A shake up is required.

Start with Wanger, and wirk your way down.
- bixll

Problem is Wang has no intnetion of selling the team. So it has to start with the GM down. GEt a real NHL GM who can sway a real NHL coach. In that case people will see we are trying and who knows what will happen. We need to know what the hell is going on with this team if we are getting an arena if we are leaving the Island who knows at this point very frustrating for fans and the players and those looking on the outside do not want any part of that either

Structure in no way = N.Y. Islanders
- Cptmjl

Communist Structure



Starts at the Top

Problem is Wang has no intnetion of selling the team. So it has to start with the GM down. GEt a real NHL GM who can sway a real NHL coach. In that case people will see we are trying and who knows what will happen. We need to know what the hell is going on with this team if we are getting an arena if we are leaving the Island who knows at this point very frustrating for fans and the players and those looking on the outside do not want any part of that either
- kasperrko

He needs to remove himself from the day to day operations of the team. Hire a proper staff and let the staff operate the team as a proper functioning team. Not disfunctional, as it has been for the 4 years I have been following. What a (frank)in soap opera. Never a dull moment. Almost car crash like. You don't want to watch, but you gota.

I'm usually the one who preaches continuity and whatnot in lobbying to keep Cappy in place, but after watching yesterday, and taking stock on the entire season, I have to say the number one priority (aside from getting a new f-ing arena) has to be getting a top-tier coach. Its more important than getting top-tier players at this point.

Cappy sucks. I'm not going to blame him for all the losing this year, God knows the players shoulder a considerable amount of the blame for their consistent no-shows this season, but Cappy's decision-making is awful. His lineups are atrocious. I don't understand how anyone can think it is a good idea to have Rolston, a 38-year old bum, on either the second or third line and on the PP while the team's top prospect, Nino, is wallowing away on the 4th line getting 5 minutes/game playing with AHL-level trash like Wallace, Pandolfo and Reasoner. How can anyone think its a good idea to even dress Wallace when a kid like Ullstrom is ready to play?

This team comes out flat way too often. Giving up a goal on the first shot of a game is indicative of a team not ready to play that day. That's happened 10 times to the Isles this season and the season is only half over. It is also bad when players imply that there is no "structure" on the team.

Look at Nashville. One coach over the past 12 years. Because of it, there's structure and continuity in that organization and they are consistently competitive. The Isles have had about 8 coaches in that same time. As a result, they only compete for top pick in the draft during most seasons. Garth has to find an NHL-caliber coach, with a proven track record of success at the NHL level, preferably one with a track record of success with young players. They need to identify that guy and overwhelm him with a contract offer to get him to come to Long Island. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking Michael Therrien or Andy Murray.
- Jethro09

There is a fine line between the good teams and the worst in this league. The Islanders are losing b/c of one reason more than any other factor. They lose the goalie battle. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the league. If you just switched Goalies I would be willing to bet the Isles would be in the playoff picture right now... Could they use more scoring from other lines. yes.. of course but so could many other teams. Could they use some better defensemen.. of course...but the Goalie is the biggest issue and has been for the last 4 years.

There is a fine line between the good teams and the worst in this league. The Islanders are losing b/c of one reason more than any other factor. They lose the goalie battle. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the league. If you just switched Goalies I would be willing to bet the Isles would be in the playoff picture right now... Could they use more scoring from other lines. yes.. of course but so could many other teams. Could they use some better defensemen.. of course...but the Goalie is the biggest issue and has been for the last 4 years.
- niteislander

I am sorry, but I totally disagree. The defensive team play is what makes a tender great in the NHL. If you had Price in the net, you do not make the playoffs, with a team playing like this.

There is a fine line between the good teams and the worst in this league. The Islanders are losing b/c of one reason more than any other factor. They lose the goalie battle. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the league. If you just switched Goalies I would be willing to bet the Isles would be in the playoff picture right now... Could they use more scoring from other lines. yes.. of course but so could many other teams. Could they use some better defensemen.. of course...but the Goalie is the biggest issue and has been for the last 4 years.
- niteislander

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- LetsGoIsles

What are you trying to say??

