Garth Snow's poker game and the #1 pick
by Dominik on Jun 22, 2009 11:47 AM EDT
in Big Picture Musings
Email
Print"There needs to be a level of trust with the fans and myself and the organization that whatever decision we make is in the best interests of the club. ... I love interacting with our fans, and I think I have a great relationship with our fan base. I could never do anything that doesn't serve the best interests of the organization."
>>Garth Snow, as quoted by Greg Logan
Oh-ho-ho, Garth, you wily dog, you. Regarding the anxiety/drama/tragedy of the Islanders' 1st overall pick, I thought Doug said it best: "Garth Snow and his scouting/draft staff are some of the best poker players on the planet and should consider a career change after this is all over."
Indeed. Snow has spun this situation masterfully, keeping even the ever-connected Bob McKenzie guessing. Chris Botta has quipped a few times that, after it's all said and done, all Snow has accomplished was a display of his poker traits. Yet in the same breath, Botta acknowledges Snow could indeed be targeting Duchene. (Gallery: "Or Hedman!")
So what's to lose? Why not play this out until the end, in case an itchy GM bites? I see there's a rookie GM in Colorado, and an unproven one in Tampa Bay. I also see Snow has repeatedly said he doesn't foresee himself dealing the #1 pick -- which itself could be just one more smokescreen. (As if Snow ever shares what he does foresee.)
Sure, if one of those two GMs wants to swap, there's probably not much on offer. But an asset is an asset. The sheen of snagging the #1 pick can be a feather in a new GM's cap. If the Lightning could get Tavares, imagine how they could shop him for assets from, say, a blustery GM in Toronto.
True, the likeliest scenario is still that Garth Snow is going with John Tavares but wants to keep fans -- and other teams -- guessing that maybe he really wants the other two.
But there's nothing wrong with this. You have the first pick, you have three top prospects about whom reasonable people differ -- why not play from your position of strength? Because if you can believe that it's plausible that the Islanders, given their choice, really want Matt Duchene, is it not also plausible that Colorado or Tampa Bay secretly covet a specific guy, too? Is it not also plausible that they, too, are showing no preference so as not to weaken their own bargaining position?
This is likely much ado about nothing. But it's created some buzz that's more fun than "Seen Stamkos?" in my book. And it's allowed each GM to practice his poker face. Maybe that won't matter on draft day, maybe it will. But I can't blame a gal for trying.
19 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
For the Record...
Just got off the phone with Isles PR.
18,889 people have snagged a free ticket to the Draft Party on the 26th.
Is anyone else worried that there might not be an “Old Barn” to come home to after the Draft is over and us Blog Boxers come back from Montreal…?
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
Threat Level: Orange.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
When Snow goes Milbury. . . .
I’ve been an Islanders fan my entire life. Sadly, I’ve known nothing but misery with this team, brief flirtation with success in 1993 aside.
And I’ve always stuck by them. If the Isles don’t pick Tavares, however, I’m finally jumping ship because it will just prove that this team doesn’t want to win. Ever. Like “Major League I” style.
If he passes on Tavares...
…at least he won’t pick a goalie.
Seriously, thanks for joining and weighing in. In the grand cosmic scheme of Islanders fan misery, passing on the “consensus” #1 Tavares certainly would be another memorable insult.
I think they should take him, but I guess I just can’t get too worked up over it, b/c the draft is so damned unpredictable and they’ve seen more of these teenagers than I’d ever care to. Even if they pass, unless they do something like trade down beyond #3, I won’t file for divorce. (But then isn’t that just like Battered Fan Syndrome, rationalizing the abuse to the very end?)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Thanks for the welcome. I’ve actually been lurking for a while and decided I may as well contribute a bit.
Back to the topic at hand: can we be sure he won’t pick a goalie? Absolutely nothing would surprise me about this franchise at this point. All shock went out the window when they signed an injury-prone goalie to a lifetime contract and then hired his former backup to be GM. (And as an aside, can anyone be confident that we DON’T need a #1 goalie going forward?)
The Islanders haven’t had serious scoring talent since the early Turgeon years. Tavares represents that kind of talent, and regardless of whether it works out, I just don’t see how the Islanders can pass on him when they are perennially at the bottom of the league in goals scored. Not to mention the fact that the fans overwhelmingly favor Tavares.
I’m not saying that a franchise should be run according to what the fans want at any given point, but what in the past . . . oh, say 15 years or so . . . suggests that Islanders management knows anything better than the fans?
Yes! The leap from lurkdom to commenting is complete! :)
I’m not saying that a franchise should be run according to what the fans want at any given point, but what in the past . . . oh, say 15 years or so . . . suggests that Islanders management knows anything better than the fans?
That’s really the rub, for me, and why I ultimately voted Tavares. I understand the “pick the best player” schtick — hell, I even subscribe to it. But in this situation, with all the other factors surrounding the Islanders’ unique situation, if you can’t explain clearly why someone else would be better than Tavares, then there’s simply no point pissing off the fans and inviting more of the same ol’ mockery.
