A proven NHL GM and coaching staff would be just the splash I'm looking for.
- ses111

Fixed

Im gonna disagree with the keeping of Snow. He's had more than enough time to field a cup team, and they fell flat. Trading for Vanek was admission that this team needed a top tier winger to play for JT, and yet it was never addressed after he failed to sign Vanek. Thats inexcusable. I dont wanna play the who's out there game, as he's rife with prospects and not all of them will pan out. I think that under an experienced, battle tested GM, you'd see the islanders farther along in this "rebuild".

In response to the bold...........that was something that should have been said last summer when he stood pat. He didnt do much to improve the team that lost in game 7 to the caps without scoring on the PP.
- kindlyrick

I'm not saying that Snow should necessarily remain, but is McPhee the answer? He has connections to Ledecky and/or Malkin from his WSH days, so presumably he could be the guy if Snow is replaced, but who knows. The real issue is the coach if Snow is replaced. Who is out there as a coach that the Isles could get?

Im gonna disagree with the keeping of Snow. He's had more than enough time to field a cup team, and they fell flat. Trading for Vanek was admission that this team needed a top tier winger to play for JT, and yet it was never addressed after he failed to sign Vanek. Thats inexcusable. I dont wanna play the who's out there game, as he's rife with prospects and not all of them will pan out. I think that under an experienced, battle tested GM, you'd see the islanders farther along in this "rebuild".

In response to the bold...........that was something that should have been said last summer when he stood pat. He didnt do much to improve the team that lost in game 7 to the caps without scoring on the PP.
- kindlyrick

I agree Garth has had more than enough time to have this team further along. McPhee may or may not be the answer? He did have more success in Washington than Garth has had with the Islanders. I'd love to bring in a proven Cup winner as GM, but that is not easy.

I'm not saying that Snow should necessarily remain, but is McPhee the answer? He has connections to Ledecky and/or Malkin from his WSH days, so presumably he could be the guy if Snow is replaced, but who knows. The real issue is the coach if Snow is replaced. Who is out there as a coach that the Isles could get?
- Jethro09

I am not a huge fan of McPhee but as you said there is a history. As for a coach, at this point, i really dont care who they bring in. As long as they dont go on record as being happy with their teams play when they lose back to back games at home in the 2nd round.

I agree Garth has had more than enough time to have this team further along. McPhee may or may not be the answer? He did have more success in Washington than Garth has had with the Islanders. I'd love to bring in a proven Cup winner as GM, but that is not easy.
- ses111

I mean nothing is "easy" but you have to have the want for it. The leafs decided to start over and in one summer brought in the best coach, and one of the best GMs in the NHL. Im hoping the new owners want to win, because that gets reflected in the on ice product.

Im gonna disagree with the keeping of Snow. He's had more than enough time to field a cup team, and they fell flat. Trading for Vanek was admission that this team needed a top tier winger to play for JT, and yet it was never addressed after he failed to sign Vanek. Thats inexcusable. I dont wanna play the who's out there game, as he's rife with prospects and not all of them will pan out. I think that under an experienced, battle tested GM, you'd see the islanders farther along in this "rebuild".

In response to the bold...........that was something that should have been said last summer when he stood pat. He didnt do much to improve the team that lost in game 7 to the caps without scoring on the PP.
- kindlyrick

I think Snow honestly had faith that guys like Strome, Nelson and Lee were going to take the next step this year. Strome was coming off a 50pt season, Nelson scored 20 and had a mostly good year last season and Lee was coming off a 25g season.

Snow isn't getting off without any criticism, but he had every right to assume that those players were going to take the next step this year and all three failed, to varying degrees, to do so. Had they improved slightly off their previous seasons, that would have been a monstrous shot in the arm as far as depth is concerned.

There is some dead-weigh that needs to be cut, in Bailey and Kulemin. There is a huge need to acquire a quality winger to play with Tavares. There are depth issues that need to be addressed and decisions that have to be made regarding some free agents. There's a lot of work to be done.

I mean nothing is "easy" but you have to have the want for it. The leafs decided to start over and in one summer brought in the best coach, and one of the best GMs in the NHL. Im hoping the new owners want to win, because that gets reflected in the on ice product.
- kindlyrick

Isles and the Leafs are not operating under the same fiscal constraints. Comparing the Isles' budget to the Leafs' is like comparing the Yankees' to the A's.

Its very telling that the GMs for both the lightening and the isles (Yzerman and Snow) came in around the same time. The Lightening went to the cup finals last year, and beat the isles in 5 games, without their top player, and 2nd best dman.

I think its time the isles took a real hard look at their management and coaching staff. The same problem has occurred and re occurred for the last 5 years under this coach. The inability to close out games is not a problem that winning teams have.

