Tavares: What It Means For Kyle

Now that the entry draft is complete it is time to assess the results. John Tavares, the consensus #1 pick and fan's choice, will be doing his introductory press conference on Long Island soon and will certainly be a part of the 2009-2010 Islanders.

Since we try to focus on the namesake of this blog, we've been thinking about how the selection of Tavares will impact Kyle. And we think it's going to be overwhelmingly positive.

First off, while nobody can say if Tavares and Okposo will play on the same line next season, one would have to imagine that they would eventually be paired somewhere down the line. And if that happens, the combination of a pure goal scorer who goes to the net (Tavares) teamed with a power forward who is strong in the corners might be deadly to opposing defenses. For as long as we've seen Kyle, he has always played a physical style along the boards and down low, with the speed to capture loose pucks. His speed and physicality allowed him to rack up healthy assist numbers each season. With a center such as Tavares, it's as if the two were born to be teammates. As much as Kyle will create scoring chances for John, the opposite is also true. Tavares has a penchant for being on the puck quickly, and when he isn't crashing the crease he'll be looking for someone to dish to for the scoring chance, and a lot of time it will be Okposo.

A second benefit of Tavares' presence will be felt as soon as next week, when John supplants Kyle as the young "face of the franchise." While it will be interesting to see how Tavares handles the intense scrutiny a #1 overall pick receives, it will be just as important to see how Kyle performs with the spotlight focused in another direction. Let's remember that this is still the New York media they're dealing with. With the pressure off, we wonder if Kyle might be able to relax and excel instead of trying to get comfortable, as he did early last season. When Kyle adjusted to New York and the NHL, his scoring numbers clearly picked up.

What remains to be seen in this equation is how much of a leadership role Kyle will assume in the future. We opened the debate last month on the subject of Kyle becoming an alternate captain. Fan feedback was split 50-50 in favor of that idea. So that talk may be premature. There are still many questions to be answered by management about player personnel right now.

Like we said, this isn't a debate for a few months from now; more likely one for (hopefully) a few years. Kyle will most likely be paired with Josh Bailey; Tavares with Weight or another veteran. But it's nice to know that the possibility exists, and as far as we can tell it will be a partnership that will work.

Fini

The final Islanders pick is in, and it's center Anders Lee from Edina High School in Minnesota. This concludes our *live* updating from Montreal, although we will attempt a photoessay of the event in the coming days. We'll also give our thoughts on how the Islanders fared at this event, but for now it is time for us to celebrate the arrival of John Tavares.

The Islanders' final 2009 haul looks like this:

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall - MIKKO KOSKINEN (G)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall - ANDERS NILSSON (G)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall - CASEY CIZIKAS (C)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall - ANTON KLEMENTYEV (D)
(Round 6) 152nd Overall - ANDERS LEE (C)

Almost Done

We're into the 5th round now, with the Islanders of course starting the round. And they open it by taking Russian defenseman Anton Klementyev.

After 5 rounds, the situation is as such:

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall - MIKKO KOSKINEN (G)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall - ANDERS NILSSON (G)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall - CASEY CIZIKAS (C)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall - ANTON KLEMENTYEV (D)
(Round 6) 152nd Overall

Isles Trade #91 and Begin 4th Round

The Isles trade the final pick of the third round to Phoenix for a their 3rd rounder next year. Garth is trade happy this morning. So, after 3 full rounds the Islanders' situation looks like:

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall - MIKKO KOSKINEN (G)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall - ANDERS NILSSON (G)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall (Formerly belonged to Columbus)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall

We now move on to the 4th round, where the Islanders promptly select Casey Cizikas from Mississauga St. Michael's in the Ontario Hockey League. So slot Cizikas into the list above. Now we await the Isles' final two picks this year, barring any more transactions from Garth.

Round 3 Begins

With two rounds in the books, the Islanders kicked off the third round by selecting Anders Nilsson, a goaltender from Sweden.

