Those fearing this draft was lost, think again. Snow and Co have taken excellent picks throughout the rounds since. Well-regarded center, Corey Trivino. Offensive dman Aaron Ness. Defensive dman Travis Hamonic. David Toews, Jonathan Toews brother. Highly regarded Finnish dman Jyri Niemi.
And intriguingly, someone who could actually be a real star, or blowout . . .
Kirill Petrov, who dropped to round 3 due to his 3 more years set in Russia. But this hulking brute of a player can turn into something much more. A real good bet was laid down.
MORE LATER . . .
There is no joy in Mudville this morning. As far as fans are concerned, Mighty Snow struck out.
Over half the Isles fans up and left by the time the Isles actually made their pick. The rest who stayed just sat in silence. Nobody contends that Josh Bailey isn't a good player. BUT, the Isles walked away from 4 possible great players, 2 even considered potential superstars. Filatov and Schenn. And then Boedker and Wilson, a bit further down the list.
So, how does an organization that plans, per their Sales and Marketing guru, Wang's son-in-law Chris Dey, aim for 30 Sell Outs and 10,000 Season Tickets???? They walk away from superstars and take someone who they knew very well, but could have gotten at least 3 spots later.
Vancouver in the 10 spot took Hodgson, and perhaps they feared them taking Bailey, but one has to wonder if the process that sucked the life out of fans who wanted the Isles to hit a homerun really will also lead to next season woes. The fanbase was ignored. And that might not be paramount in the longrun if Bailey and the many other picks pan out. But you only get shots at great players only once in a while. And the Isles did indeed strike out on that account, and for most, that is unforgivable.
I will say that it does go against the grain, and Snow is trusting his scouts. They even are ignoring the marketing and business end by not going for the potential stars on top of the list. But, it also just goes down in a very bitter wash.
Fans were irate, as you can see in the +plus 300 posts to my live blog last night and reading the draft thread on Islandermania.com and my stomping grounds, the Isles section of HFboards.com. Fans aren't happy, and the Isles are, in the end, going to have to meet fan demands soon. Otherwise, they will start seeing less in the seats, and less ratings as those who came back into the fold now walk away feeling that once again...the Isles screwed them.
Should fan hype dictate action? Of course not. But Garth Snow's face should have been on that screen explaining things to irate fans of why and the bigger picture. Same with the scouts or even Charles Wang, who sat their with his son-in-law looking like a fish out of water. Meanwhile, why wasn't the Sales and Marketing guy at the Coliseum, at the point-of-purchase, handling the Draft Party? Just another strangeness, where opportunity to speak to fans onsite and explain the longterm philosophy was lost. Just like that chimera of 30 sell outs and 10,000 season tickets sold.
You cannot sell without a product. And if you don't know your product, hockey, it makes the hill even steeper.
Filatov, Schenn, Wilson and Boedker will always be measured against the Isles draft class. Especially Filatov. And one can only hope that the scouting is more than just bold, it is accurate, because the repercussions of these mistakes might be felt for years down the line.
Today will be a better barometer. I'll wrap up todays picks later on early this eve.
MORE ON JOSH BAILEY:
You can be pissed, but Josh Bailey is NO SLOUCH. More on Josh . . .
Blog Box in Ottawa
I won't be around till later, but please check out my pals at the Blog Box who are onsite for the draft.
BD's FLYING CIRCUS: My live Draft Party Coverage Last Night
((foreboding galore!))
LIVE BLOG - BLOG BOX STYLE
So here we are. I spent a few chitchatting with all sorts of folks. I shot a bit of video. And now I am live blogging . . . which might suck or be at least modestly a good read.
I have two people on my left: Katie Strang from Newsday and also Brad Kurtzberg from Inside Hockey. On my right, it is my fellow blog box fellows in Ken Dick, Mike Gasparino, Dee Karl, and Ken Rosenblatt. We are still waiting for Frank Trovato.
Ahh, here comes John Buccigross. We are on our way.
Ryan Jankowski came on to talk about how the phones are ringing because many teams are trying to find their way in.
Loudville folks just screamed at me asking what do I have for everyone. I have the same confused look on my face as I've had. We really need all the players, to be honest. We need Schenn. We need Filatov. And we need Colin Wilson. Those three would turn around our fortunes quickly, once they developed. But we get but one.
Fans are hot. Most want Filatov. They also just screamed:
"Just say no to Yashin!"
Ok, a quiet moment finally. We are waiting for the live feed. Isles chants begin again as it starts.
My theory is, IF LA thinks that Filatov is not going to be picked by Atlanta and St. Lou, they will move to 5 (if interested in him) and switch with the Isles for the cost of some picks (like 2 and a 3rd). But thats just my pure conjecture. If LA wants him, they can get the Isles to pay to get their man...which would be Bogosian (my pick) of Doughty.
