we all know my opinion that the entire staff should be gone. with that being said if Capuano is kept on it is because Snow realized he failed the staff during last offseason. that's the only rational way I can possibly explain it. or the owner refuses to fire a coach before his contract is up...i'm not for one second condoning the decision just trying to rationalize it
- Dan Petriw

It's pretty obvious what needs to be done. You don't need to be a hockey genius to see it. Offseason acquisitions won't fix this:

That guy back peddles on his predictions fairly often. Proves he's not in on everything which is fine just pointing it out. Even though I've been saying it since December it's still tough to hear that he'll be our coach next yr. By the time he gets fired next yr will be a wash too. Snow could add a top 4 and a legit starter and this team is far from a lock with him as coach. The best we could hope for is the team to win in spite of Capuano which was the case last year.
- Cptmjl

This requires serious debate. For my money, the Isles make the playoffs next year. There's too much talent and they're only getting better. Meanwhile, they'll underacheive due to the idiot coach. The bigger issue here is, it's 2012-13 all over again. If they make the playoffs, Cappy's contract term will be up and almost unquestionably be extended...

This team needs veteran leadership at F,D positions that have a winning pedigree. They need that type of player who can get this team over the humps during the season. I may get criticized but Snow needs to see what type of return he can fetch for some players on roster, now I'm not saying trade for trade sake, I mean evaluate who stays and who goes and who's coming in.


Also does someone know what will happen to the cap if Viz retires and still has 1yr left on contract? I'm not quite sure if Isles are hit w/any cap with new rules in place.
- Ur Not Me

His contract comes off the books.

id love trotz
- LetsGoIsles

I'm not huge on him. He's had a looonnngg time with some decent teams and hasn't done that much. I don't dispute he's a good coach I just don't think he'd be the right one. Your application is here in front of me btw. Waiting for the announcement(non announcement).

This requires serious debate. For my money, the Isles make the playoffs next year. There's too much talent and they're only getting better. Meanwhile, they'll underacheive due to the idiot coach. The bigger issue here is, it's 2012-13 all over again. If they make the playoffs, Cappy's contract term will be up and almost unquestionably be extended...
- keaner17

Need this team sold. That is what we all have to hope for. I can see the Isles bounce back and make the playoffs next year. Still does not mean Cappy is the right guy.

This requires serious debate. For my money, the Isles make the playoffs next year. There's too much talent and they're only getting better. Meanwhile, they'll underacheive due to the idiot coach. The bigger issue here is, it's 2012-13 all over again. If they make the playoffs, Cappy's contract term will be up and almost unquestionably be extended...
- keaner17

This once again proves;


Garth Snow=Not so bright

It's pretty obvious what needs to be done. You don't need to be a hockey genius to see it. Offseason acquisitions won't fix this:

- JimmyP

An off-season acquisition of a proven NHL coach would.

Make it so Garth.

I'm not huge on him. He's had a looonnngg time with some decent teams and hasn't done that much. I don't dispute he's a good coach I just don't think he'd be the right one. Your application is here in front of me btw. Waiting for the announcement(non announcement).
- Cptmjl

Very sad there are good coaching options out there and we are brining back Cappy.

Rationalize away but there really is no way too. Wang would spend 7 million a year on Vanek. 10 million a year on Kovalchuck. 5.5 million a year on Errhoff. But won't spend maybe a million more on a legit coach? Nah, makes no sense.
- Cptmjl

Didnt he trade for thomas knowing he wont play so he didnt have to spend $5 million extra to reach the floor?

Barry trotz is available...I would think snow is gonna at least kick tired.

An off-season acquisition of a proven NHL coach would.

Make it so Garth.
- David_Volek

Yes, I meant player acquisitions.

Rationalize away but there really is no way too. Wang would spend 7 million a year on Vanek. 10 million a year on Kovalchuck. 5.5 million a year on Errhoff. But won't spend maybe a million more on a legit coach? Nah, makes no sense.
- Cptmjl

It's a fraternity....
Snow and Cappy are said to be very good friends. Snow is friends with Weight. Snow was Dunham's best man at his wedding. I'm not saying these guys are bulletproof, but they're going to get far more chances to fail than your average hire.

I'm not huge on him. He's had a looonnngg time with some decent teams and hasn't done that much. I don't dispute he's a good coach I just don't think he'd be the right one. Your application is here in front of me btw. Waiting for the announcement(non announcement).
- Cptmjl

Trotz was able to find reasonably consistent success with a very structured defensive system on a budget team rather than a cap team. Cant think of a better coach for you outside tippett in phoenix.

