The New York Islanders Select...
After attending the draft day party at the Coliseum and reading just about everything I could find on our new baker's dozen of prospects, here is my analysis of the Islanders 2008 draft.
With the 5th, I mean 7th, no wait the 9th pick - the Islanders select Center Josh Bailey from Windsor of the OHL. Time will tell if Snow's plan of picking up the additional 2nd and 3rd round picks from the deals to move from 5 to 7 then 7 to 9 were worth passing over Filatov, Schenn or Wilson. As of this point I believe we could have the new generation's version of Joe Sakic. Bailey is a lefty playmaking two-way center. During his post draft interview with Buccigross, Bailey stated he models himself after both Sakic and Yzerman. If he can do half of what both of these hockey greats have accomplished during their careers, we here in Isles Country will be very happy with this selection. He also said in his interview, that offensively he would rather pass the puck then use his shot (get him on the ice with Okposo ASAP), after you watch the youtube video, you will see that this kid not only needs to use his shot more but also that he is exactly the type of player we love around these parts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hN4MlGHR5w4
The 1st of our 2nd round selections was Corey Trivino, another center who has some size but needs to hit the gym. This past postseason he averaged 1.47 points per game with 5 goals and 17 assists.
Our second 2nd round pick was this years Minnesota's Mr. Hockey defenseman Aaron Ness. While on the smaller side, 5-10 160, he just graduated high school and will be going to Okposo's former stomping grounds University of Minnesota. His senior year he tailed 72 points with 28 goals to lead his team to a section championship.
With our final 2nd round pick comes another defenseman, a 6 foot bruiser by the name of Travis Harmonic. "He plays on the Warriors, and he is a warrior" - said one scout. "He breaks his jaw earlier in the season, and comes back to play the rest of the game. You have to love his mentality, not overly skilled but will block a shot with his teeth if need be." Could he be a homegrown Witt?
The NHL has the Staal family dominating across the league and for the Islanders sake lets hope that the Toews are the next NHL family to take on the league. The first pick of the 3rd round was Jonathan Toews' brother, David. Going along with the draft theme of taking highly skilled players, David fits accordingly. He had 100 points last year in 51 games with 44 goals. If he develops into a player like his brother, we all will be very happy with this pick.
Continuing to build our defensive depth comes the selection of Jyri Niemi. Though Finnish born, Niemi is playing in the WHL where he led rookies with 14 goals last season.
The steal in this draft could come from pick number 73 Kirill Petrov. Ranked as the 2nd overall international skater for this draft, Petrov dropped this late in the draft because he has 3 years left on his deal with his Russian team. If Petrov did not have this contract over in Russia and expressed interest in coming to the NHL now, he easily could have been the Islanders pick in the first round at number 5. When compared to Filatov, Petrov is 3 inches taller with a wider frame.
Our 1st of two 4th round picks is defenseman Matt Donovan from Cedar Rapids. As a rookie last season, Donovan played in 59 games were he tallied 31 points (12g, 19a).
Our hopeful version of a Zetterberg type find in the draft comes with the pick of David Ullstrom. This 6-3 swede needs to hit the gym as he weighs in at 190. He also put up 54 points last year with 27 goals.
In need of having depth at the goalie position for our farm system comes the pick of Kevin Poulin with the 5th round pick. Hopefully he plays better then his 3.69 GAA and .887 save percentage of last year.
Adding some muscle to this draft is winger Matthew Martin. Last year he had 155 penalty minutes while also netting 25 goals.
Another potential steal from this draft could be our last pick, Justin DiBenedetto. This left winger was 2nd in scoring on Steve Stamkos' team this past season with 93 points.
Other News:
Dubie has agreed to terms with AK-Bars of the Russian Super league, it was a 2 year deal.
Bergenheim, Colliton, Nielson, Tambellini, Walter and Bruno all have recieved qualifying offers.
Coming later this weekend will be a preview of the upcoming free agency period, which opens on Tuesday.
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15 comments:
Clearly Snow is taking the Ken Holland-Detroit approach by drafting lots of smaller, skilled players and loading up defensemen. Another sign that the gritty chip-and-chase style favored by Nolan is going out the window. But unlike Detroit and other top franchises, this organ-eye-zation changes its philosophy every couple of seasons. Kind of like the old Soviet Union: an endless succession of five-year plans. Hope these kids pan out, but caring less and less.
Guys, remember last year when I said the the day of the NHL free agent was over and that all the teams were locking up their good young players for years to come?
Well, I hate to say "I told you so", but look what has happened.
And next year will be worse.....Bill
Bill,
You did say that and that is exactly what happened. That's also the reason Snow stocked up on picks, as he knows now how much building from within is stressed in today's NHL.
Isles looking at Weight?
Unlike Tampa I think the Isles can make a quick turn-around. Because goalie and D already are in place it might not take too many pieces to complete the puzzle. Maybe Weight will be brought in to center a couple of big time wingers next season and then Bailey will be ready from 09/10. We'll se in a couple of hours...
We have a new PP q-back. Mark Streit, who was 3rd among defenseman last season in goals agreed to a 5 year contract with the Isles. Hopefully he will make us forget the days of MAB.
