Now It's Official - We're # 30!

***Note: Don't forget the press Conference tomorrow @ 11 am!


By the middle of the season, that's what we wanted. Last night, that's what we got. It's an undisputed fact, the NY Islanders had the WORST record for the 2008- 2009 season. Chalk it up to injury, chalk it up to rebuilding, chalk it up to anything you want. We wanted it, we got it.

However, after the rain comes the rainbow and the pot of gold at the other side will be that #1 or #2 Draft pick. That's our prize at the bottom of a losing season. The current roster doesn't get a prize, as noted by Brendan Witt's comments to Greg Logan.

They play to win. When they can't, it's a disappointment to them. With so many questions swirling around the Islanders organization, it must be very hard for them to stay focused and work their best. Hockey is an uncertain business. Islanders Hockey is beyond uncertain.

On Tuesday 4/14/09 we will know if Garth Snow gets up to the podium first or not on that fateful night in June. The League has requested that the GMs of each of the five lowest ranking teams be present in the studio for the live drawing. I can't imagine this is some place that Mr. Snow wants to be.

Not only does Garth HATE TV cameras, he hates losing. Having a team with the worst record for the year can't be sitting well with him. To have to be on camera in front of the entire hockey universe to say, "Yes. Every team in the entire league walked away with more points than we did." is not something he will do willingly.

Note to Seth Sylvan: Call him "in sick" to the Commissioner and send our Ambassador Mike Bossy. Especially if Mr. Snow is set to surprise us once again.

For weeks I have been telling fellow fans to prepare for anything. "Don't be upset if Garth does something unconventional with that high 1st rounder. Just have faith."

I take it I'm not the only one who has that feeling. This morning on IslandersPointBlank, I found this quote:

"Please spare us the brilliant tactic of patiently surveying if a team will over-pay for the No. 1 while you grab Hedman or Duchene and a few extra picks. Really."

While the administrator of PB certainly knows Garth Snow better than I do, I don't know if I would have worded it that way. However, I know that Mr. Snow will not make this decision lightly and will make the choice he feels is in the absolute best interest of the Islanders organization. This I am positive of. Whether I agree with the decision or not.

We have two games to close out the season and then we look to the future. We have the Sound Tigers heading into playoff games. We have our own Coach assisting Team USA on the world stage. We have the draft and rookie camp and player signings at the Islanders Team stores to look forward to. We have a new season to look forward to and a few bright spots to look back on. Think of all the NHL firsts the youngsters on this Islanders squad will have to remember.

We're #30. There's no place to go but up.