This once again proves;


Garth Snow=Not so bright
- Cptmjl

It proves that nepotism rules supreme with these guys. Bring in your own and enjoy the feast. Wang was always accused of staying too loyal to friends with C.A. and he's carried it over here. Basketball with DP...Golf with Yashin, Garth hired off the ice, a sudden transformation to nothing by New Englanders. I understand surrounding yourself with people you trust, but it's done at the expense of possible success...THAT truly isn't bright.

It's a fraternity....
Snow and Cappy are said to be very good friends. Snow is friends with Weight. Snow was Dunham's best man at his wedding. I'm not saying these guys are bulletproof, but they're going to get far more chances to fail than your average hire.
- keaner17

You can say it they are bulletproof keaner.

Didnt he trade for thomas knowing he wont play so he didnt have to spend $5 million extra to reach the floor?

Barry trotz is available...I would think snow is gonna at least kick tired.
- RAGSareDANGERus

There will be no tires kicked on Trotz or even if a young Scotty Bowman was available.

This requires serious debate. For my money, the Isles make the playoffs next year. There's too much talent and they're only getting better. Meanwhile, they'll underacheive due to the idiot coach. The bigger issue here is, it's 2012-13 all over again. If they make the playoffs, Cappy's contract term will be up and almost unquestionably be extended...
- keaner17

This team does not make the playoffs with this same group intact. You being back this same group, they will miss the playoffs again. There needs to be some changes. A legit starting goaltender, a top six forward that can score and a top four d-man that can be reliable and eat minutes must be obtained.

And even if you get those three things, this team may still not win because of the bad coaching. Going 0-for-November, 10 game pointless streaks, numerous blown third period leads, going 10+ games below .500 at home is as much a reflection on coaching as it is the players. Keeping the status quo on the bench is going to hinder chances of making the playoffs, even with roster upgrades.

It proves that nepotism rules supreme with these guys. Bring in your own and enjoy the feast. Wang was always accused of staying too loyal to friends with C.A. and he's carried it over here. Basketball with DP...Golf with Yashin, Garth hired off the ice, a sudden transformation to nothing by New Englanders. I understand surrounding yourself with people you trust, but it's done at the expense of possible success...THAT truly isn't bright.
- keaner17

Along with countless other things...

I'm not huge on him. He's had a looonnngg time with some decent teams and hasn't done that much. I don't dispute he's a good coach I just don't think he'd be the right one. Your application is here in front of me btw. Waiting for the announcement(non announcement).
- Cptmjl

i will be so disappointed if cappy is back...You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink...it just seems to damn obvious.

EDIT: having said that, as its been proven time and time again, staple isnt exactly 100% ill wait for the announcement.

This team does not make the playoffs with this same group intact. You being back this same group, they will miss the playoffs again. There needs to be some changes. A legit starting goaltender, a top six forward that can score and a top four d-man that can be reliable and eat minutes must be obtained.

And even if you get those three things, this team may still not win because of the bad coaching. Going 0-for-November, 10 game pointless streaks, numerous blown third period leads, going 10+ games below .500 at home is as much a reflection on coaching as it is the players. Keeping the status quo on the bench is going to hinder chances of making the playoffs, even with roster upgrades.
- Jethro09

Yep. Unfortunate reality of the situation. It's like they are trying not to win. Absolutely maddening to watch.

There will be no tires kicked on Trotz or even if a young Scotty Bowman was available.
- ses111

stan?

stan?
- LetsGoIsles

How could I forget Stan?

Barry Trotz gets fired. Therrien will be fired if Montreal loses in round one. The Maple Leafs fire their brass five times a year.. ...and yet, we get stuck with the same morons forever.

Barry Trotz gets fired. Therrien will be fired if Montreal loses in round one. The Maple Leafs fire their brass five times a year.. ...and yet, we get stuck with the same morons forever.
- dcb1

trotz was with the preds for 15 years...not exactly the best example.

How the fack did this team finish 4 games over 500 since JT went down. Especially when you factor in the other injuries

This team does not make the playoffs with this same group intact. You being back this same group, they will miss the playoffs again. There needs to be some changes. A legit starting goaltender, a top six forward that can score and a top four d-man that can be reliable and eat minutes must be obtained.

And even if you get those three things, this team may still not win because of the bad coaching. Going 0-for-November, 10 game pointless streaks, numerous blown third period leads, going 10+ games below .500 at home is as much a reflection on coaching as it is the players. Keeping the status quo on the bench is going to hinder chances of making the playoffs, even with roster upgrades.
- Jethro09

I think it's clear they'll go after a goaltender whether via trade or FA. That move alone would have had them 10-15 points better this season. Another camp for de Haan, Czurczmananzamzn, and Reinhart will have them that much further along.

I don't think adding a forward is a 'must'. I do think adding an experienced dman will be since I don't think Vis is going to be around much longer based on his mounting head issues. Get us a goaltender and I think this team can sneak back in. Given the situation with Cappy, that could be considered just as bad as good in the 'news' category.