the problems are mulit-layered. Ownership, management, coaching, roster talent, revenue. This team, with the notable exception of last shortened season, has been a bottom five franchise for 7 seasons. Changing one or a couple of things wont fix it. You also have to ask yourself if you want this team to just be mediocre, in which case keeping the majority of the"D" in place will allow with just goaltending amd coaching upgrades. Or, do you want it to be a contender, which requires an overhaul of the D.

Lets be honest with ourselves, ownership isnt changing. But the rest can be changed. Snow can go and a new GM can re-shape the team and coaching staff. If Snow stays, he can still do the right thing and learn from this abomination of a season and fire the coaches and go get real talent.

but make no mistake, if this team is ever going to contend, oots of things need to change, dtsrting with the mentality of the owner and GM changing from "lose as little monry as possible" to win a championship". Once the mentality changes, the rest of the dominoes should (can) fall into place.
- Jethro09

if snow is fired, does the defense all of a sudden get better... who are you eyeing that is available that snow isnt getting? what would your (not just you) ideal defense look like?

So you're fine with same line up we have have now plus a prospect and one new top 4?
- Cptmjl

on defense?...yes, i believe that would be an average defensive group. however without goalie and a new coach/system, the defense will look horrendous.

its a packaged deal. new coach, new goalie and the revised defensive lineup, im good to go.

EDIT: its not the same as now as AMAC (will hopefully be) a HUGE addition by subtraction imho

if snow is fired, does the defense all of a sudden get better... who are you eyeing that is available that snow isnt getting? what would your (not just you) ideal defense look like?
- LetsGoIsles

Maybe it does? Who to say it doesn't? Who knows who is available? None of us do unless it's widely known. I will say I don't trust Snow to get said player when and if they are available. What has he done to make any of us think different save for Vanek which was a good trade in itself though it didn't fulfill the teams needs and there was no follow up to fill that need. I think most have very little if any confidence in Snow to find a player that fills the Isles needs and who could blame them? He's done nothing to show otherwise. Quite the contrary actually.

on defense?...yes, i believe that would be an average defensive group. however without goalie and a new coach/system, the defense will look horrendous.

its a packaged deal. new coach, new goalie and the revised defensive lineup, im good to go.

EDIT: its not the same as now as AMAC (will hopefully be) a HUGE addition by subtraction imho
- LetsGoIsles

And not having Carkner in there to take some of the dumbest, blatant penalties will see would be a huge help too!

1st bold...i dont THINK its going to be next year, i specifically said "IF" this is next seasons lineup, id be ok with strait and hickey playing 3rd/7th

2nd bold...thats why i slotted the rookie to play 3rd pair

also i think if you take a step back and look at this, a lot of it seems like doom-and-gloom (dehaan, prospect both destined to fail, lubo will miss games, no chance of Free agent-- it just seems very one sided) and to me, "track records" dont mean much bc that all changes with 1 or 2 moves.

it seems like anything short of the defense of the canadian olypmic team and there is no chance the defense will be able to succeed.
- LetsGoIsles

Your IF's are quite possible of happening next year. That's why I'm not accepting the fact that we could be the same or worse next year.
If you do take a step back, this team is not progressing until a proven coach/system are in place. Plus better veteran leadership mixed into team, so yes its looking very gloomy..
I've never insisted on the Canadian Olympic D, only worthy proven NHL D. I have never posted that we need STARS everywhere, only an improvement of talent, which I will continue to make reference at...
Maybe you are satisfied with this mediocre team or consistent losing, but since being a fan for a very long time and growing up during the CUP era, and now having a talent like JT on this team... R U Serious, if JT was not here, then I wouldn't even give a shat, but unfortunately the Isles are wasting his talent..!!!

on defense?...yes, i believe that would be an average defensive group. however without goalie and a new coach/system, the defense will look horrendous.

its a packaged deal. new coach, new goalie and the revised defensive lineup, im good to go.

EDIT: its not the same as now as AMAC (will hopefully be) a HUGE addition by subtraction imho
- LetsGoIsles

I'm not OK with it. Have a hard time seeing how anyone could be? Average to me is reaching with what I'm looking at. A new coach could help but I'm not so sure Capuano is going to get canned and again I don't have that much faith in a huge upgrade in goal if any. I guess we'll see?

