It's funny when you look back and think of the order of events.
Cappy claims he doesn't deal with goalies.
Cappy hands the clipboard to JT
Cappy expects his Center to call timeouts.
Cappy allows Weight and Thompson to hand out lashings
Cappy steps back and has Weight and Thompson draw up plays.

So what is it that Cappy does other than talk about battle level?
- keaner17

Makes sure AMAC plays at least 25 minutes a night and gets his first pairing PP time.

They are really going to laugh at Snow when he can't trade Vanek at the trade deadline...
- kear20

These guys are going to know he's desperate. It was a real crappy position for Snow to put himself in if he had no plans to make this team better after that trade. Stupid.

Who is ''us'? I thought he showed up in the final stretch last year but by no means wanted him signed for five years. I don't recall that many here clammoring for his signing.
- keaner17

I didn't think it was a bad signing but i wasn't particularly happy about the length. But everyone knows I was a big Bailey fan

Sharks sign Marleu and Thornton to extensions:

3 years for each, both at about $6.5 million per season.
- keaner17

expect to see most of the quality ufa's resigned within the next couple of weeks. There will be very little of value on July 1st.

Sharks sign Marleu and Thornton to extensions:

3 years for each, both at about $6.5 million per season.
- keaner17

expect to see most of the quality ufa's resigned within the next couple of weeks. There will be very little of value on July 1st.

From The Hockey News:

WILL VANEK & MACDONALD STAY OR GO?
A New York-area team worth watching near this year’s trade deadline is the Islanders, who must decide if they can afford to re-sign left winger Thomas Vanek and defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports contract talks between the Isles and Vanek’s agent could pick up over the next couple of weeks. If Vanek, who the Isles acquired earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres, isn’t willing to sign a long-term extension, Staple believes Isles GM Garth Snow will shop him at the trade deadline.

To his credit, Vanek told Newsday he would understand if the Islanders moved him at the deadline and wouldn’t rule out returning this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

If Vanek is willing to ink a long-term deal, the question becomes how much are the Islanders willing to pay. The 30-year-old is coming off a seven-year, $50-million deal, which he signed with the Sabres in 2007. His $7.1-million annual cap hit is considerably higher than that of Isles captain John Tavares ($5.5 million), who’s younger than Vanek and a better player. It’s difficult to imagine cash-conscious Isles owner Charles Wang approving a deal that pays a player considerably more than his franchise superstar.

As for MacDonald, he’s rumored to be seeking a contract in the range of $5 million per season. If so, this will be his last season with the Islanders. On a deeper team, MacDonald is a good second-pairing defenseman. If he wants to stay on Long Island, he must lower his asking price.

If the Islanders fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Vanek and MacDonald, if still unsigned, will become playoff rental players by early-March. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes could pursue Vanek, while the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals could have interest in MacDonald.

expect to see most of the quality ufa's resigned within the next couple of weeks. There will be very little of value on July 1st.
- Isles_since_6

July 1 will continue to be a bust every year it seems. Figures with the Isles in Brooklyn soon and with money to spend that FA goes down the tubes.

Based on what? Where has it ever been said that UFA's are 'laughing' at him? I'm not saying Garth is viewed as a top GM in this league but I doubt he gets any more scrutiny from UFA's than say Yzerman, who had just as little experience.

Perhaps he hasn't gone as hard after them as he should, I'm not sure. I definitely think there's merit to the idea that this team continues to want to develop from within and refuses to get caught up in crazy contracts like Clarkson or something. So perhaps this is just our approach. Still, when guys like Lubo, Nabby and even Vanek through the media all buy in, while players like Tavares are here, I doubt too many UFA's are 'laughing' at Snow.
- keaner17

Based on what? Do you watch the NHL network ever? He is the butt end of jokes constantly. You don't think that bleeds down to the players? Come on. So you think that Snow doesn't get any less scrutiny then Yzerman? Really? Have you looked at Tampa's success/record or Yzermans success as a player compared to Snow's? You think that has no bearing on who a player would like to work for? Btw Vanek hasn't bought into anything yet. He's playing like a future UFA should. He's a guy playing for his last contract. When he signs a contract with the NY Islanders I'll say he "bought in".

I never said that. I reiterated the top pairing comment from one of your posts. I said a top four. The bottom line is we needed a goaltender and we needed at the very least a legitimate top 4. He didn't deliver on either and instead invested what money he had with his limited budget into Regin, Bouchard and Clutterbuck. He failed addressing the teams needs and invested money into crap players. It's not some thing I just came up with it happened. Every year the same people say the same things as far as Snow and his offseason success before it even happens. This is Snow's big year! He has to do something! Etc. We've all heard it. I'm giving Snow one more chance this offseason... Etc. Same people saying the same things with the same results. Last year this team showed some competitiveness. The way the league viewed us for once changed to a somewhat positive view.
It was an enormous failure on Snow's part to leave this team the way it was with the coach it has and the goaltender it HAD. There is no excuse in my mind then and there is still no excuse now. Before this season even started I echoed this same sentiment on here and was met with the I'm a debbie downer routine. Well not to say I told you so but...
- Cptmjl

1st Right, which I was responding to someone else at the time by stating we felt a top pairing dman would have been the tonic, but wasn't available.