The Lightening did a great job at shutting down JT, and the fact that they never brought in a winger of that top line caliber is inexcusable. Okposo on any other team isnt a first line guy, and Frans is a third line center.......yet on the isles those were the choices to flank #91? When you shut down 91 the entire team is done.....
- kindlyrick

This is accurate. It seems like some coaches and organizations are content to measure success based on regular season wins. Did the Islanders make progress this year? Based on how closely this year's playoffs resemble last year's, it's not clear to me that they did.

This team is still very young and very talented. They need a few tweaks.. I am still hoping Hamonic changed his mind after this playoff run. If He did then the it will be interesting to see how the summer plays out. Lots of questions...

Is Okposo gone? My guess is yes..

Franz - I think He will be back

Matt Martin - I think He will be back..

If Hamonic has to be moved.. what will we get back? ..

Isles and the Leafs are not operating under the same fiscal constraints. Comparing the Isles' budget to the Leafs' is like comparing the Yankees' to the A's.
- eichiefs9

The point of the comparison is that there are always people out there, its just a matter of how badly do you want them.

I mean nothing is "easy" but you have to have the want for it. The leafs decided to start over and in one summer brought in the best coach, and one of the best GMs in the NHL. Im hoping the new owners want to win, because that gets reflected in the on ice product.
- kindlyrick

You need a GM who is not just going to bring in his buddies and is secure enough to bring in a proven coach.

I think Snow honestly had faith that guys like Strome, Nelson and Lee were going to take the next step this year. Strome was coming off a 50pt season, Nelson scored 20 and had a mostly good year last season and Lee was coming off a 25g season.

Snow isn't getting off without any criticism, but he had every right to assume that those players were going to take the next step this year and all three failed, to varying degrees, to do so. Had they improved slightly off their previous seasons, that would have been a monstrous shot in the arm as far as depth is concerned.

There is some dead-weigh that needs to be cut, in Bailey and Kulemin. There is a huge need to acquire a quality winger to play with Tavares. There are depth issues that need to be addressed and decisions that have to be made regarding some free agents. There's a lot of work to be done.
- eichiefs9

Its a lot deeper of an issue than the play of three kids. To bank on Nelson, Lee, and Strome to be difference makers is proof enough that the GM is not the right guy. Players like Nelson, Lee and Strome should be contributors, but the weight shouldnt fall on them to carry the load so to speak.

Look at the last 5 years..........and you will see one common theme. Failure to hold a lead which happened again these playoffs. What has this GM done to address this problem? Last summer should have made this year be his sink or swim, and we watched this team sink......its time for change.

The point of the comparison is that there are always people out there, its just a matter of how badly do you want them.
- kindlyrick

Yeah but I'm saying it wouldn't have mattered. Isles can't compete with what the Leafs are paying them and I'm not sure they could have afforded to bring in both, even if they wanted to be here.

Yeah but I'm saying it wouldn't have mattered. Isles can't compete with what the Leafs are paying them and I'm not sure they could have afforded to bring in both, even if they wanted to be here.
- eichiefs9

The new owners may not have the Leafs money, but they do not seem to be hurting either. Money should not be factor like it was with Wang. I have no issue not paying that money to Babcock. Other proven coaches out there for the Isles to hire and Garth did not do it.

Yeah but I'm saying it wouldn't have mattered. Isles can't compete with what the Leafs are paying them and I'm not sure they could have afforded to bring in both, even if they wanted to be here.
- eichiefs9

Again, my point was not that actual dollars and cents. I get the idea of small market vs large market teams. The point is that rather than go with new england connection, its time to try and bring in proven guys, in both management and coaching staff. Standing pat is not fixing the problem. The lightening brought in an AHL guy and have had more success......you dont need a babcock to be successful. You need to hire the right guy for the job, not the U of Maine alum that you're hooking up.

Its a lot deeper of an issue than the play of three kids. To bank on Nelson, Lee, and Strome to be difference makers is proof enough that the GM is not the right guy. Players like Nelson, Lee and Strome should be contributors, but the weight shouldnt fall on them to carry the load so to speak.

Look at the last 5 years..........and you will see one common theme. Failure to hold a lead which happened again these playoffs. What has this GM done to address this problem? Last summer should have made this year be his sink or swim, and we watched this team sink......its time for change.
- kindlyrick

The most glaring change needs to be the coach. We do not have a defensive-corps lacking in talent. A large majority of the issues with this team are rooted in the system they play. You could blatantly notice Tampa and their ability to break out of the zone by moving the puck with a series of short passes. The Islanders are out there trying 50-60ft stretch passes from deep in their own zone. That isn't ever going to work. Tampa completely shut them down in the neutral zone and when they tried to play the dump-and-chase game, a talented puck-handling goaltender like Bishop shut them down.