And not having Carkner in there to take some of the dumbest, blatant penalties will see would be a huge help too!
- brodydog29

(hes got one more year)

if snow is fired, does the defense all of a sudden get better... who are you eyeing that is available that snow isnt getting? what would your (not just you) ideal defense look like?
- LetsGoIsles

I'm not the GM. Snow is. He should be able to ID guys to upgrade the "D" with. If he can't, he should not be a GM.

It's obvious that this team needs two top four "D", one of which should be a top pair guy that plays shut down defense. It's also obvious that the guys they have are being asked to play too much and are being relied upon to defend guys they are not capable of stopping for entire games. The keepers are de Haan, Hamonic and Vis. The other guys are mediocre at best and can (should) be easily replaced. If Strait/Hickey/Donovan were sixth or seventh guys, they'd be much better cast for their skill sets. Having any of those three in a top four or top pair role is a recipe for mediocrity. Snow needs to do his job and find a way to get those two top four guys this team needs to compete next season, not wait for prospects to hopefully develop into those guys in 3 years.

I'm not OK with it. Have a hard time seeing how anyone could be? Average to me is reaching with what I'm looking at. A new coach could help but I'm not so sure Capuano is going to get canned and again I don't have that much faith in a huge upgrade in goal if any. I guess we'll see?
- Cptmjl

if he is the coach next year, i will be joining you in the fire garth campaign.

if snow is fired, does the defense all of a sudden get better... who are you eyeing that is available that snow isnt getting? what would your (not just you) ideal defense look like?
- LetsGoIsles

You have to take into consideration that Snow has lack of respect around the NHL, so yes if another person is the GM, quite possible the D could be/look a lot better

if he is the coach next year, i will be joining you in the fire garth campaign.
- LetsGoIsles

Gordon, Cappy & next Weight..... doesn't matter its not an improvement

Especially when our PP sucks and cant even score on a 5-3 PP
geez man... get with the program

I'm not the GM. Snow is. He should be able to ID guys to upgrade the "D" with. If he can't, he should not be a GM.

It's obvious that this team needs two top four "D", one of which should be a top pair guy that plays shut down defense. It's also obvious that the guys they have are being asked to play too much and are being relied upon to defend guys they are not capable of stopping for entire games. The keepers are de Haan, Hamonic and Vis. The other guys are mediocre at best and can (should) be easily replaced. If Strait/Hickey/Donovan were sixth or seventh guys, they'd be much better cast for their skill sets. Having any of those three in a top four or top pair role is a recipe for mediocrity. Snow needs to do his job and find a way to get those two top four guys this team needs to compete next season, not wait for prospects to hopefully develop into those guys in 3 years.
- Jethro09

i think we agree on everything but the 2 top 4 guys...while it would be fantastic, i dont recall the last time 1 team signed 2 legit top 4 guys (ie a bit unrealistic expectations) and 2 i dont think its necessary...the defensive depth is deep, its safe to assume ONE of them will be good. its a bit of a juggling act, if too many guys are signed and there are prospects ready to play there is going to be a log jam and players value will not be realized.

Gordon, Cappy & next Weight..... doesn't matter its not an improvement

Especially when our PP sucks and cant even score on a 5-3 PP
geez man... get with the program
- Ur Not Me

let it play out bro

let it play out bro
- LetsGoIsles

I have many times....

Don't you have ties to Snow? If so, ask him what BS will he be selling for next year???? Then let me know if your buying...

I disagree on Hammer.. He is a top pairing guy. He has played with A-mack most of this season b/c of injuries.. viz, strait, etc. The fact that Dehaan is playing very well has a lot to do with paired with Hamonic.
Dehaan.. I agree but I am still worried about him staying healthy.. .
top 4FA.. if we throw enough money around we will get one.. or if we trade some prospects for a guy already singed long term we will have one.. it has to happen.

once we lose Vanek, Nabby, and others...(PMB, Regin, Bailey?).. we have a TON of $ to spend just to get to cap floor. They will be able to throw a ton of money around on UFA's or sallary dump trade. Reinhardt or Mayfield should be ready.. perhaps Reinhardt starts in b-port and then call up like DeHaan, Strome, etc.
- niteislander

Isles will have to overspend just have a CHANCE at luring any free agent in.

