You cannot be busy on weekend when the Islanders have a lot of work to do.



Malkin is this great businessman, and he has no issue with wasting money?
- ses111

Lou had full autonomy to do whatever he saw fit on the hockey side of things, so I doubt he needed ownership to give him the stamp of approval to make any decisions. As long as he had the job he could effectively operate in any manner he wanted. And nobody really knows when these extensions were given out. It could have been a year ago for all we know.

It's Darche's show now and I'm willing to give him a long runway to show fans what he is and how he operates.

Lou had full autonomy to do whatever he saw fit on the hockey side of things, so I doubt he needed ownership to give him the stamp of approval to make any decisions. As long as he had the job he could effectively operate in any manner he wanted. And nobody really knows when these extensions were given out. It could have been a year ago for all we know.

It's Darche's show now and I'm willing to give him a long runway to show fans what he is and how he operates.
- Gabe Athaus

I thought I read somewhere that Chris Lam was extended mid season but I could be making that up

Lou had full autonomy to do whatever he saw fit on the hockey side of things, so I doubt he needed ownership to give him the stamp of approval to make any decisions. As long as he had the job he could effectively operate in any manner he wanted. And nobody really knows when these extensions were given out. It could have been a year ago for all we know.

It's Darche's show now and I'm willing to give him a long runway to show fans what he is and how he operates.
- Gabe Athaus

Very risky for owners not to have to sign off on contracts. I'm good with giving Darche a long runway as he has a mess to cleanup.

Very risky for owners not to have to sign off on contracts. I'm good with giving Darche a long runway as he has a mess to cleanup.
- ses111

I don't think so really. They hire guys like Lou and pay them big money to run the team because they know the business and ownership has to trust them to make the right decisions. Doubly-so for a guy like Lou who has been around forever and is so highly respected.

Ownership should not meddle in the day-to-day affairs of the front office, that kind of micromanaging just leads to a poor work environment and poor results. GM gets the keys and if, over time, he's not doing a job that ownership approves of then he gets replaced.

I don't think so really. They hire guys like Lou and pay them big money to run the team because they know the business and ownership has to trust them to make the right decisions. Doubly-so for a guy like Lou who has been around forever and is so highly respected.

Ownership should not meddle in the day-to-day affairs of the front office, that kind of micromanaging just leads to a poor work environment and poor results. GM gets the keys and if, over time, he's not doing a job that ownership approves of then he gets replaced.
- Gabe Athaus

This is all true, but it can also lead to these types of contracts. It's important for owners to make a move quickly so the GM cannot continue to make moves you may not want. The Islanders were very good to Lou hiring him from the Leafs and giving him full control.

I see no real reason Schaefer should be in the NHL at all next year. The rush to get all 1st overall picks into lineups is not the smartest to me. Obviously guys like McDavid and Matthews had nothing left to prove at the levels they were playing at and it made total sense, but not every 1st pick needs to be fast-tracked to the big club. Schaefer is almost young enough to have been a pick in next year's draft and he missed almost all of his draft year season. I'd have no issues sending him back to the OHL or NCAA, if he wanted to go that route, to let him develop for another year. It's probably the best thing for his long-term development.
- Gabe Athaus

100% and I believe the team more than likely agrees with us.

I thought Cpt saw it from someone else?
- ses111

Pagnotta posted something along the same lines. Who knows if it’s actually true. Hope not.

Pagnotta posted something along the same lines. Who knows if it’s actually true. Hope not.
- Cptmjl

It's interesting that two people reported it. It's just an example if you have doubts about the GM, you need to act quickly.

This is all true, but it can also lead to these types of contracts. Darche better not trust Freddo with anything important.
- ses111

Those contracts are, for the most part, going to get handed out regardless of who is signing off on them. As bad as some deals may end up being, the market of available players in any given year will fluctuate based on who's available, what teams need what role filled, etc...

The cheapo owners that wouldn't pay them also wouldn't have competitive/successful teams. You can refuse to give anyone a NTC but there are always other teams that will, so if you want a player you're going to have to include it.

Those contracts are, for the most part, going to get handed out regardless of who is signing off on them. As bad as some deals may end up being, the market of available players in any given year will fluctuate based on who's available, what teams need what role filled, etc...

The cheapo owners that wouldn't pay them also wouldn't have competitive/successful teams. You can refuse to give anyone a NTC but there are always other teams that will, so if you want a player you're going to have to include it.
- Gabe Athaus

I meant the Chris deal and I mean more along the lines of players like Pierre and Mayfield. No need to overpay players like them with long term deals. Players like Barzal or Bo, you have to pay. Bottom line, Islander owners have not been quick enough in making GM changes and it just adds to the pain.

I meant the Chris deal and I mean more along the lines of players like Pierre and Mayfield. No need to overpay players like them with long term deals. Players like Barzal or Bo, you have to pay. Bottom line, Islander owners have not been quick enough on making GM changes and it just adds to the pain.
- ses111

For sure there are still intelligent decisions that need to be made in handing out contracts, but if they wanted to retain those players and they were going to get similar deals on the open market then that's what they had to do to keep them.

