buy that shovel....
- LetsGoIsles

not until after an 82 game season. What will you do if they go back to there old ways next year?? If they do not then I will be happy as a clam and realize they finally turned that corner

I don't know KEaner going by his smug response and his smirks he was pretty pissed about that question. Like how dare you question my choices?
- kasperrko

exactly!!!

all part of the not-throwing-your-players-under-the-bus show...

OK, fair enough, perhaps I was a little sloppy in my language here.

But moving to a brand spanking new building does not guarantee financial success. That's the point I was trying to make. The Penguins were handed a brand new arena.

The Islanders are merely tenants in a new one.
- Atomic Wedgie

Right, no guarantee but it's not far from it though. We're not talking about the Pittsburgh market, we're talking about the largest financial market in the country/world and it already comes with a built-in fanbase. This on top of a tremendously positive step for the franchise with one of the leagues fastest rising stars. This team will be a marketing darling if they are able to build on last year...

Xxkeaner17xX

not until after an 82 game season. What will you do if they go back to there old ways next year?? If they do not then I will be happy as a clam and realize they finally turned that corner
- kasperrko

ill be pissed but chances are theyll improve.

the prospects are developing and only getting more mature and stronger, the image of the team is on the rise, a new building to attract FA/trades, buyouts of good players are coming and tavares has come out in a big way this season...

now explain why you think they WONT be good...

Right, no guarantee but it's not far from it though. We're not talking about the Pittsburgh market, we're talking about the largest financial market in the country/world and it already comes with a built-in fanbase. This on top of a tremendously positive step for the franchise with one of the leagues fastest rising stars. This team will be a marketing darling if they are able to build on last year...

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

I'm wondering how many Devils fans are going to switch allegiences.

I've been to a Devils game. I'm still scared.

Very, very scared.

The business side of hockey is going to be very interesting to watch in the next few years.

Of course, with the NHL, that's always the case.

ill be pissed but chances are theyll improve.

the prospects are developing and only getting more mature and stronger, the image of the team is on the rise, a new building to attract FA/trades, buyouts of good players are coming and tavares has come out in a big way this season...

now explain why you think they WONT be good...
- LetsGoIsles

I already have. this team has a history to disappoint. As I said right now there is no goalie at all. I am hoping that we don't go into the season with Poulin and or Nillson. I believe if Nabby is not signed we need to sign a veteran goaltender. LEts face it without Nabby this year we are not a playoff team. That being said we don't make the right descion on goal tending we can be another lottery team. We are that close from being one again.

On the upswing I do love the prospects we have and I am very impressed with them, but they have yet to play at the NHL level. Lets see how they do with the big club before we start labeling them the next Super Mario or Gretzky

I don't know KEaner going by his smug response and his smirks he was pretty pissed about that question. Like how dare you question my choices?
- kasperrko

See, I took the shrugs and smirks more as a 'what do you want me to say?'. I thought Snow was surprised by the questioning because he thought it was pretty well understood by everyone that the team wouldn't be adding payroll.

I also believe that the plan all along was to find a one year stop-gap on that wing until one of his projected first line prospects were ready. Boyes was already a 'plan B' in light of the PA saga.

In regards to the 82 game season vs. 48 game season, I think it's a latching on situation when people refuse to embrace the team because of a shortened season. Some folks who have been anti-management etc, would rather continue to deny that the team is turning the corner than swallow their pride and admit some of their criticisms over the last few years may have been a bit over the top if not totally wrong.

The Isles could have just as easily played their first 48 games the same and continued to carry their momentum through the final 34 games and finish in the top 5. I think based on their play down the stretch and damn good showing in the series, they've shown what they're capable of. The question isn't whether they can sustain it, but can they BUILD on it.

Xxkeaner17xX

See, I took the shrugs and smirks more as a 'what do you want me to say?'. I thought Snow was surprised by the questioning because he thought it was pretty well understood by everyone that the team wouldn't be adding payroll.

I also believe that the plan all along was to find a one year stop-gap on that wing until one of his projected first line prospects were ready. Boyes was already a 'plan B' in light of the PA saga.

In regards to the 82 game season vs. 48 game season, I think it's a latching on situation when people refuse to embrace the team because of a shortened season. Some folks who have been anti-management etc, would rather continue to deny that the team is turning the corner than swallow their pride and admit some of their criticisms over the last few years may have been a bit over the top if not totally wrong.

The Isles could have just as easily played their first 48 games the same and continued to carry their momentum through the final 34 games and finish in the top 5. I think based on their play down the stretch and damn good showing in the series, they've shown what they're capable of. The question isn't whether they can sustain it, but can they BUILD on it.

