There are so many reasons for this putrid "rebuild". The Owner is a fool and put a novice in the GM chair to head up a total organizational rebuild, while giving him no budget to work with. The GM has absolutely no creativity. Can't convince a single veteran player to sign on with the team. Can't make one creative trade to address a need. All this rebuild consists of is Snow making his draft choices, rushing his top prospects and filling the rest of the roster with trash from the waiver wire.

The real concern is the "prospects". Look back to 2008. Besides Hamonic, who else has a high ceiling? Maybe Poulin? Everyone else taken in that draft is either a bust or a depth player. 09? JT and what else? de Haan is a bust. Can't stay healthy. I mean, after all these picks over the past five summers, if you look at the system, the only high ceiling guys we have are Strome, Nino and maybe Reinhart and Poulin. And the only high ceiling guys on the roster are JT and Hamonic. That's six guys. Disgraceful.
- Jethro09

No question Snow has to take a big hit as well. If these kids do not work out another owner will say what did you do with all the lottery picks you had? It's too easy to put everything on Wang. Snow has to find a way even with a small payroll. It's been done before. If Snow cannot make a single move without Wang then he needs to tell Wang I cannot work under these conditions and move on.

Here comes all the Ranger Love fest from Islander fans.

Let me clue you in on something... The Rangers are not going to win the cup. They are not that good. They are not that deep. They have a mediocre defense at best. Their PP is still terrible b/c they have no point man. They win when Lundquist stands on his head... period. Last years run in the playoffs they were arguably outplayed in every single playoff series and Henrik got them to the next round. Until they ran into another really good goalie.. and then got bounced.

The best teams in the NHL are.... in order... In my opinion .. you will notice the Rags are not in the top 10. Isles still stink... I get it... stop with the Ranger love fest.

1. Boston
2. Kings
3. Blackhawks
4. Pens
5. Ducks
6. Devils
7. Blues
8. Wild
9. Sens
10. Sharks...
- niteislander

You can order the teams however you'd like, but if you take the Isles orange/blue goggles off, one can clearly see that the Rangers are a far better team and far better run organization than the Isles are. Lets not forget, the Rangers were putrid before the last lockout. Seven years of no playoffs. The 04-05 season is lost and the Rangers have built a contender in the time since. The Isles? They've had one playoff season and about seven bottom five finishes since the 04-05 lockout. JT Miller pumps in two goals last night. KO is still tripping over every blue line he crosses and brings nothing to the table. I hate the Rangers, but I can't deny that they are a far better team and far better run organization than the Isles are.

Yep time to move Streit and bring in Donovan and maybe it's time to see Nino and Nelson. Snow needs a bold move after the team did not show up against the Rangers. Wang will sell this team sometime soon most likely and Snow is the one who will be looking for a job. Snow needs to find a way to show something soon for his own career.
- ses111

nelson needs more time..the broken jaw derailed him..he is just getting back into form....to someone else's point i wouldn't be looking to move ullstrom or cizikas...okposo bailey striet..those are the guys who need to get flipped

Bringing in Thomas shows how cheap Wang is.

I understand this move from Snow's position. He has to prevent the team from going under the cap and getting fined.

The next month or so will be a very telling time around this Islanders team.

Snow will have to make moves.

I hope Wang sells the team next year when they move to Brooklyn.

I'm glad he found them a new home... but he needs to move on!!!
- jimmc7722

I understand the argument that the Thomas move allows Snow "flexibility" to move out some vets, but if anyone thinks that's going to lead to a quality player coming here in a trade, well, let's just say I'll believe it when I see it. If they were shopping for quality, you'd expect salary to come back this way.

The far more likely scenario, given this team's M.O. recently (shopping for higher cap hits and lower salaries, using bonuses to get to the floor under the old CBA), is that this move allows Wang to ship out salary he actually has to pay with the goal of taking back very little or more likely no salary in return. I'd guess a couple of second-round picks or some minor leaguers come back in any trade. Less money out of Wang's pocket, same cap hit. I'll retract this entire post and apologize here to Charles Wang if an actual hockey move is made because of this trade that helps the team now...an actual move that brings in help for the NHL roster.

nelson needs more time..the broken jaw derailed him..he is just getting back into form....to someone else's point i wouldn't be looking to move ullstrom or cizikas...okposo bailey striet..those are the guys who need to get flipped
- NYI78

I'm ok with Nelson needing more time. I'd rather not move Ullstrom or Cizikas. Without seeing the return though you cannot rule out moving them. I'd like to see if Bailey has progressed at all before moving him but KO and Striet could go now.

You can order the teams however you'd like, but if you take the Isles orange/blue goggles off, one can clearly see that the Rangers are a far better team and far better run organization than the Isles are. Lets not forget, the Rangers were putrid before the last lockout. Seven years of no playoffs. The 04-05 season is lost and the Rangers have built a contender in the time since. The Isles? They've had one playoff season and about seven bottom five finishes since the 04-05 lockout. JT Miller pumps in two goals last night. KO is still tripping over every blue line he crosses and brings nothing to the table. I hate the Rangers, but I can't deny that they are a far better team and far better run organization than the Isles are.
- Jethro09

No question the Rangers are a far better run organization and even if they were not it does not make the Isles problems go away. It does not matter what the other teams do the Isles and how they are run is the huge problem. It burned me seeing JT Miller do this to the Isles when the Isles have had all these lottery picks.

