That's what's killing me. I have to (frank)ing sit here and say that I would rather one of the best players in the entire league walk away for free than allow this (frank)face moron to keep his job.
- eichiefs9

It's incredible and I feel the same way. How it was allowed to get this far is even more (frank)ed up. That's where Ledecky and Malkin failed of course and the only thing we have left to hope for is that's what Ledecky was referring too when he stated as such. If not as inconceivable as it may sound this will only get worse in a couple months

Holy god (frank)ing damn, skip to 5:51 and listen to what he says.

The process of getting better "started yesterday" and "a big part of having success is when you can identify issues". Yeah, we've identified the issue and it hasn't ever been addressed.
- eichiefs9

Thought about listening to it and decided ive been angry long enough today

Thought about listening to it and decided ive been angry long enough today
- Cptmjl

It's bad. Really bad.

Garth, any reaction to the comments Ho Sang made recently and any regrets on how things were handled this year?

Uhhhh...no. Nope.

It's bad. Really bad.

Garth, any reaction to the comments Ho Sang made recently and any regrets on how things were handled this year?

Uhhhh...no. Nope.



- eichiefs9

Translation;
I'm trading that kid for a dismal return because he didn't buy into my bullshat.

"It's a big decision and there's a lot that goes into it and that's a big reason why I've taken my time," Tavares said. "For me personally, you realize that you don't know how many opportunities you get to get to this point and possibly see what the landscape is. I don't necessarily know if that's even what I want to do yet."

He then follows this up with his while of course i want to remain an islander BS. Honestly just shut the (frank) up Tavares. If you wanted to be an islander you would've been signed already. Stop with the whole I'm confused routine you sound like a teenage girl.
- Cptmjl

JT must listen to Emo music.

It's bad. Really bad.

Garth, any reaction to the comments Ho Sang made recently and any regrets on how things were handled this year?

Uhhhh...no. Nope.



- eichiefs9

So (frank)ing bad.

They may as well just hit the fans in the face with a shovel.

So (frank)ing bad.

They may as well just hit the fans in the face with a shovel.


- JimmyP

Oh god I would love if they just put me out of my misery. Beat my face into oblivion, pleaseeeeeeeeeee

Oh god I would love if they just put me out of my misery. Beat my face into oblivion, pleaseeeeeeeeeee
- eichiefs9

Garth: It was an all-out rebuild in 2006, and now we're in a position where we can compete for a Stanley Cup.



Someone tell Garth that, in order to compete for a Stanley Cup, first you have to make the playoffs.

Oh god I would love if they just put me out of my misery. Beat my face into oblivion, pleaseeeeeeeeeee
- eichiefs9

All they have to do is tell me they're keeping Snow and company and I'm good and gone. Rip the band aid off one less thing to worry about.

Garth: It was an all-out rebuild in 2006, and now we're in a position where we can compete for a Stanley Cup.



Someone tell Garth that, in order to compete for a Stanley Cup, first you have to make the playoffs.
- JohnScammo

Did he actually say "now were in the position to compete for the Stanley Cup"?

Staple: Owners, front office seem to be on different pages after awkward Islanders' press conference


By Arthur Staple 9m ago 2
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The Islanders were a mess when their ugly 2017-18 season ended on Saturday night.

Somehow, they look like even more of a mess barely 48 hours later. That can't be inspiring for John Tavares, whose looming decision hangs over everything the Islanders do from now until he makes his choice to stay or go.

Co-owner Jon Ledecky issued a strongly worded statement from a podium on Monday afternoon as he sat alongside general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight. Ledecky stated that he and owner Scott Malkin will be “evaluating all aspects of our hockey operations” while saying that he and Malkin “have failed” the Isles fans.

Ledecky took no questions from the assembled media, popping up from the podium he shared with Snow and Weight to watch the remainder of the awkward presser from the back of the room. It was a deeply weird sight.

It was made weirder by a brief sitdown Snow and Weight had with The Athletic just a few minutes earlier, when both men said they were prepared to carry on as normal in their roles.

“We just had a game two nights ago, it's been a busy last two days,” Snow said. “You meet the players, evaluate their input and tomorrow we’ll start the process of working through other items we can change to bring us success.'