Xxkeaner17xX
- keaner17

I understand Keaner but still, I can judge until a full season. this team has disappoint and has showed promised just to fall apart towards the end. they did not get that chance this year

I understand Keaner but still, I can judge until a full season. this team has disappoint and has showed promised just to fall apart towards the end. they did not get that chance this year
- kasperrko

wrong...you ARE judging but like keaner said, youd prefer to not pay attn to the future and direction the team is headed and would prefer to look back at what has been...

the team didnt fall apart at the end...just because it was a 48 game season as opposed to 82 doesnt mean there wasnt an end...there was just as much pressure at the end of this season then there would have been at the end of a regularly scheduled season

I understand Keaner but still, I can judge until a full season. this team has disappoint and has showed promised just to fall apart towards the end. they did not get that chance this year
- kasperrko

See, this is where we differ. First off, I refuse to lump 'this team' in with the teams of the past. We now have a world class player who is capable of carrying this team to victory and makes players like PA, MM and Boyes, look like ppg players. We have more talent than we've seen here in years and a couple of more prospects coming in who can be top six forwards (Nino & Strome). Then the list of defensive prospects are damn good too. In addition, we now see this team reaching a climate where it can actually be profitable for the first time in over 20 years. So overall, I see no need to fear that these will be the "same ol' Isles".

Xxkeaner17xX

]
Maybe but if they fail to make the playoffs next year and resort back to a bottom 5 team, means last year was a fluke and so is Garth and Crappy
- kasperrko

Just curious, why is it that you think the team will regress next year? I get that being an Islander fan trains us to always think and expect the worst, but 48 game season or not, this group showed something over the last two months. It wasn't a five game stretch that they played well for. They killed if for a solid 6-8 weeks. Under the biggest spotlight of the playoffs, the core guys this team is building around (JT, KO, etc) were great against great competition. They have clearly found a legit third (KO-Nielsen-Bailey) and fourth line (Cizikas-McDonald-Martin), lines that any playoff team would be happy to have for depth. The coaching staff, as a group, are working well with this particular group.

Yes, there are holes. Nabby was pedestrian in the playoffs to say the least. the "D" was a bit exposed. There clearly needs to be an improvement among the top six forwards. But its hard to say based on what we saw this season that this team is destined to regress.

I'm anxious to see this team come out to open the year next season. Nelson, Lee, Nino, Strome are all going to be battling for roster spots, pushing guys like Aucoin and Boyes out the door. Maybe they make a trade for a legit top pair D-man and there is no reason to think this team can't build on what they started this season.

wrong...you ARE judging but like keaner said, youd prefer to not pay attn to the future and direction the team is headed and would prefer to look back at what has been...

the team didnt fall apart at the end...just because it was a 48 game season as opposed to 82 doesnt mean there wasnt an end...there was just as much pressure at the end of this season then there would have been at the end of a regularly scheduled season
- LetsGoIsles

Like I have said we shall see with a full season and what Garth does during the offseason. Does he sign any decent free agents? Does he sign the goalie we need? Does he let Mark Streit walk and if so does he get that defenseman??

Just curious, why is it that you think the team will regress next year? I get that being an Islander fan trains us to always think and expect the worst, but 48 game season or not, this group showed something over the last two months. It wasn't a five game stretch that they played well for. They killed if for a solid 6-8 weeks. Under the biggest spotlight of the playoffs, the core guys this team is building around (JT, KO, etc) were great against great competition. They have clearly found a legit third (KO-Nielsen-Bailey) and fourth line (Cizikas-McDonald-Martin), lines that any playoff team would be happy to have for depth. The coaching staff, as a group, are working well with this particular group.

Yes, there are holes. Nabby was pedestrian in the playoffs to say the least. the "D" was a bit exposed. There clearly needs to be an improvement among the top six forwards. But its hard to say based on what we saw this season that this team is destined to regress.

I'm anxious to see this team come out to open the year next season. Nelson, Lee, Nino, Strome are all going to be battling for roster spots, pushing guys like Aucoin and Boyes out the door. Maybe they make a trade for a legit top pair D-man and there is no reason to think this team can't build on what they started this season.
- Jethro09

Exactly. I think everyone here knows the sport well enough that they can simply evaluate what they've seen and determine this team has the makings of being a pretty good playoff team and with a couple of additions added in can continue to move forward. The improvement has been slow, largely due to some pretty wicked hurdles like the lease, post Milbury farm system, etc, but we've stockpiled an impressive amount of talent and have a good core. There's no reason to not expect MORE rather than less.

Xxkeaner17xX

Like I have said we shall see with a full season and what Garth does during the offseason. Does he sign any decent free agents? Does he sign the goalie we need? Does he let Mark Streit walk and if so does he get that defenseman??
- kasperrko

What free agents do you want him to sign? I don't want him signing guys for the sake of doing it. This team is not in its window to win yet. That window is approaching, but its not here yet. There's no reason to go out and blow wads of cash on a UFA at the risk of keeping kids ready for NHL action off the roster. Truth is, you have two forwards on the team (Aucoin, Boyes) who will likely be gone, but as many as four kids (Strome, Nino, Lee, Nelson) who are going to be pushing for roster spots. You sign a UFA, that's one less spot for a kid who may be ready to come up.

