For once this season, the Islanders biggest victory did not occur on the ice. It happened in a borrowed lottery ball machine courtesy of the New York Lottery (perhaps even a permanent loan at this juncture) and came in the form of one of their lottery balls being sucked to the top of the device.
It never ceases to amaze me honestly, I have witnessed a bunch of great things in Islanders history – but this pick is one of the most important aspects in recent times. Looking back at the past first round picks, the Isles have had three other first overall selections:
2000: Rick DiPietro
1973: Dennis Potvin
1972: Billy Harris
With the first overall selection, the clear cut choices are either John Tavares or Victor Hedman – but like I have posted before, anything can happen now that Garth said he will look into all options. With a little bit of hope (now that the Hockey Gods smiled down on us tonight) having the number one pick will dissuade Snow from moving the pick and choosing whomever he wants (TAVARES…).
This is one hyped up fan, I cannot wait to hear what happens during the conference call at 9pm.
Stay tuned for updates and other blog reactions!
Islanders outsider has a live blog
Isles Official Outlook goes berserk as usual (I kid Doug)
Chris Botta claims Garth is now on the clock and should make an announcement already.
Ken Dick over at Okposo Net keeps his short and sweet.
Voice of the Islander Fans is rejoicing, as we all should.
Press Conference
Greg Logan opened up the questioning and peppered Garth with a series of questions. Greg asked Garth – how he felt upon the announcement:
“I had a huge smile, it was a really great moment for both the franchise and the fans. It’s going to be a great day in June”
Greg asked if Garth felt this pick would be a game changer:
“Yes, we are going to get a great player. We will have numerous meetings between now and June to discuss who we should select. I am sure we will have plenty of arguments, but we will go through the process diligently and thorough to make sure we pick the best player”
If you couldn’t tell from Garth’s answers at this point, it was clear that he was not going to give any hint towards the direction he was leaning. I could continue this whole recap but Botta already beat me to the punch (hey, my Fiance called from work – lol)
So did I. ;o)
brian burke contacts Snow already!
http://fiftymissioncap.wordpress.com/2009/04/15/dreger-burke-contacts-snow-regarding-1-pick/
Well, so now let’s get to the question: WHERE’S THE NEED? It would seem to me they go back down Potvin Lane and draft a defenseman to help slow down the shot onslaught that MacDonald and Danis had to deal with this year.
Put a big bruising body in the middle….
I say Hedman too. but I seem to be outnumbered.
Jeez Mike, Burke didn’t waste ANY time. Burke can try all he wants – he doesn’t have enough to make the trade he wants. He’s better off going for a different first rounder…
IslesFanInCa and 7thWoman,
Hedman is a stud d-man, but we can get a great defenseman later in the draft. You take the BEST player available and in that case it’s John Tavares.
Look no further than Tampa last year, they announced they were after Stamkos and they sold a TON of season tickets. THAT is what the Islanders need, a player who will be hyped beyond all hype.
I’d rather get a boy playing against men than a boy scoring goals against defensemen and goalies half his size. Hedman all the way!
Tavares isn’t small by any means, look at him compared to Bailey and some of our other centers:
Tavares: Ht/Wt: 6.00/199 lbs
Bailey: Ht/Wt: 5.11/167 lbs
Park: Ht/Wt: 5.11/190 lbs
Hilbert: Ht/Wt: 5.11/194 lbs
Thompson: Ht/Wt: 6.00/207 lbs
Weight: Ht/Wt: 5.11/196 lbs
Now compare him to Okposo whom everyone considers a power forward:
Okposo: Ht/Wt: 6.1/200 lbs
The argument that he would be a boy among men is not entirely true.