“I’ve got concerns for myself, how I can be better and how our team can be better for next season,” Weight said. “That’s where I’m at. The rest will take care of itself. It’s a lot like being a player – you’ve got to do a good job. It’s strange we only played Saturday, but the things we’ve discussed the last 48 hours, we’re going to improve and it starts now.”

Snow said he would be sitting down to meetings with Weight and the rest of the staff to see if any internal changes are warranted. Weight was asked if he were considering changes to his coaching staff, which just completed its first season together.

“We just got done, but I don't feel like that's coming,” Weight said.

As for the statement, they are certainly words that a large portion of the frustrated fan base wanted to hear. Problem is they wanted to hear that two months ago when the team was in free fall and lacked a true direction at the trade deadline, other than straight down the Eastern Conference standings.

Hearing Ledecky say those words on Monday, after Snow and Weight finished their exit interviews with players, means that the Islanders are headed into their biggest offseason in a decade with their front office operating on a day-to-day basis. That is simply a killer in the current NHL, when exit interviews are quickly followed by organizational meetings, scouting priorities are set, trade and free-agent targets are identified and, in the Isles' case, a draft lottery is conducted to possibly set the team's course for June and beyond.

If Ledecky and Malkin wanted to fire Snow, they have ample reason. Eight years without a postseason appearance of the 12 Snow has had on the job is certainly justification; Weight has only had a year as full-time coach, but his team won 15 of their first 24 and then just 20 of their last 58 while giving up more goals than any team in 12 years.

Again, if the owners wanted to clean house, they could have. Instead, Snow and Weight and their respective staffs will be in the office on Tuesday wondering what they have to do keep those jobs into next season while also trying to make a plan for the offseason.

If it comes down to Tavares' decision, that's going to be a while. Tavares spoke on Monday as well, reiterating his vague desire to stay an Islander and also reiterating “there's a lot of trust” in his relationships with Snow and Weight. But Tavares also sounded the same way he did last offseason, when he requested to play out the final year of his deal and Malkin and Ledecky granted his wish.

Tavares was asked if he feels pressure to give a quick decision to the Islanders so they can either get to work on an extension and have their offseason course charted or trade his rights, possibly in a sign-and-trade, to get at least some assets back.

“I think I've earned the right to take my time,” Tavares said. “Whether it's a week, two weeks, a month, two months, I don't really know. A lot of those scenarios or hypotheticals I haven't even thought about.”

The other part of ownership possibly basing their personnel decisions on whether Tavares stays or goes: If Tavares walks out the door on July 1, Snow and Weight will already have the 2018-19 (and beyond) Islanders pretty well set. The June 22-23 NHL Draft will be where the Isles have two lottery picks to either use or wheel for immediate help. Tavares' contract would take up a huge chunk of the salary cap, but much of the other roster work will be done.

That would make it difficult to change course so late in the offseason. Not impossible if the owners have someone ready to step in, but difficult. Needlessly so, since they could have made their call on Snow any time and started a serious GM search by now.

And if Tavares walks and Malkin and Ledecky decide Snow must indeed go, as the billboard says, that basically ensures that the rest of the front office and coaching staff remains. All the owners need to recall is Colorado's decision to let Patrick Roy resign on Aug. 11, 2016, a move that pretty much doomed the Avalanche to a terrible 2016-17 that it has just now pulled away from.

Here is Ledecky's full statement from Monday:

“We are committed to long-term success. Any decisions we make are for the long-term success of our hockey club. We win and lose together as an organization, not as individuals. Missing the playoffs is beyond disappointing. At the same time, we believe we have a strong core of players that will be the basis for our success on the ice. Obviously, our definition of long-term success is competing for a Stanley Cup and eventually winning a fifth ring.

“Our season has just ended and as an organization, we will be evaluating all aspects of our hockey operations. Then we will make decisions on what is best for the future of our club. I am not here today to talk about any specific individuals, including players, coaches, and the general manager. We believe it is essential to our success to have a thoughtful evaluation process, to look at the past and, more importantly, assess the future of our team on and off the ice.

“As for the past season, as owners, we have failed. We sincerely apologize to our fans. We want to express that our ownership group is totally committed to winning and providing the resources to do just that.”

Those are the right words. They came far too late to have an impact, other than sowing some chaos as the Islanders begin their crucial offseason.

And you thought the Islanders were only a mess on the ice this season.

