Ben Shelley: Islanders Eliminated: Notes from ECF Game 6 vs. Lightning

We’re progressing and that’s all you can ask from a GM and a coach. I mean, imagine how horrible it would be to be a Leafs fan? Wow.

We’re progressing and that’s all you can ask from a GM and a coach. I mean, imagine how horrible it would be to be a Leafs fan? Wow.
- Cptmjl

100% Cpt. The last two years they have progressed and have gained some well deserved respect.

I can’t imagine being a Leaf fan

Ben Shelley: Islanders Eliminated: Notes from ECF Game 6 vs. Lightning
- Ben Shelley

Dobson deserves some love!

He played very well!

After what they showed this postseason, I fully expect the Isles to be a regular contender now. Fanbase expectations will be higher as well. Just making the playoffs will no longer be good enough.

Of course, I wanted my Lightning to win, but if they had lost, the consolation prize would be Tavares' tears from the golf course.

After what they showed this postseason, I fully expect the Isles to be a regular contender now. Fanbase expectations will be higher as well. Just making the playoffs will no longer be good enough.

Of course, I wanted my Lightning to win, but if they had lost, the consolation prize would be Tavares' tears from the golf course.
- GalacticStone

Congratulations on getting the best draft pick from that 2009 draft. Our GM, Snow, went with the safe choice. Hedman was by far the better choice.

Shut up polly

Congratulations on getting the best draft pick from that 2009 draft. Our GM, Snow, went with the safe choice. Hedman was by far the better choice.
- JohnScammo

Idk they really needed tavares and he was great for the isles. Always a tough call there look at ekblad he was a #1 as was jovinoski and they aren't/weren't as dominant as Hedman. You never know on d

Isles far exceeded anyone's realistic hopes this year. Looking forward to the future.

Now I just have to add the following note. Isles Post John Tavares ERA
2018-2019 - Leafs eliminated in 1st - Isles eliminated in 2nd
2019-2020 - Leafs eliminated in play-in round - Isles eliminated in Conference Finals.

John Tavares Point Total in Playoffs for last two years 8 pts.
Eleven Isles had a total of 8 pts or more; Nine had 10 pts or higher; Four had 20pts or higher.

Leafs need a goaltender and defense.
Isles need a sniper.

Players and team have prospered far better since PJ Boy has left. It has turned into a blessing in disguise. LGI !!!!! In Lou and Trots we trust.

Idk they really needed tavares and he was great for the isles. Always a tough call there look at ekblad he was a #1 as was jovinoski and they aren't/weren't as dominant as Hedman. You never know on d
- Upstate_isles

Hedman was touted a the better choice of the draft. Isles were looking for a dynamic scoring forward. Hence the reason Hedman was not selected.

Hedman was touted a the better choice of the draft. Isles were looking for a dynamic scoring forward. Hence the reason Hedman was not selected.
- Nfdbulldawg

It was tavares Hedman duchene on all the pre-draft rankings

100% Cpt. The last two years they have progressed and have gained some well deserved respect.

I can’t imagine being a Leaf fan





- nyisles7

Initially, it's as painful as you think it would be. Eventually you go numb.

It was tavares Hedman duchene on all the pre-draft rankings
- Upstate_isles

I agree those were the rankings by MOST. But I remember there were some who said Hedman was better than Tavares. I remember one article even said Duchene could turn out to be the best of the 3, because he was a far better skater than Tavares.

Tavares was the SAFE pick and Snow went with him for the reason you said elsewhere: D-men are riskier picks. (See Reinhart, Griffin.). I am not blaming Snow for playing it safe in the draft. I am just saying that Hedman has turned out to be the better player.

It was tavares Hedman duchene on all the pre-draft rankings
- Upstate_isles

I was completely against the idea of drafting Hedman. Keaner and a couple other posters on here wanted Hedman bad and we had some crazy fifteen page debates on here about it. Without even factoring in Tavares leaving in FA to me Hedman was the right choice the guy is an absolute (frank)ing monster. The guy literally does every, single, thing a defenseman could or should do at a elite level. He is incredible and watching him play in this last series cemented it for me.

I was completely against the idea of drafting Hedman. Keaner and a couple other posters on here wanted Hedman bad and we had some crazy fifteen page debates on here about it. Without even factoring in Tavares leaving in FA to me Hedman was the right choice the guy is an absolute (frank)ing monster. The guy literally does every, single, thing a defenseman could or should do at a elite level. He is incredible and watching him play in this last series cemented it for me.
- Cptmjl

And there's no saying he wouldn't have left even before Tavares did.

Anyone else read that Garth Snow has an interview with the Florida Panthers?

Anyone else read that Garth Snow has an interview with the Florida Panthers?
- chazpet

Where did you read that?

And there's no saying he wouldn't have left even before Tavares did.
- PeteM

100% along with it being a long process for him to become the player he is today. I don’t fault Snow for not picking Hedman and I’ll also add Tavares is of course a fantastic player but Hedman is clearly the better player. It’s not even a debate to me.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...ba-next-wild-trade-block/

Point number 16 . Point number 12 was interesting also.

He also suggests that the Cizikas injury was the reason Ladd was on the ice at the end of game 2. Just speculation I believe.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/31-thoughts-matt-dumba-next-wild-trade-block/

Point number 16 . Point number 12 was interesting also.
- chazpet

I can see Snow maybe getting a job in a much smaller capacity like assistant to the assistant of the GM or something along those lines. I can’t see any team taking him on as a GM and if they do they instantly become a laughing stock at that moment.

Shut up polly
- Upstate_isles

That’s Poly

It was tavares Hedman duchene on all the pre-draft rankings
- Upstate_isles

I think the right pick was Tavares at the time. That said Hedman has developed into a if not The top dman in the league. He does it all and does it all extremely well. Knowing what we know now I would also pick Hedman without a doubt.

I was completely against the idea of drafting Hedman. Keaner and a couple other posters on here wanted Hedman bad and we had some crazy fifteen page debates on here about it. Without even factoring in Tavares leaving in FA to me Hedman was the right choice the guy is an absolute (frank)ing monster. The guy literally does every, single, thing a defenseman could or should do at a elite level. He is incredible and watching him play in this last series cemented it for me.
- Cptmjl

I have to agree 100%

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/31-thoughts-matt-dumba-next-wild-trade-block/

Point number 16 . Point number 12 was interesting also.
- chazpet

Bonus point number 32 was nice to see and totally agree with.