling into the lottery. All of that is just great and I agree the Isles could benefit from that more than a couple of wins. However, we have seen our young team go on 2 very impressive streaks beating good teams, teams looking to make the playoffs and teams in the playoffs. I don’t think any of these wins are meaningless. The Isles have drubbed Philly and Ottawa back to back, have drubbed Detroit, Vancouver, Chicago, New Jersey twice, played Pittsburgh well. This last current streak has come using the Islanders 12th defensemen and guys that have almost no experience. Yet we all (including me sometimes) bash Scott Gordon. We should be proud of this team, a team where we can count on one hand the amount of lousy efforts this season and the team that brought us meaningful hockey halfway into March. I’m sorry, but I can’t root against these guys. They give too much and there is now legitimate hope on Long Island. Let’s Go Islanders, win the last 4 and a give a big up yours to everyone that picked you to finish last.
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Ajax, I agree that the Islanders have blown a ton of points, but look at the current Islanders defense. Look at the defense before they traded away Sutton and all got hurt. The Islanders are pushing 80 points with probably the worst on paper defense in the league and we are blaming Gordon? The guy won a silver medal for team USA, improved every year in the AHL (15 point improvement so far from last year in the NHL) and has every young player except Gervais and Tambellini improving. I can’t get on board with knocking Gordon.
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Michael says:
Unless we’re picking in the top three or four I hope we trade down. I wouldn’t mind taking those projected #12 and #17 picks away from the Ducks. We also have two picks in the second and two more in the third. We can add several key pieces in this upcoming draft. If we can package a pick and Roloson at the draft we can really do some damage (assuming we re-sign Biron). This certainly isn’t a knock against Roli. Roloson was lights out for much for the season but he’s not getting any younger and with DiPietro in limbo we need a guy we can rely on for 60 – 70 games. At 40+ I don’t know if Roloson is that guy. Biron is a solid option in net and he really seems like the kind of guy you want in the locker room.
This is the year that we all expect the Islanders to spend some money in July and contend for a playoff spot. I would expect to be contending for a bit more by year five. I really think snow has done a good job these last couple of years. He’s found some real bargains for us. I hope that this year he decides to splurge on at least one talented player who can help us get over the top offensively and finds replacements for Sutton and possibly Meyer. It would be great to have them both back next year but I have my doubts.
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I feel the same way CB. Unfortunately were in very bad shape w/ our recent winning streak. Columbus is 2 pts ahead of us but we have 2 games in hand on them. And their only 2 games are home & home w/ Detroit. W/ Minn lost to Edm tonight, they still could get a better pick. They have 2 more games than NYI but there 5 pts ahead. I would expect the Isles to win vs Mon & get 2 pts out of our last 3 games. That puts us at 80 pts & probably 7th overall. I love watching J.T. & Comeau get better but watching Park & Biron win games doesn’t make me too happy. Hopefully we will lose the next 4 games & have a shot to draft Niederreiter or Connolly.
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Ethan K says:
I also want a higher draft pick. I was glad when we were in the playoff run, but I realized once we gave away Sutton, we were out of it. That was fine with me. We saw our team was capable of something, and were improving. That’s a lot more fun than being out of it in December like last year. Now I hope for a higher pick because we could use one more great draft year.
We’re currently at the 6th draft spot with 4 games left. We could easily lose the remaining four games (Canadiens, Penguins 2x, Devils).
Tampa Bay plays Carolina, Ottawa, and the Panthers twice. I can see us ending up in the lottery, probably around the fourth pick.
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rob76 says:
Thank you CB for clearing up your opinion on this one. I agree with you 1000%. the goal is to one day win a stanley cup and too many people have questioned my “fanhood” because i’d prefer to lose these games and possibly get Hall or Seguin. Maybe those guys that didnt get the big picture are understanding that a little better. I am not saying go to the games and boo the Islanders, its just a preference many of us have on what we hope is a journey that ends in REAL success not meaningless wins in April.
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bossy22 says:
Couple of things,
1) There is plenty of talent between 5-8 in this years draft. Gormley from Moncton will be a impact buy on D and will e available in the 5 to 8 slots.
2) With the possible arrival of Petrov, it is like drafting a mature top 5 draft pick. I’m excited to see what he can bring.