Did he actually say "now were in the position to compete for the Stanley Cup"?
- Cptmjl

No, just that it's the goal. Deep stuff from Garth.

No, just that it's the goal. Deep stuff from Garth.
- eichiefs9

2:41 of the press conference - "Now we're in a situation where we feel like we can compete for a Stanley Cup"

I don't know how the room didn't laugh in his face.

Did he actually say "now were in the position to compete for the Stanley Cup"?
- Cptmjl

I summarized. It's closer to: "Now we're in a situation where we feel we can compete for a Stanley Cup."

2:41 of the press conference - "Now we're in a situation where we feel like we can compete for a Stanley Cup"

I don't know how the room didn't laugh in his face.
- JimmyP

I take it back, I guess I was just so dumbfounded due to his earlier comments that I totally missed that one. My bad.

But jesus (frank)ing christ

I take it back, I guess I was just so dumbfounded due to his earlier comments that I totally missed that one. My bad.

But jesus (frank)ing christ
- eichiefs9

Just another shovel to the face.

Staple: Owners, front office seem to be on different pages after awkward Islanders' press conference


By Arthur Staple 9m ago 2
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The Islanders were a mess when their ugly 2017-18 season ended on Saturday night.

Somehow, they look like even more of a mess barely 48 hours later. That can't be inspiring for John Tavares, whose looming decision hangs over everything the Islanders do from now until he makes his choice to stay or go.

Co-owner Jon Ledecky issued a strongly worded statement from a podium on Monday afternoon as he sat alongside general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight. Ledecky stated that he and owner Scott Malkin will be “evaluating all aspects of our hockey operations” while saying that he and Malkin “have failed” the Isles fans.

Ledecky took no questions from the assembled media, popping up from the podium he shared with Snow and Weight to watch the remainder of the awkward presser from the back of the room. It was a deeply weird sight.

It was made weirder by a brief sitdown Snow and Weight had with The Athletic just a few minutes earlier, when both men said they were prepared to carry on as normal in their roles.

“We just had a game two nights ago, it's been a busy last two days,” Snow said. “You meet the players, evaluate their input and tomorrow we’ll start the process of working through other items we can change to bring us success.'

“I’ve got concerns for myself, how I can be better and how our team can be better for next season,” Weight said. “That’s where I’m at. The rest will take care of itself. It’s a lot like being a player – you’ve got to do a good job. It’s strange we only played Saturday, but the things we’ve discussed the last 48 hours, we’re going to improve and it starts now.”

Snow said he would be sitting down to meetings with Weight and the rest of the staff to see if any internal changes are warranted. Weight was asked if he were considering changes to his coaching staff, which just completed its first season together.

“We just got done, but I don't feel like that's coming,” Weight said.

As for the statement, they are certainly words that a large portion of the frustrated fan base wanted to hear. Problem is they wanted to hear that two months ago when the team was in free fall and lacked a true direction at the trade deadline, other than straight down the Eastern Conference standings.

Hearing Ledecky say those words on Monday, after Snow and Weight finished their exit interviews with players, means that the Islanders are headed into their biggest offseason in a decade with their front office operating on a day-to-day basis. That is simply a killer in the current NHL, when exit interviews are quickly followed by organizational meetings, scouting priorities are set, trade and free-agent targets are identified and, in the Isles' case, a draft lottery is conducted to possibly set the team's course for June and beyond.

If Ledecky and Malkin wanted to fire Snow, they have ample reason. Eight years without a postseason appearance of the 12 Snow has had on the job is certainly justification; Weight has only had a year as full-time coach, but his team won 15 of their first 24 and then just 20 of their last 58 while giving up more goals than any team in 12 years.

Again, if the owners wanted to clean house, they could have. Instead, Snow and Weight and their respective staffs will be in the office on Tuesday wondering what they have to do keep those jobs into next season while also trying to make a plan for the offseason.

If it comes down to Tavares' decision, that's going to be a while. Tavares spoke on Monday as well, reiterating his vague desire to stay an Islander and also reiterating “there's a lot of trust” in his relationships with Snow and Weight. But Tavares also sounded the same way he did last offseason, when he requested to play out the final year of his deal and Malkin and Ledecky granted his wish.

