BOB ADLER'S DRAFT REVIEW
Sometimes you can get what you want. After a long , agonizing wait since the draft lottery, Islander fans got their wish in John Tavares. His name alone puts the Islanders back on the NHL map. The cheers at the Draft Party in the Nassau Coliseum were the loudest since Shawn Bates scored on a penalty shot against Toronto in the 2002 play-offs.
No Islanders draft would be complete without several twists and turns. Unlike last year, the Islanders reversed course and traded up twice, moving from 26 to 16 and then to 12. Then they made a surprise pick of Calvin deHaan. Rated by most in the 20-26 range, his stock was rising so it is not a bad thing for a team to get a prospect it really wants. Personally, I like deHaan a lot with his hockey sense, puck moving ability, skating and upside.
The rest of the Islanders draft appeared to be a bit strange. With the first choice in round 2, the Islanders took goalie Mikko Koskinen. In my May 21st update, I had him as a 2nd round sleeper but not at 31 in a weak goalie draft. The Islanders HAVE to be right about Koskinen since there were plenty of good position players still on the draft board at the beginning of the 2nd round. With their next pick, they selected another goalie, Andres Nilsson. Later in the draft, the Islanders took a pair of centers, though this is now an area of strength for them, and a Russian defenseman who is going to play for London in the OHL this coming season.
1. John Tavares, Center, 6'0" 195 Oshawa-London OHL, 1st Round, 1st Overall
GP 56 G 58 A 46 PTS 104 PIM 54 +10
Famous in Canada since the age of 13. He has gotten the Islanders more attention (especially in Canada) in the last 3 months than they have had in years. Tavares has two things hockey players are born with: elite hands and hockey sense. An underrated skill of his is on face-offs where he was one of the best in junior hockey. His skating is not as bad as many have said, it is a little above average and looks rough but is not going to hold him back. Because of his elite hockey sense the puck always manages to find him in scoring areas. His defense needs work, but then again, he has always been asked to score. Wants to be great, wanted to be drafted first overall and, best of all, wants to help revitalize the Islanders. Two time Gold Medal winner at the World Junior Championships and its MVP last January in Ottawa. Just give him some time to adjust and learn at the NHL level.
2. Calvin deHaan, Defenseman, 6' 180 Oshawa OHL 1st Round 12th Overall (From Minn, CBJ, Ott, SJ) GP 68 G 8 A 55 Pts 63 PIM 40 +3
A splendid first season in junior hockey helped de Haan become one of the fastest rising prospects in the draft. The Islanders started draft day with the 26th overall pick from Ottawa, moved up twice to get a prospect they targeted. No way he would have been available at 26 and there was a chance some team would take him before 16. There is no real weakness in his game. Unlike Aaron Ness who was drafted last year, deHaan has a good frame and projects to grow some more. His +3 rating was impressive considering that many Oshawa players were -20 and worse. Great hockey sense, puckhandler and passer with a shot that is accurate and hard enough. The Isles hope he can develop into another Mark Streit, a strong all around, top 2 defenseman. Stood out for Canada at the World Under 18 Championships and has already been invited to Canada's WJC summer evaluation camp. Needs some time, but is already the Islanders top defensive prospect.
3. Mikko Koskinen, Goalie, 6' 7" 192 Espoo Finland Elite League 2nd round 31st overall GP 33 W 17 L 7 T 9 SO 1 GAA 1.91 Save % .931
The big Finn just turned 21 and was passed over in the last 3 NHL drafts. Mikko had a breakout season in the Elite League. His development is a key to the Islanders draft because they passed on some higher rated position players to take him. Plays a butterfly style and takes up much of the net just with his size. Needs to work on rebound control but is quick enough to recover. Hard to project because he is an overage player, a late bloomer and not heavily scouted until this past season. Has already committed to playing in Bridgeport this October.
4. Anders Nilsson, Goalie 6' 5" 220 Lulea, Junior Sweden 3rd Round 62nd Overall
(NYI to CBJ to NYI) GP 37 W N/A L N/A T N/A GAA 2.05 Save % .927
The Isles originally had this pick, traded it to Columbus and re-traded to get it back. Once more there are questions since they traded down from 56 back to 62 and 92 and passed on higher rated position players still available to take another goaltender. Undrafted last year. Had a breakout season in the Swedish Junior League. Expected to move up to the Elite League but may only back up at that level so there is a concern as to how much playing time he will get. Another butterfly goalie, who is quick for his size, covers the net well and has a very fast glove hand. Will compete for the back up spot for Sweden on their WJC team behind Florida prospect Jakob Markstrom. The Islanders will leave him right where he is for 2 seasons and go forward from there.
