Perhaps garth read this blog. The Isles went a long way to improve their offense by signing Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski to 4 year deals each. This without question, will lead to the Isles trading some forwards to acquire a defenseman.
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The Islanders had a very “Isles” day yesterday as we kicked off the first day of free agency. Like I said before this even started, don’t expect any big names and stay realistic. This off course was all promptly ignored by a rabid Islander fan base that is desperate to see a winner. I completely understand the desperation that this fan base feels especially when on the surface it does not appear that the organization feels the same way. While there were no major splashes in free agency, there is plenty to talk about today.

Let’s look at the positives from yesterday first. The Isles started the day by addressing the backup goalie spot, by signing former Bruin Chad Johnson to a two year deal. He will now be paired up with Jaroslav Halak to give the Isles the best goaltending duo that it has seen in a long time. With all the uncertainty on the roster, the fact that the goaltending was significantly upgraded should not be discounted.

The Islanders also added two Garth Snow “specials” T.J Brennan and Cory Conachar. While both have risk involved, they are both talented players and in my opinion are worth the risk on one year deals. This is assuming that they will be used correctly. If Conachar is being sold as John Tavares’ new winger and Brennan is being touted as a top four dman, by all means storm the Coliseum with pitchforks and torches. The Isles also added some players to a much depleted Bridgeport roster and I expect we will see more signings for the Sound Tigers in the days ahead.

With all this being said, if this is Garth Snow’s final presentation of the 14/15 roster, it is less than inspiring. There are still major holes. Snow must add a top four dman and a top six winger if this team has any hope of sniffing the playoffs. I know that Snow tried to attract Jarome Iginla, Dan Boyle and Thomas Vanek and offered more years and more money. However, the time for trying is over, this is a result oriented league and “trying” simply isn’t good enough.

Regardless of Snow’s “effort” to bring in free agents the stigma of this team remains. Players do not want to play for a losing team when there are other options out there. It is also hard to take this front office serious and players see that. Until this team is sold, moves to Brooklyn or starts winning, we cannot expect to land top flight talent via free agency. It is simply a pipedream.

This is where Islanders’ General Manager Garth Snow has to address the team via trade. This team is under the cap floor and has too many players on one-way deals so, l am assuming that they can acquire talent via trade. With teams like the Blackhawks and Bruins in cap hell there is a real opportunity to improve the team. This has to get done. We all see the holes on this team and at minimum the Islanders MUST add a top four defenseman and a top six winger. To do this, Garth will have to take on some salary. If this team offered Iginla a four year deal then surely it can take on one or two bloated contracts. If that isn't the case than it is just another example of the front office talking out of both sides of its mouth, in my opinion.

I clearly see what has to be done and I know the fanbase sees it as well. For once, I hope this organization realizes what has to be done. Will it kill you Charles Wang and Garth Snow to be 25th in the league in payroll? Can you bring in some salary and get this team into contention this season? The fans deserve to see a competitive team, not a rerun off Bargain Hunters or Extreme Couponing. This management has all offseason to bring in TWO players, TWO. We have heard all the talk before and if you want the media to stop “sh*tting on you,” it is finally time to walk the walk. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter at @dandannoodles78.

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