I’m really hoping Snow has just been playing a smokescreen for longshot strategic effect, and I sort of assume that’s the case. But I know one thing: If they pass on Tavares, they sure as hell better let Jankowski speak long and detailed about why.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
I can assure you the Islanders won’t draft a goalie. I recently went through it, and since the return from the Strike the Islanders have not kept a backup goalie from one season to the next (other then converting 3rd stringers to backups {Dubie and MacDonald}). I think the non signing of Dubie last offseason shows that the Isles don’t want someone who could possibly push DiPietro.
I don’t think Jankowski will get a chance to speak if they don’t pick Tavares, while Snow and Wang are hiding safe in Montreal. Wonder how long their visas last? They gotta come back eventually. Wish I could be there to start the riot. Was planning to be in NY, but an knee injury forced me to cancel. So that’s 3 less tickets Snow won’t have to worry about starting trouble.
If Snow is playing poker, well done. He’s certainly got me going and very nervous. Otherwise my screen name will become the new chant.
Great last line AP77!
Dom and everyone who reads here,
Any requests for questions you want asked of either the #1 pick (or any pick for that matter) or Isles management while we’re up at the Draft?
Just gotta keep telling myself: “Three more days, three more days.”
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
by IslesOfficial on Jun 23, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re gonna have a blast. Jerk.
For any of the picks, I’m always interested in:
- how they describe/compare their play to existing NHLers
- who their favorite player was/is
- what they know about the Islanders/Long Island
For staff, always what was the determining factor in selecting one guy over those who came behind him. Or maybe: “When was the moment you realized this was a kid you wanted?”
Tough, b/c you know they’ll say “he’s a guy we targeted,” but maybe they’ll have some insight about their thinking.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
LOL. I am so loving rubbing this in.
I better stop before you tell me to take a hike and boots me from “Editor” status.
I’ll make sure to get as many of those in. Although, you will probably catch the print media asking those questions before I even get close enough to breath near the players.
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
by IslesOfficial on Jun 23, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, it’s probably going to be a storm of a lot of similar questions. I’d say just go for a little offbeat or player’s perspective banter.
Hey, you’re closer to these kids in age — and have more experience playing (and reffing) — than a lot of these reporters. Maybe you’ll strike a chord.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Maybe. Either way, it’ll be a great experience.
Don’t worry. You’re coming with us next year and you’ll have me basically on the phone or texting you at every turn. Plus, the Live Blog which I’ll be hosting should quench your endeavor for knowledge.
From the Penalty Box to the Blog Box! Check it out at Isles Official's Outlook!
by IslesOfficial on Jun 23, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll take Polish Sports Heroes for $200, Alex.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
But wait! I think you’re wrong: Yashin finished tied for 12th in 2001-02.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
(Granted, the spirit of your point is not lost.)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
did i miss the yasher? hmm…selective memory possibly… my bad… btw, nice work on the round table discussion dom
Thanks. It’s funny: your trivia reminded me how long it’s been since I looked at top 20 scoring leaders, because … well, yeah, you know. No one to look for.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lighthouse Hockey
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
Islanders Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
St. Louis
|
Thu 02/16 | 8:00 PM EST |
|
Carolina
|
Sat 02/18 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Ottawa
|
Mon 02/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
@
Buffalo
|
Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
New York Rangers
|
Fri 02/24 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Winnipeg
|
Tue 02/14 | W 3 - 1 |
|
Florida
|
Sun 02/12 | L 1 - 4 |
|
Los Angeles
|
Sat 02/11 | OT - W 2 - 1 |
|
Montreal
|
Thu 02/09 | L 2 - 4 |
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Tue 02/07 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Rangers
|
55 | 37 | 13 | 5 | 79 |
|
Philadelphia
|
56 | 31 | 18 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
56 | 32 | 19 | 5 | 69 |
|
New Jersey
|
56 | 32 | 20 | 4 | 68 |
|
New York Islanders
|
56 | 24 | 24 | 8 | 56 |
(updated 2.15.2012 at 8:59 AM EST)
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Puck Daddy Hockey Rumors (mostly about Rick Nash) Live Chat!
- Sick of seeing Jets struggle offensively, Winnipeg captain asks for trade help
- Did Budweiser exploit beer league hockey players in its Super Bowl commercial hit?
- Wild’s Marek Zidlicky drinks Lou’s Kool-Aid, waives no-trade for Devils (Update)
- Tuesday’s Three Stars: 4-spots for Kovalchuk, Spezza; who throws a strawberry on the ice?
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Wings set NHL record with 21 straight wins at home
- WHL Roundup: A look at Tuesday's games
- Gallagher has hat trick and SO winner, leads Giants over Americans 5-4
- Thunderbirds end seven-game home losing streak with 4-3 SO win over Rockets
- Nabokov makes 37 saves, Parenteau scores winner as Islanders beat Jets 3-1
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
