Islanders draft John Tavares First Overall
Congratulations to the New York Islanders, and their fans. John Tavares is yours!
NY Islanders GM Garth Snow opened the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by making Tavares the first pick overall... and hopefully the cornerstone that will turn their franchise around... much the same way the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have in recent years.
I do sincerely this player propels the Islanders back to glory... I know that sounds off coming from a Rangers fan... but the cross-town rivalry has lost it's glow in the past two decades. From a purely selfish standpoint, it's going to be alot of fun watching this youngster blossom in the coming years. Congrats again Isles!
The Philadelphia Flyers managed to steal some of the thunder on draft day by acquiring Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger. The Flyers mortgaged everything to obtain the monster blue-liner, trading Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa (their first round pick last year), their first round pick in 2009 (21st pick overall), their first round pick in 2010, and conditional 3rd rounder in 2010 or 2011. The Anaheim Ducks opted to trade Pronger on the heels of the news that defenceman Scott Neidermayer would return to play next year... and clearly picked up alot for Pronger. The Flyers did spend big time to acquire Pronger, and will have to move some salary before the start of the season in order to fit Pronger under the cap... but holy cow.... this team just shook the balance of the Eastern Conference. Make no mistake, the Flyers are going for it this year.
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Yes, huge move by the Flyers. At the end of the day this could be the best move by any team during free agency this summer. If you watched the two playoff series the Flyers had against the Penguins these past two years it was pretty easy to see where their weakness was. Adding Pronger immediately gives them a whole new look and will make their remaining weakness in net seem a lot less problematic. And can you imagine how much more intense the battles in the Atlantic Division are going to be now??? Nasty!
Good for the Isles, good for Garth Snow. 10,000 fans showed up in Long Island to watch the draft! That's nuts. And they clearly were pleased with Tavares heading their way. I'd bet the Isles will add a few more pieces this summer, but I hope they'll continue to be patient in this process and not give up their kingdom for, say, a Sedin or two.
Posted by: Stache | June 29, 2009 08:42 AM
The Flyers only question now (and as always) will be in net. If Ray Emery can return to the form that carried the Sens to the Stanley Cup Finals... man they will be scary good.
Posted by: Bosh | June 29, 2009 11:45 AM