TOP 5 PROSPECT NOTEBOOK: Hall, Seguin, Fowler, Connolly and Gudbranson visit the Stanley Cup Final
PHILADELPHIA, 2:15 pm - In the NHL draft version of speed-dating, the top five prospects (as selected by NHL Central Scouting) faced the media after the morning skate at Wachovia Center before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.
An NHL executive brought out the young men – Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Cam Fowler, Brett Connolly and Erik Gudbranson – and said, “Here ya go.” A few dozen reporters descended on them. Point Blank conducted interviews with all of them, but let’s start today with a few random notes of interest to Islanders fans.
The Point Blank Most Impressive Prospect of 2010 goes to…Erik Gudbranson. He’s 18 years old, but has a presentation, polish and maturity beyond his years. He’s also friggin’ huge. Gudbranson told me he had a goal this summer to put on more weight. I looked at him and said, “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Of course, what’s most important is how a player performs on the playing surface. However, if the Islanders’ choice came down (in part) to how the prospect conducted himself at the Draft Combine and visit to Long Island, I would think it would be Gudbranson in close to a landslide.
Check this out: Gudbranson and Cam Fowler have only two in-person interviews – in Columbus and New York (“Islanders,” clarified Gudbranson, clearly excited about it). Fowler reported that the pair of defensemen may even travel together. Gudbranson said the week of June 10 will be a whirlwind for him because he’s going straight from an NHL event in Toronto to Long Island to Columbus. “Then I have to get back to school,” said the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year.
Before visiting the Islanders and Blue Jackets, Fowler seemed pumped to get a few days off in Mexico as he, Hall and the rest of the Windsor Spitfires celebrate their Memorial Cup championship. Fowler and Hall have had no time off since the start of the season in September that included the World Junior Championships, OHL playoffs, Memorial Cup and then right into the Draft Combine and trip to Philadelphia. “Best year of my life,” said Fowler. “Besides, all the distractions since the Memorial Cup help keep my mind off the draft.”
Gudbranson and Fowler both said they expect to meet with Garth Snow, possibly Charles Wang and some of the players. They have received itineraries from the team with a specific schedule of meetings, a tour of the community and fun stuff. Gudbranson volunteered that he believes the Islanders’ medical team will check him out.
Brett Connolly can be sure of that. He told me that a visit to Long Island “is in the works,” but he doesn’t have a confirmed date yet. Connolly said the Draft Combine was key for him because he was able to answer all the questions about his hip. The Prince George wing, who will most likely go between the third and sixth picks, is by far the least slick of the top five prospects. Again, that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually be the best hockey player – which is all the matters.
The Islanders gave their list of confirmed visitors to Katie Strang of Newsday (subscription needed). Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, Alex Burmistrov and Ryan Johansen have already visited. As PB previously reported, Gudbranson is set for June 10 and Fowler on June 8. Brandon Gormley comes in on June 11.
Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin only have two outside visits each, both to Edmonton and Boston. If you needed proof that they are a lock to go 1-2 in some order (probably that order), there you have it. It appears the other 28 teams are so convinced they won’t be moved that they are not bothering to ask for extra time with Hall and Seguin. Both kids were very impressive. Seguin was sharp and cordial at all times. When we turned the camera on for a FanHouse interview, Hall lit up and put an extra layer of smooth on.
Comments on this post and the top draft prospects.
48 Responses to TOP 5 PROSPECT NOTEBOOK: Hall, Seguin, Fowler, Connolly and Gudbranson visit the Stanley Cup Final
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Brian says:
Rumors are Florida could trade down. I think the Isles would be a good match to swap picks plus send other picks if they fall in love with one of these guys.
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Brian says:
Stop. No way he was excited about it being Uniondale and not NYC. You do a good job but give me a break.
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Yashin for President says:
I just dont see Gubranson having the tools besides toughness on defense. He is what he is, I guess Pronger would be a comparison but Pronger is 4 inches taller. The Pittsburgh game… dont get me started.
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vukotaismyhero12 says:
you gotta belive theres a shot at either fowler or gundbranson…..florida has more of a need up front then on the blueline…if connelly checks out for florida…he might end up there
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CIsle says:
Wonder what will be written about Nino and Johansen in a few days time…
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Joe NYC says:
can someone phonetically spell Gudbranson.
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SCLI says:
If the Isles are that enamored with Gudbranson then do what it takes to move up a spot or two and get him. I doubt it will take anything more than swapping 1st rd picks and adding one of our 2nd rd picks.
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doc says:
Gudbranson
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Shremp Co 13 says:
I’m still all for Connolly, we need scoring depth
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Gud/ short U, like in Rudder
Bran/ as in the cereal
Son/ Sun -
Al L says:
As long as Garth doesn’t get cute, go against the grain,and try to re-invent the way a draft should be handled, taking Fowler,Gudbranson or Connolly should work out fine. Draft guru’s have indicated there is a significant gap in degree of talent(excluding a couple of the Russian players who always seem to have one foot out of the door) after the 5th pick. There is no reason to have this result in a Scott Scissions like pick. This time we pick 5th,not 6th!
