He wasn't passed a 59th time. Every team misses on draft picks. It's a crap shoot. Although I do think scouts make their names on 3rd-7th round picks. Yes the 1st rounders are extremely important to get right, but it's finding that gem in the later rounds.
- Isleshockeyman

Just my personal opinion, but a team's scouting department needs to consistently find later-round talent before I'm going to laud their work as "great". Finding a quality player in late rounds here and there is nice, but I would bet it's a lot more luck than anything. Frankly, I think the Islanders have done relatively well bringing in talent from later rounds.

Going back to the Okposo draft, they found MacDonald (6th - 2006) (yes, we all hated him but getting a serviceable full-time NHL defenseman in the 6th round is great), Spurgeon (6th - 2007), Martin (5th - 2007), Donovan (4th - 2007), Lee (6th - 2009), Cizikas (4th - 2009), Kichton (5th - 2011) (no NHL career to date, but let Manitoba in overall scoring in the AHL this year and was just re-signed by WPG), Pelech (3rd - 2012), Quine (6th - 2013), Sorokin (3rd - 2014), Soderstrom (4th - 2014).

Lots of good NHL'ers there, some more than others. A few that haven't played in the NHL yet but are playing pro successfully in different leagues.

Just my personal opinion, but a team's scouting department needs to consistently find later-round talent before I'm going to laud their work as "great". Finding a quality player in late rounds here and there is nice, but I would bet it's a lot more luck than anything. Frankly, I think the Islanders have done relatively well bringing in talent from later rounds.

Going back to the Okposo draft, they found MacDonald (6th - 2006) (yes, we all hated him but getting a serviceable full-time NHL defenseman in the 6th round is great), Spurgeon (6th - 2007), Martin (5th - 2007), Donovan (4th - 2007), Lee (6th - 2009), Cizikas (4th - 2009), Kichton (5th - 2011) (no NHL career to date, but let Manitoba in overall scoring in the AHL this year and was just re-signed by WPG), Pelech (3rd - 2012), Quine (6th - 2013), Sorokin (3rd - 2014), Soderstrom (4th - 2014).

Lots of good NHL'ers there, some more than others. A few that haven't played in the NHL yet but are playing pro successfully in different leagues.
- eichiefs9

Totally agree. You and I could do ok with 1st and maaaaayybe 2nd rounders. After that is where scouts make their names. Have to be able to trust them to get late round gem.

Totally agree. You and I could do ok with 1st and maaaaayybe 2nd rounders. After that is where scouts make their names. Have to be able to trust them to get late round gem.
- Isleshockeyman

I have no issues with the Islanders scouting department, honestly. Can't hit on everyone. The only true "bust" from the first round, so far, has been Reinhart.

Staple doing a mini Q&A on twitter.

His predictions for the lines, as the team exists now:

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 48s48 seconds ago
Arthur Staple Retweeted El OC
As of now: Ladd-Tavares-PAP, Lee-Barzal-Strome, Kulemin-Nelson-Bailey, Chimera-Cizikas-Clutterbuck. Prince/Quine.

and defensive pairings:

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 18s18 seconds ago
Arthur Staple Retweeted Fake Tim Benedetto
2-3, 44-55, 14-6. 42 the No. 7 and 50 in BPT.

Staple doing a mini Q&A on twitter.

His predictions for the lines, as the team exists now:

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 48s48 seconds ago
Arthur Staple Retweeted El OC
As of now: Ladd-Tavares-PAP, Lee-Barzal-Strome, Kulemin-Nelson-Bailey, Chimera-Cizikas-Clutterbuck. Prince/Quine.
- eichiefs9

A complete rookie as 2C while a proven 20+ goal NHLer centers the 3rd? Maybe I'm underestimating Barzal but to me that does not look like a recipe for success.

funny bc that's what I said & think also, if you brought this up last year, half these ppl would think ur delusional.....
- Ur Not Me

For sure I agree.. He's got raw talent , you see it every time he's on the ice. He will produce. Sure they think he's a head case but there have been plenty of head cases that contributed on the score sheets and held the cup too. I look forward to his debut.

You would think the leash is really short this year for Cappy, but with Garth it's hard to say that. I think he whent this far with Cappy and will give him every chance. I really think the Owners will clean house if the team does not do better than winning one round this year. Even if the Isles can re-sign JT, I doubt they want to waste his prime years hoping Garth and Cappy get it right.
- ses111

this is bang on!!!

A complete rookie as 2C while a proven 20+ goal NHLer centers the 3rd? Maybe I'm underestimating Barzal but to me that does not look like a recipe for success.
- Wildschwein

Just Staple's instinct, not like that was from a team source or anything.

Might be too much to expect a rookie to have the defensive responsibility that a 3C needs to have. Let the kid play offense and get used to the NHL game. Defense can come later, and it likely will. Barzal is a pretty solid defensive center as well.

Just Staple's instinct, not like that was from a team source or anything.

Might be too much to expect a rookie to have the defensive responsibility that a 3C needs to have. Let the kid play offense and get used to the NHL game. Defense can come later, and it likely will. Barzal is a pretty solid defensive center as well.
- eichiefs9

Don't get me wrong, I'm very much rooting for Barzal. I guess I'm just turned off the idea of rookies as 2C after the Arcobello and Draisaitl disasters.

Just Staple's instinct, not like that was from a team source or anything.

Might be too much to expect a rookie to have the defensive responsibility that a 3C needs to have. Let the kid play offense and get used to the NHL game. Defense can come later, and it likely will. Barzal is a pretty solid defensive center as well.
- eichiefs9

.