3) I will be wagering on the Isles the next 4 games which should mean we go 0-4 if the gambling Gods continue to work against me
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thepolishprince says:
I completely understand the benefit of getting a high draft pick. It’s just the comments like – This team can’t even lose right – that get me aggravated. The point is to play to win – period.
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Sheppy says:
I find it incomprehensible that some people would be routing for meaningless victories at this point. I don’t want to win a few games in a lost season. I want to win a few rounds in the playoffs next season or the one after. I want to be challenging for the Cup in a few years with a young core of good players. Let’s face it. There are three ways to find good players: (1) draft them, (2) trade for them, or (3) sign them as free agents. We have not shown the inclination to do much with #3. We don’t have a lot of tradeable assets so #2 is probably out. That leaves us with #1. While we all recognize that there are guys in the 3rd or 4th rounds in every draft who develop into either serviceable or really good players, it is definitely more likely the higher your pick. This leads me back to my point. If you want to get the best players…or at least have the best chance to get the best players…the higher the pick, the better. This winning streak could not have come at a worse time. Just think how good Tampa Bay will look after the draft with Seguin or Fowler to go along with Stamkos, St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Hedman. We might still get a very good player, but Seguin would have looked a bit better to me.
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ny711ot says:
How’s this for a first line: park centering gillies and jackman…play them 20 minutes and call it a night! We need to lose out. Interesting gordie clark reference cb. Was just discussing his successes. From delzotto, to kreider, to stephan and grachev, I am pretty sure I would trade our youth for theirs even up. As bad as the milbury days were, aside from dp we drafted pretty well…guess gordie had something to do with that.
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Killer Carlson says:
Chris,
Long time reader, first time poster.
Excellent job with this article. Spot on.
Killer
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Isles81 says:
This team lost every “must win” game they played this year. Everyone remember the disaster in Ottawa the game before the Olympic break? They are not ready for the playoff’s and would be much better served by snagging a high draft pick.
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MorDraftPicks says:
By virue of a very weak Eastern Conference, even winning 1 out of the last 4 almost assures the Islanders of a #6 pick. Yes Florida and Tampa play each other. Even if one wins both, by winning only 1 of our last 4, The Isles will have the better record based on wins in EVERY tiebreaker. Columbus also, which, BTW only has 2 games left. Looks like its the 6th or 7th pick this year with the MEANINGLESS 7-3-1 run, instead of 2 or 3. And its only fitting that we own all the tiebreakers, as we will miss the draft lottery as well. Well done!!!
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RHL Vin says:
Anyone know if the Draft Lottery will be televised on Versus?
And can we lose the rest of the season please…..
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Joe in Massapequa says:
Maybe we can get lucky and win the lottery and all of this stuff of wanting to lose out can be a moot point. One can hope, right??
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Viper says:
We are facing must-lose games against tough opponents in the last 4. Precisely the type this frustrating team will win! Let’s get one more high pick and go for it next year! (I know picking in the top 10 90 % of the time for the last 20 years hasn’t helped, but this is different….right?
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Crosby and Oveckin’s rookie season they finished 29th and 27th. Pittsburgh took Jordan Staal and Washington took Nickalus Backstrum and inbetween Chicago took Toews 3rd overall. Now who doesn’t want to see the Islander’s tank these last 3 games?
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Richard Christy says:
I honestly have no problem not rooting for this team to win these last few games. I am a huge Islander fan, but winning these games is not doing a thing to help in the future. It is nice to see them win in the sense that the talent and skill is there, and it shows they can definitely be a playoff team with the right free agents added to the mix. In the long term, what will you be happier with? Hall, Seguin, or Fowler in the lineup next year, or winning some late March early April games that do not mean a thing?
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Helene says:
Kudos to James (63/64). Depending on draft picks is an absolute crap shoot. How many “first” picks fizzle to nothing. Phooey on rooting for our team to lose. Going out on a high is a better morale stimulus than dragging our butts on a losing streak. How excited we all were going into the Olympic break. Then came the return of DP, the explosion of the chemistry, and here we are. Again w/out DP, but everyone on the same page. And if you heard Marty Biron (by the way, where are all you guys yelling “Marty, Marty” when he make spectacular saves – it’s not harder to yell for him than “DP”) after the game Saturday, you had to smile at the enthusiasim from him about the game, the team, the locker room. How can you root for him to lose. Let the kids go out on a high – take it with them to camp and on into next season. P.S. how many first pick 1/4backs or Heissman Trophy winners live up to expectations in the NFL. Different game, same stuff.