5. Casey Cizikas, Center, 5' 11" 190 Mississuaga OHL 4th Round 92nd Overall (NYI to CBJ to NYI) GP 55 G 16 A 20 Pts 36 PIM 39 -15
A puzzling pick considering the Islanders new found depth at center. Cizikas was the 3rd overall choice in the 2007 OHL draft. Had a good rookie year in 2007-08 but had problems with injuries and was involved in a manslaughter that occurred during a rugby match. The case has been recently settled and Cizikas will be on the ice this fall. Plays all forward positions which may give him a better chance at a pro career. Said to be good all around with nice skating ability and hockey sense. Did manage to salvage the end of last season with 5 goals 9 points in 11 play-off games.
6. Anton Klementyev, Defenseman 6' 1" 198 Yaroslavl 2 Russia 3 5th Round 122nd Overall No Statistics Available
Isles found him playing in a low level league. A physical defensive type who plays with energy and is pretty sound in his own end. Very little offensive ability, but does have a hard shot. However, rarely gets it on net. Was not picked in last year's draft because teams shy away from Russians due to the lack of a transfer agreement. Anton is not signed by any team in Russia so that opened the door. KLementyev was taken in the CHL import draft by London OHL and is going to play in the North America this year.
7. Anders Lee, 6' 2" 209 Endina High School USHSW 6th Round 152nd Overall
GP 25 G 20 A 46 Pts 66 PIM 22 +/- NA
A two sport high school star in both hockey and as a quarterback in football. Lee was not drafted last year because he had not decided which sport he wanted to concentrate on. Has now fully committed to playing hockey and will join Green Bay USHL next season. After that it is on to college at Notre Dame CCHA. Big strong power forward type who does many things well. Has good hockey sense, skates well and is a two way player. A long term project who will get great coaching at Notte Dame from Jeff Jackson.
Notes: Wait until next year: The Islanders traded the 3rd round pick they got from Pitssburgh to Phoenix for a 3rd round pick in next year's draft. Recently signed, Dwayne Roloson is a perfect fit for the Islanders. Though he will turn 40 in the fall, Rolonson is in great physical condition. He played 63 games last year with Edmonton. He is an ideal short term option while the status of Rick DiPietro remains a mystery. This also gives Mikko Koskinen and Anders Nilsson time to develop.
No Islanders draft would be complete without several twists and turns. Unlike last year, the Islanders reversed course and traded up twice, moving from 26 to 16 and then to 12. Then they made a surprise pick of Calvin deHaan. Rated by most in the 20-26 range, his stock was rising so it is not a bad thing for a team to get a prospect it really wants. Personally, I like deHaan a lot with his hockey sense, puck moving ability, skating and upside.
The rest of the Islanders draft appeared to be a bit strange. With the first choice in round 2, the Islanders took goalie Mikko Koskinen. In my May 21st update, I had him as a 2nd round sleeper but not at 31 in a weak goalie draft. The Islanders HAVE to be right about Koskinen since there were plenty of good position players still on the draft board at the beginning of the 2nd round. With their next pick, they selected another goalie, Andres Nilsson. Later in the draft, the Islanders took a pair of centers, though this is now an area of strength for them, and a Russian defenseman who is going to play for London in the OHL this coming season.
1. John Tavares, Center, 6'0" 195 Oshawa-London OHL, 1st Round, 1st Overall
GP 56 G 58 A 46 PTS 104 PIM 54 +10
Famous in Canada since the age of 13. He has gotten the Islanders more attention (especially in Canada) in the last 3 months than they have had in years. Tavares has two things hockey players are born with: elite hands and hockey sense. An underrated skill of his is on face-offs where he was one of the best in junior hockey. His skating is not as bad as many have said, it is a little above average and looks rough but is not going to hold him back. Because of his elite hockey sense the puck always manages to find him in scoring areas. His defense needs work, but then again, he has always been asked to score. Wants to be great, wanted to be drafted first overall and, best of all, wants to help revitalize the Islanders. Two time Gold Medal winner at the World Junior Championships and its MVP last January in Ottawa. Just give him some time to adjust and learn at the NHL level.
