Fans are walking out as another trade is announced - the Isles trading seven to Nashville for the ninth pick and Nashville's 40th pick overall.
This one I can't defend as much - although in what is supposed to be a very, very deep draft, the Isles now have four second-round picks. And the difference between Hodgson, Wilson, maybe Kyle Beach - isn't that much. So to recap, the Isles traded the fifth pick for the ninth pick and added two second-round picks this year, and either a second or third round pick next year.
Again, armchair GMs love getting value when moving down, and maybe that's what the Isles have gotten here.
Wilson is taken by Nashville, by the way. Good luck, fellow Terrier.
But the fans, who were hoping to get an impact player, a top-five player, are very disappointed and have voiced that displeasure here at the draft party, which has become less of a party and more of a mob gathering.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Oh, well - no Filatov
Columbus took Filatov, and the reaction here at the Coliseum isn't as bad as I thought it would be, though I just heard the first "Garth Snow... YOU SUCK!" chant. And they just booed the announcement that the Isles were on the clock, so maybe it took a few minutes for a Filtov-less reality to settle in.
But look at it this way - the Isles will either get Cody Hodgson or Colin Wilson, both forwards -- the feeling here that it may be Wilson -- and they are both very good players, both solid picks at this spot. And to get two extra picks, that's not a bad play.
Unless Filatov becomes the next Ovechkin, in which case Isles fans will be talking about this move for a looooooong time.
But look at it this way - the Isles will either get Cody Hodgson or Colin Wilson, both forwards -- the feeling here that it may be Wilson -- and they are both very good players, both solid picks at this spot. And to get two extra picks, that's not a bad play.
Unless Filatov becomes the next Ovechkin, in which case Isles fans will be talking about this move for a looooooong time.
The deal... a good one?
The trade: Isles and Leafs swap five and seven, the Isles get either a second and a third in 2009, or a second and a second in 2009, at the Isles' option.
That's a lot of value to move down two slots. The Isles will still get a very good player at seven, Schenn or Hodgson, or maybe even Filatov, which will at least keep the fans happy.
UPDATE: Leafs take Schenn. So what does Columbus want? I've heard they're not looking at Filatov but wanted defense -- but all the top D-men are taken. Unless they Meyers or DelZotto, which would be a little high. If Columbus likes Hodgson, the Isles fans who love Filatov should build a statue of Garth Snow.
That's a lot of value to move down two slots. The Isles will still get a very good player at seven, Schenn or Hodgson, or maybe even Filatov, which will at least keep the fans happy.
UPDATE: Leafs take Schenn. So what does Columbus want? I've heard they're not looking at Filatov but wanted defense -- but all the top D-men are taken. Unless they Meyers or DelZotto, which would be a little high. If Columbus likes Hodgson, the Isles fans who love Filatov should build a statue of Garth Snow.
Four for four, but...
OK, so the first four went as I predicted, but we're hearing word that the Isles may have traded down to seven with Toronto...
If they can do that and still get Filatov, peace and joy will flourish here in Hempstead.
If they make the deal and Filatov goes somewhere else, I'll be under the table hiding from the angry mob.
UPDATE: They just announced the swap of picks -- let's just say the mood of the fans here isn't a happy one.
Could Toronto and Columbus take some combo of Schenn and Hodgson and leave Filatov with the Isles? We'll know soon.
If they can do that and still get Filatov, peace and joy will flourish here in Hempstead.
If they make the deal and Filatov goes somewhere else, I'll be under the table hiding from the angry mob.
UPDATE: They just announced the swap of picks -- let's just say the mood of the fans here isn't a happy one.
Could Toronto and Columbus take some combo of Schenn and Hodgson and leave Filatov with the Isles? We'll know soon.
Last-minute predictions
OK, almost ready to start and the fans are already yelling for the Isles to take Filatov. If he goes in the first four picks, they may tear this place down and we'll REALLY need the Lighthouse Project.
For posterity, my prediction:
1- Lightning - Stamkos
2- Kings - Doughty
3 - Flames - Bogosian
4- Blues - Pietrangelo
5 - Isles - Filatov
Maybe some wishful thinking.
Already a trade with the Kings ending up with 2 of the top 12 picks after a three-way deal that saw them move Mike Cammaleri.
"Lots of activity at the Islanders table." "Number 5 pick may be up for grabs."
We shall see...
For posterity, my prediction:
1- Lightning - Stamkos
2- Kings - Doughty
3 - Flames - Bogosian
4- Blues - Pietrangelo
5 - Isles - Filatov
Maybe some wishful thinking.
Already a trade with the Kings ending up with 2 of the top 12 picks after a three-way deal that saw them move Mike Cammaleri.
"Lots of activity at the Islanders table." "Number 5 pick may be up for grabs."
We shall see...
Live at the Isles draft party
The draft party has begun, and as we wait with baited breath to see what the Islanders will do with the fifth overall pick, there's plenty to do on the floor of the Coliseum as fans continue to file in.
Beyond the items up for auction, the interactive exhibits (how hard is your slap shot?), the coolest things are the items brought down from the Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The Islanders items include the five pucks that found the net in the debut game for the Islanders and the Atlanta Flames in October 1972, a 3-2 Flames victory; the stick Mike Bossy used to score his 68th goal in 1980-81; Brent Sutter's jersey from 1986-87; along with Billy Smith's pads and the stick he used when he "scored" a goal against Colorado in 1979.
There's also the skates Gretzky wore in his final game, but I like the old stuff best. Like Ace Bailey's skate blades; the hat Punch Imlach wore while coaching Toronto to four cups in the 1960s (the guy must have a midget based on the size of the hat; perhaps he was the inspiration for the Maple Leafs coach in "The Love Guru" - played by Verne Troyer, of course); Frank Mahovlich's jersey from 1958; Eddie Shore's Bruins jersey from 1932; or the stick Gordie Howe used to score his 220th career goal -- the thing is is flat as a frying pan.
You also learn that these guys save EVERYTHING. Case in point? You can see the socks Sean Bergenheim wore when Finland beat the Czech Republic in the 2001 world under-18 championships.
Dee, they're all yours.
Beyond the items up for auction, the interactive exhibits (how hard is your slap shot?), the coolest things are the items brought down from the Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The Islanders items include the five pucks that found the net in the debut game for the Islanders and the Atlanta Flames in October 1972, a 3-2 Flames victory; the stick Mike Bossy used to score his 68th goal in 1980-81; Brent Sutter's jersey from 1986-87; along with Billy Smith's pads and the stick he used when he "scored" a goal against Colorado in 1979.
There's also the skates Gretzky wore in his final game, but I like the old stuff best. Like Ace Bailey's skate blades; the hat Punch Imlach wore while coaching Toronto to four cups in the 1960s (the guy must have a midget based on the size of the hat; perhaps he was the inspiration for the Maple Leafs coach in "The Love Guru" - played by Verne Troyer, of course); Frank Mahovlich's jersey from 1958; Eddie Shore's Bruins jersey from 1932; or the stick Gordie Howe used to score his 220th career goal -- the thing is is flat as a frying pan.
You also learn that these guys save EVERYTHING. Case in point? You can see the socks Sean Bergenheim wore when Finland beat the Czech Republic in the 2001 world under-18 championships.
Dee, they're all yours.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
