Isles' GM Snow ecstatic to be in driver's seat

Monday, 06.08.2009 / 11:39 AM / 2009 NHL Entry Draft

By Brett Topel - New York Islanders

With the first pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders select …

Islanders fans know they are going to hear that much on June 26th at about 7:15 pm. It is what follows those words that has been causing a stir since April 14th—when the Isles won the lottery and earned the No. 1 overall pick.

But there is one thing fans should understand — Islanders General Manager Garth Snow is well aware that this is not just another Draft.

"We know it is a huge moment for this organization and we're looking forward to it to," Snow said. "We were fortunate enough to win the lottery and I am ecstatic that we are in the driver's seat."

One thing the Islanders have maintained is that whoever they select with the top pick, the team is going to get a great player. Snow feels that it would simply be unfair and—in many ways—neglectful not to examine all of the possibilities.

The five players who have been singled out by NHL Central Scouting as the Top 5 in this year's Draft are Matt Duchene, Victor Hedman, Evander Kane, Brayden Schenn and John Tavares.

"All of these players have been scouted by us not for days, weeks, or months, but for years," Snow said. "A lot goes into it and I need to be fair to my staff and be fair to the process we established three years ago when I got this position."

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