I have many times....

Don't you have ties to Snow? If so, ask him what BS will he be selling for next year???? Then let me know if your buying...




- Ur Not Me

well played.

I have many times....

Don't you have ties to Snow? If so, ask him what BS will he be selling for next year???? Then let me know if your buying...




- Ur Not Me

I have to agree with this too. How many times are we supposed to sit tight and let it play out only to be disappointed with the result? Eventually you lose faith. Its the SOS every season. Even if Snow actually did sonething (which I dont believe) this off-season does it make up for every season he didn't? Does he suddenly become a good GM in some peoples eyes bcs he did what he was supposed to do and should have been doing all along? This is my problen with the "this is snows big offseason" crowd every year you hear the same thing from the same people and we get the same results. Eventually you have to question your judgenent if you think this way.

You have to take into consideration that Snow has lack of respect around the NHL, so yes if another person is the GM, quite possible the D could be/look a lot better
- Ur Not Me

Not sure "lack of respect" is true or not... but changes need to be made, and as long as Wang owns the team.

Same old crap will continue... he will not magically start spending money and making good decisions.

Wang is the problem... always has been... always will be.

Not sure "lack of respect" is true or not... but changes need to be made, and as long as Wang owns the team.

Same old crap will continue... he will not magically start spending money and making good decisions.

Wang is the problem... always has been... always will be.
- jimmc7722

Yep. You are right. Wang and the people he hires is the problem

I have to agree with this too. How many times are we supposed to sit tight and let it play out only to be disappointed with the result? Eventually you lose faith. Its the SOS every season. Even if Snow actually did sonething (which I dont believe) this off-season does it make up for every season he didn't? Does he suddenly become a good GM in some peoples eyes bcs he did what he was supposed to do and should have been doing all along? This is my problen with the "this is snows big offseason crowd" every year you hear the same thing from the same people and we get the same results. Eventually you have to question your judgenent if you think this way.
- Cptmjl

The lack of respect Snow has around the league makes me think that he will not be able to accomplish his goal. For many years he's been rejected in the FA market, so now he realizes he has to trade for players, duh, how about making a trade for a player who has a longer contract.
I do understand what has to transpire in a rebuild, but now Snow lacks the effort to put it all together. He's FAILED...PERIOD.... its ok, just time to move on, not everyone can have success.
I could almost guaranty that if a more respected person was the GM of this team, Isles might be in a much better predicament then now.

Not sure "lack of respect" is true or not... but changes need to be made, and as long as Wang owns the team.

Same old crap will continue... he will not magically start spending money and making good decisions.

Wang is the problem... always has been... always will be.
- jimmc7722

Snow received major criticism about last years trade of Tim Thomas, where the cap hit of Thomas was used to reach Isles cap floor, so Isles would not get penalized by the NHL, and not paying Thomas contract on top of it. Plus the fact of helping the Bruins have cap space.

Wangs issue is that he's losing $$$ an chooses not to invest into team, which he has every right, but Wang is not interested in the Islanders, only real-estate

Snow received major criticism about last years trade of Tim Thomas, where the cap hit of Thomas was used to reach Isles cap floor, so Isles would not get penalized by the NHL, and not paying Thomas contract on top of it. Plus the fact of helping the Bruins have cap space.

Wangs issue is that he's losing $$$ an chooses not to invest into team, which he has every right, but Wang is not interested in the Islanders, only real-estate
- Ur Not Me

smh

Snow received major criticism about last years trade of Tim Thomas, where the cap hit of Thomas was used to reach Isles cap floor, so Isles would not get penalized by the NHL, and not paying Thomas contract on top of it. Plus the fact of helping the Bruins have cap space.

Wangs issue is that he's losing $$$ an chooses not to invest into team, which he has every right, but Wang is not interested in the Islanders, only real-estate
- Ur Not Me

Would have been interesting to see Thomas play that Pens series.

smh
- LetsGoIsles

Wang knew what he was getting involved with, so its on him

Would have been interesting to see Thomas play that Pens series.
- ses111[/quote]


Might have made a difference