2nd bold: I agree, however I do get the feeling that some plan fell through. I also said last year if they signed Nabby, I wanted to see plenty of Poulin with the hopes that Poulin would show signs of taking over the role. It hasn't happened, but I was okay with that plan. hindsight.

3rd bold: let's face it, we knew Cappy was coming back when the team did what they did. We all know how bad we consider him but there were also guys like the idiots on NBC who proclaimed he should be a Jack Adams candidate. Certainly once the team had a showing like they did last season, it was destined that he'd be extended. I can't argue that logic but also think this seasons failure should result with his head. If Snow had fired him, we would have had plenty of people talking about that joke of a franchise firing yet another coach that got them into the playoffs...

1st Right, which I was responding to someone else at the time by stating we felt a top pairing dman would have been the tonic, but wasn't available.

2nd bold: I agree, however I do get the feeling that some plan fell through. I also said last year if they signed Nabby, I wanted to see plenty of Poulin with the hopes that Poulin would show signs of taking over the role. It hasn't happened, but I was okay with that plan. hindsight.

3rd bold: let's face it, we knew Cappy was coming back when the team did what they did. We all know how bad we consider him but there were also guys like the idiots on NBC who proclaimed he should be a Jack Adams candidate. Certainly once the team had a showing like they did last season, it was destined that he'd be extended. I can't argue that logic but also think this seasons failure should result with his head. If Snow had fired him, we would have had plenty of people talking about that joke of a franchise firing yet another coach that got them into the playoffs...
- keaner17

No matter how this season ends Capuano will be our coach next year. Why would I say that? I've seen enough of Snow to know that he's stupid enough to do that. In fact all of us have including yourself. The FACT that this is plausible speaks volumes about Snow's competence as the GM of this team.

Based on what? Do you watch the NHL network ever? He is the butt end of jokes constantly. You don't think that bleeds down to the players? Come on. So you think that Snow doesn't get any less scrutiny then Yzerman? Really? Have you looked at Tampa's success/record or Yzermans success as a player compared to Snow's? You think that has no bearing on who a player would like to work for? Btw Vanek hasn't bought into anything yet. He's playing like a future UFA should. He's a guy playing for his last contract. When he signs a contract with the NY Islanders I'll say he "bought in".
- Cptmjl

Right now the only thing we have to go off of is Vanek's comments. I realize the whole 'stay positive for your pending free agency' thing could be at play but he has publically stated he likes playing here, thinks they're heading in the right direction and can see himself remaining an Islander" That's positive.
As for the perception of Snow. I don't think the negative perception of the Isles is nearly as much directed at Snow as it is Wang. Which in that case makes the case all the more at how difficult Snow's sale job is. I still say it's the worst GM job in the NHL, but it's getting better. The comparison with Yzerman is merely to state that neither GM were experienced, which is the main criticism about Snow.

From The Hockey News:

WILL VANEK & MACDONALD STAY OR GO?
A New York-area team worth watching near this year’s trade deadline is the Islanders, who must decide if they can afford to re-sign left winger Thomas Vanek and defenseman Andrew MacDonald.

Newsday’s Arthur Staple reports contract talks between the Isles and Vanek’s agent could pick up over the next couple of weeks. If Vanek, who the Isles acquired earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres, isn’t willing to sign a long-term extension, Staple believes Isles GM Garth Snow will shop him at the trade deadline.

To his credit, Vanek told Newsday he would understand if the Islanders moved him at the deadline and wouldn’t rule out returning this summer as an unrestricted free agent.

If Vanek is willing to ink a long-term deal, the question becomes how much are the Islanders willing to pay. The 30-year-old is coming off a seven-year, $50-million deal, which he signed with the Sabres in 2007. His $7.1-million annual cap hit is considerably higher than that of Isles captain John Tavares ($5.5 million), who’s younger than Vanek and a better player. It’s difficult to imagine cash-conscious Isles owner Charles Wang approving a deal that pays a player considerably more than his franchise superstar.

As for MacDonald, he’s rumored to be seeking a contract in the range of $5 million per season. If so, this will be his last season with the Islanders. On a deeper team, MacDonald is a good second-pairing defenseman. If he wants to stay on Long Island, he must lower his asking price.

If the Islanders fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race, Vanek and MacDonald, if still unsigned, will become playoff rental players by early-March. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Phoenix Coyotes could pursue Vanek, while the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals could have interest in MacDonald.
- kear20

Marc Methot has been a healthy scratch for Ottawa...how about AMAC for him? Do you think Phoenix would trade Yandle for Vanek?

