Isles' minor-league lineup good enough for a win

Great job by the Isles keeping Tampa in the Tavares/Hedman sweepstakes. Way to win these meaningless games that nobody will remember next year when Tavares is getting a hat trick vs. Joey MacDonald or when Hedman slams Bailey into the boards & shuts down Okposo.

This is 1989-90 all over again when the Isles won just enough games at the end of a forgetful season to end up drafting 6th overall. The Pens drafted Jagr 5th. The Isles got Scott Scissons 6th. Nuff said.

I agree 100 percent. There going to give Colorado or Tampa the first and second round pick because they are winning. Tavares will be a huge impact for this islanders team. I dont know what is going through their heads when they and the managment know that Taveres is predicted to be better than Crosby and Ovechkin. THEY NEED TO LOOSE THESE LAST GAMES!!!

The islanders will get the first pick overall. They will one more game out of these last 4 games.

Hilbert Hears A Who wrote:

Great job by the Isles keeping Tampa in the Tavares/Hedman sweepstakes. Way to win these meaningless games that nobody will remember next year when Tavares is getting a hat trick vs. Joey MacDonald or when Hedman slams Bailey into the boards & shuts down Okposo.
This is 1989-90 all over again when the Isles won just enough games at the end of a forgetful season to end up drafting 6th overall. The Pens drafted Jagr 5th. The Isles got Scott Scissons 6th. Nuff said.

Glad to see someone else remembers. I was there when the Isles won their last game against Pittsburgh and finished sixth from the bottom with 5 potential superstars in the draft. Owen Nolan,Keith Primeau, Mike Ricci, Jaro Jagr and Peter Nedved all had great careers with Jagr obviously the best. And the Isles draft Scissons who was known as the best defensive center in juniors. Only trouble was he couldn't score in juniors and that was the best predictor of the career that he didn't have. Right after Scissons, I believe Derian Hatcher was drafted and down near the end of the first round went Keith Tkachack and Martin Brodeur to the Devils.
Last year the Isles had the opportunity to draft the top goal scorer in the draft and traded down. How about passing on Parise to take another defensive center.
If they blow this draft, I will have gone to my last game and I have been going since the 70's.

Thanks for the memory

I was an Islander season ticket holder going back to their 3rd year in the league, and into the 90s. This organization is the definition of stupidity. Keeping Milbury around long enough to set the team back a decade; signing DiPietro to that rediculous contract. This absurd decision by committee (that's worked our well, hasn't it?).

This bunch of losers goes through almost the entire year as the undisputed worst team in hockey. The only benefit to the latest failure is getting that first pick and, now, in the 11th hour and after torturing their fans for 95% of the year, they potentially jeopardize that. Even when they win, they lose. Maybe they can learn from their own history:

1973 Draft:
1st Pick: Denis Potvin
2nd Pick: Tom Lysiak

1989 Draft:
1st Pick: Mats Sundin
2nd Pick: Dave Chyzowski

You build a franchise with drafting (and keeping until they develop) star players, where you get great years out of them at a reasonable cost. You don't build a franchise by being the worst team in the leagus and then winning meaningless games, thereby jeopardizing the chance to get a star player.

There for all four wrote:

<quoted text>
Glad to see someone else remembers. I was there when the Isles won their last game against Pittsburgh and finished sixth from the bottom with 5 potential superstars in the draft. Owen Nolan,Keith Primeau, Mike Ricci, Jaro Jagr and Peter Nedved all had great careers with Jagr obviously the best. And the Isles draft Scissons who was known as the best defensive center in juniors. Only trouble was he couldn't score in juniors and that was the best predictor of the career that he didn't have. Right after Scissons, I believe Derian Hatcher was drafted and down near the end of the first round went Keith Tkachack and Martin Brodeur to the Devils.
Last year the Isles had the opportunity to draft the top goal scorer in the draft and traded down. How about passing on Parise to take another defensive center.
If they blow this draft, I will have gone to my last game and I have been going since the 70's.
Thanks for the memory

