Murray is the pick but I'm not sure he going be available at 4.


Troumba, dumba or any other dman not in his class.

He could play in NHL next year.

WOOF WOOF. Wolf Pack in the House!

I've always liked Duchene. I actually wanted him over JT at that time.

Hey I'm not perfect.

I'd be thrilled if we had both.
- SCLI

Wolfpack 4 life. I just hope watching the draft and watching the Isles try to sign free agents does not make me want to end my life.

Not impressive, but he sees the ice quite well & is never really out of position... he will develop into a premier d-men.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Like a lot of stay at home "D" men. But they (those who get paid for their opinions) had him being the next best thing on ice. Scoring goals, piling up assists, running the PP, doing just about everything at an elite level. And the reports said he'd step right in and make an immediate impact. I didnt see much of any of that.

I remember laughing when fans on a HB blog had him putting up Denis Potvin #'s in his rookie season.

If there was a category, he was rated to be 5 stars out of 5 stars.

They said since he was already playing in a mens league that he would just step in and play at a very high level in the NHL. I didnt see that either.

None of which is the kids fault.

Now I have no doubt that you are correct when you say he will develop. But I'm skeptical that he will ever reach that lofty (unrealistically obtainable ) level of play they projected for him.

So I am happy we took JT and passed on Hedman. I think if we had taken Hedmen it maybe us instead of the Oilers getting the 1st rd pick 3 yrs in a row.

Wolfpack 4 life. I just hope watching the draft and watching the Isles try to sign free agents does not make me want to end my life.
- ses111

Now, now SES, a warm bowl of milk will calm you down and you'll see things in a different perspective.

Gotta go. Hey, Happy Fathers Day to all you Dads.

Have a great day with your kids

Murray could just as easily go number one overall. The only reason he's not so highly touted is the fact most scouts and GM's look at defense as a secondary position and give forwards a higher ranking.

In saying this, I hope Murray is still around at #4!

Murray could just as easily go number one overall. The only reason he's not so highly touted is the fact most scouts and GM's look at defense as a secondary position and give forwards a higher ranking.

In saying this, I hope Murray is still around at #4!
- Mr.Black

If he is.... he needs to be our pick.

XxNYIxX

If he is.... he needs to be our pick.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Unless one of Galchenyuk or Grigorenko is there with him

Unless one of Galchenyuk or Grigorenko is there with him
- eichiefs9

Id still take Murray.. only player I want more then Murray is Nail.

XxNYIxX

Id still take Murray.. only player I want more then Murray is Nail.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I'd always go BPA.

ESPN Insider had an article on plugging holes in the Atlantic Division. Below is the Islanders:

New York Islanders

The hole: Top-four defenseman

Instead of having a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman like Duncan Keith or Drew Doughty on their payroll for $6-$7 million per season, the Islanders took an equivalent cap hit by carrying a quartet of No. 6-No. 7 defensemen: Mark Eaton ($2.5 million), Steve Staios ($1.6 million), Milan Jurcina ($1.6 million) and Mike Mottau ($0.8 million), who embarrassingly combined for negative-2.7 GVT, i.e. AHL-level production. In part, that's because it's tough to get big names to sign in Long Island. After all, GM Garth Snow tried to trade for and then sign Christian Ehrhoff last June. Thankfully, New York is not starting from scratch now, needing only to round out a quality top three of Mark Streit, Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald by bringing in a quality veteran who's worthy of first- or second-pairing ice time.

The fix: Sign D Michal Rozsival, UFA (4.1 GVT)

Swapped out by the Rangers midway through 2010-11 to make way for younger defensemen, Rozsival fit nicely into Phoenix's defensive system, posting the Coyotes' best possession stats, while averaging 21 minutes of ice time. Although his point production took a considerable hit in Phoenix, this was in part due to losing all of his power-play ice time, which should come right back playing for a team like the Islanders. Partnered with captain Mark Streit, the 33-year-old Czech Olympian would be a major upgrade over last season's woeful options of Staios and Jurcina. Young veterans Andrew MacDonald and Travis Hamonic would continue to form another strong duo for New York, while youngsters like Calvin de Haan and Matt Donovan are ready to get their feet wet in third-pairing roles. On the Island, I'd expect Rozsival to return to 20-plus points and a 6.0-plus GVT, comparable to his last two full years at MSG.

This is from ESPN Rumors about Minnesota Wild moving up at the draft.

Wild could trade upl

Pegged to pick seventh overall, the Minnesota Wild could look to trade up at this year's NHL Entry Draft.

The Pioneer Press reports the organization is open to such a move, in light of the lack of a clear-cut No.1 choice.