There is a fine line between the good teams and the worst in this league. The Islanders are losing b/c of one reason more than any other factor. They lose the goalie battle. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the league. If you just switched Goalies I would be willing to bet the Isles would be in the playoff picture right now... Could they use more scoring from other lines. yes.. of course but so could many other teams. Could they use some better defensemen.. of course...but the Goalie is the biggest issue and has been for the last 4 years.
- niteislander

Agreed goaltending is the most important thing in this league. Without Rinne is Nashville in the playoffs? Without Lundqvist is NYR anywhere near first place or even a playoff team the last couple of years? Without Thomas are the Bruins Stanley cup champs last year?

I am sorry, but I totally disagree. The defensive team play is what makes a tender great in the NHL. If you had Price in the net, you do not make the playoffs, with a team playing like this.
- bixll

When the first shot goes in the net 25% of the time.. and u constantly let at least one soft goal in the net that is a big deal. We have outplayed many teams this year and lost the game. Do I think we would be in first place? no.. but the one position that is most important is goalie and ours are backups.

Agreed goaltending is the most important thing in this league. Without Rinne is Nashville in the playoffs? Without Lundqvist is NYR anywhere near first place or even a playoff team the last couple of years? Without Thomas are the Bruins Stanley cup champs last year?
- mighty13duck

Probably b/c Rask is just as good.. lol. I agree with your point though.. obviously.

Off topic. But does it seem that now without Crosby the Pens are irrelevant again? The team used to be talked about non stop by the NHL. It basicallly died this year?

There is a fine line between the good teams and the worst in this league. The Islanders are losing b/c of one reason more than any other factor. They lose the goalie battle. Pekka Rinne is one of the best in the league. If you just switched Goalies I would be willing to bet the Isles would be in the playoff picture right now... Could they use more scoring from other lines. yes.. of course but so could many other teams. Could they use some better defensemen.. of course...but the Goalie is the biggest issue and has been for the last 4 years.
- niteislander

I have to respectfully disagree. While I agree the Isles goaltending situation has been abysmal since Osgood was traded, you make it sound like if the Isles had hit a home run with RDP in the draft and he became a healthy, perennial top-five goaltender in hockey playing 65-70 games/season, this team would be a winner. Rinne hasn't been the goaltender in Nashville for the past 12 years. They had Dunham, Vokoun, etc. in that time as well. The team is good because the organizational structure and coaching is consistent and good, the total opposite of what the Isles have had going on during that same time.

You could put any goaltender on the Isles the past 5 years and the team would have still missed the playoffs each season. It takes more than a world-class goaltender to make a team consistently competitive.

Agreed goaltending is the most important thing in this league. Without Rinne is Nashville in the playoffs? Without Lundqvist is NYR anywhere near first place or even a playoff team the last couple of years? Without Thomas are the Bruins Stanley cup champs last year?
- mighty13duck

So, you think the Isles are a playoff contender if Tim Thomas was in goal for them the past five years, but everything else was the same? Same owner, same GM, same roster outside of goal, but a better goaltender gets them into contention? I disagree. Want proof that it takes more than a goaltender? Look at Florida while Luongo was there.

Agreed goaltending is the most important thing in this league. Without Rinne is Nashville in the playoffs? Without Lundqvist is NYR anywhere near first place or even a playoff team the last couple of years? Without Thomas are the Bruins Stanley cup champs last year?
- mighty13duck

Yes. Based on the fact that the Preds have made the playoffs every year but one ('09) since 2003-04. Rinne didn't start playing for them (other than a couple of spot starts) until 2008-09.

I have to respectfully disagree. While I agree the Isles goaltending situation has been abysmal since Osgood was traded, you make it sound like if the Isles had hit a home run with RDP in the draft and he became a healthy, perennial top-five goaltender in hockey playing 65-70 games/season, this team would be a winner. Rinne hasn't been the goaltender in Nashville for the past 12 years. They had Dunham, Vokoun, etc. in that time as well. The team is good because the organizational structure and coaching is consistent and good, the total opposite of what the Isles have had going on during that same time.

You could put any goaltender on the Isles the past 5 years and the team would have still missed the playoffs each season. It takes more than a world-class goaltender to make a team consistently competitive.
- Jethro09

This year with a top five goalie like Lunqvist we would be in the playoff hunt. No doubt in my mind. The last few years the Rags were nothing special and neither were the Habs and look what they accomplished.