But, then again, we've all heard about trading down. And that could happen when they think highly of a player like Colin Wilson or someone else, maybe Boedker.
3 way deal was done: Calgary gets Cammalleri
LA gets 12th pick, and Ducks some picks.
Rumored deal, per TSN: Calgary Flames are in process of trading forward Alex Tanguay to the Montreal Canadiens for 25th overall pick in the draft.
Lots of moves. And I feel it in the air and in Ryan's voice. Isles might be looking to strike THE DEAL. The deal that has them still get a good guy within the top 12, but get them also a good player or other picks.
Everytime Filatov is mentioned, people cheer here.
Someone says he looks 12.
Bob Mac is talking about wild cards on TSN. He should add Snow, because I smell something. Oh, oops, Katie Strang is peeling an orange.
Draft is coming up.
The "if you know the Rangers suck, clap your hands" chant begins in the interim . . .
Some things just need to be done to comfort the Isles fan's soul.
Brad was just mentioning astutely that this drat should take quite a bit. He's right. 15 min per pick if they haven't change it. I mentioned to him and Katie I wish they'd do what the NFL did and shorten it. But, alas. Brad writes good stuff for the Isles on Inside Hockey, and you should check it out. BUT...after this draft. ;)
Here we go...as Gary gets booed. Gary is feeling that love!
Ollie Jokinen traded to FL for pick 49, Ballard and Boynton (two D, wow)
Feaster up to pick.
OH MY GOD, he goes off the board and picks . . .
1. Just kidding. Coulis, the new Tampa owner, picks Stamkos. No brainer!
ISLES HOT RUMOR: Rumor from OTT from our blog boxers is word is that Isles traded back to the 7th spot. Looking to confirm.
2. LA picks Doughty. All that talk of Filatov is hot air. They take one of the best offensive defenders.
Atlanta is next, and the smart play is Zach Bogosian. But we shall see.
Nothing confirmed yet on Isles rumored trade. Might not happen till there is an announcement.
Check out our fellow blog box fellows here that are in OTT
http://www.islesblogger.com/
http://www.thetigertrack.com/
Two great guys who are fighting bad planning by the NHL where there is not enough bandwidth for the people covering the draft. They are updating with their phones.
TRADE ANNOUNCEMENT: Oh, just the FL one with Jokinen. Ken Dick almost hid under the table. We are waiting on the Isles announcement. I smell Colin Wilson coming to LI at the 7th spot. But hell, you never know. And it might just be a rumor.
Someone told me that on the draft board in OTT, Isles have the 5th & 9th spot on the board. But don't celebrate yet. I can't confirm a thing.
The plot thickens.
Lots of talking on the phone. Unsure if they are making a trade. Maybe the draft board rumors are premature.
Our Blog Boxers in OTT are worried that Filatov will be nabbed at 4. Meanwhile they say tension is high overall in the Isles section.
JD, ultimate Ranger homer, goes to pick for St. Lou
4. JD picks for the Rangers....ERRRR...St. Louis...ok, he has his scouts come and pick Pietrangelo.
Fans cheering because Filatov is still available. Whoever is working the phones with Garth..will they blink and hit what they want? Will the Isles swing a trade if the offer comes?
We will know SOON
Isles coming up. Lots of action. Which way will it go. With that much phone working, will someone strike a deal Garth wants to take the spot and take Filatov (or Schenn).
TRADE HAS HAPPENED
TO and Isles swap picks.
Word from TSN is TO might take Schenn. Brad and I are perplexed to what the Isles are getting. Will Filatov actually last to the 7th spot?????
TO gives Isles two conditional picks. Some mess of choices that includes this year and next.
What must be is that Isles feel they can still get who they want at the 7th spot.
5. TO: Takes Luke Schenn. They get their stud. Now what to do with McCabe and Kubina? Interesting summer for Cliff Fletcher coming up.
So who is Columbus taking now? One must think Filatov? Is the Isles moving back for Wilson or do they know something that the Blue Jackets are doing instead?
TO basically gives the Isles a 2nd and 3rd to get Schenn. And Isles get more picks.
TRADE: Columbus deals?
6. Bueller? Bueller? Gary looks lost, like he forgot to put on pants.
TRADE: Columbus gets RJ Umberger, but later picks. They still pick now.
FILATOV OFF THE BOARD. It was a no-brainer. They need someone to take pressure off Nash. Once the Isles were looking to deal, they had made the decision to go in a different direction than Schenn and Filatov. This is either about Boedker, or my pet gem that I uncovered weeks ago: an interest in Colin Wilson, Center from BU
7. ISLES UP, and getting booed at the draft part. Snow sucks chants can be heard.
Garth is working the phones AGAIN. Oh, and they have 6 picks in 1st three rounds.
