One of the most frequent comments and scenarios brought up to me recently is how the NY Islanders would have been able to get Bobby Ryan if only Garth Snow had held onto Nino Niederriter. There is nothing more further from the truth. In fact, it is shear fantasy
First of all, the Islanders had a standing offer last year with Anaheim for Bobby Ryan. If you think that Nino was not offered to the Ducks, you are being silly and obtuse. Of course he was.
And while rumors of Bernier seemed to blow up simply because Garth was trying to get an assessment on price, there was chasing the goalie by media and fans... But suffice to say, not the team. Nino, per sources, would be traded for a proven commodity, not some question mark.
So when a trade for Clutterbuck finalized on the NHL draft floor, it was something they had wanted and put Nino for. It was the best deal they could get for the player.
But, Nino had value, after all he was a 1st round pick! - says fans.
What increases and decreases value is NHL viability. It means when Nino struggled in NHL that year, his value plummeted. Yes, I agree, it is the Islanders fault for placing and keeping him there, but value decreased nevertheless.
Value got further affected by the players and agent's antics last season, while in comparison, Silverberg who was coveted by the Ducks, showed more potential in being a goal scorer in his brief NHL stint. Doesn't matter he was selected in the 3rd round. Means nothing beyond the draft to GMs who are concerned about one thing: who will they be in NHL.
Just ask Garth Snow and 2nd rounder Travis Hamonic.
Speaking of 3rd rounder, there was also one given by Minnesota for Nino that they used for goalie Eamon McAdams. To truly evaluate the trade down the line, it won't only be about Nino's development but also the team effect Clutterbuck has in the playoffs, and McAdams career as well.
Oh by the way, if one recalls all the fans shouting for Filatov and then Schenn as the Islanders moved back twice in 2008, one byproduct of that effort, besides their 2nd line wing Josh Bailey, was the draft pick that the Islanders used to select Hamonic,
The moral to this story is: don't always be too sure of your opinon, fellow fans. So when shouting about how Garth should have gotten a player or didn't try... be assured... far more to all this.
Hey... What if he got Bobby Ryan for Strome, a 1st and lets say instead of Brock Nelson, Garth did some magic and gave him Scott Mayfield instead....
Ok, then let us flash forward one year later when Bobby Ryan is a free agent, and more interested in playing in home town Philly than Brooklyn. Imagine the fan outrage and reaction of Garth who gave all the fans the immediate gratification of a body for prospects only to lose all of them?
People seem to forget Bobby Ryan is not someone who is signed longterm. One year and he can go where-ever he wants. Ottawa paid a premium for potential one year rental.
Premiums are something the Islanders who are still a few developed prospects away from being a cup contender simply CANNOT pay.◉
NY ISLANDERS REPORT