I understand the argument that the Thomas move allows Snow "flexibility" to move out some vets, but if anyone thinks that's going to lead to a quality player coming here in a trade, well, let's just say I'll believe it when I see it. If they were shopping for quality, you'd expect salary to come back this way.

The far more likely scenario, given this team's M.O. recently (shopping for higher cap hits and lower salaries, using bonuses to get to the floor under the old CBA), is that this move allows Wang to ship out salary he actually has to pay with the goal of taking back very little or more likely no salary in return. I'd guess a couple of second-round picks or some minor leaguers come back in any trade. Less money out of Wang's pocket, same cap hit. I'll retract this entire post and apologize here to Charles Wang if an actual hockey move is made because of this trade that helps the team now...an actual move that brings in help for the NHL roster.
- UIF

That's what upsets me about the signing.

I want to add to the payroll not subtract.

I think guys like KO, Bailey, Nabby, and possibly Streit will be on the block. Maybe Vis depending on his play.

Streit, Vis, Nabby will only bring you back draft picks @ the deadline.

KO, Bailey can bring something worthwhile back in trade.

I just find it sad that Snow has to protect the team from going under the cap.

Wang should give him the green light to spend the extra 5 million.

Wang is a cheap bastard!!!

That's what upsets me about the signing.

I want to add to the payroll not subtract.

I think guys like KO, Bailey, Nabby, and possibly Streit will be on the block. Maybe Vis depending on his play.

Streit, Vis, Nabby will only bring you back draft picks @ the deadline.

KO, Bailey can bring something worthwhile back in trade.

I just find it sad that Snow has to protect the team from going under the cap.

Wang should give him the green light to spend the extra 5 million.

Wang is a cheap bastard!!!
- jimmc7722

You figure if Wang really wants to sell the team does it not make sense to have a better team? Even if he wants to keep them you are moving to Brooklyn maybe as early as next year why not start now with putting on a winner?

Well of course you don't, it doesn't help your argument that you created. Any GM in the league or person with common sense would chose a younger player with a 11 point differential in the black on the + - but I'm an idiot.
- Cptmjl

nope...it helps my argument....since 2009, boyes is a +16, pap is -18

I'm ok with Nelson needing more time. I'd rather not move Ullstrom or Cizikas. Without seeing the return though you cannot rule out moving them. I'd like to see if Bailey has progressed at all before moving him but KO and Striet could go now.
- ses111

The probelm with KO is that even though some teams feel KO has potential, they know currently he is a struggling mess on the Island, therefore, they will not give quality for him. He could be a nice piece in a package for someone like Winnipeg, LA, or Chicago but if every team has the upper hand in what they will offer because of how KO has played.
Reasoner would fetch a 5th rounder prob. Streit is prob a 2nd and I don't think Viz gets them anything higher then a 3rd. Again, no one is going to give the Islanders quality NHL ready depth for Streit at 37 or for Vis, who everyone knows the Isles are having issues with.
My guess, moving Nino or Bailey is the only option to land something NHL ready now. And that is not Snow's M.O. to trade someone while their stock is high. (See Blake Comeau)

The probelm with KO is that even though some teams feel KO has potential, they know currently he is a struggling mess on the Island, therefore, they will not give quality for him. He could be a nice piece in a package for someone like Winnipeg, LA, or Chicago but if every team has the upper hand in what they will offer because of how KO has played.
Reasoner would fetch a 5th rounder prob. Streit is prob a 2nd and I don't think Viz gets them anything higher then a 3rd. Again, no one is going to give the Islanders quality NHL ready depth for Streit at 37 or for Vis, who everyone knows the Isles are having issues with.
My guess, moving Nino or Bailey is the only option to land something NHL ready now. And that is not Snow's M.O. to trade someone while their stock is high. (See Blake Comeau)
- brodydog29

No question Isles are not going to get a lot back unless they want to move a guy like Nino. I'm not sure how much even Bailey would get back. All I know is something needs to be done and not some minor move especially after last night. Snow cannot let another season just slip away.

You figure if Wang really wants to sell the team does it not make sense to have a better team? Even if he wants to keep them you are moving to Brooklyn maybe as early as next year why not start now with putting on a winner?
- ses111

It seems like he know he will be selling already and is trying to keep his losses to a minimum this year.

It just send a bad message to everybody out there.

He can't own this team going forward... they will never amount to anything with him not spending money!!!

Sooner or later... you have to spend the money to bring in the right players to compliment the guys that are already in the system.

No question Isles are not going to get a lot back unless they want to move a guy like Nino. I'm not sure how much even Bailey would get back. All I know is something needs to be done and not some minor move especially after last night. Snow cannot let another season just slip away.
- ses111

I agree 100%. My opinion is Wang treats this like a Mom and Pop company though and not like a sports franchise. He cuts corners, tries to save a buck and is too loyal to those who don't always benefit the franchise.

