After a rough season last year, Islanders fans have put a lot of hope in the 2009 NHL entry draft to help the franchise to get back on its feet. More specifically, the New York Islanders held the number overall pick which they used to acquire center John Tavares who is expected to emerge as a franchise centerpiece over the next years.
Tavares spent the last season in the OHL, playing for the London Knights where he scored 58 goals and 46 assists for an impressive total of 104 points. Moreover, he managed to top Wayne Gretzky’s youth record by scoring 72 goals in 2006-07. Likewise, Tavares was named best forward at this year’s World Junior Championships. Although the Islanders’ scouting staff considered taking either Victor Hedman or Brampton Battalion with their number one pick, they opted not to pass on Tavares. Given the fact that the Isles seemed to have significant problems with their offense it is no surprise that they decided to draft a forward instead of a defender or goalie. In 2008-09 New York did not only finish the season with a fairly disappointing 29th place but was unable to score more than two goals per contest.
As sub par the recent past of the franchise might have been, the future does not look all that bad for the Islanders. Apart from Tavares the Isles also have a few other young players who have not reached their full potential yet. Most importantly, forwards Victor Hedman and John Tavares are expected to become consistent contributors over the next years. While it remains to be seen how fast the rebuilding process will go in New York, one can hardly argue with drafting John Tavares.
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