Isles Retain 5th Pick in June’s Draft
With all the misfortune suffered by the New York Islanders this past season, their loyal supporters could be excused for fervently wishing that Lady Luck might perhaps shine on them and grant their team a boon in the form of winning the Draft Lottery and granting them the #1 overall pick. Predictably, Lady Luck spurned them once again…and laughed while she did it.
This year’s Rookie Draft features only one “Can’t Miss” prospect….Steve Stamkos, a scoring dynamo whose potential appears to be just slightly below that of current Hockey Gods Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. Unless the Universe completely implodes before June 20, it seems to be as certain as Death and Taxes that Stamkos will end up with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who hold the #1 pick.
Trying to ascertain where the rest of the field of prospects might be drafted has produced a great deal of heated debate, especially among Islander fans. There is a huge contingent who declares that obtaining a player with offensive skills should be the highest priority. There is an equally large group who is of the opinion that the Islanders should take the best player available, regardless of the position he plays.
Where Ms. Luck was exceptionally cruel was in how she chose to let the season play out. Up until the last day of the season, the Isles had an opportunity to move up another spot to the #4 position, which would have narrowed the speculation and increased their chances to pick the player that they want, whomever he may be. However, even though their 79 points tied St. Louis for the season, it was the Blues who won the tiebreaker. A few losses here and there coupled with a little bit more success on the part of St. Louis and the Draft landscape might be looking remarkably different.
Alas, it was not to be. GM Garth Snow is now charged with the Herculean task to determine which of the remaining available skaters might alter his team’s fortunes for the better. Though there are excellent players beyond just Stamkos, they all come with question marks regarding their individual games. Should Snow select poorly, his decision could have ramifications for years to come.
Lady Luck….Baby….I promise to do the dishes, clean the bathroom and cuddle with more frequency. Fine…we won’t have Arby’s more than once a week. I’ll do anything you want.
Just don’t reject my advances again.
Author Bio
Frank has been a fan of the New York Islanders since seeing his first hockey game way back in 1977.
He reveled in the success of the Dynasty years and endured the time the team has spent in the basement of the league.
He also covers the Isles and New York Jets for www.sportstalkbuzz.com and writes a regular fantasy hockey column for www.rotoexperts.com.
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