If all the usual whining suspects on here paid attention to what this actually means, you would probably be thrilled because it is pretty indicative of Snow planning to make a significant trade at some point this year.
- eichiefs9

heyyyyyy!!!! we try not to think that far in advance. we live and die by short-sighted, knee jerk reaction.

I'm so f*cking sick of the f*ckin team sucking year after f*cking year. I was mortified watching that game last night. I was actually embarrassed for the sweater. I was embarrassed for all the greats that played when I was a kid wearing that jersey. We're going backwards folks, and there's no reason to think any differently. I know....we have great prospects, and a great young core. I agree, but it's all sh*t without decent veterans. They'll go nowhere wihtout a fundemental change in team philosophy.

It seems like he know he will be selling already and is trying to keep his losses to a minimum this year.

It just send a bad message to everybody out there.

He can't own this team going forward... they will never amount to anything with him not spending money!!!

Sooner or later... you have to spend the money to bring in the right players to compliment the guys that are already in the system.
- jimmc7722

I'm 99.9% sure the Brooklyn people will buy the team. It's just painful having to wait and see the team being run like this.

He sucks.
- eichiefs9

where have you been?! finally, someone who isnt a name whore...

streit must go!!

where have you been?! finally, someone who isnt a name whore...

streit must go!!
- LetsGoIsles

The Streit must go group has been getting larger.

I understand the argument that the Thomas move allows Snow "flexibility" to move out some vets, but if anyone thinks that's going to lead to a quality player coming here in a trade, well, let's just say I'll believe it when I see it. If they were shopping for quality, you'd expect salary to come back this way.

The far more likely scenario, given this team's M.O. recently (shopping for higher cap hits and lower salaries, using bonuses to get to the floor under the old CBA), is that this move allows Wang to ship out salary he actually has to pay with the goal of taking back very little or more likely no salary in return. I'd guess a couple of second-round picks or some minor leaguers come back in any trade. Less money out of Wang's pocket, same cap hit. I'll retract this entire post and apologize here to Charles Wang if an actual hockey move is made because of this trade that helps the team now...an actual move that brings in help for the NHL roster.
- UIF

I think this move was really done with the intent of allowing us to infuse a bit of talent from the only source we actually have, the farm. To me, this signals the likely arrival of Nino to the team soon as well as perhaps a look at a center in the place of Reasoner.

That said, the jig is up, if we've traded for a player like this with the sole intent of making the floor and no additional intention, everyone has every right to trash management from here to the end of it's reign. I hope it's not just another cheap move on the long list to bide time until 2015, and it may very well be but it does open a few doors.

You like the guy I get it X. I want a third line type center to have grit. This guy is not a big scorer so what does he really bring to the team that he is this untouchable guy? This is the problem we cannot trade Frans or trade this guy. What has this team won that we cannot trade a guy like Frans?
- ses111

i agree...i think cizikas is a much better 3rd line center than frans would ever be.

id deal frans, ESPECIALLY if other teams see value in him.

The Streit must go group has been getting larger.
- ses111

I'd love to call myself the founder of that since I've been saying it since early last year, but I think I may have had some company.
I don't see dealing Streit as a sell off move but rather a sell high before the rest of the league realizes what he actually is. The problem is, we're not presently deep enough on defense to lose him even with the addition of Viz. But if Viz can play at a decent level, Streit should become #4 at best.

i agree...i think cizikas is a much better 3rd line center than frans would ever be.

id deal frans, ESPECIALLY if other teams see value in him.
- LetsGoIsles

Yep that is my point. Casey is a better fit on the third and with guys like Strome and Nelson on the way is Frans really a fit? Why not at least see what he can bring back if he has all this value?

I'd love to call myself the founder of that since I've been saying it since early last year, but I think I may have had some company.
I don't see dealing Streit as a sell off move but rather a sell high before the rest of the league realizes what he actually is. The problem is, we're not presently deep enough on defense to lose him even with the addition of Viz. But if Viz can play at a decent level, Streit should become #4 at best.
- keaner17

I think we should trade Streit now before he really goes in the tank and bring in Donovan. This team is not deep enough regardless and it's not just the D.

Idt Garth is the problem

I like amac but he isn't a top mins dman in NHL. It's asking a lot of him. Also Finley is slow and terrible. Hickey deserves more ice time and a look on pp.
- Spartiarti

i agree with everything here...

amac is not that great...id deal him if the return is right.
hickey looked pretty good last night, not sure why anyone was getting on him.
finley had no business being on this team and considering he was on the ice for less than 8 minutes, its clear the team thinks of him as useless as well.

streit blows nuts, and needs to go now before other teams realize this.
same with KO.
the all wussy line of KO, Neilson, Grabner is really tough to watch...
the 3rd line was fun while it lasted but aucoin and mcdonalod are awful...i love ullstrom
the 4th line is equally terrible outside of martin...goes without saying but CC needs to play.


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