I usually don't like to address rumors or hear-say on New York Islanders Net, as they seem to be pretty much just that, and they can take away from the quality of the website and hockey talk generated around here. However, something has come to my attention over the last three to four weeks. The New York Islanders have been mentioned in every message board possible as being a possible destination for the Sedin twins due to our salary cap space and the need for first-line talent. Furthermore, Eklund has now mentioned that his "sources" believe the Islanders could make an announcement that they have received the rights to the Sedin twins at the Draft Party. I will not use this blog to bash Eklund, regardless of his success rate on rumors. Whether or not you agree with his methods, he still provides a great site for bringing hockey fans together to talk about hockey, and the hockey blogosphere has truly been altered in a positive light in large part to his contributions. On the other hand, I will use this write-up to simply shoot down such a rumor based on previous statements by Garth Snow, and my personal opinion, as always.
First, and foremost, we can all almost recall the fact that Garth Snow has stated that he believes the Islanders roster will not look significantly different in September from the one that ended this past season. While this is a knife in the heart to all Islander fans, I guess it can be deemed the second year of a very, very serious rebuild. Why waste the money and time on guys who will simply move us up from 30th overall to 26th overall, right? Taking this to be nothing short of the truth, it would be a very significant roster alteration if Snow were to sign both Daniel and Henrik Sedin for matching contracts. Granted, they are excellent players and first line talent that we sorely lack, I do not believe it would be in the best interest of the Islanders long-term plans to lock up the twins for 12 years at $6 million per year, if not more. With the upcoming draft, and our excellent drafting position, we can bring in talent that we can develop ourselves over the course of the next two to three seasons. I, for one, believe that we need to stick to this method.
Just for some fun...if we are to take Snow's statement as the full truth, then can it also be assumed that the Islanders will not be inquiring into the shot-blocking, heavy-hitting, Long Island defenseman known as Mike Komisarek, correct? Considering he will be seeking somewhere between $4.5 and $5.5 million on the free agent market, that can be deemed an out-of-house, significant alteration, right? Sorry, I know we all think highly of him, but I need to rake up some controversy. It keeps things interesting around here.
Secondly, with regards to the Sedin's, I highly doubt that Snow would give up any assets just to have the right to talk to the Sedin twins (It hurts to remind myself of this, but we know that until we are winning again, and until the Lighthouse is well on it's way, we won't have success with signing big name guys). With the franchise's emphasis on rebuild and growth from within, it is doubtful Snow would compromise any picks just to have the Sedin's turn around and not sign here. If he really wanted to pursue the Sedin twins, wouldn't he just be better off waiting the extra week or so until July 1st, and then, make what he deems to be a fair offer for their services? By the way, all of this internet speculation is fully based on the fact that Mr. Snow even wants the Sedin twins. For all we know, Snow could think they are terrible, and he'd rather have us watch Andy Hilbert playing with Okposo than the Sedin's.
No disrespect to Eklund or his sources, as this is just me, a fan, stating my opinion on a rumor that has passed through the blogosphere.
On the flip side of all these arguments, it is very easy to see where a rumor like this arises. As it goes, the Islanders would draft Victor Hedman, announce they have brought in the rights to the first line center and first line left winger they need in the Sedin twins, pair them with Kyle Okposo, and it would be a magical fairy tale day. NOT SO FAST! It just doesn't work this way, and these just don't seem like rebuilding plans to myself, or many fans for that matter.
Sorry, but the only significant additions I envision to the 2009-2010 New York Islanders that weren't there for the 2008-2009 season are John Tavares (Dear tuxedo tee-shirt baby Jesus, we all pray), and a Mr. Richard DiPietro.
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