.
- Wildschwein

He was riding Gropps coat tails. Bust

Staple doing a mini Q&A on twitter.

His predictions for the lines, as the team exists now:

Arthur Staple ‏@StapeNewsday 48s48 seconds ago
Arthur Staple Retweeted El OC
As of now: Ladd-Tavares-PAP, Lee-Barzal-Strome, Kulemin-Nelson-Bailey, Chimera-Cizikas-Clutterbuck. Prince/Quine.
- eichiefs9

Wait Staple has Strome on wing? He must not have gotten the memo from Snow that because Frans left Stromer is going to be much better and belongs at center

Just Staple's instinct, not like that was from a team source or anything.

Might be too much to expect a rookie to have the defensive responsibility that a 3C needs to have. Let the kid play offense and get used to the NHL game. Defense can come later, and it likely will. Barzal is a pretty solid defensive center as well.
- eichiefs9

I think all of that will change if Snow is able to pull a trade off a cash strapped team before the season. I think Staples line 2 will not exist come opening night.

Wait Staple has Strome on wing? He must not have gotten the memo from Snow that because Frans left Stromer is going to be much better and belongs at center
- nyisles7

Hmmmm why is it that Strome would be better at center? Maybe because HE WAS DRAFTED AS A SKILLED CENTERMEN!!!

Wait Staple has Strome on wing? He must not have gotten the memo from Snow that because Frans left Stromer is going to be much better and belongs at center
- nyisles7

His predictions are crap. Garth already said Strome back at Center.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very much rooting for Barzal. I guess I'm just turned off the idea of rookies as 2C after the Arcobello and Draisaitl disasters.
- Wildschwein

Frans leaving left us a little lite at experienced centers and Barzal may be our best option at 2C letting Nelson take the more defensive shutdown role.
That said it's going to be interesting to see how they handle this kid, I thought at last years blue white scrimmage he was far and away the most noticeable on the ice.
Big leap though from Jrs. to the bigs.

Strome deserves this year as a blank piece of paper.
I think he is very talented and suffered a bad season due to misuse, poor coaching & lack of confidence(due to coaches lack of conf in him).

If they use him in the proper capacity, I think we'll see a much better player that last yr. We should not be ready to trade him- tho he"s not untouchable.
- jmo16

You never give snow or cappy a pass.. Don't give the players a pass especially when Strome was quoted as saying he doesn't always work hard enough

You never give snow or cappy a pass.. Don't give the players a pass especially when Strome was quoted as saying he doesn't always work hard enough
- Dan Petriw

Dan, what makes anybody think that a player who sh!ts the bed on the wing deserves a shot at playing center which comes with much more responsibility in the defensive zone. Mho, Strome will get a shot at center in the pre season and if he proves himself capable he will get the shot at center ice. If he doesn't he will find himself right back on the wing. If he doesn't get his head out if his ass and plays as he did there last year he will find himself in the presser.

Totally agree. You and I could do ok with 1st and maaaaayybe 2nd rounders. After that is where scouts make their names. Have to be able to trust them to get late round gem.
- Isleshockeyman

It's the top 5 picks we've had problems with lately.

Dan, what makes anybody think that a player who sh!ts the bed on the wing deserves a shot at playing center which comes with much more responsibility in the defensive zone. Mho, Strome will get a shot at center in the pre season and if he proves himself capable he will get the shot at center ice. If he doesn't he will find himself right back on the wing. If he doesn't get his head out if his ass and plays as he did there last year he will find himself in the presser.
- nyisles7

These are all very fair points

A complete rookie as 2C while a proven 20+ goal NHLer centers the 3rd? Maybe I'm underestimating Barzal but to me that does not look like a recipe for success.
- Wildschwein

No it doesn't but complete plausible that it'll happen.

For sure I agree.. He's got raw talent , you see it every time he's on the ice. He will produce. Sure they think he's a head case but there have been plenty of head cases that contributed on the score sheets and held the cup too. I look forward to his debut.
- Nolanders

His skating and playmaking ability is the reason I think he'll be up before MDC, if the kid matures.

Dan, what makes anybody think that a player who sh!ts the bed on the wing deserves a shot at playing center which comes with much more responsibility in the defensive zone. Mho, Strome will get a shot at center in the pre season and if he proves himself capable he will get the shot at center ice. If he doesn't he will find himself right back on the wing. If he doesn't get his head out if his ass and plays as he did there last year he will find himself in the presser.
- nyisles7

It's a stupid way of developing kids imo. Bounce them all over the line up and if they don't work outside their natural position bench them. Strome was probably our best defensive fwdthe season bfr last. On any given night his line mates could change or he could be on the wing or playing center. Then he was on the wing all of last season and NOW Snow says he's better suited as a center and Staple has Barzal who has never played an NHL shift centering the 2nd line with Strome on the wing

It's a stupid way of developing kids imo. Bounce them all over the line up and if they don't work outside their natural position bench them. Strome was probably our best defensive fwdthe season bfr last. On any given night his line mates could change or he could be on the wing or playing center. Then he was on the wing all of last season and NOW Snow says he's better suited as a center and Staple has Barzal who has never played an NHL shift centering the 2nd line
- Cptmjl

Staple is saying has a chance to win that spot.. Strome played 30 games at wing two years ago next to JT and about the same last year so let's not pretend that he had 50 points in 14/15 because he was never moved out of position