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4theisles says:
All the its better to lose than win analayis leaves out the individual player’s motives for winning. Let’s face it in most cases guys are playing hard to improve their stats which translates to more money in future contracts, a favorable trade, staying with the team, and sometimes just staying in the NHL. To put it in plain language – “this is business.”
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This team getting to NHL-500 or above might mean nothing to you guys, but it means something to them. They are going to do the best they can to do it and thwart your draft-oriented schemes. They dont give a flying crap about the draft, and they are going to play to win as if these games mean everything. Youve been warned, but Id pretty much guarantee when they do exactly what I said they will do that you will complain, anyway lol.
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Angry Bill says:
I agree with you completely Chris. The team we have assembled so far should be good enough to consistently make the playoffs. But it will not be good enough to ever make it out of the Eastern Conference. We need at least one more top pick and this year might be our last chance to get it.
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Blitz says:
Does BOS wish they had Kessel now instead of that TOR first round lottery pick?
A goal starved-SC contender turned into SC playoff pretender sure wishes it had 25 more goals rather than a “franchise” pick.
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JoeRiverside says:
Blitz: I don’t think Boston regrets trading Kessel. Remember they got a 1st & 2nd round pick in 2010 and another 1st round in 2011.
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Arbour Day says:
#95 I wish the Isles traded their 2 first rounders for Kessel like Toronto did. Hard to get a young 35 goal scorer. Leafs did the right thing. Boston definately missed him. Next years draft is the weakest since 1999, so it is worth the deal.
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Pnut says:
I will call it here:
no matter where we finish (as long as we are a bottom 5 team), we will win the draft AGAIN this year
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Peter the Nut -
does BOS wish they had Kessel. absolutely not. b/c it had nothing to do with them fallen off. Krejci, Savard, Lucic, Bergeron being hurt for long period of times this year. Also Thomas not having clearly the year he had last year.
If Kessel so good, why is toronto one of worst teams in east. Unlike the isles Burke has spend big money and yet the are below us in the standings.
Hall or Seguin will both be immediately better than KESSEL in less than 2 years. Kessel has been bust relative to his expectations.
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mw147 says:
Sorry, CB, I am not with you on this one.
If it was Doug Weight and Richard Park leading this late charge, I would agree it is a waste. But I am thrilled that players like Tavares and Comeau have been prime reasons for the wins lately. Does that automatically mean that they will be superstars next year? No, not in and of itself. But it has to help them to have this confidence in their abilities that this late season run has provided.
And when is enough enough? How many last place finishes and high picks do we need before we declare it to be safe to win?
Many people, myself included, said that last year was the one and only time that we would embrace fail to get Tavares. Now here we are a year later and many are embracing fail again. I just can’t do it. I am very pleased with the 15+ point improvement from last season. Sign 2 NHL level d-men in the off season, get some more natural improvement from the young players, and next year I believe we can make the playoffs. Is that OK? Or do we need another high pick again next year?
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JayK says:
Blitz — #95 — not if the guy was going to eat up a huge amount of cap space to eventually sign. You’ve got to balance out that $55 million, and possibly Boston thought that having Kessel would throw things out of whack down the road. And remember, it’s a first round pick this year; a first round pick next year (in a lousy draft, admittedly); and an additional second this year. That’s quite a haul.
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MN says:
I remember the first season that the Islanders plummeted – 1988-89. Late in the season they rallied from a 3 goal deficit to tie a game (Flyers?). I remember Eddie Westfall saying how the young kids (Hackett, McBean, Lauer, etc) could build upon this experience the following season. A lot of good it did. The Isles went 4-2 in the last 6, beat the Rangers on the last day of the season and draft Dave Chyzowski instead of Mats Sundin.
As much as I hate doing it, I hope we don’t pick up another point the rest of the way. We need impact players. -
Donna says:
Personally I will cheer them on these last few games, would love to see them win them all. It’s a long time till october
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Jeff says:
WIth Isles now mathematically eliminated, let’s get down to business and tank.
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Lance79 says:
I’m indifferent to wins if they’re won by JT hitting his stride and figuring things out – losses are fine too provided they’re hard fought and not just mailed in.
