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Playing Armchair GM vs. Actually Being One

July 5, 2012, 11:08 PM ET [451 Comments]
Dee Karl
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Playing Armchair GM vs. Being a Real One

So another day has passed and the Islanders have not made any new announcements regarding new signings while other teams are going “wild.” Like really WILD. The fact that other teams are now throwing stupid money around along with extended contracts is causing a ripple in the Islanders’ fan base.

So while teams attempt to make themselves better than last season, so do the Islanders. How many of you out there have gone through the list of Free Agents and tried to figure out the best possible scenario? How many of you believe YOU know exactly what the Islanders need to make themselves better?

Now, how many of you believe YOU could get EXACTLY what you wanted for the right price? Think about it. I did.

With the big names off the list, I tried to look at who was available and who may be coming up. I then started asking around to see if any of my theories would work. “How about this one? How about that one?“ Each having their good points and their bad points. I wasn’t even looking at money as by now all the big pay days are done. But after going over the notes and possibilities I realized something pretty important.

“Geeze, this job SUCKS!”

It’s nothing but possibilities and probabilities and maybes. There are no tangibles. Great players can turn to dogs and no-name 185th picks can turn into heroes. How do you chose?? Then throw in the Islanders worst enemy: Nassau County and what you have is a job that is nearly impossible.

The Islanders were never in the Zach Parise or Ryan Suter sweepstakes. To be honest the Islanders probably did the best they could just getting Boyes and Carkner considering the competition and what they have to offer over the Isles.

No, being the General Manager of an NHL Hockey team is a tough and mostly thankless job. Now add the baggage that is the Islanders and it’s almost impossible. As BD Gallof put it to me today , between “fans who want isles to spend vs prospects/kids developing vs. CBA/arena - it’s kind of a Bermuda triangle.”

But, as Garth Snow told the Season Ticket Holders a few weeks ago, and what he has reiterated, he will do everything he can to improve the team and at this point, that will probably come via trade.

Good News Department: Matt Martin, and none of the other Isles, have filed for salary arbitration. Yeah! That always has the potential to get ugly.

Other News Department: I don’t think the Isles are interested in Kostitsyn at this point. Bruno Gervais has a new contract -- with the Flyers.








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