2. Calvin deHaan, Defenseman, 6' 180 Oshawa OHL 1st Round 12th Overall (From Minn, CBJ, Ott, SJ) GP 68 G 8 A 55 Pts 63 PIM 40 +3
A splendid first season in junior hockey helped de Haan become one of the fastest rising prospects in the draft. The Islanders started draft day with the 26th overall pick from Ottawa, moved up twice to get a prospect they targeted. No way he would have been available at 26 and there was a chance some team would take him before 16. There is no real weakness in his game. Unlike Aaron Ness who was drafted last year, deHaan has a good frame and projects to grow some more. His +3 rating was impressive considering that many Oshawa players were -20 and worse. Great hockey sense, puckhandler and passer with a shot that is accurate and hard enough. The Isles hope he can develop into another Mark Streit, a strong all around, top 2 defenseman. Stood out for Canada at the World Under 18 Championships and has already been invited to Canada's WJC summer evaluation camp. Needs some time, but is already the Islanders top defensive prospect.
3. Mikko Koskinen, Goalie, 6' 7" 192 Espoo Finland Elite League 2nd round 31st overall GP 33 W 17 L 7 T 9 SO 1 GAA 1.91 Save % .931
The big Finn just turned 21 and was passed over in the last 3 NHL drafts. Mikko had a breakout season in the Elite League. His development is a key to the Islanders draft because they passed on some higher rated position players to take him. Plays a butterfly style and takes up much of the net just with his size. Needs to work on rebound control but is quick enough to recover. Hard to project because he is an overage player, a late bloomer and not heavily scouted until this past season. Has already committed to playing in Bridgeport this October.
4. Anders Nilsson, Goalie 6' 5" 220 Lulea, Junior Sweden 3rd Round 62nd Overall
(NYI to CBJ to NYI) GP 37 W N/A L N/A T N/A GAA 2.05 Save % .927
The Isles originally had this pick, traded it to Columbus and re-traded to get it back. Once more there are questions since they traded down from 56 back to 62 and 92 and passed on higher rated position players still available to take another goaltender. Undrafted last year. Had a breakout season in the Swedish Junior League. Expected to move up to the Elite League but may only back up at that level so there is a concern as to how much playing time he will get. Another butterfly goalie, who is quick for his size, covers the net well and has a very fast glove hand. Will compete for the back up spot for Sweden on their WJC team behind Florida prospect Jakob Markstrom. The Islanders will leave him right where he is for 2 seasons and go forward from there.
5. Casey Cizikas, Center, 5' 11" 190 Mississuaga OHL 4th Round 92nd Overall (NYI to CBJ to NYI) GP 55 G 16 A 20 Pts 36 PIM 39 -15
A puzzling pick considering the Islanders new found depth at center. Cizikas was the 3rd overall choice in the 2007 OHL draft. Had a good rookie year in 2007-08 but had problems with injuries and was involved in a manslaughter that occurred during a rugby match. The case has been recently settled and Cizikas will be on the ice this fall. Plays all forward positions which may give him a better chance at a pro career. Said to be good all around with nice skating ability and hockey sense. Did manage to salvage the end of last season with 5 goals 9 points in 11 play-off games.
6. Anton Klementyev, Defenseman 6' 1" 198 Yaroslavl 2 Russia 3 5th Round 122nd Overall No Statistics Available
Isles found him playing in a low level league. A physical defensive type who plays with energy and is pretty sound in his own end. Very little offensive ability, but does have a hard shot. However, rarely gets it on net. Was not picked in last year's draft because teams shy away from Russians due to the lack of a transfer agreement. Anton is not signed by any team in Russia so that opened the door. KLementyev was taken in the CHL import draft by London OHL and is going to play in the North America this year.
7. Anders Lee, 6' 2" 209 Endina High School USHSW 6th Round 152nd Overall
GP 25 G 20 A 46 Pts 66 PIM 22 +/- NA
A two sport high school star in both hockey and as a quarterback in football. Lee was not drafted last year because he had not decided which sport he wanted to concentrate on. Has now fully committed to playing hockey and will join Green Bay USHL next season. After that it is on to college at Notre Dame CCHA. Big strong power forward type who does many things well. Has good hockey sense, skates well and is a two way player. A long term project who will get great coaching at Notte Dame from Jeff Jackson.
Notes: Wait until next year: The Islanders traded the 3rd round pick they got from Pitssburgh to Phoenix for a 3rd round pick in next year's draft. Recently signed, Dwayne Roloson is a perfect fit for the Islanders. Though he will turn 40 in the fall, Rolonson is in great physical condition. He played 63 games last year with Edmonton. He is an ideal short term option while the status of Rick DiPietro remains a mystery. This also gives Mikko Koskinen and Anders Nilsson time to develop.
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