I get not moving both guys at the deadline this year. It would have been nice to have their situation resolved the year before one way or the other if possible. Garth does have a lot to prove during this time of the season. Let's hope he comes up big this year.
- ses111

I just dont see the advantage of waiting until the last minute. I mean, if you cant agree on an extension, you should assume the guys gonna walk to the most money. So a year ago, he shoulda been addressing this.

100%!!! He hasn't shown any ability to sign a big-time free agent, or make the trade for a top tier player. Leddy & JB were good trades, but they were cap casualties for the Bruins & Hawks. Unless there's one I'm forgetting about....
- Isleshockeyman

Vanek

Snow is like Cosmo Kramer - he fell back-asward into the GM spot, looks and acts clueless, but gets something right once in a while (accidently I think), and ends up looking ok.
- Isleshockeyman

Has he ever really looked ok though? I mean, I feel like he keeps painting himself into a corner because of his lack of management experience.

Vanek
- eichiefs9

That trade was like when they put the explosive paint in the money bag during a bank robbery. You think you're running outta there with loot, only to have it explode...

Imagine if they did sign him to all that money? Snow keeps dodging these bullets, and never being called out on them. How many UFA's did he swing and miss on that woulda been horrific?

Vanek
- eichiefs9

There it is. I thought there was one I forgot. Thanks.

I'm challenging JT to really help to get guys to sign with the Isles. We need our star player to heavily recruit.
- ses111

JT can only do so much. Besides his buddy KO is walking, MM is walking and there is also a possibility now the Frans walks.
You think Steven Stamkos is signing here when we are letting our home grown, core veteran players go? Just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about our chances to sign one of the top FA's but again I'm hoping I am wrong.

Has he ever really looked ok though? I mean, I feel like he keeps painting himself into a corner because of his lack of management experience.
- kindlyrick

When I say looking ok, I meant apparently to Wang. Ok enough to keep his job.

That trade was like when they put the explosive paint in the money bag during a bank robbery. You think you're running outta there with loot, only to have it explode...
- kindlyrick

Vanek has sharply declined since that trade, but he was a top-tier player when we acquired him. He was over a PPG the season before we traded for him. He had 9pts in 13 games before we got him. 44pts in 47gp as an Islander.

In hindsight, the move didn't pan out...but I was just responding to his post about Garth never acquiring a top-tier player via trade.

There it is. I thought there was one I forgot. Thanks.
- Isleshockeyman

Nothing for Snow to hang his hat on, but it has been done. Needs to be done again.

JT can only do so much. Besides his buddy KO is walking, MM is walking and there is also a possibility now the Frans walks.
You think Steven Stamkos is signing here when we are letting our home grown, core veteran players go? Just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about our chances to sign one of the top FA's but again I'm hoping I am wrong.
- nyisles7

I think you are touching on an important topic. For a team thats really big on building from within (which has been their company line for the last 8 years), how is it that they're letting all three just walk? I mean, i get that they're asking for more money then they are willing to pay, but how is this a shock all of a sudden? You dont think Okposo's agent was approached by snow for an extension (albeit a cheap one)? Surely Snow had to know these guys were looking to get paid......yet he hung onto them to get nothing in return??

Vanek has sharply declined since that trade, but he was a top-tier player when we acquired him. He was over a PPG the season before we traded for him. He had 9pts in 13 games before we got him. 44pts in 47gp as an Islander.

In hindsight, the move didn't pan out...but I was just responding to his post about Garth never acquiring a top-tier player via trade.
- eichiefs9

No i know, and im bringing up a new point which is how many times Garth offered a UFA big money and they declined.......only to see how bad those UFA's became. So even his failed signings are failures ha

When I say looking ok, I meant apparently to Wang. Ok enough to keep his job.
- Isleshockeyman

This entire Wang regime was the pits. Im so tired of hearing how he kept the team from moving etc. The guy really let this franchise sink deeper and deeper.

Lets be real here......gun to Wangs head...life or death, is he really choosing Snowy?

No i know, and im bringing up a new point which is how many times Garth offered a UFA big money and they declined.......only to see how bad those UFA's became. So even his failed signings are failures ha
- kindlyrick

You can look at it that way. Or you could say that Garth had a price in mind of what all those players were worth, and once negotiations exceeded that price...he smartly backed off. Nobody really knows. Maybe they just hated the Islanders and never wanted to come here no matter what? I have no clue.

He needs to figure something out and quick though. Elliotte Friedman reported last night that Vadim Shipachyov may still ultimately end up in NA this season, but nothing is guaranteed. Maybe big-time FA's just don't want to be here and Garth will have to get creative. I don't have the answers, but they need to find them pretty quick.