If he does this, MAB will be long forgotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kDYRlU6uIU
From what Streit looks like on youtube I'd say he's both a better skater and passer than MAB and that his shot is way more accurate. His shooting technique is also better as he appears to have a quicker release. Habs was using him as a 5-7 D-man or 4th line forward in addition to his serivce as QB on the PP. I guess that with all the offensive talent they already have on their roster 4,1 per year didn't seem reasonable (and would also leave them with almost zero cap space). For a offensively limited Islanders, to say the least, I think he's a fit.
good move picking up streit.
was hoping for ryder and/or rolston also
Scary and strange to see Rolston and Holik return to the Devils. The Isles could really use another center, and I was hoping Garth Snow would look more towards Brendan Morrison, and not towards Doug Weight.
Weight is an Islander, $1.75m plus bonuses. I have a feeling Hilbert is going to be watching a lot of games from the press box this season.
You have to like this signing. It pushes Comrie back to a #2 center while also giving us hope that Weight and Guerin can find some chemistry together again.
I already think the lineup is an improvement over last year's.
Weight had 10 goals 25 assists last year. He will turn 38 during next season. He had 1 gwg last season. O Playoff goals while averaging only 5 minutes a game every game after game 1 pretty much except game 3 where he played 8:31. He was tied for 241st place in goals last year. Tied for 294th place in assists last year. Tied for 284th in points. He had some of the worst stats in the league last year. He doesn't do shootouts because he isn't a goal scorer anymore and at 38 he isnt going to give you much speed. he didn't attempt 1 last year. He had 2 power-play goals last year. He lost 324 face-offs and only won 290 face-offs. Doug Weight is old and washed up. He is going to be 38 and is on more then the decline in his career. He simply shouldn't be playing in the NHL anymore. Doug you had a solid career but its time to lace them up not hurt the Islanders a team that already is terrible. The Islanders have an old veteran center in Sillinger and another veteran in Billy G so the leadership factor shouldn't be said in his defense. Crosby said it best with something similar to this "leadership isn't what you say but how you lead by example on the ice." Why Pay this guy 1.75 million when he has no gas left in the tank. I am not knocking his career because it was very solid. However, its time for him to lace up the skates. Everyone keeps talking about the future and getting younger Weight is way past his prime and if you look at his numbers you can tell just like the Ducks knew he is done. The islanders made this move because no1 respectable will sign with them. You think a player like Hossa considered playing in long island for the laughing stock of the league. Do you think Sundin would consider it. Of course not. No1 wants to play for the Islanders especially with Nassau coliseum being the worst venue in pro sports. Good players rather take less money then play for a terrible team year after year in a terrible arena. Thats why the islanders sign washed up veterans like Guerin and Weight when they are way passed their prime. Weights name might attract fans but dont be fooled he isnt 29 anymore. Onto the Islanders mind boggling first round of the draft. Heres what ESPN had to say Gare Joyce says: The Islanders always zig when everyone else is zagging. Bailey is more in the 12-20 range than top 10. Heads were scratched after Isles traded down twice to get him.
Typical Islanders being the Islanders.
I think you mean hang up the skates. Lace them up refers to getting ready to play. Since when has ESPN been a valid hockey source? I'll say not since NHL 2Nite was canceled. The only real ESPN source I believe that follows the entire NHL is EJ Hradek who has a daily radio show shown on NHL Network. Here is his draft analysis on the Islanders draft. http://islanders.nhl.tv/team/launch.htm?type=fvod&id=19392&catid=214
Here is a link for an interview with Isles Assistant GM Ryan Jankowski about the draft - http://www.thepipelineshow.com/clips/season_3/Ryan_Jankowski_June24.mp3
The Weight signing is a good one for 2 main reasons. It fills a spot(Would 100% have weight playing on the ice then Hilbert) on the NHL roster while also trying to get the most out of Guerin (since we know that these two players have prior chemistry). Additionally, the team is trying to get younger and develop from within. That being said, Weight is signed to a 1 year deal (who cares how much he makes, we need to hit the cap minimum) and provides a stop-gap while a player like Bailey, Colliton, or Neilson another season to develop as players.
Seems like the Isles have signed an enforcer:
Mitch Fritz - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAU7ekdVvg0
Is Kip Brennan signed through next season? Apparently this Fritz guy is 6'8 or something. Bigger than Boogard.
B.D. Gallof had this to say about the Weight signing...
"There are some that are not happy with the Doug Weight signing. Some that do not understand how important leadership and a veteran presence is instrumental to rebuilding a team. How thanks to him, and others like Tkachuk, helped mold the kids in St. Louis into turning the corner.
There is the truth of that at certain ages do decline on the stat chart. But if you look at Doug Weight's stats, you only see last year as the blip. The year before and previous shows the ability to be more than just effective.
Last season: 10 goals and 15 assists in 67 games. No doubt about it...suckage.
Year before? 16 goals and 43 assists in 82
2 years before? 57 pts in 70 games
That's 2 out of the last 3 with more points than anyone on LI last year. We don't need him? It's time to wake up and smell the Maple Nut Crunch coffee. We need him . . . BADLY.
And you can look at Jeremy Roenick, who I summarily dismissed well past his prime with more than just a seasonal outage, who found the right fit and continues onward.
Doug Weight is clearly the right fit for Long Island. He is known as a great puck distributor. Here he is on a team who distributed the puck more to opposing team's sticks. He has great chemistry and camaraderie with captain Bill Guerin. This helps the umbrella of leadership and influence upon the motley crew who needed more mature and guiding voice last season. He can work with kids in camp and onward, especially Josh Bailey.
For Josh Bailey, Doug Weight is the archetype of his own style. Others like Walter, Nielsen and others will all do well with his presence and influence.
Above all, what has made the hockey stand still on Long Island is that the lockerroom needs leaders who can light a fire under other players. "
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