The dust of Canada Day has settled and the normal business of the NHL 'off-season' is kicking in. Unlike other FA days, yesterday did not fizzle. There was plenty of movement with the exception of four teams.
NHL on TSN @NHLonTSN · 21h
4 teams have not made a signing today: Boston, Columbus, Detroit and Nashville. #TSN #FAF
Truthfully, I was a little surprised. But Free Agency isn't just a day, it is all the way up to opening day, so there is plenty of time, but the pickin's sure do get slim.
The Islanders added three players beginning with Chad Johnson to fill the back-up goalie position. (Nabokov signed a one-year deal with Tampa.) Defenseman T.J. Brennan and Forward Cory Conacher. They also made three depth signings and called it a day.
As the bigger names were picked up by other teams, the ranting began. "Why didn't Garth go after (fill in big name free agent here.)"
Seeing that this was the case, and taking some heat himself yesterday, lone Islanders' beat writer Art Staple began getting quotes from agents and players to show just exactly how aggressive Garth Snow and company were in Free Agency this year. But the players chose to take contracts elsewhere, and some for less money.
So... Why not us?
Go ahead and bash Charles Wang all you want for past dealings, but this time you cannot say that he didn't open his wallet. He did. Certainly Charles is still not one to overpay, and Garth is not one to be taken advantage of, but they were in the running and giving it their best shot each time.
Is it the building?
I can't believe that since there is only one more year in Nassau and then it's off the that rusty, bread basket in Brooklyn. Also, when the building is full and rockin', no one says anything negative about it.
Is it the fans?
While there are some detractors who complain that it is all our fault (and I have to laugh about that), the Isles fans are always characterized as passionate and loyal (to a fault.) We're AWESOME!
Is it the media?
Um. No. Compared to other cities, players here have a cakewalk in postgame. There isn't the crush of media every time a player sneezes here. As a matter of fact, the Islanders have the benefit of being almost totally ignored.... Until they do something out of the ordinary.
So what is it?
LOSING! It's losing that makes perfectly good, reasonably priced free agents look for other contracts to come along. For decades we have heard "Winning cures everything." Well HELL YEAH!! Had the Isles actually won a playoff round or two (meaning actually getting into the playoffs) Thomas Vanek may not have taken that home town discount to play in Minnesota. He would have thought twice knowing the success he had playing with JT.
This season there can be no losing. There is no time left. There are no excuses. It's win or die trying. There can be no extended slump this season. There can be no record-breaking games lost stretch. They have to win or make drastic changes immediately.
If that is firing coach Capuano as quickly as they fired Scott Gordon, then do it. If that is benching John Tavares or Kyle Okposo, then do it. Do anything. Say anything. Beg, borrow or steal -- but WIN. Cheat if you have to!
Every player who ends up on the Islanders roster this season has to know this. They must look themselves in the mirror every day from the first day of training camp until the last buzzer sounds at the Coliseum and say "I will give 110% and every ounce of willpower I have."
The fans deserve it.
John Tavares deserves it.
Paul Cartier, the Isles organist for life, deserves it.
Other pieces will be added before training camp begins, and certainly there will even be a vet or two asked to come out for a try-out and to fill out the roster for pre-season exhibition games. These pieces must fit. They must be the best available.
There will be no acceptance of mediocrity this season. None.
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»