Tavares was asked if he feels pressure to give a quick decision to the Islanders so they can either get to work on an extension and have their offseason course charted or trade his rights, possibly in a sign-and-trade, to get at least some assets back.

“I think I've earned the right to take my time,” Tavares said. “Whether it's a week, two weeks, a month, two months, I don't really know. A lot of those scenarios or hypotheticals I haven't even thought about.”

The other part of ownership possibly basing their personnel decisions on whether Tavares stays or goes: If Tavares walks out the door on July 1, Snow and Weight will already have the 2018-19 (and beyond) Islanders pretty well set. The June 22-23 NHL Draft will be where the Isles have two lottery picks to either use or wheel for immediate help. Tavares' contract would take up a huge chunk of the salary cap, but much of the other roster work will be done.

That would make it difficult to change course so late in the offseason. Not impossible if the owners have someone ready to step in, but difficult. Needlessly so, since they could have made their call on Snow any time and started a serious GM search by now.

And if Tavares walks and Malkin and Ledecky decide Snow must indeed go, as the billboard says, that basically ensures that the rest of the front office and coaching staff remains. All the owners need to recall is Colorado's decision to let Patrick Roy resign on Aug. 11, 2016, a move that pretty much doomed the Avalanche to a terrible 2016-17 that it has just now pulled away from.

Here is Ledecky's full statement from Monday:

“We are committed to long-term success. Any decisions we make are for the long-term success of our hockey club. We win and lose together as an organization, not as individuals. Missing the playoffs is beyond disappointing. At the same time, we believe we have a strong core of players that will be the basis for our success on the ice. Obviously, our definition of long-term success is competing for a Stanley Cup and eventually winning a fifth ring.

“Our season has just ended and as an organization, we will be evaluating all aspects of our hockey operations. Then we will make decisions on what is best for the future of our club. I am not here today to talk about any specific individuals, including players, coaches, and the general manager. We believe it is essential to our success to have a thoughtful evaluation process, to look at the past and, more importantly, assess the future of our team on and off the ice.

“As for the past season, as owners, we have failed. We sincerely apologize to our fans. We want to express that our ownership group is totally committed to winning and providing the resources to do just that.”

Those are the right words. They came far too late to have an impact, other than sowing some chaos as the Islanders begin their crucial offseason.

And you thought the Islanders were only a mess on the ice this season.
- eichiefs9

I love when staple says stupid shat like this. Like look what happened to the avalanche they couldn't possibly fire the GM or coaches and replace them. That just doesn't happen. Hahaha what a (frank)ing idiot.

2:41 of the press conference - "Now we're in a situation where we feel like we can compete for a Stanley Cup"

I don't know how the room didn't laugh in his face.
- JimmyP

Snow always has the power to completely shock me with his delusional comments but this one takes the cake. Holy (frank) hahaha

Snow always has the power to completely shock me with his delusional comments but this one takes the cake. Holy (frank) hahaha
- Cptmjl

I summarized. It's closer to: "Now we're in a situation where we feel we can compete for a Stanley Cup."
- JohnScammo

The Guy is delusional. He believes this BS to be true.

Snow always has the power to completely shock me with his delusional comments but this one takes the cake. Holy (frank) hahaha
- Cptmjl

Out of the playoffs 2 years in a row
On the verge of letting the franchises player walk for nothing
Heading into next year without a starting goal tender
Coming off a season when they were the worst defensive team in years

Stanley Cup here we come!

I love when staple says stupid shat like this. Like look what happened to the avalanche they couldn't possibly fire the GM or coaches and replace them. That just doesn't happen. Hahaha what a (frank)ing idiot.
- Cptmjl

Totally delusional Cpt.

BTW Garth The Avalanche made the POs this year bumhole!

Out of the playoffs 2 years in a row
On the verge of letting the franchises player walk for nothing
Heading into next year without a starting goal tender
Coming off a season when they were the worst defensive team in years

Stanley Cup here we come!
- JimmyP

Out of the playoffs 2 years in a row
On the verge of letting the franchises player walk for nothing
Heading into next year without a starting goal tender
Coming off a season when they were the worst defensive team in years

Stanley Cup here we come!
- JimmyP

How does Ledecky stop himself from murdering Snow let alone firing him

Totally delusional Cpt.

BTW Garth The Avalanche made the POs this year bumhole!
- nyisles7

Yep they sure did