but but but Jt wont stay without snow and what message does it send if we fire garth. Personally I think its the right thing to do Jt or not
- Upstate_isles

Players don't get to make management decisions. If JT says he'll walk unless Snow is the GM then tell him to pack his bags. I don't think JT said anything like that, but its unacceptable for any player to do that.

Players don't get to make management decisions. If JT says he'll walk unless Snow is the GM then tell him to pack his bags. I don't think JT said anything like that, but its unacceptable for any player to do that.
- JimmyP

If JT thinks Garth should stay then JT is not the answer. I also cannot picture JT saying something like this.

If JT thinks Garth should stay then JT is not the answer. I also cannot picture JT saying something like this.
- ses111

Exactly. Let's say they fired Snow and Lombardi took over. I can't see JT saying well I'm leaving because we hired a new GM who has won a stanley cup in the past and we let go a GM who has won one playoff rd in 12 years. Also wouldn't it be nice to see JT being coached by a guy who has actually coached in the NHL before? The guy has never played for a HC with NHL experience. That's facking crazy!!

https://twitter.com/SP19h...status/972156212233064449

Exactly. Let's say they fired Snow and Lombardi took over. I can't see JT saying well I'm leaving because we hired a new GM who has won a stanley cup in the past and we let go a GM who has won one playoff rd in 12 years. Also wouldn't it be nice to see JT being coached by a guy who has actually coached in the NHL before? The guy has never played for a HC with NHL experience. That's facking crazy!!

https://twitter.com/SP19h...status/972156212233064449
- Vukota

I'm honestly getting tired of the Tavares ass-kissing. At this point, do what's best for the organization as a whole and if he wants to be a part of that, great. If not, fine...move on and start figuring out how the hell they're going to fill that hole.

Exactly. Let's say they fired Snow and Lombardi took over. I can't see JT saying well I'm leaving because we hired a new GM who has won a stanley cup in the past and we let go a GM who has won one playoff rd in 12 years. Also wouldn't it be nice to see JT being coached by a guy who has actually coached in the NHL before? The guy has never played for a HC with NHL experience. That's facking crazy!!

https://twitter.com/SP19h...status/972156212233064449
- Vukota

Lombardi should have been hired the second he was available last year. I thought it was Staple who mentioned JT or his agent did not like Lombardi? I'm not sure if anyone remembers this? Hope it's not true and no idea how they could not like the guy? JT really needs a good coach and it would only help his game and especially the defensive part of the game.

Exactly. Let's say they fired Snow and Lombardi took over. I can't see JT saying well I'm leaving because we hired a new GM who has won a stanley cup in the past and we let go a GM who has won one playoff rd in 12 years. Also wouldn't it be nice to see JT being coached by a guy who has actually coached in the NHL before? The guy has never played for a HC with NHL experience. That's facking crazy!!

https://twitter.com/SP19h...status/972156212233064449
- Vukota

"Here's $13 million dollars per year. You don't have to wear the C, you have two wingers with 55+ point seasons that are both under the age of 25. We've got Jordan Staal, Elias Lindholm and Victor Rask down the middle behind you and another $20 million in cap space to spend once you're signed. Let's do this."

I'm honestly getting tired of the Tavares ass-kissing. At this point, do what's best for the organization as a whole and if he wants to be a part of that, great. If not, fine...move on and start figuring out how the hell they're going to fill that hole.
- eichiefs9

We don't even know if jt has said anything yet

Lombardi should have been hired the second he was available last year. I thought it was Staple who mentioned JT or his agent did not like Lombardi? I'm not sure if anyone remembers this? Hope it's not true and no idea how they could not like the guy? JT really needs a good coach and it would only help his game and especially the defensive part of the game.
- ses111

Interestingly I'm not sure he's even being considered for the Canes GM job.

I'm honestly getting tired of the Tavares ass-kissing. At this point, do what's best for the organization as a whole and if he wants to be a part of that, great. If not, fine...move on and start figuring out how the hell they're going to fill that hole.
- eichiefs9

I agree 100%. Bring in somebody with a good track record. They have 4 picks in the 1st two rds. If JT walks I would trade Lee and Eberle as well. They both have a year left and you could get some good value for those guys. Rebuild again around Barzal ,Beau, Pulock. They'll suck for a couple of years but if done right by the time they get to Belmont they could be loaded. By then most of the Pens stars will be on their way down and the caps will be much older as well. It won't happen but I would have traded JT at the deadline if he didn't want to commit and then they would have been really loaded for the future.

Interestingly I'm not sure he's even being considered for the Canes GM job.
- BINGO!

Lombardi seems to get heat for the Kings Cap problems, but those two Cups sure must have been nice. Lombardi is a winner. He did a very nice job with the Sharks as well. I would hire him and never look back.

