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Change is needed

December 18, 2013, 11:03 AM ET [676 Comments]
Dan Petriw
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Last night the New York Islanders were on their way to playing their best game of the season. The defense was good, the goaltending sharp and the forwards were creating chances and playing responsible in their own end. There were 53 minutes of solid hockey against a very gifted team. And then the Islanders continued to amaze us all. Frans Nielsen made the worst play I have ever seen make in his time in Long Island leading to the first goal and the entire team on the ice broke down on the game tying goal with only 3 seconds left. What started as a promising night ended with a shootout loss to the Lightning by a score of 3-2.

When will this end? What did the fans of such a loyal and passionate fan base do to deserve this fate? This team is embarrassing and their mental breakdowns are beyond alarming. Honestly I’m at a loss for words. There are no easy answers or quick fixes because nobody in the organization is held accountable.

For the record I have reached out to the Islanders' media department for access to this team. I want to ask many difficult questions about the future of this hockey club. However my requests continue to go ignored so my opinion has been built off this culture of silence.

Islanders’ owner Charles Wang says he loves this team and loves Long Island. However during this disaster of the season we have heard not a peep from him. Islanders General Manager Garth Snow assembled this motley crew and we have heard nothing from him. The coaching staff is left on an island to talk to the media and they tell you the same song and dance after every loss. However there is no sign of any accountability. If Wang is ok with this team then in my opinion he needs to sell the Islanders and sell them now. How can you ask anyone in this economy to spend hard earned money to see this product? The Islanders ticket prices are the 11th most expensive in the league and their payroll is 28th.

The way this team is being run is a slap in the face to the fans that deserve to see results. The Islanders’ coaching staff is made up of great people but it is clearly not working and a change in system, philosophy and work ethic is needed right now. This entire staff in my opinion needs to be let go. However the lion share of the blame has to go to General Manager Garth Snow. He assembled this team and it has blown up in his face. Snow also needs to be relieved of his duties as he has failed this miserably this season. The roster also needs a major overhaul. As I look at it currently, the Islanders need to change about half of the roster moving forward.

These are changes that would happen at any other successful organization or business. However right now losing is status quo on the Island and apparently that is acceptable for Islander brass. Why should we expect any change? We all know that change is necessary but what has the top brass done to show that they care about this team? Nothing has been done; and until there is action I will continue to call out the parties responsible. I know I have zero clout in this industry but someone has to speak for the fans. When I went to game three of last year’s playoff series against the Penguins I felt an energy that radiated from the parking lot into the building and through the team itself. I know what this fan base is capable of and how much they want to win. I just wish the people that are in charge would show that they care as much as each and every one of you.
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