The same for the "D". There are no 1st pair D-men that are going to be available on the UFA market, or at least ones that are significant upgrades over the guys on the roster already that will be worth the ridiculous $$ to sign them. The back end of the "D" is fine. Its the top pair that needs improvement. The same in net. Who are the Isles going to sign as a UFA instead of Nabby? Mike Smith? Is he really an "upgrade"?

The only way that Snow is truly going to be able to improve the roster and do it in a way that makes sense for a team coming into its own, approaching its window of opportunity, is to trade for younger veteran players, guys in their mid to late 20's that can grow with this core. Signing guys in their mid 30's does nothing for this group;long-term. The problem with trades is that you will have to give to get, so it becomes a tough balancing act.

Tortorella fired

torts has been fired

Weight a candidate for the next Rangers coach

What free agents do you want him to sign? I don't want him signing guys for the sake of doing it. This team is not in its window to win yet. That window is approaching, but its not here yet. There's no reason to go out and blow wads of cash on a UFA at the risk of keeping kids ready for NHL action off the roster. Truth is, you have two forwards on the team (Aucoin, Boyes) who will likely be gone, but as many as four kids (Strome, Nino, Lee, Nelson) who are going to be pushing for roster spots. You sign a UFA, that's one less spot for a kid who may be ready to come up.

The same for the "D". There are no 1st pair D-men that are going to be available on the UFA market, or at least ones that are significant upgrades over the guys on the roster already that will be worth the ridiculous $$ to sign them. The back end of the "D" is fine. Its the top pair that needs improvement. The same in net. Who are the Isles going to sign as a UFA instead of Nabby? Mike Smith? Is he really an "upgrade"?

The only way that Snow is truly going to be able to improve the roster and do it in a way that makes sense for a team coming into its own, approaching its window of opportunity, is to trade for younger veteran players, guys in their mid to late 20's that can grow with this core. Signing guys in their mid 30's does nothing for this group;long-term. The problem with trades is that you will have to give to get, so it becomes a tough balancing act.
- Jethro09

eh, theyll need to spend to get to the floor, maybe nothing SPECTACULAR in terms of free agents but definitely quality players out there, dont forget about buyouts that are looming and having all those prospects will lead to a major trade... i disagree, i think their window is open and they should seize the opportunity; pick up 1 top 6 forward and a top pairing dman (via trade or buyout) and now we are talking...

Like I have said we shall see with a full season and what Garth does during the offseason. Does he sign any decent free agents? Does he sign the goalie we need? Does he let Mark Streit walk and if so does he get that defenseman??
- kasperrko

wait a year and woo lundqvist

Let me have my dreams man
- kasperrko

Like i said, that's more the MO of the Rangers. Torterella just getting fired is a good example

Like i said, that's more the MO of the Rangers. Torterella just getting fired is a good example
- Cptmjl

I guess they had to fire Torts, but I still think he's a good coach. Hard to understand how he coached an offensive team that scored a lot in TB but couldn't get the Rangers to get the scoring going. His undoing was the PP. Too much talent and ability on that team not to be able to have a solid PP.

i know that majority of season ticket holders are from nassau and suffolk...i just dont think there will be so many lost fans bc of a 17 mile drive...as of today, all i know of is 1 and as far as im concerned thats addition by subtraction to the fan base.
- LetsGoIsles

Neither do I, agreed. I think less fans from Suffolk will be going to games but overall they'll be a draw at the Barclays center. Especially since Wang has nothing to do with the promotions of the team. As far as that one fan you're referring too, good riddance

wait a year and woo lundqvist
- NYI78

I can't imagine a scenario where Lundqvist leaves the Rangers, let alone to sign with the Isles. There's a bunch of other places he could sign that would give him a better chance to win a championship.

Besides, this nonsense with Lundqvist is all B.S. He has no intention on leaving the Rangers. He's just positioning himself for the best deal he can get from them. He's not going to get on his knees and thank the good Lord for making him a Ranger a year away from UFA status. Lundqvist is going to make Sather sweat a bit and yoke the best deal he can from Sather.

I guess they had to fire Torts, but I still think he's a good coach. Hard to understand how he coached an offensive team that scored a lot in TB but couldn't get the Rangers to get the scoring going. His undoing was the PP. Too much talent and ability on that team not to be able to have a solid PP.
- Jethro09

That's because he changed his coaching to a defensive/blocking shots kind of team. According to Torterella that was bcs of the players he had which i don't agree with. They had some serious offensive weapons that he didn't utilize if you ask me. I agree with you about Torts, I think he's a great coach though I don't particularly like what he did with the Rangers. I'd rather watch the Devils in the 90's then the Rangers this past season, some of the ugliest, most boring hockey I've ever seen.

agree with pa, disagree about streit...as i said at the deadline, the non-streit deal can only be evaluated once the season is over. i feel they had a successful season and therefore was an ok non-trade.
- LetsGoIsles

Yeah, that one is definitely debatable with both sides having a great deal of validity to their arguments.