John Tavares Sets the Record Straight About Draft

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Some of the biggest stories around the NHL these days that don't involve the words "Stanley" or "Cup" center around the NHL draft, which takes place later this month. The Islanders won the right to the first overall pick at the lottery in April and are now faced with a tough choice. They can take a young stud like John Tavares, Victor Hedman or Matt Duchene, or they can trade the pick. Tavares is predicted to be the best player available and today cleared the air about where he would like to start his NHL career.

Over the last few months many media outlets -- especially in the Toronto area -- have circulated rumors that Tavares would turn down a chance to play with the Islanders and other teams not named the Maple Leafs if they selected him. Things got a bit more heated when Leafs GM Brian Burke declared that he had called the Islanders and would try to do everything he could to draft Tavares, who was born in Mississauga, Ontario just outside of Toronto.

Today, Tavares spoke to Islanders Point Blank and cleared the air about his intentions and emphatically declared that he would play for the Islanders or any other team that selected him.

Once and for all, I want to be clear that it would be a privilege to be drafted by the New York Islanders. Please let everyone know that. I can't believe some of the stuff that's been out there. I like the Canadian media and I'm on the web reading like everyone else, but some it has gotten out of hand.

That was pretty definitive to say the least. Any more questions, class?

The 2009 NHL Entry Draft takes place June 26th and 27th in Montreal. The Islanders, Lightning and Avalanche own the top three picks respectively.