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John Tavares: All Star

January 26, 2012, 7:42 AM ET [101 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
So here we are. Thursday after back-to-back losses to the Maple Leafs without hockey. But we do have All Star goings-on, don't we?

While JT was the subject of many north-of-the-border articles as one of Canada's favorite sons, he still belongs to us here on the Island and showed his devotion to the Isles by working harder than anyone else on the ice on Monday and Tuesday night. But that's who he is: the hardest worker on the team in the biggest spotlight.

So, where will he go in the ASG Draft? How far down the list with the "stranded" Mr. Tavares go and who will chose him? I'm very certain he won't be winning that car the way Phil Kessel did last year.

While the All Star festivities are a great way for the NHL to showcase it's talent, it's sport and thank their sponsors, the extended break can be a benefit and a hinderance.

For the Islanders it may be a welcome break. Many are spending some quality time with family and recharging. For those of us who spend our free time covering hockey and dont' have the pleasure and priviledge of being in Ottawa -- we're a little out of sorts.

Uh....Um... so... like... what do you want to talk about?

Nino? Okay. Well, yesterday on the radio I heard Pierre McGuire talk about Nino's development on the Island and he (surprisingly enough) said that he could make a case for the Isles the way they are handling it.

While so many are complaining about Nino's linemates Pierre didn't mention any names, he just said that he understood keeping him on Long Island instead of returning him to the WinterHawks. He needs to play in the NHL in order to develop, but there are plenty of arguments surrounding his 4th line minutes.

Personally -- I agree. Move the boy to another line and see how it goes. And I don't mean one game, I mean enough to see if there's a change. I do not want to see a first round draft pick have to play the same game as Matt Martin because that's the role he's been given.

As Rob McGowan from The Checking Line said to me on Tuesday, and I'm paraphrasing, the Islanders do a fine job turning first rounders into quality third liners.

Okay -- discuss.
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