TRADE AGAIN?!?!?
YES, another. Isles trade 7th pick to Nashville's 9th and the 40th pick.
Fans are pissed. Many are actually leaving. The choices made on the draft floor will affect the fans and the perception of the product. BUT, they are getting lots of picks. And they could still get their man at 9.
NOPE, Isles give up even Colin Wilson. Nashville gets their center of the future. Lots leaving still as their draft perceptions and excitement are sucked like George W. Bush on the economy.
7. Predators get Colin Wilson
Isles hot on Boedker? They now have 4 2nd round picks. They will be refurbishing the system, despite the fact fans are pretty P.O.d
Phoenix picks next.
I did mention a while back that the Isles had their eye on a few people deeper in this draft, where they could move back to get them instead, gaining picks. And this is happening. At the time I thought they were hot on Zach Boychuk. But whoever they are, it's happening. Isles are moving back, gaining a lot of picks.
8. Coyotes: Select Boedker.
Another off the board. Are Isles still interesting in moving backwards. At the draft, I mean. We all know the irony of my statement to the day-to-day team.
So, are the Isles hot after all on Boychuk? Or just a depth guy plus lots of 2nd rounders. Round 2 will be quite interesting tomorrow.
GARTH ACTUALLY STANDING UP NOW TO PICK!
9. They take Josh Bailey. Silence fills the Coliseum.
Bailey was projected a bit later. Maybe about 15 or so? Had 96 pts last year and considered a great 2-way player. Good pick, and McGuire actually speaks well of him. Give them their due, they cut against the grain of hype and expectation and trusted their plan and scouting.
ISS had Bailey 10th. So not that far off, after all.
Vancouver picks next at 10. I've heard they were interested in Zach Boychuk. But Zach could be had later. But, Kyle Beach is still available.
10. Nucks select, after wishing Luc's family that they are in their thoughts. They select Cody Hodgson.
Kyle is interviewed about his bad boy image. He punches her in the face. Just kidding. Just kidding.
I got to tell you. Isles had a shot at drafting a potential superstar. They chose to move back and gain in picks. Only time will tell if it was worth it.
11. Blackhawks take Kyle Beach!
They get the guy who can give some physical punch to a team, especially as Chicago already has the scoring punch. Good pick.
Lots of people have left. And there is disappointment, but lets see what those Isles do with 4 2nd rounders. They could conceivably use some to pierce the latter 1st round at a target. Lots of good kids still to be picked.
LA picks again at #12.
Buffalo takes 12, oops.
Tyler Meyers
LA now picks.
13. Colton Teubert off the board. Good pick. Great defense coming together in LA.
I'm off to annoy Buccigross. Or find a hotdog. Hmmm....which one. (looks at belly) You know the answer.
14. Zach Boychuk goes to Carolina. Which might have surprised even him.
I hear he thought Vancouver was in the cards. But a good place for him and good pick for Carolina.
TRADE: Nashville trades #15 to Ottawa, for 18 and a 3rd pick in 2009
Alfredsson is making the pick, or pitching a puck at someone.
15. Alf picks Eric Karlsson, and McGuire grins like a Chesire cat.
Pepe picked that Karlsson would move up the draft like a bullet.
Time to go bother Buccigross. Off to an interview with him to make sense of these bad vibes. Also, think on this ladies and gentlemen...
BUT WHY OH WHY IS THE SALES & MARKETING GUY DOING AT THE TABLE OF THE HOCKEY OPERATIONS?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Buccigross announces that the Draft Party is ending. Someone make a decision to end it prematurely. We are not even 17 into the first round. This is pretty interesting. It means that the Isles are closing shop for round 1.
We all meet Bucci. I introduce myself, and his face lights up. "You're the guy from Hockeybuzz!"
Yes, really. I've heard from a lot of hockey types...they read this place. Bob McKenzie. Dreger. Pretty amazing stuff.
I'm working right now to put some video in this, if I can. Or just give my perceptions on a wrap up. I know Isles fans are pissed. We'll delve into some stuff soon in this very blog.
Video is taking forever to upload. Rest will be up in here tomorrow.
BLOG BOX WITH BUCCIGROSS
FAN REACTION TO DRAFT PARTY
((folks of Loudville))
Cheers, and try to keep the faith.
KUDOS to Islanders505, Nick Giglia, Katie Strang who I sat in palavered with at the Marriott before it was time to head over to the draft part. Always a pleasure. Islanders505 is a great commentator who uses Newsday's website as his stomping grounds. Smart fellow. Nick is, well, Nick. Our fearless Lighthouse Coalition fellow.
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