The 56th Pick Has Been Traded

This pick formerly belonged to Boston, received in the trade that brought over Ben Walter for Petteri Nokelainen. The Islanders decided to send it to Columbus for the 62nd and 92nd picks overall. So, now we arrive at this:

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall - MIKKO KOSKINEN (G)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall (Formerly belonged to Columbus)
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall (Formerly belonged to Columbus)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall

First Pick of Day 2

Mikko Koskinen is the selection. He is a 6' 7" Finnish goalie who currently plays with Espoo. An interesting move, going for a goaltender with this pick. Regardless, that leaves the Islanders' board as such:

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall - MIKKO KOSKINEN (G)
(Round 2) 56th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall

He We Go Again

It's Day 2 of the 2009 Entry Draft. We are seating and ready to go for another day of picks. The Islanders will be picking 1st (#31 overall) in Round 2 in about 15 minutes.

We'll Do It Again Tomorrow

We're waiting for the final few selections of the first round, and we'll be right back at it tomorrow morning at 10 AM. The Isles will pick first in Round 2 (#31 overall) and will have the "best of the rest" to choose from.

Reading the various blogs and online polls, the fans are very pleased with how tonight went. A few complaints have been raised about the Isles "reaching" up to the #12 to take Calvin De Haan, but obviously Garth Snow was really worried about another team snatching him before he fell to New York. A minor complaint, though, made ever more minor by the elation everyone feels about drafting John Tavares.

We were able to meet De Haan during his press scrum. He seemed quite pleasant, and as a former teammate of Tavares' he was glad to hopefully soon be joining him at the NHL level.

Garth Snow has appeared to earn the trust of the Islander fans, and the franchise has needed a night like this one for a long time.

As an aside, we took a lot of pictures of the picks and the festivities, though it will be a while until we edit them and get them online.

12,710 Saw the Isles Select Tavares

In Montreal. How many attended in New York on a rainy night, with the Mets and Yankees playing each other?

Well done, Montreal and New York. And well done, Garth Snow.

Interesting Tibits From Burke Interview

We caught most of (Toronto General Manager) Brian Burke's interview. In it he said that Garth Snow never really gave him any chance of dealing for John Tavares. Burke also let it slip that he believed the Isles were going to choose eventual #3 pick Matt Duchene.

Where We Stand Now (after De Haan trade)

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 12th Overall - CALVIN DE HAAN (D)
(Round 2) 31st Overall
(Round 2) 56th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall

Another Trade

Wow. While the Islanders were waiting for Minnesota on the clock at #12, it was announced:

Islanders trade the #16, #77, and the #182 and then select defenseman Calvin de Haan.

Where We Stand Now (after 8 PM trade)

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 16th Overall (Formerly belonged to Columbus)
(Round 2) 31st Overall
(Round 2) 56th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 77th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall
(Round 7) 182nd Overall

Trade!

Islanders trade #26, #37, #62, and #92 for Columbus' #16 and #77. That's interesting.

Where We Stand Now

(Round 1) 1st Overall - JOHN TAVARES (C)
(Round 1) 26th Overall (Formerly belonged to San Jose)
(Round 2) 31st Overall
(Round 2) 37th Overall (Formerly belonged to Toronto)
(Round 2) 56th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall
(Round 7) 182nd Overall

It's Tavares!

Garth did it! Thank goodness. This trip has been a success!

D-Day is HERE!

Nervous anticipation as the Isles are now REALLY on the clock.

Announcing the Team Representatives

Apparently they double-check the representatives of each team (who will be announcing selections). Boston and Toronto are NOT liked here.

In case you don't know, Garth Snow and Ryan Jankowski are in charge of the selections for our guys.

Settling In With 20 Minutes Until 7

Initial confusion over, we're ready to follow the draft for you. All day we have seen plenty of Islanders fans around town, including the contest winners that were flown up by the Isles.

Before we begin, let's (for the last time) go over the Islanders picks as they stand right now:

(Round 1) 1st Overall
(Round 1) 26th Overall (Formerly belonged to San Jose)
(Round 2) 31st Overall
(Round 2) 37th Overall (Formerly belonged to Toronto)
(Round 2) 56th Overall (Formerly belonged to Boston)
(Round 3) 62nd Overall
(Round 3) 91st Overall (Formerly belonged to Pittsburgh)
(Round 4) 92nd Overall
(Round 5) 122nd Overall
(Round 6) 152nd Overall
(Round 7) 182nd Overall

In the Building, but Ignored

The Islanders bloggers are finally seated in the Bell Centre, except that nobody knows where we are supposed to be or that we are here. Apparently we're considered overflow media, but nobody has an idea where such people belong in a 20,000 seat arena.