So, you think the Isles are a playoff contender if Tim Thomas was in goal for them the past five years, but everything else was the same? Same owner, same GM, same roster outside of goal, but a better goaltender gets them into contention? I disagree. Want proof that it takes more than a goaltender? Look at Florida while Luongo was there.
- Jethro09

Not the past five years but this year. Definitely.

So, you think the Isles are a playoff contender if Tim Thomas was in goal for them the past five years, but everything else was the same? Same owner, same GM, same roster outside of goal, but a better goaltender gets them into contention? I disagree. Want proof that it takes more than a goaltender? Look at Florida while Luongo was there.
- Jethro09

I disagree as well. If Thomas had our defense in front of him then maybe we will have one or two more wins nothing more. A goalie himself can not carry a team to the promise land. The Rangers have great defense, The Bruins have great defense, Nashville has great defense. A goalie plays off of that. I had great defense when I played and I had some amazing games but as soon as our defense went thin it was a lot tougher. I was facing more shots and had more pressure for coming up with the big save. Defense wins championships and without that you are nto going far at all

Yes. Based on the fact that the Preds have made the playoffs every year but one ('09) since 2003-04. Rinne didn't start playing for them (other than a couple of spot starts) until 2008-09.
- UIF

Not to make excuses. I do agree this team has a ton of holes and needs changes, however being in the Atlantic division does not help this team. Toughest division in the NHL, no doubt. We need a top tier goalie. Poulin will not be that guy, I just do not see it.

This year with a top five goalie like Lunqvist we would be in the playoff hunt. No doubt in my mind. The last few years the Rags were nothing special and neither were the Habs and look what they accomplished.
- mighty13duck

Technically speaking, the Isles are in "the playoff hunt" now (and no, I don't think they have a realistic chance of making it). I just don't think the Isles are a #6 or #7 team in the conference instead of #15 simply by swapping Montoya/Nabokov out for Thomas or Lundqvist. You'd still have the same sh**ty defensemen and forwards, same crappy coach and same GM incapable of supplementing the roster past September. You don't think that Torts has had something to do with the Rangers' success?

Agreed goaltending is the most important thing in this league. Without Rinne is Nashville in the playoffs? Without Lundqvist is NYR anywhere near first place or even a playoff team the last couple of years? Without Thomas are the Bruins Stanley cup champs last year?
- mighty13duck

having a norris trophy candidate and another 1A d-man on the top line certainly doesnt hurt

Technically speaking, the Isles are in "the playoff hunt" now. I just don't think the Isles are a #6 or #7 team in the conference instead of #15 simply by swapping Montoya/Nabokov out for Thomas or Lundqvist. You'd still have the same sh**ty defensemen and forwards, same crappy coach and same GM incapable of supplementing the roster past September. You don't think that Torts has had something to do with the Rangers' success?
- Jethro09

I will be the first to admit we NEED a new coach and defense. However It still would not make us competetive without a good goalie.

I will be the first to admit we NEED a new coach and defense. However It still would not make us competetive without a good goalie.
- mighty13duck

For starters,

A great coach would make a big difference.

A great tender would make another big differnece.

But, proper team defence would make the biggest difference, and quicker.

Add the tender after that and you have your playoff spot.

We can all sit and argue what is needed most for this team but the bottom line is we wont get anybody. The sad part is that this team has so many holes that their is an argument. Whats even more sad is the fact that management will do nothing next year again, and continue to make excuses.

Not the past five years but this year. Definitely.
- mighty13duck

I just don't see it. Roberto Luongo was on the Panthers from 2000-01 through the 2006 season. He was regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the world during that time. Consistently over .900 save percentage and under a 3.00 GAA each of those seasons. The Panthers never made the playoffs during Luongo's time in Florida. And that's because it takes more than one player to get a team into the playoffs. Florida surrounded Luongo with s**t during his time there and they were consistently bad because of it.

I just don't see it. Roberto Luongo was on the Panthers from 2000-01 through the 2006 season. He was regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the world during that time. Consistently over .900 save percentage and under a 3.00 GAA each of those seasons. The Panthers never made the playoffs during Luongo's time in Florida. And that's because it takes more than one player to get a team into the playoffs. Florida surrounded Luongo with s**t during his time there and they were consistently bad because of it.
- Jethro09

Excellent point.