Finally, some draft intrigue! Isles GM Snow keeping No. 1 plans close to vest
The New York Islanders know whom they'll take with the first overall pick in the 2009 NHL draft. But the rest of the world won't find out until GM Garth Snow steps up to the podium Friday night in Montreal.
"That's right," Snow told ESPN.com on Monday.
Let's give the Islanders credit. They've actually created some intrigue with their refusal to let us know their intentions. Most years, we head to the draft and it's clear who's going to go first. This is refreshing. We're actually going to have to pay attention Friday night!
"Whether it's fans or people in the media, it's been a great topic for debate," said Snow.
The consensus among scouts for the No. 1 overall pick is Ontario Hockey League star sniper John Tavares, followed by Swedish blueliner Victor Hedman at No. 2 and OHL forward Matt Duchene at No. 3.
But the Islanders have spent time with all three. Agent Pat Brisson of CAA Sports, who represents both Tavares and Duchene, said Monday he still didn't know where the Islanders were leaning.
"I haven't spoken to Garth in a while," Brisson told ESPN.com. "I'll probably see him Wednesday. But I really don't know what he'll do. He's playing it close to his vest."
Let me say this. I don't profess to know anything about scouting and I don't have time to watch much junior hockey given the time I spend covering the NHL at large. So I really don't know the gap between Tavares, Hedman and Duchene other than what NHL scouts tell me. But this much I do know: The average hockey fan has been hearing about Tavares for a few years, the same way fans were warned repeatedly of the eventual arrivals of Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane in recent years.
If Snow doesn't select Tavares, he better be sure of himself. The backlash in his market, I think, would be sizable; Isles fans have been talking up Tavares since Christmas. Whichever player Snow and his staff have settled on, it's been decided on after careful deliberation.
"When the lottery happened [April 14], I had an idea of what direction we would go with that pick just from meetings and conversations I've had with my staff," said Snow. "We decided to go through the entire process from that point until now. As a staff, we did our due diligence and we confirmed what I had thought at that time."
Of course, there's always the chance Snow receives a trade offer that floors him before he steps up to the podium. But right now, he's not in the frame of mind of moving the pick.
"I've stated in conversations that I'm not inclined to move it, but I'm obviously not doing my job if I don't listen to what other GMs and teams have to say," said Snow. "I haven't fielded any bona-fide offers."
Pierre LeBrun