Not saying I agree with it, because I most definitely do not (regarding Mayfield/Engvall) but you gotta pay to play. Hopefully better decisions going forward that aren't largely centered around rewarding guys for being good 4 years ago

For sure there are still intelligent decisions that need to be made in handing out contracts, but if they wanted to retain those players and they were going to get similar deals on the open market then that's what they had to do to keep them.

Not saying I agree with it, because I most definitely do not (regarding Mayfield/Engvall) but you gotta pay to play. Hopefully better decisions going forward that aren't largely centered around rewarding guys for being good 4 years ago
- Gabe Athaus

Or for being the GMs son after setting the record for worst season ever in the history of the AHL. Lou’s a HOFer but this is a bad look imho. Borderline fraudulent.

Or for being the GMs son after setting the record for worst season ever in the history of the AHL. Lou’s a HOFer but this is a bad look imho. Borderline fraudulent.
- kindlyrick

It's definitely a bad look and I don't like it, if it's true. But if Lou extended him midseason it's a lot less worse looking than if he just rushed a contract right before he was let go. Still terrible either way, but one is a lot less shady looking to me. I don't suspect that C. Lamoriello will be around very long, at least not in his present role

It's definitely a bad look and I don't like it, if it's true. But if Lou extended him midseason it's a lot less worse looking than if he just rushed a contract right before he was let go. Still terrible either way, but one is a lot less shady looking to me. I don't suspect that C. Lamoriello will be around very long, at least not in his present role
- Gabe Athaus

I agree that Chris Lam won’t be involved in anything of importance if kept, and I don’t see it as major problem. I just think it mimics Lou’s tenure as GM……another bad contract for an underperforming asset, how ironic.

It's definitely a bad look and I don't like it, if it's true. But if Lou extended him midseason it's a lot less worse looking than if he just rushed a contract right before he was let go. Still terrible either way, but one is a lot less shady looking to me. I don't suspect that C. Lamoriello will be around very long, at least not in his present role
- Gabe Athaus

Nah, it's just as terrible then too. Bridgeport under his "leadership" is a complete poopshow right now and it didn't happen overnight. It's only natural to believe that he was kept on and then extended because he is Lou's son.

Nah, it's just as terrible then too. Bridgeport under his "leadership" is a complete poopshow right now and it didn't happen overnight. It's only natural to believe that he was kept on and then extended because he is Lou's son.
- PeteM

It makes sense Lou did not care about Bridge and Chris did not either. Chris is old enough to fend for himself. Chris really wants this rep for himself?

It makes sense Lou did not care about Bridge and Chris did not either. Chris is old enough to fend for himself. Chris really wants this rep for himself?
- ses111

Doubt he cares about someone sending him a check bcs daddy said so.

Nah, it's just as terrible then too. Bridgeport under his "leadership" is a complete poopshow right now and it didn't happen overnight. It's only natural to believe that he was kept on and then extended because he is Lou's son.
- PeteM

I’d bet money that this extension was part of the rift between Collins and Lou Lam. I can’t imagine being an owner and my manager having complete autonomy, so much so that he extends his son after setting a record for worst record in a season. This goes beyond a stagnant organization…..Lou gave them the middle finger.

I’d bet money that this extension was part of the rift between Collins and Lou Lam. I can’t imagine being an owner and my manager having complete autonomy, so much so that he extends his son after setting a record for worst record in a season. This goes beyond a stagnant organization…..Lou gave them the middle finger.
- kindlyrick

It's all well and good when owners do not meddle, but it has some downsides and especially in this case. Chris is not making the money players are making, but he can still cause problems. Malkin needed to be more on top of things or had Collins watch closely. You do not need to be a hockey expert to see the team was losing money and regressing since the ECF. If the team is rolling and they are legit contenders, the owner does not need to be in the GM's face.

It's all well and good when owners do not meddle, but it has some downsides and especially in this case. Chris is not making the money players are making, but he can still cause problems. Malkin needed to be more on top of things or had Collins watch closely. You do not need to be a hockey expert to see the team was losing money and regressing since the ECF. If the team is rolling and they are legit contenders, the owner does not need to be in the GM's face.
- ses111

Whether it’s 1 Lamoriello or Zero Lamoriello the isles have turned the corner. I doubt Chris Lam is anything other than a page pusher. I do however believe it’s a stain on Lou’s legacy. Poor form.

Whether it’s 1 Lamoriello or Zero Lamoriello the isles have turned the corner. I doubt Chris Lam is anything other than a page pusher. I do however believe it’s a stain on Lou’s legacy. Poor form.
- kindlyrick

Chris may end up being a paper pusher. I still do not like the idea he is hanging around. I want Darche to have his people and everyone on the same page. Malkin should have stepped in sooner so let me eat the money.

Chris may end up being a paper pusher. I still do not like the idea he is hanging around. I want Darche to have his people and everyone on the same page.
- ses111

Yeah I mean firing all assistants for the isles and the entire Bridgeport coaching staff lends itself to the idea that Darche is gonna overhaul the entire organization. Maybe a Pellegrini makes the cut as numbers are numbers and that’s his forte.