The team needs fundamental changes from the ground up. There are personnel issues that need to be addressed, but it doesn't matter who we bring in if they're going to have to play in this garbage system that has zero structure.

Its a lot deeper of an issue than the play of three kids. To bank on Nelson, Lee, and Strome to be difference makers is proof enough that the GM is not the right guy. Players like Nelson, Lee and Strome should be contributors, but the weight shouldnt fall on them to carry the load so to speak.

Look at the last 5 years..........and you will see one common theme. Failure to hold a lead which happened again these playoffs. What has this GM done to address this problem? Last summer should have made this year be his sink or swim, and we watched this team sink......its time for change.
- kindlyrick

We've seen other young players fall back like Strome after a nice rookie season. It was dumb to just count on improvement from the young players and especially with this same coaching staff. Garth did not make enough moves in the offseason and many of us said so at the time.

Yeah but I'm saying it wouldn't have mattered. Isles can't compete with what the Leafs are paying them and I'm not sure they could have afforded to bring in both, even if they wanted to be here.
- eichiefs9

I think also why im trying to get at is that the leafs were owned by the teachers union and as a result things were status quo. There really was noone "in charge" as it was a union. Since they were bought by the phone carrier Rogers, they went out and changed everything from the president, the GM and coach. They became serious about changing the dynamic over there. Thats all im asking for. 10 years is long enough......its time for a change.

werent there a few guys saying this series will be easier than the panthers? that hedman was a turnover machine?? the guy practically single handedly beat the isles.

anyone going to own up to that?

The most glaring change needs to be the coach. We do not have a defensive-corps lacking in talent. A large majority of the issues with this team are rooted in the system they play. You could blatantly notice Tampa and their ability to break out of the zone by moving the puck with a series of short passes. The Islanders are out there trying 50-60ft stretch passes from deep in their own zone. That isn't ever going to work. Tampa completely shut them down in the neutral zone and when they tried to play the dump-and-chase game, a talented puck-handling goaltender like Bishop shut them down.

The team needs fundamental changes from the ground up. There are personnel issues that need to be addressed, but it doesn't matter who we bring in if they're going to have to play in this garbage system that has zero structure.
- eichiefs9

Im in agreement with this, but if we wanna see the forrest through the trees we can also say that the GM is the one who's kept this coach (and system) for 5 years. Again, it hasnt worked....time to bring in someone else in both management and coaching.

werent there a few guys saying this series will be easier than the panthers? that hedman was a turnover machine?? the guy practically single handedly beat the isles.

anyone going to own up to that?
- LetsGoIsles

Im in agreement with this, but if we wanna see the forrest through the trees we can also say that the GM is the one who's kept this coach (and system) for 5 years. Again, it hasnt worked....time to bring in someone else in both management and coaching.
- kindlyrick

Again, I am not, and have never, absolved Snow of all blame. He needs to replace the coach. All I was saying is that I see Capuano as a more glaring issue than a lot of the personnel issues.

werent there a few guys saying this series will be easier than the panthers? that hedman was a turnover machine?? the guy practically single handedly beat the isles.

anyone going to own up to that?
- LetsGoIsles

Yes me......and Hedman was a beast all series. But, rather than play the point the finger game to me (who's a fan not a professional), lets look a little deeper. A team without their top scorer and 2nd best dman beat the isles. On paper it was a safe bet to take the isles in this series.

The most glaring change needs to be the coach. We do not have a defensive-corps lacking in talent. A large majority of the issues with this team are rooted in the system they play. You could blatantly notice Tampa and their ability to break out of the zone by moving the puck with a series of short passes. The Islanders are out there trying 50-60ft stretch passes from deep in their own zone. That isn't ever going to work. Tampa completely shut them down in the neutral zone and when they tried to play the dump-and-chase game, a talented puck-handling goaltender like Bishop shut them down.

The team needs fundamental changes from the ground up. There are personnel issues that need to be addressed, but it doesn't matter who we bring in if they're going to have to play in this garbage system that has zero structure.
- eichiefs9

We've seen the issue for the longest time with the spacing between the D and forwards being way off. The forwards are too far ahead. It should have been obvious to Cappy, but he cannot make the needed adjustments to fix these things. It's incredible to me that Garth would put his faith in a guy like Cappy.

Again, I am not, and have never, absolved Snow of all blame. He needs to replace the coach. All I was saying is that I see Capuano as a more glaring issue than a lot of the personnel issues.
- eichiefs9

I mean how could you not.......but the GM is who hired and more importantly KEPT said coach. We can agree or disagree, but the proofs in the pudding. Snow has had more than enough time to build a winner. He's not done so. Its time.