John Tavaares: media Time line (sort of)

As draft day draws closer the debate continues and the “experts” up in Toronto continually talk about John Tavares’s flaws and how the Islanders should consider trading the 1st pick. The timing of the criticism can be called coincidental or intentionally started after the islanders secured the first round pick at the draft lottery held on April 14th. But the controversy started before the lottery as Leafs GM Brian Burke stood in front of the Toronto media and proclaimed his love for Tavares, igniting a firestorm of reports of how the Leafs can pull off such a move to gain Tavares. The day after the Burke paraded in front of the media reveling he had spoken to both the Lightning GM and Islanders GM Garth Snow. The same day Snow went on to Leafs Lunch to explain the Isles draft procedure. The next issue that arose was the out of the blue criticism from various scouts and media outlets( notable all of the Canadian media.) Red Line scouting ranked Victor Hedman higher than Tavares and added Matt Duchene as a more serious contender as a choice for the Islanders. The criticisms have continued about Tavares’s skating and other aspects of his game and this past week The Hockey News blogger Rory Boylen suggesting the Islanders trade the pick. In the article, Boylen numerous times suggest that only Tavares “would not help out the team right away” but, to trade the pick and get a good return would benefit the rebuilding process by speeding it up. Which makes sense in a way, but personally hope the Islanders take Tavares. Boylen does start to make unrealistic statements later on as he suggests to quote the article….”If they deal Tavares for a stronger base on which to build, the worst-case scenario for the Isles is they struggle their way to another last-place finish. All that would do is put them in a position to select Taylor Hall in 2010, another can’t-miss prospect who would go high in this year’s draft.” The notion that the Isles could do that bad again or even that the fans would put up with another season that bad is unrealistic. With the development of the young kids the team has shown its capable of winning against and playing against good teams. On THN Shootout: Draft talk, Rory Boylen was on and reiterated his idea that the Isles should trade the pick. But John Grigg, another blogger for The Hockey News said the Islanders should take Tavares because he provides a much more than just a talent they can build around the ice, he can help Wang push the lighthouse project off the ice(something iv said before). Tavares has time and time again said he will play for what ever team drafts him.
"I'd love to go No. 1, but then again I'd love to go to any NHL team. I feel like I can contribute in a good way. If it happens, I'll be honored and very excited. But I'll be just as honored and excited if it doesn't happen." Tavares told NHL.Com from Pittsburgh on Tuesday. And Tavares addressed the Canadian media’s countless calls for him to refuse to play on Long island by saying “there’s been so much garbage out there. It’s really bothered me.” So when all is said and done I believe the Islanders should take Tavares. He is a key person to build around and would be an amazing addition along with Bailey, Okposo , the returning veteran Doug Weight and other youngsters this team could be a playoff contender in a matter of time.