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potvin rocks says:
Wow what is up with Florida? They aren’t interviewing anyone. That is shocking. I’ll be shocked if they don’t take on of the top 3 defensemen; Fowler, Gudbranson, Gromley. Mark Streit is not getting any younger.
#5- Gudbranson (Ga-bran-son) -
Swan says:
Silly to stress the Pitt game.
Gudbranson, Neiderreiter if Erik is already taken.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
CB- If you were the gm and were picking 5 would you think we can get connolly or a dmen or would we take gormley.. Who do you think the isles will take.
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Yashin,#3! You don’t SEE Gudbranson having any tools other than toughness on defense? Just how often have you SEEN the kid play? Central scouting and other sources who have observed and analyzed Eric’s physical and mental makeup inside and out,think differently.
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JtorBust says:
Best player available, nothing cute, lets start focusing on some free agents…
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Madchef says:
would love the bruising Goo-man, but if he doesnt fall will be happy with Fowler, Gormley, or Connolly. Jeeze I can’t wait for the draft an FA period although for quite some time the FA period has been a bummer.
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Nobody says:
We ‘knew’ the Isles should draft Mueller (not KO), Filatov (not JB) and JT (good pick but Duchesne no slouch), and Kassian (not CdH)…. Maybe we just see what happens and accept that ‘we’ don’t/can’t kno what the pros do….
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dose says:
i’ve wanted gudbranson all along, but now CB’s impressions reinforce the feeling like steel. i hope snow does whatever it takes the get the big d-kid in here. even if means giving up someone of value that i like(other than jt, ko or poulin). no draft picks are 100%, dead-sure things, but gudbranson’s upside looks so good and the fit between his skills and the team’s needs are so in sync, whatever it takes is what snow should do. i can’t imagine 1-4 are all going to pass on this kid. i hope if snow wants him, he doesn’t gamble on that happening. it’s a helleva a tough call.
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RAMen says:
lol – your goo-man interaction is priceless.
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IslesAl says:
Take a defensive d man with the top 5 pick. Lets not forget that Pronger is an offensive threat also. You can get toughness later in the draft. Perhaps we should just trade Tavares for Hedman.
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I’ll give Fanhouse a plug and say that they have an awesome webpage on the top 30 potential selections with lenghty videos comprised of personal interviews, outside assessments, and game highlights. I’ll be happy with whoever remains at #5.
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Well said, #16. Exactly.
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Spartiarti RVC says:
Nothing is guarantee.
While Gudbranson sounds great. So does Connelly. Fowler would not be that bad eitherIf its Nino they have in their sites. dont be suprise to see another trade down and maybe another 2nd round pick added.
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Angry Bill says:
I think Gormley will be our pick. I don’t expect Fowler or Gudbranson to be around at 5 and I don’t think Snow will take a chance with Connolly. Thats fine with me since its probably a crap shoot as to which one will be the best d-man out of the three.
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Strummer's Army says:
Dear Erik Gudbranson, I love you–Strummer!
Just the most ideal fit for the Isles this year. Anyone thinking he is only size, hitting, leadership, fighting, and toughness is sorely mistaken. He is a very good puck mover, PK, PP guy with an underrated shot. His offensive potential is not near fully developed, especially with missing time this year for illness. Isles simply have no one like him not named Travis Hamonic and you need more then one or two guys.
Those meaningless wins at the end of the year bothered me then and still do now. We wouldn’t have to be wondering if Isles would get the guy they covet or not, they’d be in position to dictate their own future.
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Nice piece there CB – I’m still stuck on Gundbranson for our pick if available … basically … Who ever is left of the 2nd tier of prospects … Gundbranson, Connolly or Fowler … we really will have that pick picked for us … Thanks to taking the Pens to OT the last game … either way I think we score a quality prospect. So no harm .. no foul …. I think.
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Jethro09 says:
I just one of Fowler or Gudbranson falls to the Isles at #5. Then, the decision will be easy. But if those guys are gone and Connolly is there with Gormley, I think the Isles are going to have a tough decision on their hands.
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(Sim)ple says:
Why are you doing this to me CB? The more I read and hear about Gudbranson, the more I want him to be our pick. I hope Snow and Jankowski feel the same way and will trade up a couple of spots if they have to in order to get him.
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rb says:
If Fowler and Gudbranson are gone before Pick 5, I would’nt be surprised by a trade down.
I also would’nt be surprised if Burke trades with Florida or Columbus to get a pick ahead of us so he can claim that he got the best defenseman in the draft (Fowler and Gudbranson) or a forward right up there with the top two (Connolly).
