Draft Day...

So I know I promised a Viva la Vida review and my impressions of Spore. I've been pretty busy though, but let me say both are outstanding. I really can't get enough of Coldplay's new album, and Spore is addicting and fun as hell. There will be a post on them soon, I assure you.

But first, I need to rant. Specifically, about my favorite hockey team, the New York Islanders. Please bear with me...as this may be a bit messy.

I've been a fan of the Isles since the early 2000's, and let me say that I have seen this franchise do some outright stupid things. Yashin's deal, Kvasha, pretty much all of Milbury's moves, the Smyth trade. And for the most part I have defended each one. There was a hope, somewhere in this cynical heart that the Isles would one day rebuild, and I could proudly say that I was a fan since those dark days.

But today, Draft Day 2008, topped them all. For a bit of background, the Isles had the #5 pick in the draft, and it was considered a valuable commodity. As the Isles went up to pick, there were two excellent prospects available: Filatov, a Russian sniper who I was hoping they would pick to help their bottom-of-the-league offense, and Schenn, a huge D-man that would be a welcome addition on a rebuilding blue-line.

Of course, the Isles chose neither. Despite GM Garth Snow's insistence that they would need to see a blockbuster trade to consider giving up the pick, give it up they did. And what was this blockbuster trade? A spot two picks later and a second rounder (the number 60 pick, basically a third) and a third. Imagine my frustration/shock as Toronto picks up Schenn and Columbus grabs Filatov. Before my eyes, the two best players left, excellent prospects at the least and franchise players at the best, were snatched up..for a couple of extra picks.

It gets better!!

The Isles weren't done yet. They traded down again! To #9 from #7 this time for another second rounder, and watched as the last of the first-tier elite talent was picked up. Now the Isles are up, and they have a few good players left to choose from. Who do they pick? Joshua. Bailey.


Who? Exactly. Bailey is a center and was rated at #15 the Red Line's draft rankings. He is, by most scouting reports, a "safe pick": a solid 2-way center who has some great playmaking, and will likely net a good amount of points.

I'm not mad about picking Bailey. He looks like a decent player. He will be a very good 2nd line center, and I wish him luck in the majors. Had we drafted him at #15 or #16, I would be happy right now.

But compared to Filatov or Schenn or Wilson or Boedker, who all went before him, he's not even close. Not to mention his play making skills will be wasted on an Island devoid of talent (with the exception of Okposo).

I've got to feel for him. Right now, behind GM Snow and owner Charles Wang, he is the most hated person in this organization, only because he will never live up to being a player of the caliber that was passed for him.

The Isles have already put the spin machine in full gear, saying "Josh was the player we targeted from the beginning," and they they figured they could pick him up later while stocking picks. But in a draft this rich in talent, you don't go trading down! They passed up on Grade-A certified young talent for a guy most had pegged for the 15 spot at best. And worst off, they planned this from the start.

The Isles had a chance to do something right, for the first time in a long time. And they royally blew it. The management wonders why the team is last in attendance, can't get approval for a new arena, and can't attract the big name agents; but then they pull stupid stunts like this. To think that the Isles were so high on Bailey that they chose him over Filatov and Schenn is mind-boggling. They had a great chance to restock the Island with a top young sniper, or a touch-as-nails defense man and they passed it up for what? A couple of second round picks and a 2-way center who on the best reports is put at the number 15 spot in terms of talent.

For a sad bit of perspective, here's what the rest of the league thought of Josh Bailey:
Only ONE OTHER TEAM had him come in for an interview, the #16 pick, the Boston Bruins.

The Islanders are truly the laughing stock of this league. The punch line to a bad joke.

To think that Islander fans will have to watch Filatov and Schenn in the future and think "we could have had him...he could have been wearing our jersey,"...it's too much to bear. We're a tough bunch, and loyal as anyone and right now I truly feel for my fellow fans. Before our eyes, the organization and team we care so deeply and passionately stabbed us in the back, then twisted the knife in the wound. We expected to end today proud that Filatov or Schenn would be donning an Islanders jersey soon and that this franchise was turning itself around. Now, once again, we must bang our heads against the wall and be the butt end of jokes as our team passes up a sparkling opportunity to restore some faith in this circus of a franchise.

Reports are that at the draft party being held at the Coliseum, half the fans left after the Isles passed up on Filatov, and then most of the rest left after the second trade. The rest were reportedly left in stunned silence as we watched Bailey put on our jersey. Who can blame them?

I'm hoping that overnight, the sting of this failure will go away. Perhaps by the morning, I can watch the 2nd round and see who they pick and have faith again.. that maybe, just maybe, this will all work out and Luke Schenn, Nikita Filatov, Colin Wilson, and Mikkel Boedker will all turn out to be flops. Maybe, the Isles will have some sort of deal up their sleeves and will trade those extra picks for a superstar to restore some honor to this franchise. I can hope beyond hope that perhaps one of those second round picks will become something 2 or 3 years from now, and that Joshua Bailey will be a key asset to our team. Then maybe the Isles will win the Cup, the sky will rain gumdrops and Skittles, and I'll hit the lottery.

Congratulations New York Islanders. You're clearly content to remain the pinnacle of mediocrity.

Have fun. I will not be watching.