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it doesnt matter what report says what..... everyone on here and every gm out there knows that tavares is the slam dunk number 1 pick..... anyone that has watched tavares play has seen the strides that he has made in his defensive game.... and lets be serious any team that gets him wants him to score not block shots....

Brian Burke paid for the report in a back alley....

Are you sure this report didn't come from the Totonto Sun? In other news Elvis is planning a comeback tour.

...at the Red Rock Ampitheater

Hmmmm......I think he has a shot to go to the Red Wings also heard it here first! I am the editor for the Toronto Sun and New York Post.

I will say that The Islanders are usually "interesting" on draft days, so who knows...

Nice try, but Tavares is going Number 1. Now if the Avs blow the socks off the isles with a trade offer, they can get him, but he won't be there at Number 3.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET  04.23 by LGP: Stanley Cup Champs

Nice try, but Tavares is going Number 1. Now if the Avs blow the socks off the isles with a trade offer, they can get him, but he won't be there at Number 3.

Agreed, and I don't see Milan Hejduk at a -19 on the season with 27 goals being anywhere near trade bait along with a swap of firsts. Ryan Smith...well that didn't go so well the first time so, this looks highly unlikely. The only way the Isles trade down is if they have a shot at Hedman and I don't beleive Tampa is moving unless they swing some sort of deal to unload their payroll for some cheaper but decent talent.

This article just smells like Burke.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  04.23 by Spiny Norman

I will say that The Islanders are usually "interesting" on draft days, so who knows...

Can't argue that but at least it isn't Mad Mike at the helm this time.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:35 AM ET  04.23 by Buc Fettman

Brian Burke paid for the report in a back alley....

Funny... and possibly true.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET  04.23 by LGP: Stanley Cup Champs

Nice try, but Tavares is going Number 1. Now if the Avs blow the socks off the isles with a trade offer, they can get him, but he won't be there at Number 3.

Honestly, I think most Avs fans were disappointed to read this. We're pretty well set on wanting Matt Duchene. The kid's tearing up the playoffs, and he's a big Avs fan to boot. It's a match made in heaven.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:44 AM ET  04.23 by metalcoconut

Agreed, and I don't see Milan Hejduk at a -19 on the season with 27 goals being anywhere near trade bait along with a swap of firsts.

You would be the only one in the world that wouldn't want Hejduk. To swap two spots, AND the Isles would get Hedgie? That would be a steal for the Isles. Hejduk is a premiere defensive forward in the NHL. The trouble is, he and Stastny are the only good defensive players the Avs have.

Hedman's going third, sadly for Colorado. Tampa needs a D-man like him, but if Duchene doesn't go first (keep in mind, it's the ISLANDERS' pick, the same team who put Garth Snow in the GM seat and gave Milbury a million years to destroy the franchise) they're taking him. They're desperate to move Vinny's contract and he or Tavares would be a great long-term replacement.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:12 AM ET  04.23 by wtnelson = Big Chief

You would be the only one in the world that wouldn't want Hejduk. To swap two spots, AND the Isles would get Hedgie? That would be a steal for the Isles. Hejduk is a premiere defensive forward in the NHL. The trouble is, he and Stastny are the only good defensive players the Avs have.

....I wouldn't want Hejduk....

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:12 AM ET  04.23 by wtnelson = Big Chief

You would be the only one in the world that wouldn't want Hejduk. To swap two spots, AND the Isles would get Hedgie? That would be a steal for the Isles. Hejduk is a premiere defensive forward in the NHL. The trouble is, he and Stastny are the only good defensive players the Avs have.

I don't think that I am alone in thinking that the trade for the rights to Tavares for a 33 year old offensive defenceman, who peaked in the 2003 season, and the third pick of this year's draft would be silly. If you have someone that can produce a possible 40 goals in a season in your sights, your team already has a top offensive d-man that owns a much better +/- ratio (+6 vs. -19), and your team has committed to a "youth movement" with a stock of young d-men coming into the league I don't think, and I could be alone or wrong on this, but I wouldn't take the trade unless I knew another team that REALLY wanted him and was willing to part with some talent to get him.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 12:21 PM ET  04.23 by metalcoconut

I don't think that I am alone in thinking that the trade for the rights to Tavares for a 33 year old offensive defenceman, who peaked in the 2003 season, and the third pick of this year's draft would be silly.

Milan Hejduk is, and always has been, a forward. Over the course of his career he has generally been considered a sniper with an underrated defensive game. This is a somewhat different job description than being an "offensive defenseman."

It is typically easier to evaluate hypothetical trades when you know what positions the players play. At the very least, it strengthens the illusion that you are an actual hockey fan and/or have any idea what you're talking about.

You seem to put a bit of stock into this idea that you have a "top" D-man who "owns" a much better +/- ratio than Hejduk. Consider this, last season was the only season in Mark Streit's career that he finished with a plus rating. Last season was the only season in Milan Hejduk's career that he finished with a negative rating. In Hejduk's 10 year career, he has averaged +13.7 per year. In Streit's four year career, he has averaged -2.75 per year. I think most folks can agree on who has been "owning" this statistic.

The bright side is that, considering the spectacular display of hockey ignorance that is your last comment, you've just proven yourself qualified for a top management position with the Isles. I suggest forwarding your resume immediately.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 11:48 AM ET  04.23 by Zoboomafoo

....I wouldn't want Hejduk....

Then perhaps I could interest you in Darcy Tucker and Tyler Arnason...

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 12:57 PM ET  04.23 by akpryde

Milan Hejduk is, and always has been, a forward. Over the course of his career he has generally been considered a sniper with an underrated defensive game. This is a somewhat different job description than being an "offensive defenseman."It is typically easier to evaluate hypothetical trades when you know what positions the players play. At the very least, it strengthens the illusion that you are an actual hockey fan and/or have any idea what you're talking about.You seem to put a bit of stock into this idea that you have a "top" D-man who "owns" a much better +/- ratio than Hejduk. Consider this, last season was the only season in Mark Streit's career that he finished with a plus rating. Last season was the only season in Milan Hejduk's career that he finished with a negative rating. In Hejduk's 10 year career, he has averaged +13.7 per year. In Streit's four year career, he has averaged -2.75 per year. I think most folks can agree on who has been "owning" this statistic.The bright side is that, considering the spectacular display of hockey ignorance that is your last comment, you've just proven yourself qualified for a top management position with the Isles. I suggest forwarding your resume immediately.

Excellent Response - Put him in his place with some actual stats!!!! I still believe that Tavares will go #1 but... am prepared for anything on draft day!

I live in Windsor and have been watching the Spits and all I can say is Tavares is lazy!! He just skates around waiting for the puck to come to him And when he gets possession of the puck, then he puts in effort to score. I would draft Ryan Ellis before Tavares. He has the heart, intelligence, and the skill to be a powerhouse on the blue line. Everyone thinks he's too small, but for those who think that, they should listen to what Bobby Orr said about him. Ellis has 27 points in the playoffs, Tavares had 21. He led OHL defensemen in scoring with 89 points. Drew Doughty stats don???t even compare to Ellis. Ellis could vey possibly turn into an elite offensive defenseman in the NHL.