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jimmy says:
i second what jtorbust said the draft is not bigger than signing the right ufa’s to go a long with the kids!!! just draft the best player available.. one of those guys will be there at #5!! lets see a nice ufa dman and more talent upfront!! anyone know anything about dp?? is he going 100% yet?? he is not that important to us anymore well maybe his contract is but thats it.. years back he was all we had.. im just saying whatever his decision for his future is we can live with now.. we have so much more now
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One of Connelly, Fowler, Gudbranson, or Niederieter, and I am happy. All 4 have great upside. Like all drafts, though, it is like legalized gambling—you never know which one will excel. Best player available is a must. Then go out and sign some talent to play with J.T. On 7/1.
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drive45 says:
all the mock drafts have us getting gormley
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Lance79 says:
Looks as though the Isles will try to get Fowler or Gudbranson either by trading up or hoping one of them falls into their laps at #5.
Failing that they will weigh trading down to the middle of the first round (Granlund, Johansen) against Nino/Connolly.
One other possibility is keeping the #5 AND using both #2s or even some 2011 picks to get a mid-late first rounder. Would our 2011 pick be in play as a trade commodity for this draft? Supposedly next year’s draft is supposed to be weak like 2007.
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Isles6 says:
Gudbranson is clearly the choice…for the statement alone.
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Jerky says:
CB – would love to read your thoughts on whether Garth will stand pat at #5 and take whomever falls to him or if he goes all out to get everything he can in this draft (which could be the last high draft pick for the Isles for a while if he makes the right moves at the draft and in UFA).
#35 (Lance79) brings up an fair option – if the 2011 draft is projeted to be one of the weaker drafts in several years, why not utilize those picks in trading up? I’m not sure what it would take to move up a couple of spots this year. I think it would take more than our #5 and a 2nd rounder from this year. Perhaps they could throw in Bergenheim or Comeau? I don’t necessarily want to part with either but sometimes you have to pay a price to get what you want and need (which I agree with most is Gudbranson).
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JSExpress says:
Should we be reading into the fact that Florida is not doing in-person interviews with either Gudbranson or Fowler? Does that mean they’re going Connolly (or possibly some other route, including trade)? I’d love Gudbranson, but don’t think the cost of moving up to ensure him is worth it… Fowler and one of our 2nds is not worth Gudbranson. Take the BPA at the five-spot, be it Gudbranson, Fowler or Connolly, and use the 35th on Kabanov if he is still available!
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Mike L says:
I understand the need for the scouting staff to do their homework and interview as many prospects as possible but why are they having visits from Granlund, Niederreiter, Burmistrov and Johansen (all guys expected to be picked outside of the top 5)? Snow sounds as if he wants to pick at 5, but the interviews makes it seems as if he is willing to trade down.
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geduffer says:
#39 – Snow is just doing his due diligence and making sure he has all the information possible before making his decision.
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Irish Isle says:
Florida truly holds the key to who the Isles select.
~If they go offense, we will get either Gudbranson or Fowler
~If they go defense, we will get either Connolly or Gormley
~They could trade the pick to a team that wants Campbell, we could have our pick of either Fowler/Connolly/Gudbranson.Hope Gudbranson has a nice interview with CBJ.
Really hoping that Fowler is there sitting at 5.
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FourCupsin4yearsnot60 says:
Is it telling that Brett Connolly does not have a visitation date yet when Mikael Granlund, Nino Niederreiter, Alex Burmistrov and Ryan Johansen have already visited with Gudbranson and Fowler confirmed? I would think if you had any interest in Connolly, you would want to meet him, and his hip, as often as possible.
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gary9-19-22 says:
Lets keep this simple…
My friend said it best, the top 5 should all be all-stars with their own set of skills they bring to the table.
That being said; what is the best fit for the Isles??? obviously it’s Gudbranson. The Isles will list all players 1-5 and take the best player available, based on their scouting.
So here is my order of whom they should take. Just put a line through whomever gets picked 2-4 then take who’s on top.
Gudbranson
Connolly
Fowler
GormleyIf by some freak of nature, act of god and Hall or Segiun fall then we kiss the ground, say a Hail Mary and grab the one who falls in our lap.
The real challenge, as stated by others, is the free agents we can acquire that hopefully make us a playoff team this year.
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Chris,
I m really interested if you know who Florida has set meetings with?
Thanks,
Dan
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I know its silly to make judgements about these kids without seeing them,but I cannot get drafting Gormley out of my mind,being a repeat of a Scott Scissons scenario. By all reports,being a clone of Calvin DeHaan,the perception is he is a significant cut below the top five.
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Viper says:
Great stuff, CB, thank you. Gotta love Gudbranson, and I hope that is who we get, but any of the top 5 will be great to have!
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I think I have a man-crush on Nino. He is drawing comparisons to Ovechkin! Who would pass on that? Either way, we are getting an impact player if they dont screw the proverbial pooch!
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admin says:
Thread closed. Thanks for sticking with the blog. See you soon…CB
I want Gudbranson but there is no way CLB passes on him……that PITTS game will hurt us