"There are a couple guys we would consider paying a price for, if we got to maybe the four or five spot," assistant GM Brent Flahr said. "A number of teams are probably trying to do the same thing. We're going to go down there and try to figure out some information, hopefully find out (where teams are going). Last year, I probably could have given you nine of the top 10. This year, I could give you the same names, but the order's going to be dramatically different. It'll be fun."

Even though GM Chuck Fletcher has said the Wild would pick the best player available, the greater need for defensive talent is a factor. If Ryan Murray is selected with one of the top three picks, Fletcher could have his eye on Griffin Reinhart, Jacob Trouba, Mathew Dumba or Morgan Rielly. If not, Fletcher could trade up -- perhaps with the New York Islanders, slated to pick fourth -- to snag Murray.

I'd always go BPA.
- eichiefs9

I am

XxNYIxX

Islanders Draft Preview from Newsday:

The Islanders go into Friday's NHL Draft with a top-five pick for the fifth consecutive draft -- not good news when it comes to the results on the ice, but there is the promise of another high-talent player to add to their stable with the No. 4 pick.

It is not considered a particularly deep draft when it comes to impact players, but the talent across the top 10-15 prospects is fairly even, especially when it comes to defensemen.

"Once you get past the top five prospects or so, there are some very strong defensemen in the next group," said Dave Gregory of the NHL's Central Scouting bureau. "There's a lot of parity this year. If you find the right mix, a team could get a player in the third round who turns out to be an impact player in a short period of time."

Islanders GM Garth Snow is not inclined to pick defensemen so high, but given the glaring need for fresh blood on the team's blue line, he may buck his own thoughts and go for one of the highly rated defensemen listed here, especially if he decides to trade down and grab an extra pick.

The nine prospects highlighted here are the ones Snow and his staff will likely be choosing from if the Islanders keep the fourth pick. The "Scout's take" is either the words of an NHL amateur scout or Gregory from Central.

Scouting:

FORWARDS

Filip Forsberg

Center, Leksands IF (Sweden)

The 6-foot-2, 184-pound right-handed shot is the sort of power forward who would look good either centering a second line or possibly on the right side with John Tavares. He likes to pattern his game after another famous Swedish Forsberg -- Peter, who won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche.

Scout's take: "He's a power forward who's big and strong and loves to shoot the puck. He's the No. 1 rated European prospect for a reason."

Chance he's an Islander: Very possible

Mikhail Grigorenko

C, Quebec (QMJHL)

Another big (6-3, 200), strong forward who came over from Russia and scored 45 goals in Canadian junior hockey. He reportedly had mononucleosis during a disappointing playoff run. Grigorenko was one of three prospects the Isles flew to Long Island for a visit.

Scout's take: "The games I saw him play, he was clearly the best player on the ice. He makes the pace of the game come to him. He has the best hockey sense of any player in this draft."

Chance he's an Islander: Very possible

Teuvo Teravainen

Left wing, Jokerit (Finland)

Not very big (5-11, 165), but has plenty of skill and the benefit of playing with men in the SM-Liiga rather than teenagers in Canada.

Scout's take: "He's a crafty little player who sees the ice well and has very good hockey sense."

Chance he's an Islander: 50-50

Nail Yakupov

RW, Sarnia (OHL)

The consensus No. 1 prospect, his game has been compared to that of another Russian-born scorer, Pavel Bure. The 5-10 wing had some injuries this past season but still posted 31 goals and 69 points in just 42 games. The Islanders will only get him if they trade up or a couple of teams take a surprise pass, but they still would love to have him.

Scout's take: "Even when things weren't going well, he still worked hard to make something happen. That's a characteristic teams like to see. It's tough to see him not go No. 1 this year."

Chance he's an Islander: Remote, but they can hope

Alex Galchenyuk

C, Sarnia (OHL)

Nail Yakupov's very talented teammate missed all but two regular season games in this draft-eligible year after suffering a knee injury. He did play all six of Sarnia's playoff games, but even that small amount was enough to keep the Milwaukee-born son of a former minor-league player from Russia among the elite prospects.

Scout's take: "He skates well, he has a physical side and he sees the ice well -- if you're open, he'll find you. Everyone knows about his skill, but the injury made it tough to really evaluate him properly this year."

Chance he's an Islander: 50-50, maybe a little less

DEFENSEMEN

Ryan Murray

Everett (WHL)

If the Isles go with a defenseman, Murray is the most highly regarded in this draft. He's not flashy, but he's shown a lot of poise already as an 18-year-old -- so much so that he got to extend his year by playing for Canada at the World Championships in April and May. Has good size (6-foot, 201) and mental toughness to make the quick transition to the NHL.

