The Pick is in......

The Islanders have selected Josh Bailey in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. I'm sure you know all the details about him. Personally, I was confused watching the draft unfold. I understand the philosophy of stockpiling picks, but when you have two in the second and two in the third already is there really any point in acquiring more? They kept saying they got the guy they wanted and got more picks, all things that dumb people are supposed to believe. This is what would sound good to me: The Islanders select Nikita Filatov fifth overall. And just keep the 4 picks between the second and third round. Since we are all Islander fans it is natural for us to be pessimistic and critical of every move because we have been abused more than Michael Vick's pitbulls, but can we let Josh Bailey put on the jersey before we start to kill the kid?

Anyway lets weigh the differences between Josh Bailey and Nikita Filatov

Nikita Filatov

- Tried out for the role of oompa-loompa in the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Shares a name with a show I never watched on USA called La Femme Nikita
- Shares the same first name as former First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khruschev
- Looks nasty on youtube clips

Josh Bailey
- Shares the same name as a delicious alcoholic Irish beverage, Bailey's Irish Cream
- ......That's it

Edge: Bailey

I would have to disgrace my Irish roots if a picked a Russian over a Canadian that has the same last name as Bailey's Irish Cream.

Offseason edition

I am back after sailing around the globe and experiencing life from many different viewpoints. So here is my question to Islander nation: What do you want the Islanders to do this offseason? Build from the draft? Sign 'big name' free agents? A steady mix of both?

Me personally I'd like to build a franchise that will be successful year after year and which ever way that has to be done (free agents, draft) I am all for it.

FYI according to Greg Logan from Newsday Dubie is as good as gone from the Isles. This is something I had predicted at the end of the season, but I was hoping it wouldn't turn out to be true.

ROUND 3

What a fun round that was to watch. Sadly I didn't pick all the winners, hopefully I will this week.

  

THRID ROUND PREDICTIONS

East:

Penguins Def Flyers     6 games

West

Wings Def Stars            5 games

Round two justification:

East

The Canadians were the better team heading into that series. The Flyers played better, and thanks to the help of Marty Biron, who played just amazing the Flyers won in 5.

West

The Stars keep beating my predictions. The Sharks i thought coming off an emotional series victory against the Flames would have enough steam to take the first 2 games from the Stars. Sticking them in a hole for the rest of the series, it was the other was around. The Wings will win the series, and rather quickly, I assume the stars players are just shot from the last two series and all the overtimes and close games they just played. The Wings are fresh and very talented and experienced though I dont know if Franzen will have 9 more goals though.

Road to the cup: ROUND 2

Im sorry but that picture is just absolutely awesome!


SECOND ROUND PREDICTIONS
East
Montreal Def Flyers 6 games
Penguins Def Rangers 6 games (STRETCH)

West
Wings Def Avalanche 7 games
Sharks Def Stars 5 games

East (Round 2 bold predictions)
Thats right...I picked the penguins over the rangers. Crosby and Malkin are just awesome so far this post season and well, so has Henrik. I'll take the edge for the Penguins who are younger and quicker, with a less goalie (who did well the first round, against a high powered offense) and say that offense this match-up is the way to win.
West (round 2 bold predictions)
the only thing I got here that seems bold is the wings taking the avalanche in 7. I think the wings will win, but when you look at it, Jose T. is playing well this post season and there is so much playoff experience on the avalanche...but look across the ice Osgood and Hasek...and look at all the rest of their team, they have the experience too. Look for it to go to 7 and in the 7th game i predict a 5-1 win for the wings.

East (Round 1 justification)
In all honesty, who thought that caps were going to lose, they were the hottest team in the league, getting in, slating the third spot, that series came down to one goal. I thought that one man, A.O. was going to get it. Flyers edged them out, it was a fun series to watch.
West (Round 1 justification)
Im sorry, but I cant ever count out the last years champs in the first round...in retrospect I would have picked them even if they didnt win last year, I figured the ducks could out duel the stars.

FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS

East

Canadians def. Bruins 5 games Winner: Canadians in 7

Capitols def. Flyers 6 games Winner: Flyers in 7

Rangers def. Devils 4 games Winner: Rangers in 5

Penguins def. Senators 6 games Winner: Penguins in 4

West

Wings def .Predators 4 games Winner: Wings in 5

Ducks def. Stars 7 games Winner: Stars in 6

Sharks def. Flames 6 games Winner: Sharks in 7

Avalanche def. Wild 6 games Winner: Avalanche in 6

Canadian College Hockey Play of The Year

Rob Hennigar has been signed to the New York Islanders to a 2 year deal. The New York Islanders have already begun reshaping a team for a new season, now mixing veterans like Guiren and Sillinger, and Dman Witt with young players like, Hillen, Hennigar, Okposo, Tambo, Campoli and Comeau, as well as many others.
Rob Hennigar is a center which is something the Islanders need pretty badly, as much as I would like to see Comrie come into his own like he said he would and score 40 and have 70 or more points. That being said I doubt the chance of this happening...
The Following Information has been taken from www.Newyorkislanders.com

Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000-01	Windsor Spitfires	OHL	43	7	13	20	27
2001-02	Windsor Spitfires	OHL	67	15	32	47	51
2002-03	Windsor Spitfires	OHL	68	29	46	75	56
2003-04	Windsor Spitfires	OHL	68	32	47	79	64
2004-05	U. of New Brunswick	CIS	28	9	26	35	26
2005-06	U. of New Brunswick	CIS	28	9	33	42	32
2006-07	U. of New Brunswick	CIS	25	13	29	42	14
2007-08	U. of New Brunswick	CIS	27	15	43	58	12

Hennigar is 25 years old, and from what you can see from this he has nice hands. In 02-03 and 03-04 he was absolutely amazing. Dont get me wrong I am not arguing with 58 points in 27 games, that is also completely amazing. Maybe this years decline in games by those years by around 40 games means he couldnt get his shot going, but he certainly can pass well.
Okposo-Hennigar-Comeau
Campoli Hillen
Thats a good line...


Well Islander fans, im assuming this is going to be a very eventful off season.

Road to the CUP!

FIRST ROUND PREDICTIONS

East

Canadians def. Bruins   5 games

Capitols def. Flyers       6 games

Rangers def. Devils       4 games

Penguins def. Senators  6 games (this one im not so sure about)

West

Wings def .Predators     4 games

Ducks def. Stars              7 games

Sharks def. Flames         6 games

Avalanche def. Wild       6 games (this one im not so sure about)

Other then the 2 series I have listed, im pretty confident of my other choices. This being the first year of the site and what not lets see how bad I do and my record, im really giving you the winners, the games part was just a bonus, though I dont personally think ill get any of them right. Ill stick with this lets see if I shoul have went to Vegas...My money is on the Sharks if i was there. (These are my views, not Big c's) 

P.s. I hope you like the picture of god...I mean Mike Bossy with the cup.

And The Winner is.....

The Tampa Bay Lightning were just selected as the lottery draft winner. Lecalvier, St. Louis, Stamkos....wow. Absolutely terrifying.