he then kept Milbury on ten years too long hired then fired a legit Stanley Cup winning GM and hired his back up goaltender?
- Cptmjl

I'll still say that Neil Smith SUCKED. He had one cup season which was a gimme year IMO. Other than that, he had the largest payroll in NHL history with minimal results to say the least. The only thing we have to show for his short tenure here is Kyle Okposo....

...despite my doom and gloom posts today, I'll say I'm actually still somewhat optimistic for this season. As long as the players on the ice believe there's a chance and play like it, anything can happen.
- UIF

This is very true. The problem is the "attitude" this whole orginization has. It's certainly not a winning attitude.

- Cptmjl

But that's my point. We had little to no choice to build through the draft completely. So when asking why this is taking so long, perhaps it's because we're dealing with half the resources of other teams. It won't be that way much longer. 2015 is very close....

I'll still say that Neil Smith SUCKED. He had one cup season which was a gimme year IMO. Other than that, he had the largest payroll in NHL history with minimal results to say the least. The only thing we have to show for his short tenure here is Kyle Okposo....
- keaner17

That's all it takes to be considered a good GM in my book. If it's between Snow or Smith you'd go with Snow? I would say that's not a smart choice.

But that's my point. We had little to no choice to build through the draft completely. So when asking why this is taking so long, perhaps it's because we're dealing with half the resources of other teams. It won't be that way much longer. 2015 is very close....
- keaner17

A part of that has to do with having someone who is not capable of signing FA's. You Snow birds have to accept that. The guy gets zero respect, you think maybe that has something to do with his inexperience? It's not all Wangs fault.

It's a joke. Watch another team play pretty much pick ONE out of 25 maybe and you realize just how far we are from being contenders. It's like comparing juniors to the NHL.
- Cptmjl

Like I say, throw in a top line forward, add a more mature and determined Nino. Then add a top dman and mix in one other prospect. We instantly go from being a team with major holes, to a team that's ready to compete. The transformation is slow, but we're just now reaching a point where this team should begin to mature and can dramtically transform with a couple of additions. One playoff appearance would be like a quantam leap for this teams culture and attitude.

That's all it takes to be considered a good GM in my book. If it's between Snow or Smith you'd go with Snow? I would say that's not a smart choice.
- Cptmjl

If I were hiring at the time I wouldn't have touched either one of them. It's funny how during the late 1990's I remember ragging on Ranger fans because KNEEL SMITH couldn't buy a cup or even a playoff appearance. Then he works for a few weeks with the Isles and leaves...suddenly he's the second coming of Bill Torrey.

Like I say, throw in a top line forward, add a more mature and determined Nino. Then add a top dman and mix in one other prospect. We instantly go from being a team with major holes, to a team that's ready to compete. The transformation is slow, but we're just now reaching a point where this team should begin to mature and can dramtically transform with a couple of additions. One playoff appearance would be like a quantam leap for this teams culture and attitude.
- keaner17

This is alot to ask for. I have yet to see anything that closely resembles this happening? You are also factoring in alot of "ifs". On top of this we could've said the exact same thing for the last three years. One of you guys say we are going to be ready to compete possibly in the next year or two? Are you kidding me? Why would anyone think that?

If I were hiring at the time I wouldn't have touched either one of them. It's funny how during the late 1990's I remember ragging on Ranger fans because KNEEL SMITH couldn't buy a cup or even a playoff appearance. Then he works for a few weeks with the Isles and leaves...suddenly he's the second coming of Bill Torrey.
- keaner17

Say what you will. I'll take success over a lack there of any day. Especially when it comes to hockey and building a contender. That team dominated. There was nothing worse then watching the broom come in that year

urgh

I'll still say that Neil Smith SUCKED. He had one cup season which was a gimme year IMO. Other than that, he had the largest payroll in NHL history with minimal results to say the least. The only thing we have to show for his short tenure here is Kyle Okposo....
- keaner17

if Smith sucked he wouldn't have got axed. He's a smart guy and wouldn't take Wang's poop and that's what got him fired.

A part of that has to do with having someone who is not capable of signing FA's. You Snow birds have to accept that. The guy gets zero respect, you think maybe that has something to do with his inexperience? It's not all Wangs fault.
- Cptmjl

I think we're kidding ourselves if we pretend to act like we know how Snow deals with free agents. I've yet to see a single agent or player say anything negative about how Snow has approached UFA's. What I do know is that if I were a free agent, I'd choose to go elsewhere because they play in a cess pool and the tax structure is like financial rape. Do I really want to take a $4 million contract that will get taxed over 60% in NY? Or would I rather get taxed nearly half that in another state with a fresh new arena? It's a simple choice from a life perspective.
As for 'Snowbirds". I'm not a blind supporter nor am I a hate-filled screamer of the rooftops. Maybe that's what will bother some since everyone seems so polarized on these topics. If anything, I only feel compelled to respond to the 'way over the top' comments that act as though Snow is Mr. Magoo and Wang doesn't care. Then the next minute, Wang is some shrewd business man looking to squeeze pennies out of families.

if Smith sucked he wouldn't have got axed. He's a smart guy and wouldn't take Wang's poop and that's what got him fired.
- Mr.Black

Good point, Wang is not a winner. At least with his hockey club. These New England guys all over the bench and management. It's like a white trash southie family. Whose fault is that? Wang's? Does Wang have a soft spot for southies?