Scout's take: "He may be the most NHL-ready player in the draft, forward or defenseman. He's a great leader and he can play both ways -- he defends really, really well, but if you need someone to jump up in the play, he can do that and he has a knack for knowing when to do it. He's going to be on some team's blue line for a long, long time."

Chance he's an Islander: Very possible (if Snow goes for a D)

Mathew Dumba

Red Deer (WHL)

A dynamic defenseman who can score (20-37-57) and hit with the best of them. His size (6-foot, 183) may not translate his big-risk, big-reward game to the NHL soon enough for the Isles' liking, but he is an attention-getter in addition to being a strong personality.

Scout's take: "He's arguably the most exciting player to watch in this draft. Whether it's a big hit or an end-to-end play, he brings people out of their seats."

Chance he's an Islander: 50-50

Griffin Reinhart

Edmonton (WHL)

Has appealing size (6-4, 207) and a decent two-way game, plus a good pedigree -- he's the son of Paul Reinhart, who played 11 seasons on defense with the Flames and Canucks. Probably not ready to step right into the NHL, but would give the Isles another big defense prospect in the pipeline.

Scout's take: "He projects as being a Chris Pronger type of defenseman -- he's not as physical yet as Pronger, but he can grow into his body. He also has an unbelievable shot and better mobility than his size would indicate."

Chance he's an Islander: Remote

Morgan Rielly

Moose Jaw (WHL)

Another elite talent who missed most of this season with a knee injury, he's still the No. 2-rated defenseman in the Central Scouting's rankings. If Isles trade down, he could end up being a steal at the lower end of the top 10.

Scout's take: "He's a franchise-type player in the Scott Niedermayer mold -- he has all the skills. He could really be a guy who, if he falls a bit, a lot of teams will say, 'How did we let him get away?' "

Chance he's an Islander: Remote, barring a trade down

In order I want

Nail, Murray, tuevo, gally


But the isles brought grigs, Murray and dumba in so far, correct me of they've brought more

In order I want

Nail, Murray, tuevo, gally


But the isles brought grigs, Murray and dumba in so far, correct me of they've brought more
- Danformo

My wants...

Nail, Murray, Dumba, Forsburg in that order

XxNYIxX

If only. He's got the size to give and take hits. If only he had a fire lit up under his arse and played more like Matt Martin.
- jmo16

Guy is built like the stay puff marshmallow man

Look for the Boston Bruins to trade not-playing Tim Thomas to a low-spending team such as Colorado or the New York Islanders, The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons suggests.
Simmons writes: "The $5 million of Thomas sitting put would count against the salary cap, but the team wouldn’t have to pay the sitting-out Thomas. So for teams that need help getting to the floor of the new salary cap, it’s an inexpensive, no-risk piece of bookkeeping."
Source: Toronto Sun
Jun 17 - 10:19 AM

Look for the Boston Bruins to trade not-playing Tim Thomas to a low-spending team such as Colorado or the New York Islanders, The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons suggests.
Simmons writes: "The $5 million of Thomas sitting put would count against the salary cap, but the team wouldn’t have to pay the sitting-out Thomas. So for teams that need help getting to the floor of the new salary cap, it’s an inexpensive, no-risk piece of bookkeeping."
Source: Toronto Sun
Jun 17 - 10:19 AM
- hawks101010

If that happens it's a joke and the fans shouldn't go to the games anymore

Guy is built like the stay puff marshmallow man
- Cptmjl

Thats fine.. Mr.Stay Puft caused quite a bit of havok!

XxNYIxX

If that happens it's a joke and the fans shouldn't go to the games anymore
- hawks101010

Joke?? Its brilliant!!!

XxNYIxX

Joke?? Its brilliant!!!

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

I guess this is why Wang is a good business man.

Look for the Boston Bruins to trade not-playing Tim Thomas to a low-spending team such as Colorado or the New York Islanders, The Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons suggests.
Simmons writes: "The $5 million of Thomas sitting put would count against the salary cap, but the team wouldn’t have to pay the sitting-out Thomas. So for teams that need help getting to the floor of the new salary cap, it’s an inexpensive, no-risk piece of bookkeeping."
Source: Toronto Sun
Jun 17 - 10:19 AM
- hawks101010

Steve Simmon's is a joke.

He just tries to make news with his stupid comments... he does this all the time.

Please don't take anything in the Toronto Sun for truth!!!

My wants...

Nail, Murray, Dumba, Forsburg in that order

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Nail, Murray, Gally, Forsberg sounds good to me!!!

I guess this is why Wang is a good business man.
- hawks101010

And how he will stay one!

XxNYIxX

And I alsmost forgot.... Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!!!

Hopefully all our kids see the Isles raise the cup...