Islanders tag Tavares as Savior

By Scott

The New York Islanders took goal-scoring phenom John Tavares with the 1st overall pick of the NHL Draft on Friday night. Tavares was undoubtedly viewed as the most skilled offensive player available, after netting 72 goals for the OHL's London Knights this past season. Tavares is not Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin in terms of obtaining a complete game, but he may establish himself as an Ovechkin-esque goal-scorer in the league. Although Tavares was not a lock to be taken first overall with rumors of the Islanders taking defenseman Victor Hedman or trading down, New York made the right move by securing the most hyped player in the draft who they hope will ressurrect the near-dead franchise. If Tavares turns out to be a bust, the Islanders could be leaving New York.

Another franchise on the verge of relocation, the Tampa Bay Lightning, took Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman. Hedman is easily the most NHL-ready defenseman taken in the draft. He is brilliant with puck and is one of the smoothest skaters in the world. Perhaps Hedman's biggest weapon is his mammoth size and linebacker build. 6'6", 220 pounds will allow Hedman to be a force in the league for years to come. With little skill and depth already protecting Tampa Bay's blue line, Hedman could definitely see some playing time this season. If last year's top pick Steven Stamkos can begin to take form and the Lightning's management crisis can be resolved, the Lightning may begin to reverse their recently poor fortunes.

To cap off the "Big 3", the Colorado Avalanche took forward Matt Duchene third overall. Duchene assembled 79 points in 57 games for the OHL's Brampton Battalion this season, and has been marked as the best all-around player in the draft, drawing comparisons to Joe Sakic and Mike Modano alike. Duchene will probably need some time in the minors especially considering his rough adjustment to the speed of the OHL he endured. But, once he gets up to speed, the Canadien center should be a fixture in Colorado's lineup for years to come. Whether or not Joe Sakic will hang around one more year and mentor his protege will be publicized this week as Sakic has reportedly made a decision.