Talking Snow and the Rebuild

November 22 2009 by Rob.

What we have :

• John Tavares - The face of the New York Islanders
• Kyle Okposo - Fan favorite star in the making
• Frans Nielson - Second line center in the making
• Josh Bailey - Let him develop on the third line
• Mark Streit - The emerged top pair defenseman
• Matt Moulson - Another one of Garth Snow’s hidden gems

Whats to come :

• Calvin DeHaan - Could be top pair defencemen in few years
• Matt Martin - The potential enforcer with some scoring touch
• Arron Ness - Could be a solid defencemen for the Islanders down the road
• Trevor Smith - Most likely will be on big club at least once this season. 
• Mikko Koskinen - One of our top prospects.  Will need time to develop
• Jesse Joensuu - Has the size and talent to become a force in the NHL

Other prospects to mention are : Justin DiBenedetto, Dustin Kohn, Joel Rechlicz, Kirill Petrov, Corey Trivino.

It is time to give some credit to general manager Garth Snow.  First finding Mark Streit and now this years gem Matt Moulson.  Call it luck or skill, Snow deserves some credit.  Drafting Tavares was the obvious choice but somebody else like (Milbury) could of traded the pick or drafted Duchene.  Its no knock to Matt, he seems like a great kid but he was not the one for us.  Sometimes making the easy choice is the best choice.  The passing of Filatov and drafting Bailey seems to be paying off.  Seems like Snow was right on that one. 

Overall I like what the Islanders are doing and I truly believe its the correct way to go.  The results are starting to show.  Roloson and Biron are two smart signings by the Islanders this past offseason.  With great goaltending, any team has a chance at a victory.  I give the Isles and Snow a B.  Most of Snow’s moves will be graded in a few years.  Year after year Snow seems to find that hidden gem, for that he should be applauded. 

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