I agree 100%. Bring in somebody with a good track record. They have 4 picks in the 1st two rds. If JT walks I would trade Lee and Eberle as well. They both have a year left and you could get some good value for those guys. Rebuild again around Barzal ,Beau, Pulock. They'll suck for a couple of years but if done right by the time they get to Belmont they could be loaded. By then most of the Pens stars will be on their way down and the caps will be much older as well. It won't happen but I would have traded JT at the deadline if he didn't want to commit and then they would have been really loaded for the future.
- Vukota

Losing JT would be bad, but with the right GM and the draft picks and trading Lee, sorry schwein and Eberle this team can be in very good shape. I also would have moved JT at the deadline and maybe even last offseason? So much unknown right now with this team with Garth and why he is still the GM and regarding JT and whether or not he wants to stay? It's not wonder everyone is speculating.

Losing JT would be bad, but with the right GM and the draft picks and trading Lee, sorry schwein and Eberle this team can be in very good shape. I also would have moved JT at the deadline and maybe even last offseason? So much unknown right now with this team with Garth and why he is still the GM and regarding JT and whether or not he wants to stay? It's not wonder everyone is speculating.
- ses111

At this point its so draining that I just want it to be over with either way whether he stays or goes. They have so many bad contracts on this team I don't know how Snow survives this. Gotta hope Malkin has the balls that Ledecky seems to be lacking and cuts Snow loose

At this point its so draining that I just want it to be over with either way whether he stays or goes. They have so many bad contracts on this team I don't know how Snow survives this. Gotta hope Malkin has the balls that Ledecky seems to be lacking and cuts Snow loose
- Vukota

Apparently Malkin is/was the one with the bulk of the money invested in the purchase of this team

At this point its so draining that I just want it to be over with either way whether he stays or goes. They have so many bad contracts on this team I don't know how Snow survives this. Gotta hope Malkin has the balls that Ledecky seems to be lacking and cuts Snow loose
- Vukota

If it's not the building it's Garth, or JT. Way too much drama with this team. Malkin really should step in if Ledecky is not going to take action as he is the money man. They both should get a jump on things and fire Garth now and go to work on bringing in his replacement.

We don't even know if jt has said anything yet
- Upstate_isles

I'm not speculating on what he has or hasn't said. I am just tired of every little thing having to be tailored to his liking. "Can't fire the GM, Tavares has a great relationship", "Can't fire the coach, Tavares has a great relationship", better re-sign this-guy or that-guy because he's friends with Johnny, etc...

It's so annoying and, frankly, kind of pathetic.

The honest, difficult truth is that they should have traded him last summer when he gave them notice he intended to wait until after the season. They could have gotten a massive haul for him and now, instead, we're going to end up either a) losing him for literally nothing or b) grossly overpaying him and handcuffing the cap for the foreseeable future.

Obviously keeping him is preferential, but I don't really see a way this happens and the Islanders have a positive outcome. Unless Tavares is willing to take a massive hometown discount (he probably won't) then this entire situation is going to be terrible for them.

I'm not speculating on what he has or hasn't said. I am just tired of every little thing having to be tailored to his liking. "Can't fire the GM, Tavares has a great relationship", "Can't fire the coach, Tavares has a great relationship", better re-sign this-guy or that-guy because he's friends with Johnny, etc...

It's so annoying and, frankly, kind of pathetic.

The honest, difficult truth is that they should have traded him last summer when he gave them notice he intended to wait until after the season. They could have gotten a massive haul for him and now, instead, we're going to end up either a) losing him for literally nothing or b) grossly overpaying him and handcuffing the cap for the foreseeable future.

Obviously keeping him is preferential, but I don't really see a way this happens and the Islanders have a positive outcome. Unless Tavares is willing to take a massive hometown discount (he probably won't) then this entire situation is going to be terrible for them.
- eichiefs9

Crazy thing is the Isles can still end up losing even if they sign JT and especially if Garth stays. Garth could not build a team when JT's Cap number was good so how is he going to manage it when JT is making a lot more money? Isles in a very bad spot leaving both the Garth and JT question till the last minute.

Crazy thing is the Isles can still end up losing even if they sign JT and especially if Garth stays. Garth could not build a team when JT's Cap number was good so how is he going to manage it when JT is making a lot more money? Isles in a very bad spot leaving both the Garth and JT question till the last minute.
- ses111

I think the pressure/attention is starting to get to Tavares and that, at least, factors in to why his play has been so abysmal lately.

Crazy thing is the Isles can still end up losing even if they sign JT and especially if Garth stays. Garth could not build a team when JT's Cap number was good so how is he going to manage it when JT is making a lot more money? Isles in a very bad spot leaving both the Garth and JT question till the last minute.
- ses111

Here's my conspiracy theory du jour. JT is sucking the past month or so, and will continue sucking, so that when he signs elsewhere (the Rags?), Isles fans won't miss him so much.

I think the pressure/attention is starting to get to Tavares and that, at least, factors in to why his play has been so abysmal lately.
- eichiefs9

I have to agree. He's playing like he is weighted down by something. This entire thing JT and Garth has gone on too long like I mentioned.

Here's my conspiracy theory du jour. JT is sucking the past month or so, and will continue sucking, so that when he signs elsewhere (the Rags?), Isles fans won't miss him so much.
- JohnScammo

Very nice of JT to consider our feeling.

New blog

Apparently Malkin is/was the one with the bulk of the money invested in the purchase of this team
- eichiefs9

I read somewhere that jt was waiting till the end of the year to talk to malkin