We were under the impression that we'd be giving you coverage for several hours, but now with just one hour until the start of the event we're scrambling to get things working.

We met Bruno Gervais on the way into the building. He was extremely cordial, but didn't really know where we supposed to go either. It's shaping up to be one of those days.

Bienvenue de Montréal

Welcome from Montréal!

Okposo Net and the lads (Tom from The Tiger Track, Mike from Islesblogger, and Doug from Official's Outlook) have landed in Montréal and are all ready to provide FULL draft coverage this weekend. We'll also be talking to everyone and anyone who will spare us a few minutes. It promises to be an eventful (that's an understatement) weekend and we're going to share the entire experience with our readers.

As for right now, we're going to grab some pre-draft breakfast and scope out the city a bit. Until later...

Some Words of Advice for Garth Snow

Everyone has an opinion. And that's the nice thing about the Internet; everyone's can be heard. Theoretically one is no more or less important than another. With that said, allow us to depart from our normal format for a moment and offer some friendly advice to the General Manger of the Islanders, Garth Snow:

Mr Snow,

The 1st overall pick has been debated to death. People are literally getting blue in the face making the case for "their guy." But this isn't about the #1 pick; it's about the 10 that will follow.

The hot rumor all summer long is that the Isles are looking to move up to the middle of first round by cashing in some of the picks that you stockpiled last June. While it's an idea that is very well intentioned, sometimes it pays to play it straight, too. This team needs talent, a lot of it, and at many positions. That's not exactly breaking news.

The difference this year with respect to others is that your team finds itself in a very advantageous position. One partially of your own making. Namely, the Islanders have leverage. Holding so many picks over so many rounds means that the Islanders can basically name their price. Let other teams come to you. Don’t appear so eager to deal. Don't be afraid to ask for proven talent if the situation calls for it. And most importantly, don't be afraid to pass on a deal if the return doesn't blow you away.

The last point is the one that some people are forgetting. Taking a quick look through the entry drafts of past years, the attrition rate for NHL prospects seems to be fairly high. As many "busts" as "stars" litter the early and mid-round rolls. So perhaps it's wiser to play the percentages and infuse the franchise with bodies, rather than trying to "hit the home run." Sometimes a few "cheap hits" get the job done just as effectively, if you will. Furthermore, unfortunately this franchise knows all too well that sometimes a prospect overlooked is an other's gold. As a few examples, we submit:

Mike Richards went 24th overall in 2003.
Patrice Bergeron went 45th overall that same year.
Mike Green went 29th overall in 2004.
Paul Stastny went 45th overall in 2005.
Milan Lucic went 50th overall in 2006.

And so on.

There is mid-round talent is out there if your scouting department has done its homework.

Long story short: As we said above, please don't be trigger happy and so quick to deal. Rebuild slowly and methodically. This year, it's okay to be conservative.

But you knew all of this already. You’re the GM for a reason, right? So good luck this weekend. IN GARTH WE TRUST!

D-Day Minus 7

In this case, "D" means Draft. We're just a week away from June 26th, a date which we believe will be a watershed moment for the New York Islanders. In case you missed the news, Okposo Net will be in Montreal to share the sensory overload that will be the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. We plan on bringing our readers video, pictures, interviews, and of course, a live blog as the picks happen. And given this team's sometimes tumultuous draft history, who knows what else.

We, along with many others, believe the #1 pick will be John Tavares. But those of you pining for the Isles to take a large Swede may also be in luck, so be sure to stick around throughout the night if you can. Our friend Doug Davidson of Official's Outlook suggests that the Islanders may select David Rundblad at #26 (if they keep the pick). Since we're getting out of the prediction-making business this year, you can see Doug's complete first round mock draft here. Taking Rundblad, a 6'2" defenseman from the Swedish Elite League, might placate some of you in the Victor Hedman camp.