No matter how this season ends Capuano will be our coach next year. Why would I say that? I've seen enough of Snow to know that he's stupid enough to do that. In fact all of us have including yourself. The FACT that this is plausible speaks volumes about Snow's competence as the GM of this team.
- Cptmjl

I score it 50/50 on Cappy. If Snow truly blames himself for this season, yeah..he may give Cappy another year to show what he's got with a better team.

If Snow feels that despite these 'excuses' as some of you state, this team could have performed better were it not for the coach, Cappy is dead in the water.

expect to see most of the quality ufa's resigned within the next couple of weeks. There will be very little of value on July 1st.
- Isles_since_6

Moulson Right Cptmjl

I couldn't stand Neil Smith and was pretty glad when he left. The guy ran the Rangers franchise into the ground after being handed a Stanley Cup winner. Imagine having a Yankee's like payroll and consistently missing the playoffs.

His draft was pretty bad when you think of it:
Neil's draft in 2006 broken down by round:

1st Round: Kyle Okposo
2nd Round: Jesse Joensuu
3rd Round: Robin Figren
4th Round: Rhett Rakhshani, Jase Weslosky, Tomas Marcinko, Doug Rogers
5th Round: Shane Sims, Kim Johansson
6th Round: Andrew MacDonald, Brian Day, Stefan Ridderwall
7th Round: Troy Mattila
His free agent signings:
Chris Simon, Mike Sillinger, Andy Hilbert, Brendan Witt and Tom Poti
Not exactly great work IMO. Sillinger, Witt and Okposo are the big standouts. After that...
To me, other than Witt, the rest of the UFA's look a lot like the kinda retreads Garth gets killed for...But Sillinger worked out.
- keaner17

Ok, I know you and I are debating today and I don't want you to think I'm zeroing in on you but how the hell don't I reply to this? . Neil Smith had a draft where he picked Okposo, JJ, and AMAC( ). Right off the bat that's not a draft you can say was terrible. He signed Sillinger, Witt, and Poti who at the time were considered an excellent signing coming off a great yr. Do I really need to compare what signings we've compiled over the last seven years?

I score it 50/50 on Cappy. If Snow truly blames himself for this season, yeah..he may give Cappy another year to show what he's got with a better team.

If Snow feels that despite these 'excuses' as some of you state, this team could have performed better were it not for the coach, Cappy is dead in the water.
- keaner17

The problem is that anyone with ANY common sense can see that Capuano is NOT a good coach. Snow cannot.

Ok, I know you and I are debating today and I don't want you to think I'm zeroing in on you but how the hell don't I reply to this? . Neil Smith had a draft where he picked Okposo, JJ, and AMAC( ). Right off the bat that's not a draft you can say was terrible. He signed Sillinger, Witt, and Poti who at the time were considered an excellent signing coming off a great yr. Do I really need to compare what signings we've compiled over the last seven years?
- Cptmjl

You're using JJ as a validiation of his draft? Is that the same Jesse who showed nothing while he was here and then scored 2 goals in 29 games in Edmonton?

So it comes down to Okposo, a top 10 pick. Then Amac..who is worse than the black plague. That's 13 picks, with 2 presently playing in the NHL.
Sillinger was a journeyman signing and a good one. Witt was an overpriced UFA who had ONE good season here before losing the ability to even play in the NHL. Poti was a reclamation project who was coming off his worst season as a pro. So no, I wouldn't call that a huge impact.

The problem is that anyone with ANY common sense can see that Capuano is NOT a good coach. Snow cannot.
- Cptmjl

I don't know if he CANNOT. I guess we'll know soon enough. Again, it's awfully hard to fire a guy who managed to get your team into the playoffs. Credit deserved or not, the result of last season mandated the extension.

We all knew it at the time. You and I specifically identified it as the casualty of making the playoffs.

Marc Methot has been a healthy scratch for Ottawa...how about AMAC for him? Do you think Phoenix would trade Yandle for Vanek?
- kear20

TSN mentioned Washington could be looking to move Mike Green...when he's healthy he's very good...

TSN mentioned Washington could be looking to move Mike Green...when he's healthy he's very good...
- kear20

I love all these rumors and never any trades.

I love all these rumors and never any trades.
- ses111

He's has a high salary cap hit so I would think he could be available...

I love all these rumors and never any trades.
- ses111

It does seem like there are practically no trades compared to 10, 15 years ago.

Always rumors, virtually no deals. The GM's have all become gunshy.

It does seem like there are practically no trades compared to 10, 15 years ago.

Always rumors, virtually no deals. The GM's have all become gunshy.
- Mancalledsting

Salary Cap....

Salary Cap....
- keaner17

More like chicken shat GM's.

More like chicken shat GM's.
- ses111

Well, there's a lot that has to go into now when you consider the cap considerations. The CBA straightened a bit of it out by leveling the cap hit, but you still have to add $$ into the equation now as opposed to just "is this guy a good fit and worth what we're trading for him?"