Dead on. Like I've been saying for a while now, Islander fans have lowered their expectations so far down that its comical.
- Vukota

Its ridiculous. Were at a point where we yearn for the GM just to sign a mediocre NHL level top six forward and if he does, were ready to throw a parade. The s**t that has been going on the past six years would never be tolerated in a winning organization. Even a team like Phoenix, with all the venue and arena issues they've had, can still ice a competitive team and be respectable.

i cant fault garth for taking the job, therefore i give him credit for doing the best he can with the limited resources available to him; AND the fact that its acknowledged that he was thrown into the deepend with a raft should buy him some more time and dare i say, sympathy? if i were to blame someone, it would be wang...i dont think anyone points to anyone but charles for that decision.
- LetsGoIsles

Can't blame Snow for anything. I don't think he could realistically be expected to build a winner with absolutely no GM or front office experience, an owner who makes bad decisions like the RDP contract, and the arena and venue situation he has dealt with. Snow was in way over his head from day one. Sad thing is, its probably around now that Snow has obtained enough experience to be considered a true GM candidate. Yet he's been on the job as one for the past six years.

The problem is Wang. Wang should have had the common sense to know that he needed an experienced GM to fix the mess that Milbury left behind after Wang stuck with Milbury for as long as he did.

I think we're kidding ourselves if we pretend to act like we know how Snow deals with free agents. I've yet to see a single agent or player say anything negative about how Snow has approached UFA's. What I do know is that if I were a free agent, I'd choose to go elsewhere because they play in a cess pool and the tax structure is like financial rape. Do I really want to take a $4 million contract that will get taxed over 60% in NY? Or would I rather get taxed nearly half that in another state with a fresh new arena? It's a simple choice from a life perspective.
As for 'Snowbirds". I'm not a blind supporter nor am I a hate-filled screamer of the rooftops. Maybe that's what will bother some since everyone seems so polarized on these topics. If anything, I only feel compelled to respond to the 'way over the top' comments that act as though Snow is Mr. Magoo and Wang doesn't care. Then the next minute, Wang is some shrewd business man looking to squeeze pennies out of families.
- keaner17

At the fear of going political with this convo... First off bringing up taxes in NY is a little ridiculous. Our country as a whole is getting a$$ raped right now. How many players in Buffalo or Manhattan thought twice about going there because of taxes? Does a player have to "say" anything negative about how Snow "approached them"? Them not signing here speaks volumes. I'll give Snow credit for adding more prospects to our farm. I can't even give him credit for drafting because quite frankly I'm not overly impressed with his drafting. I have a hard time understanding why someone would say he's done a great job drafting? How so? We've drafted in the top five for 5 years. Really think about that. These results look good to you?

Its ridiculous. Were at a point where we yearn for the GM just to sign a mediocre NHL level top six forward and if he does, were ready to throw a parade. The s**t that has been going on the past six years would never be tolerated in a winning organization. Even a team like Phoenix, with all the venue and arena issues they've had, can still ice a competitive team and be respectable.
- Jethro09

People lose touch with this. That is the root of the problem. The Islanders don't WANT to win.

I'll still say that Neil Smith SUCKED. He had one cup season which was a gimme year IMO. Other than that, he had the largest payroll in NHL history with minimal results to say the least. The only thing we have to show for his short tenure here is Kyle Okposo....
- keaner17

So Smith actually set us back even further? Thanks a lot, Neil...

Can't blame Snow for anything. I don't think he could realistically be expected to build a winner with absolutely no GM or front office experience, an owner who makes bad decisions like the RDP contract, and the arena and venue situation he has dealt with. Snow was in way over his head from day one. Sad thing is, its probably around now that Snow has obtained enough experience to be considered a true GM candidate. Yet he's been on the job as one for the past six years.

The problem is Wang. Wang should have had the common sense to know that he needed an experienced GM to fix the mess that Milbury left behind after Wang stuck with Milbury for as long as he did.
- Jethro09

This. Give Snow an assistant job if you have such a boner for him. Let him learn than succeed. That's what a good buisness does.

if Smith sucked he wouldn't have got axed. He's a smart guy and wouldn't take Wang's poop and that's what got him fired.
- Mr.Black

In fairness, I don't see any other teams beating Smith's door down to interview him or hear that his phone is ringing off the hook with job offers since he left the Isles. There's probably a reason for that...

So Smith actually set us back even further?
- Jethro09

if Smith sucked he wouldn't have got axed. He's a smart guy and wouldn't take Wang's poop and that's what got him fired.
- Mr.Black

I'm basing my opinion on Smith based on his complete and utter failure after the 1994 cup. As for what happened with the Isles after that....it depends on what party you listen to which is what makes this debate impossible to reach a fair conclussion. Smith was told prior to his taking the job that the Isles would be using a 'Business style' committee approach. He accepted the position and then decided very shortly afterwards that he couldn't work within the confines of that committee. At that point, you can blame Wang for his oddball approach, or you can blame Smith for accepting terms that he couldn't live with.

In fairness, I don't see any other teams beating Smith's door down to interview him or hear that his phone is ringing off the hook with job offers since he left the Isles. There's probably a reason for that...
- Jethro09

There may be or there may not be. For all we know he was offered other jobs. I'd take him back now without hesitation.

I'm basing my opinion on Smith based on his complete and utter failure after the 1994 cup. As for what happened with the Isles after that....it depends on what party you listen to which is what makes this debate impossible to reach a fair conclussion. Smith was told prior to his taking the job that the Isles would be using a 'Business style' committee approach. He accepted the position and then decided very shortly afterwards that he couldn't work within the confines of that committee. At that point, you can blame Wang for his oddball approach, or you can blame Smith for accepting terms that he couldn't live with.
- keaner17

Like you man but stopped reading after this.

There may be or there may not be. For all we know he was offered other jobs. I'd take him back now without hesitation.
- Cptmjl

Maybe so, but I can think of other people that I'd rather hire than Neil Smith.