2009- A Draft to be Remembered

So tomorrow sets the mark for the next generation of hockey talent to be divided among the 30 NHL franchises, as the first steps toward the 2009-2010 season begin at 7:oo pm among the watchful eye of thousands not only at the Bell Centre, but at the Nassau Coliseum and the rest of North America. In arguably the most anticipated draft since 2005's crop that produced none other than newly crowned Stanley Cup Champ Sidney Crosby. All eyes will be focused on who Garth Snow and the New York Islanders decide to dub the first overall pick in this years extremely deep, and controversial draft.

Now before this continues any further, let me start off by giving a little background on myself since this is only the second post on this blog so far. I am Bryan and one of two bloggers who will be contributing to this site not only hockey, but my opinion on all things sports associated of which I feel necessary. I was born and raised on Long Island so my sports loyalties stay with the Islanders, Mets and Giants. My blogging partner, Adam well reflect on similar things. As opinionated sports enthusiasts, we surely will make all of our interested readers either agree or disagree with how we feel, but we hope that in the end you won't develop a distaste for our feelings. But I guess if you're still reading you can't hate it that much. But I digress....

Back to the exciting stuff now. While I begin my final hourly countdown to when I head to the Islanders Draft Party tomorrow night(18 hours as of now!!) with approximately 23,000 other Islander hockey enthusiasts, I leave with some final thoughts before I drift to sleep not counting sheep, but rather the number of different possible occurrences that tomorrow may bring, that will begin the upswing of what has been a number of years of lack luster hockey on Long Island.

Here are my hopes and wishes for tomorrow, followed by my nightmares as swirls of possible outcomes are running through my mind:

Hopes:

1) That Garth Snow realizes what a mob of 23,000 can do, and draft John Tavares. Especially when they are fans of a franchise that has a knack for not making the wisest decisions on draft day, thus having an already thinned patience, and confidence in their teams management. (Takes one to know one). My first prediction, if any other name other than John Tavares is called, duct tape will no longer hold together our ever aging building, and riot may ensue that would not be a pretty sight. Ask the residents of Vancouver in 1994.

2) Although many may argue for it, our other 1st rounder, whether it be the 26th overall or if we move, should not be used on a goalie! From what I have seen or read, none rank higher than 40 at their most generous. Assuming we take Tavares, we have Center covered with him and josh Bailey. Draft a defensemen or at very least a speedy wing. Landon Ferraro would be my choice.

3) A trade of some kind. Now understand I am not just looking for a trade for the sake of it here, I am talking something to get the fans excited. A shake up that will be beneficial to show that the Islanders have every intention of doing what is necessary to get fans back in the seats so the franchise does not move. Also, get the league and its fans talking again. There should be fans in Dallas, Toronto and San Jose alike all talking about what the Islanders have done at the draft. Get the name back out there so we are more than last years 30th place finisher.

Nightmares:

1)Victor Hedman. Woah, before I get yelled at, let me explain. Victor Hedman is a brilliant defenseman and will make a great NHL level talent. However, this is not the time nor place for a franchise of the Islanders stature to be making a draft choice that seems to be a quiet and in the long run maybe a better thing. No, time is against this team right now and we just don't have that luxury. John Tavares has the immediate impact ability of a marketable name, that is raised in our own system, something lacked heavily since Zigmund Palffy.

2) Dare I say it, a trade down. Now I know Garth Snow has assured that he has had a guy picked for a while now and that a trade down is not an option, but I think all Islander fans know that the franchise is capable of more than just going back on its word and making poor decisions. Although we were seen to be winners trading down at last years draft, I still would have liked to have seen what Nikita Filatov could have brought to the Islanders. Luckily Josh Bailey seems to be progressing fine and it looks to have been an okay decision to trade down to Bailey. This year though, a trade down would all but write a one way ticket to Kansas City.

I will be back on tomorrow before leaving for the Coliseum, now if I can just get to bed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXxTki3Agx4&feature=fvw