Why I don't think the Islanders will take Tavares
by C-Leaguer on Jun 20, 2009 9:07 AM EDT
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PrintA lot of mock draft have the Islanders taking Tavares with the #1 pick. And why wouldn't they? He's likely to be a top talent. The problem is, he doesn't make sense for the Islanders on a personell basis or on an organizational basis.
Let's look at personnell first. Tavares is a sniper with less then excellent skating abilities. That means he won't be able to create his own shot in the NHL as a young player, and likely even in his prime with much consistency. That means he's going to have to rely on someone to feed him the puck in good situations. Who on the Islanders is going to do that? Who is going to do that next year? Who is going to do that in the seven seasons before Tavares is a UFA and can pick his team? The Islanders taking Tavares would have been like the Blackhawks taking Kane without having Toews. The Islanders don't have the pieces around and won't have the pieces around to utilize Tavares to the best of his abilities. Worse, he could end up being rushed to the NHL too quick, get burned out with the lack of talent around him, and flounder.
Now, from an organizational standpoint, the Islanders need just about everything other than a goalie, assuming DiPietro can stay healthy. They would be much better served moving down. I think Hedman makes a lot of sense for New York, but Duchense at third would be another great pick. What would the Avs give up to jump two spots to take Tavares? Whatever it is it would likely put the Islanders farther down the rebuilding path than simply picking Tavares would.
While I can't deny that Tavares is a great talent, and can predict with reasonable safety that the Islanders will be drafting in the low numbers again next year. Getting more pieces now and drafting a star next year would make more sense than taking Tavares now, at least in my opinion.
With that said and since Charles Wang is the owner I'm expecting the Islanders to draft Manute Bol after seeing how Chara was able to parlay his size in to a Norris Trophy.
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Hedman makes the most sense to me
I personally think Hedman would be the best pick for the Isles, but there is no way he makes it past Tampa. I really think that the Isles should stick it to Tampa and at least get their second round pick in a swap of picks. Duchene and Taveres don’t do as much for Tampa as Hedman does. I think that the Isles could get more from the Avs, and in doing so would still ensure them the ability to draft Duchene. I can’t see the Isles staying at 1 and taking Duchene, that would just be throwing away money.
I have never seen Hedman skate, but he could be another Chara. He’s already a head taller than the other top prospects.
http://www.fromtherink.com/photos/2009-sbn-nhl-mock-draft-day-2
GM of CanesCountry.com
According to these scouts, apparently the guy skates well too:
Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb
“For being that young, he’s very mature, and he’s big, but moves like a smaller guy. Very mobile, and his puck sense is excellent. Hedman is dominating the game, playing on the first defense pair on MODO. He’s playing around 20 minutes per game.”
NHL Director of Central Scouting E.J. McGuire
’Victor Hedman brings to his game unsurpassed combinations of size, explosiveness in his skating, quickness and offensive ability. He is indeed the whole package and that just might get him the number one selection overall."
From NHL.com’s profile of the boy. He’s 6’-6", 220lbs and 19 yrs old. That’s something you don’t see everyday – especially on skates.
Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!
by Carolyn Christians on Jun 20, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions
With those stats why would you pass
With what Hadman brings to the table, why would you pass on him for Tavares? Hedman is more likely to win a Norris than Tavares is to win a Hart. Tavares may be more likely to win a Richard than Hedman to win a Norris, but that’s not enough for me to pass up on Hedman to take Tavares. It’s not to take away from Tavares, he’s clearly an excellent player, but he is not Ovechkin or Crosby, and I would even say he’s not an Eric Staal.
no where near Staal. I dont think he’s as good as any of the Staals honestly.(cept maybe the youngest… I havent seen him play yet)
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 21, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
unfortunatly Tampa is basically getting two #1 picks in a row… Hedman clearly has more upswing then Tavares, but will take longer to play up to that ability.
by packpigskinfan25 on Jun 21, 2009 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
Definately don’t think they’ll take Hedman. If you want to rebuild your franchise you start with a center, not a D man. They should pick up Tanguey as a set-up man if they pick Tavares. They should stay away from egos like Gaborik during the offseason. Hopefully they learned that lesson.
Holy carp! I was just looking at their roster – they have no depth!! And they’re on the hook for Yashin’s buyout until 2015!?!?!? Oh, how the once-mighty have fallen…
For anyone who watched the World Juniors … wow on Tavares. Say what you want about his skating, but the kid is a nasty goal scorer. Luc Robitaille couldn’t skate either, and he scored 668 goals. Hedman will be a great one, too … but don’t expect Chara. He doesn’t shy away from physical stuff, but he’s not mean either. Think more of a complete package type like Lidstrom (not saying he’ll be near that good, but it’s a good comparison).
by Cory Lavalette on Jun 22, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
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