Whatever the outcome of the first day, we hope the Isles are shrewd enough to hold on to the #31 pick overall (1st pick - 2nd round). As others have pointed out, holding that pick is like having a '1A' selection, or the ability to take the "best of the rest" on Day 2. Rounds 2 through 7 take place on Saturday, so Garth and Ryan Jankowski and the scouts can huddle in their suites overnight, assess the situation, and pick 1st again. Delightful!

Whether you're at home relaxing, are one of the 16,000 or so lucky enough to attend the official draft party at Nassau Coliseum, happen to be stuck at work, or are anywhere else, we hope you'll find a few moments to log on to this site and share in our excitement next weekend. We can't wait, and we hope you'll enjoy what we and our fellow bloggers have to bring you.

Kyle Earns an "A" in Our Book

If you haven't voted in the poll on the right hand side of the page, please take a moment to do so now. We've gotten some good feedback from the fans on this subject (verbally and in the comments section), but more is always welcomed. We're leaving the poll open for another 10 days or so to ensure that everyone who wants to vote does so. And thank you to those who have already participated.

The question posed to fans by this blog and others was how they felt the captaincy issue would shape up for the 2009-2010 season. Very simply, has Kyle Okposo done enough during his brief Islanders tenure to warrant wearing a "C" or an "A" on his uniform? At Okposo Net, we strongly feel he deserves the "A," but let's examine the other two possibilities first.

The Captaincy: Realistically, this is just not going to happen for Kyle. It's a case of too much, too soon. The captaincy is normally reserved for a team member of veteran stature who is a vocal leader on and off the ice. Typically, someone fiery enough to energize his colleagues in the locker room yet possessing a calm temperament when dealing with referees. Granted, the "veteran status" requisite has been changing in recent seasons, with young players such as Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews ascending to the post at young ages. For the most part, however, one should be thinking along the lines of a Nicklas Lidström or Shane Doan-type player here (to use current examples).

Since the Islanders don't really have a player that currently fits the bill, we should expect to see the captaincy to go to someone like Mark Streit or Doug Weight this autumn (if a captain is selected). Trent Hunter or Brendan Witt have an outside shot at the "C" as well.

Nothing: Basically, the status quo for Kyle. The main knock on Kyle getting a badge is his inexperience. Let's remember that he's only 21 years old and has played a scant 74 games in the NHL. Is he ready for a leadership role? Nearly 50% of poll respondents say "no," wanting to see him grow as a player for at least another season.

The Alternate Captaincy: While not ready to assume a captainship, yet more than a role player on the Islanders, this is where we feel Kyle currently lies.

Last season, none of the "young Islanders" seemed as willing or able as Okposo to perform in a capacity that was both consistent and increasingly productive on the score sheet. While at times Andy Hilbert, Sean Bergenheim, Bruno Gervais, and others had long stretches of excellent and/or improved play, nobody did it like Kyle. Somewhat absent as a "presence" on the ice during the opening months of the campaign, by the end there wasn't one fan or media member not raving about Kyle's maturity and skill.

But this is not solely about point production. In the locker room Kyle always kept his demeanor the same whether he had participated in a 2-0 win for the Isles or a terrible, soul-crushing loss (of which there were a few). Always willing to answer every question, he became increasingly comfortable and engaging with the media as the season dragged on. We can only assume this was true amongst his contemporaries when the prying eyes of the scribes weren't around to see.

However, part of that comfort was expressed on the ice for all to see in the last few weeks of the season. With basically nothing to play for except personal goals, Kyle found himself embroiled in more altercations with opposing players. He was quick to support his teammates whether they were getting checked through open doors or run into the boards. Kyle was not afraid to get knocked to the ice in a scrum, and was not going to leave a teammate to fend for himself. That says a lot to us, especially on a team that recorded a 61 point season.

Kyle has learned a lot since this time a year ago, having now played a full season with the Isles and in several high profile international competitions. We feel that he has learned something from each experience and utilized the knowledge in his NHL career. While we know that he is still young and there are many able candidates on the Islanders (with hopefully more on the way), we think that Kyle has earned an "A" for next season.