Blame that cheap b@st@rd, Pickett who for years, in order to save money, was running their scounting department out of the chief scout's basement. There is a reason why they drafted useless (mostly WHL) players all those years. Check out this prominent list of first picks:

1984: Duncan MacPherson (Stephane Richer was available)

1985: Brad Delgarno (who needed Joe Nieuwendyck and his 500 goals)

1986: Tom Fitzgerald (Adam Graves taken a few picks later)

1987: Dean Chynoweth (w/ Joe Sakic available)

1988: Kevin Cheveldeyoff (even Tie Domi would have been better, not to mention Mark Recchi or Tony Amonte)

1989: Dave Chyzowski (over Bill Guerin)

1990: Scott Scissons (after beating out the Penguins by 1 point and missing out on Jagr, not to mention passing on Keith Tkachuk, but who needs his 500 goas either).

Throw in Milbury trading more future all-stars than any GM in history, and this franchise's futility is becoming legendary. At least in 1972-73 and 73-74, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Not here though.

Hilbert Hears A Who wrote:

Great job by the Isles keeping Tampa in the Tavares/Hedman sweepstakes. Way to win these meaningless games that nobody will remember next year when Tavares is getting a hat trick vs. Joey MacDonald or when Hedman slams Bailey into the boards & shuts down Okposo.
This is 1989-90 all over again when the Isles won just enough games at the end of a forgetful season to end up drafting 6th overall. The Pens drafted Jagr 5th. The Isles got Scott Scissons 6th. Nuff said.

Islanders won their last 2 games that season, finishing 1 point ahead (73-72) of the Penguins, who lost their last two games. For their efforts, the Isles lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Rangers, 4 games to 1. The Penguins got Jagr.

This year would be even worse. At least in 1990, they were fighting for a playoff spot. This year, there is absolutely no upside to winning these last games.

You can say and do all the proper things and think in the end you are doing the "right thing." When the Isles "needed" to beat Quebec in a "meaningless" game early 90's we wound up having to draft 1 spot higher. So instead of Jaromir Jagr who wanted badly to play for Al Arbor we got the guy that every Isles broadcaster has talked about the last few games.SCOTT SCISSON.. Shut up, lose respectfully, and either get Tavares or Hedman and move on !!!!!!

Happiest fans in the NHL? Colorodo fans! Look for the Avs to put the sticks away tonight when they play Vancouver. Smart teams know when to win and when to lose! That win last night or any other they decide to play heros in could have a devastating impact for the next 10 to 15 years!For all you fans that are happy about the win, lets see how happy you are when we're picking 3rd in this years draft! Will you still be feeling good about the tampa win then?

ISLES TOPS IN HL PYRRHIC VICTORIES!

Maybe we can drop down to number 4 in the draft.

That way Garth can drop down from pick 4 and parlay it into pick #18 and an extra 5th rounder.

Did the Penguins build by winning meaningless games at the end of the season when all the pressure was off?

How about the Capitals, did they do the same?

The Isles now have fans who were born and are now able to drive a car but have yet to see the Isles win a playoff game.

All these years of bad hockey and what are we building for?

The chance to sneak into the playoffs and get bounced in 5 games.

That Lightning squad did resemble an exhibition game. I thought the exact same thing after watching their "goaltending" against the Devs and Isles.

Can't wait for the Isles Draft/Trade Down Party.

Does any one else find it funny that Ryan Smyth left the Islanders to join the Avs who are now battling for last place against the Isles? Perhaps in the big scheme of things, Ryan Smyth joined the Avs to help them win a few games which could end up helping the Isles in the long run. Now that would be karma.

The Avs really scare me. They are tanking to the fullest extent possible! Garth better knock some sense into the Isles. Playing with passion now is pretty darn meaningless. We don't need moral victories. We need to lose all of our last games and get that #1 pick.

There going to F up this lottery...... watch

Colorado will not a single win anymore
Just look at their schedule

The Islander management is doing their job to bring quality hockey back to the Island so why isn't Kate Murray.

Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor
Dump Kate Murray Hempstead Town Supervisor

Nice job last night boys...

Last night in front of all who attended the Islanders/Lightning game, when asked if he supports the Lighthouse project Oyster Bay Town Supervisor JOHN VENDITTO pulled a fast one, he stated the Islanders deserve a renovated Nassau Coliseum...sounds like John and Kate Murray have become allies against the Lighthouse Project. Weak John, really really weak.

Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?
Has Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto and Kate Murray become allies?

How high are your taxes in Oyster Bay, looks like John Venditto has no interest in helping out the tax payers.

"Taveres is predicted to be better than Crosby and Ovechkin."

please. no he's not. he doesnt have the size or skill of those two. i want taveras too but stop talking out of your a$$.

to all of you,lets look at it from the meant to be if its meant to be we will get him... if were not we wont thats the way life is its all about that... when its your time its your time....i think we have a good winnning team here for next year will we win the cup well thats another story.. but we have enough talent right here right now.to be competiive next year.ya i know the t man would help! but who knows? let the chips fall were they may there is nothin anyone of us can do to change this.you have young talent right now that does not want to loose no matter who may get the draft or what they have to do to get it..it tells me something..something good.....ya he may be needed but he may not. well see.. lets go islanders....

Fed Up With These Losers wrote:

<quoted text>
Blame that cheap b@st@rd, Pickett who for years, in order to save money, was running their scounting department out of the chief scout's basement. There is a reason why they drafted useless (mostly WHL) players all those years. Check out this prominent list of first picks:
1984: Duncan MacPherson (Stephane Richer was available)
1985: Brad Delgarno (who needed Joe Nieuwendyck and his 500 goals)
1986: Tom Fitzgerald (Adam Graves taken a few picks later)
1987: Dean Chynoweth (w/ Joe Sakic available)
1988: Kevin Cheveldeyoff (even Tie Domi would have been better, not to mention Mark Recchi or Tony Amonte)
1989: Dave Chyzowski (over Bill Guerin)
1990: Scott Scissons (after beating out the Penguins by 1 point and missing out on Jagr, not to mention passing on Keith Tkachuk, but who needs his 500 goas either).
Throw in Milbury trading more future all-stars than any GM in history, and this franchise's futility is becoming legendary. At least in 1972-73 and 73-74, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Not here though.

This is all true but the Isles have a new scouting staff now. Jankowski knows what he's doing.

You can be frustrated as fans of a team that seems to get a lot of bad luck with coaches, management, expansion draft losses, and injuries throughout the years...but you're bad fans of hockey if you don't realize that outside of a few surefire draft choices at the very top, the NHL draft is very much a crapshoot. Hockey players are drafted as young as 18 and commonly reach maturity--if at all--over 5 years later. NCAA hockey and juniors and Euro leagues are not quite on the NHL/AHL level, raw skill does translate into NHL success, and injuries abound. Plus, the Isles seemed to have their players not develop under their system....so they'd be traded, and then blossom in new systems.

Not a lot of draft picks can step into the NHL the next year, let alone into stardom....the Isles drafted very well in the 1990s, only to have poor/cheap ownership and management trade away lots of talent before potential blossomed. There's plenty of blame to spread around...every team's got a Scissons and a Chyzowski and a Brett Lindross, and usually a bunch of those sorts.

Can't see why this particular crop of young talent--who are actually gelling and improving in front of our very eyes--is any different than in past years and worthy to drive some sad fans away from the team entirely. If you're so easily driven away, good riddance to you....Isles fans don't need your ire and your displeasing attitude. I like Snow's ground-up building, which is smarter and more methodical than anything in the Mad Mike era.

Of course we'll get 1 or 2, which should be fine for any fan. Either Tavares and Hedman are excellent additions to any team--we'd always prefer more scoring, but even Tavares is no Ovechkin or Crosby and doesn't project to score 40 goals next year, yet his leadership and improvement over the last 2 years (in skating, footwork, work in own end) shows his rising talent....Hedman's huge, smart, and had a dominating WJC. Can't go wrong...