But to those who point out that Myers is the frontrunner for the Calder note that he was the #12 pick TWO years ago; Isles fans hoping for a top 3 pick want that pick to help the lineup right now.
Drafting later doesn’t mean we don’t get a stud but maybe someone who will help in 2011-2012 and not necessarily next season. Look at Bailey, he was barely effective last season but this year he’s proven to be much much better and he was a non-top 5 pick. Same with Okposo.
For those who claim the top end of the draft yields high scorers, also consider how quickly Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Cam Barker, Bobby Ryan and James Van Riemsdyk took to mature – and while you’re at it, tell me how Kyle Turris is doing.
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steve says:
can’t root for my team too lose. can’t do it.
blame the coach? the guy was an assistant on olympic team, and my be the coach for the US this summer. team is 15 points better then last season. scotty bowman isnt available. please move along.
lets worry about who we are drafting after the season is over, after the lottery is over. after the top 2 picks, the rankings are in flux.
this pick, that pick , nose pick. enjoy the last 4 games and dream of a resolution to Rick D issue, one way or another.. -
Staten Islander says:
Its so much against my nature to root for the Isles to lose and I feel filthy for doing it, but I too hope they don’t pick up another point the rest of the year. Lose the last 4 6-5 or 5-4, with JT, MM, Bailey and KO doing the scoring. There, I’ve said it, now I need a shower.
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steve says:
I’d like to see us win the lottery. Not just cause I’m an Islanders fan, but I think we could use some good fortune. The Oilers can use either Hall or Seguin. Boston doesn’t deserve one of the top 2 picks. And Teams like Tampa, Florida and Carolina aren’t exactly hotbeads of hockey. We’re doing things the “right way” without tanking it. We have a lot of history here and I think the hockey gods need to support us with this one.
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bob l says:
no matter how much i wish they lose before hand, in order to get a better draft chance, once the game starts i fall back into normal fan mode, connolly would have been in the running for top 3 had he not been hurt all year, if he or Nino becomes our “price for winning” then so be it, at least they are near 6’3 200+ who can (at least so far) score
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Irish Isle says:
Quick question: Did we win our last game last year? How about our final home game last year I thought so.
What we need are buidling blocks, and Fowler would be a great cornerstone for our Defense for years to come. Remember Herm Edwards was wrong, you dont play to win the game, you play to win the championship.
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JSExpress says:
Amazing how many crystal balls are out there… We MUST secure a top-three pick… It’s the ONLY way… Most people here have never seen any of the consensus top-three picks play in an actual game, so I find it funny that the future of the franchise hinges on drafting one of them. I agree, there’s nothing wrong with a high pick, but there’s also nothing wrong with the current roster playing hard and finishing games. Let the chips fall where they may and do your job as a fan by supporting the organization.
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Jzimm says:
Here’s where we are;
Good: A top 10 pick
Better: A top 5 pick
Best: Winning the lottery next week and choosing between Tyler and Taylor in June.
Based on what I’ve seen, Erik Gudbranson fights, Brandon Gormley is brainy, and Cam Fowler has yet to blow me away.
I’d like Hall or Seguin.
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Hollywood says:
Whatever happens happens and we will just deal with it. If we win the remaining games and get a 4-7 pick you just accept it. The players we have need the losing to stop. Adding Scremp and Petrov improve us immensely. The real problem is we need to trade for a scorer and sign 2 big Defensemen.. The money isn’t the issue with Wang, players will take less money to play for just about any other organization.
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Diane says:
Like the title says, there’s no shame in hoping for the best draft pick. And I hope the best pick turns out to be the one the Isles get, no matter where in the round. But I’m still rooting for them to win every game.
Also though, I think our GM has a responsibility to help the team. In fashion there are your bargains and then there are the classic pieces which cost a bit more but last a long time and go with everything. I think its important that this summer we get a classic piece, Garth.
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Forget the Fall for Cam, Seguin, & Hall.
I Still Hope the Isles Win them ALL.
More Pride in Rootin For a PingPong Ball.
Exactly CB. Tavares, Okposo, and Bailey… add Taylor Hall and you have the makings of 2 dynamic scoring lines. I had hoped to never have to root against the Isles again after last year. But that went out the window a few weeks ago. I want the young’uns to play well, but lose close games down the stretch. This is the last year that it will be worth it.