I'm probably the most positive person in this entire thread, but all that positivity is slowly starting to fade. If he sits on his hands during free agency and comes in on day 3 with some budget signings...I'm going to have major concerns about the long-term viability of this franchise.

In truth, the same ol thing had 2 100pt season's and a 2nd rd PO birth, and that's a fact whether we all like it or not.....
- Ur Not Me

Their record vs. the Western conf was silly. 19-7-2
Under .500 vs. Eastern conference. 26-20-8.

Our possession stats were also down from '14-15. As were point totals for most of the team. Goaltending, exceptional goaltending is what made the Isles season seem better than it was.

So, on the surface it seems like improvement but when you break it down its not all rainbows & cartwheels.

Vanek
- eichiefs9

He got him because no other GM in the NHL would bother because they all knew Vanek was signing in Mn. after the season.
Although he made up for it by getting us another promising prospect Sebastian Colberg at the deadline for him.

You can look at it that way. Or you could say that Garth had a price in mind of what all those players were worth, and once negotiations exceeded that price...he smartly backed off. Nobody really knows. Maybe they just hated the Islanders and never wanted to come here no matter what? I have no clue.

He needs to figure something out and quick though. Elliotte Friedman reported last night that Vadim Shipachyov may still ultimately end up in NA this season, but nothing is guaranteed. Maybe big-time FA's just don't want to be here and Garth will have to get creative. I don't have the answers, but they need to find them pretty quick.

I'm probably the most positive person in this entire thread, but all that positivity is slowly starting to fade. If he sits on his hands during free agency and comes in on day 3 with some budget signings...I'm going to have major concerns about the long-term viability of this franchise.
- eichiefs9

Be prepared bro......don't be shocked when you see the names flying off the board, and then on day 3 seeing the isles signed PA Parenteau type guy with tons of upside. Staple will write a story how this new winger was born on a Saturday just like JT, and what do you know they both breath oxygen.....talk about chemistry

He got him because no other GM in the NHL would bother because they all knew Vanek was signing in Mn. after the season.
Although he made up for it by getting us another promising prospect Sebastian Colberg at the deadline for him.
- nyisles7

Good point.

Be prepared bro......don't be shocked when you see the names flying off the board, and then on day 3 seeing the isles signed PA Parenteau type guy with tons of upside. Staple will write a story how this new winger was born on a Saturday just like JT, and what do you know they both breath oxygen.....talk about chemistry
- kindlyrick

So true.

Be prepared bro......don't be shocked when you see the names flying off the board, and then on day 3 seeing the isles signed PA Parenteau type guy with tons of upside. Staple will write a story how this new winger was born on a Saturday just like JT, and what do you know they both breath oxygen.....talk about chemistry
- kindlyrick

I'm perfectly prepared to see nothing happen, but I'm still sticking with my gut feeling that he'll come through with something significant. Good chance I'm wrong, but the feeling still remains in the back of my head. If/when I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it and I'll be just as pissed off as anyone else.

Someone will pay Okposo more than that and it's going to be hilarious.
- eichiefs9

He can use players' salaries like grabovski to argue his point.

JT can only do so much. Besides his buddy KO is walking, MM is walking and there is also a possibility now the Frans walks.
You think Steven Stamkos is signing here when we are letting our home grown, core veteran players go? Just don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling about our chances to sign one of the top FA's but again I'm hoping I am wrong.
- nyisles7

I still think a star player like JT should be able to attract guys in signing with the Isles and especially if the Isles are right there with the offers. Maybe I expect too much?

I'm perfectly prepared to see nothing happen, but I'm still sticking with my gut feeling that he'll come through with something significant. Good chance I'm wrong, but the feeling still remains in the back of my head. If/when I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it and I'll be just as pissed off as anyone else.
- eichiefs9

You now have the Wings getting ready to sign Stamkos......so that guys isnt coming here.

I'm perfectly prepared to see nothing happen, but I'm still sticking with my gut feeling that he'll come through with something significant. Good chance I'm wrong, but the feeling still remains in the back of my head. If/when I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it and I'll be just as pissed off as anyone else.
- eichiefs9

I think he is working on significant moves, but my gut says they will fall through. I hope I'm wrong.

I'm perfectly prepared to see nothing happen, but I'm still sticking with my gut feeling that he'll come through with something significant. Good chance I'm wrong, but the feeling still remains in the back of my head. If/when I'm wrong, I'll be the first to admit it and I'll be just as pissed off as anyone else.
- eichiefs9

You're an idiot dumb (frank)er.

I'm challenging JT to really help to get guys to sign with the Isles. We need our star player to heavily recruit.
- ses111

That's a challenge he will likely not win.
What, besides himself is the attractive part about joining this team?
Great coach?
Easy work commute?
Low taxes?
Recent history of deep playoff runs?
Respect of the league?