Tavares puts on his skates for Isles mini-camp

The focus unavoidably will be on No. 1 overall draft pick John Tavares as he straps on his skates for the first time as an Islander when minicamp for rookies and prospects begins Friday at Iceworks.

[champ4]

and the rangers add another one......

[gellman]

He set a record for 16-year-olds with 72 goals and went on to break Wayne Gretzky's career OHL scoring records
he didnt break his career scoing record he broke gretzkys record in a season for most goals by a 16 year old he broke peter lees record for career goals

[Alex McKendry]

Tavares takes a dump. Story at 11

[JZimm]

Alex McKendry wrote:

Tavares takes a dump. Story at 11

Seriously... It's not just Tavares. There is just entirely too much news surrounding everything. I do kind of miss the days when if you wanted a story, you haad to wait for the next day's paper, or at the very best, watch News 12 for an hour.

[Colin Citra-Florida]

A new bunch of young kids with dreams.It's a great time on long island to be a hockey fan.Thanks Garth.

[nyles1]

Islanders no longer the fan friendly team they used to be.Practice closed to the public!! That's never happened before!!! Don't alienaite your fans just because you have 1 player now!! Terrible move by the Islanders PR people here.You WANT the fans there!! You want the BUZZ!! Another stupid move by this organization.1 step foward and 2 steps back!!

[The Cup Stops here]

Total agreement.The Islanders fans have suffered too long and now to take away rookie camp from them and only open up 1 day to the public is foolish.Great chance to push ticket sales here.Another lost opportunity by the Islanders.You want the fans there,don't turn them off.The Islanders can't handle prosperity

[1940 forever]

Fools

[Battfist]

The future looks bright...

[NOKC]

Battfist wrote:

The future looks bright...

True, Hope to see Big J make it the show. We know Tavares is. What about the other guys? It'll be interesting who stands out at camp.

[kallur]

"Still, all eyes will be on Tavares, the goal scorer with the potential to develop into an NHL superstar. It's an opportunity any coach would welcome, but it is accompanied by a huge management responsibility to maximize Tavares' talents." For once Logan hits the nail on the head. This really is the question. Again: think Detroit. So many on their roster were late-round picks. Is Detroit really that good a judge of talent, or is it their system/coaching? Why don't the Isles have a highly-regarded farm system? Drafting? Or coaching?

[Battfist]

kallur wrote:

"Still, all eyes will be on Tavares, the goal scorer with the potential to develop into an NHL superstar. It's an opportunity any coach would welcome, but it is accompanied by a huge management responsibility to maximize Tavares' talents." For once Logan hits the nail on the head. This really is the question. Again: think Detroit. So many on their roster were late-round picks. Is Detroit really that good a judge of talent, or is it their system/coaching? Why don't the Isles have a highly-regarded farm system? Drafting? Or coaching?

Because Mad Mike vaporized the farm system. We actually have prospects again...
Dnt worry-everybody will know who Scott Gordon is after this season.

[TheMetalChick]

Rookie camp is not FOR us, it is for the team. Id rather Gordon be working with them all rather than having them all talking to all of us every day- which is what would happen. Dont think about what you would like for yourself, think about what is best for the TEAM.

[BBB13]

Too bad Petrov isn't there. He still is young so another year in Russia won't hurt, and he did say he wants to play in the NHL. Hopefully that happens with the Islanders.

[Colin Citra-Florida]

nyles1 wrote:

Islanders no longer the fan friendly team they used to be.Practice closed to the public!! That's never happened before!!! Don't alienaite your fans just because you have 1 player now!! Terrible move by the Islanders PR people here.You WANT the fans there!! You want the BUZZ!! Another stupid move by this organization.1 step foward and 2 steps back!!

These kids need to get together without the public eyeballing them the first day.With the way NY fans are ,I can see the headlines now"Tavares misses the net on his first shot as an Islander".He really sucks."We've waited this long ,I think a few more days or weeks will not kill us.Let Gordon do his thing with them.I can't wait for the season to start.

[4 cups]

Shame on them.It was always open for free.I don't care if Tavares or Joe Blow is there.Should be open.Isles dropped the ball

[puckhead]

he aint becoming the star people think he is going to be. hate to break it to ya islander fans.

[PISSPOORANGRS]

This team is further along in the rebuilding process then people know. They sured up the goaltending situation. They fired the trainer(most men lost to injury last year) They are healthy, added Tavares, and lost more 1 goal games last year then any other team. Adding Tanguay and Zheerdev would absolutely put this team in the playoffs!

[one for the thumb]

Anyway you look at this team it's a last place club.Still 2 or 3 decent NHL caliber players away from being a playoff team.And yes,they should let the fans in everyday for rookie camp.

[FCT]

nyles1 wrote:

Islanders no longer the fan friendly team they used to be.Practice closed to the public!! That's never happened before!!! Don't alienaite your fans just because you have 1 player now!! Terrible move by the Islanders PR people here.You WANT the fans there!! You want the BUZZ!! Another stupid move by this organization.1 step foward and 2 steps back!!

Not all practices and camps are open to the public.. this is a good move..