Continuing here at the airport closing up some loose ends, here are the links to the show archives for both the Islesnation interview on Friday and from Hockey Night on Long Island from last night.

Islesnation Talk Show from Friday 6/20:

Hockey Night on Long Island from Saturday 6/21:

Once again, a big thank you to Steve and Tony from Islesnation and to Alex from HNLI for having us on their draft special shows!

I mentioned in previous posts that Tom and I interviewed some of our new draft selections. Obviously it’s next to impossible for me to be in two places at once, so I rarely get pictures of myself “in the act” of an interview. Fortunately, Josh Bernstein (wearer of many hats) and Islanders VP of Communications, posted the photos from his Blackberry in his draft blog.

Here they are!

I think this is the most coverage the Blog Box has ever received on the team’s website, hopefully the entire Blog Box gets the same treatment throughout the off season and next season!

Good afternoon Islesnation!

Tom Liodice of The Tiger Track and I are sitting at the airport in Ottawa (really early for our flight I might add) and eager to get back home. We have a connection in Montreal before we reach home base in New York, so it’s going to be a long afternoon.

The Islanders today released a press release on the XM Satellite show comments proclaiming them the draft winners. The press release is complete with links to listen to sound clips. Check it out:

On Saturday afternoon, XM Radio claimed the Islanders as one the 2008 NHL Entry Draft’s big winners. By trading down and stocking up on draft picks to grab Josh Bailey, the Islanders were able to draft second-day steals like Aaron Ness, Jyri Niemi, Kirill Petrov and David Toews amongst others.

To listen to a portion of the clip, click here.

XM Radio was most impressed by the way Islanders GM Garth Snow traded down to acquire extra picks while still drafting the player they targeted from the beginning. The show went onto say that this enabled the team to take a chance on Petrov, who was the second ranked European skater in the draft, but fell because of his contract status in Russia.

Said one of the show’s hosts: “What goes un-noticed is by moving back down twice and picking up three extra picks in the first three rounds [the Islanders] were then able to take a complete flyer on [Petrov], who was a top-10 talent at No. 73.”

To listen to a portion of the clip, click here.

So Ladies and Gents, there is your proof that not everyone out there feels that the Islanders did a horrible thing trading down and getting a bunch of great picks in the second round of the draft.

Just got word that “The Hockey News” show on XM Radio was summarizing this years draft and who made good picks. The host of the show proclaimed that the New York Islanders were far and away winners by trading for extra picks and drafting as many top level picks as they have.

The fan perception that the Islanders made mistakes in trading down twice in the first round, is clearly not held by the media here in Ottawa. Everyone we have come in contact with has loved the bevy of picks the Islanders made. Everyone speaks VERY highly of Bailey, with one person saying “Bailey is likely the smartest hockey player of the draft, has some of the best vision and could be at the very least a second line center, maybe even a first liner.” If paired with Okposo (as some suspect), the Islanders could have quite the 1,2 punch on the first line for years to come.

I hear that even the guys on NHL network complimented the scouting and drafting of the Islanders as well - now only if we can convince the fans that this draft was NOT a bust.

Unfortunately, we missed the interview with Josh Bailey last night, but we did manage to get some interviews with some of the players today. I snapped some quick pictures of the three players present.

Check it out:

Corey Trivino

Aaron Ness

Kevin Poulin

The Islanders have selected Forward Justin DiBenedetto with the number 175 pick.

Pos.: LW
Shoots: L
Height: 6.00
Weight: 186
Birthdate: 1988-08-25
Birthplace: Etobicoke, ON
Hometown: Vaughan, ON

Season Team GP G A PTS +/- PIM
2006-07 Sarnia Sting 58 28 35 63 21 46
2007-08 Sarnia Sting 58 39 54 93 12 61