http://www.islandersarmy.com/blog/2008/06/22/isles-third-round-flyer-kirill-petrov/ Blogging about the New York Islanders, the NHL and everything else hockey Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:41:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://www.islandersarmy.com/blog/2008/06/22/isles-third-round-flyer-kirill-petrov/#comment-155240 Vancouver Islander Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:13:06 +0000 http://www.islandersarmy.com/blog/2008/06/22/isles-third-round-flyer-kirill-petrov/#comment-155240 At first I thought that, because of traumatic experiences at recent drafts, we were just trying to avoid the whole thing by trading down (and down). Then the real strategy dawned on me -- the Isles have traded away so many picks/prospects, we had to address a very thin system. What better way than to stockpile picks (and hopefully draft well) from one deep draft. A brilliant strategy born of desperation but also foresight. As much as Bob Gainey sent the message loud and clear that the Habs are gunning for yet another Stanley Cup at the end of the coming season, GM Snow and the inscrutable Wang sent an equally unmistakable but opposite message to all -- the rebuilding is in full swing. Do not expect to make the playoffs this season, although we know our coach will get the most out of the kids. So here's some advice that's tough to hear -- cut the NYIs, the coach, the GM and the owner some slack for a year or two at least. Assuming our drafting this year pans out (Trivino, Ness, Niemi, Petrov), in about three seasons the Isles will have as much good, young, inexpensive talent as anybody in the league. If we have a good blend of experience in key positions, we'll be quite a handful at playoff time. For this season and perhaps the next, take pleasure in watching some young studs develop in the system and start to contribute. At least you get the impression our braintrust has a plan that doesn't involve trading away every asset in return for first-round elimination. I want another Cup, dammit, and I'm willing to wait a bit for it. At first I thought that, because of traumatic experiences at recent drafts, we were just trying to avoid the whole thing by trading down (and down). Then the real strategy dawned on me — the Isles have traded away so many picks/prospects, we had to address a very thin system. What better way than to stockpile picks (and hopefully draft well) from one deep draft.
A brilliant strategy born of desperation but also foresight.
As much as Bob Gainey sent the message loud and clear that the Habs are gunning for yet another Stanley Cup at the end of the coming season, GM Snow and the inscrutable Wang sent an equally unmistakable but opposite message to all — the rebuilding is in full swing.
Do not expect to make the playoffs this season, although we know our coach will get the most out of the kids.
So here’s some advice that’s tough to hear — cut the NYIs, the coach, the GM and the owner some slack for a year or two at least.
Assuming our drafting this year pans out (Trivino, Ness, Niemi, Petrov), in about three seasons the Isles will have as much good, young, inexpensive talent as anybody in the league. If we have a good blend of experience in key positions, we’ll be quite a handful at playoff time.
For this season and perhaps the next, take pleasure in watching some young studs develop in the system and start to contribute.
At least you get the impression our braintrust has a plan that doesn’t involve trading away every asset in return for first-round elimination. I want another Cup, dammit, and I’m willing to wait a bit for it.

]]> http://www.islandersarmy.com/blog/2008/06/22/isles-third-round-flyer-kirill-petrov/#comment-153227 FB Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:56:49 +0000 http://www.islandersarmy.com/blog/2008/06/22/isles-third-round-flyer-kirill-petrov/#comment-153227 not one guy on NHL.com or ESPN/nhl.. mentioned the Isles in their draft wrap up.. I was dying laughing.. Hey guys.. I know they are not Canadien but they drafter 13 effing guys... 5 of the top 20 prospects in the draft.. maybe u should mention it.. maybe not one guy on NHL.com or ESPN/nhl.. mentioned the Isles in their draft wrap up.. I was dying laughing.. Hey guys.. I know they are not Canadien but they drafter 13 effing guys… 5 of the top 20 prospects in the draft.. maybe u should mention it.. maybe

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