this is such a tired argument. That team was filled with marginal players that overachieved yet still took a shoot out on the final day of the season to squeak into the playoffs, only to be demolished. Is this our goal as fans? To watch our team just barely make it into the playoffs hoping that the retreads we sign have a career year, knowing that whoever we play in the first round will out us in 4 games?

You may enjoy this, I don't. There was no foundation to build on. There was nothing of use in the farm system. If they'd tried to delay the rebuild and carry on with what they had it would have been embarassing. Please refer to the Calgary Flames. There's a time to let go and start over, and then there's the psychotic ex who continues to stalk you long after the break up, convinced they can make it work if they only got one more chance. Don't be a stalker.
- Isles_since_6

You're missing my point. It's not that we should build a team entirely of FAs. It's that we should be able to supplement our team with FAs. Phoenix does it, and they're in more dire straits than we are. Florida did it, and they've been just as if not more non-competitive over the last decade+.

By those teams bringing in credible help from the outside, they were able to remain competitive now while allowing their young talent to develop properly in the minors.

If you cannot bring in any vets, you're forced to rush your prospects. Your way seems to be make no trades out of stark fear of Mike Milbury, and not sign any FAs because "we can't." Then what? Simply "Josh Bailey" every prospect we have to fill a roster and reach the cap floor? There's nothing wrong with surrounding/protecting your kids with help from the outside. The fact that needs to even be stated shows how out of whack we've become.

look, I may not post a lot but I've been reading here quite a while and your posts are usually substantially more reasonable and better than this. You can't just stomp your feet and wave your hands and demand results. Well, you can, but you're not going to get any that way.

Holding them accountable is fine, but expecting them to immediately reverse history isn't going to happen. So if any big name UFA's want no part of the team, and trading youth is a dangerous and very risky proposal, especially for a team with very little depth and talent, what's left other than drafting and developing players?

As much as it frustrates all of us, it's extremely difficult to turn things around quickly when you have next to nothing to build on. What do we currently have on defense that would be considered a building block? Hamonic? Streit is aging and going into his final year, AMac regressed and appears to be a depth defenseman and dehaan/donovan/ness might give us one NHL ready kid this coming season. We're not a playoff team, we're not a cup contender. Unfortunately, trading kids and picks away becomes a viable strategy with a team that has enough depth that it won't cripple them. Milbury crippled us. Wang let it happen. Be pissed at them for sure, but it doesn't mean that currently we're on the wrong track. If this team can get the arena situation solidified then we might have a shot at some UFA's in the coming years, but until then, or until 2015, I think the best we can hope for is progress from the kids and maybe an 8th seed in one of the years until then.

realistic, depressing, but it is what it is. I hope I'm wrong and Snow finds a way to surprise me, but I don't see how trading away multiple pieces for someone like PK Subban advances our rebuild. Where did Montreal finish this year with a better defense and a better goaltender?
- Isles_since_6

Look, I'm not going to sit here and read quote after quote from fans and team representatives preaching "patience" anymore without pointing out that as a whole, this fanbase has been extremely "patient" for the better part of the last 20 years. This team's ownership needs to drastically improve. Its been a broken record for the past 20 years: bad owner sells team to another bad owner. Bad owner gets nowhere with getting a new arena or signing a long-term lease, puts no money into on-ice product. Team sucks. Owner sells to new bad owner. Repeat.

I get it. I know nothing is changing with this team until at least 2015 when the lease expires. That doesn't mean I can't call out ownership for a dreadful job in running this team and be frustrated that 20 years of futility is going on 25 years.

Look, I'm not going to sit here and read quote after quote from fans and team representatives preaching "patience" anymore without pointing out that as a whole, this fanbase has been extremely "patient" for the better part of the last 20 years. This team's ownership needs to drastically improve. Its been a broken record for the past 20 years: bad owner sells team to another bad owner. Bad owner gets nowhere with getting a new arena or signing a long-term lease, puts no money into on-ice product. Team sucks. Owner sells to new bad owner. Repeat.

I get it. I know nothing is changing with this team until at least 2015 when the lease expires. That doesn't mean I can't call out ownership for a dreadful job in running this team and be frustrated that 20 years of futility is going on 25 years.
- Jethro09

I agree with you, just don't expect anything to change.

your right i can not worry about anything pre 2008 it keeps me off the ledge...
- NYI78

You're missing my point. It's not that we should build a team of FAs. It's that we should be able to supplement our team with FAs. Phoenix does it, and they're in more dire straits than we are. Florida did it, and they've been just as if not more non-competitive over the last decade+.

By those teams bringing in credible help from the outside, they were able to remain competitive now while allowing their young talent to develop properly in the minors.

If you cannot bring in any vets, you're forced to rush your prospects. Your way seems to be make no trades out of stark fear of Mike Milbury, and not sign any FAs because "we can't." Then what? Simply "Josh Bailey" every prospect we have to fill a roster and reach the cap floor? There's nothing wrong with surrounding/protecting your kids with help from the outside. The fact that needs to even be stated shows how out of whack we've become.
- UIF

ideally, this is exactly what should be happening with this team. We should not have to watch players being kept up with the big club because their cap hit helps them reach the floor despite the kid not being anywhere near NHL ready and then being played on the fourth line. We should not have to watch players long past their prime who aren't playing at an NHL level, and aren't interested in playing for the Isles stay on the powerplay or the second line because their cap hit helps us reach the floor.

It's not right, it's not fun, it's embarassing and it should not happen. The reality is that because we can't seem to get those UFA's to sign here, that we may be in for more of this. I don't like it any more than you do, honestly, I don't support this direction. I just see that it's what we're likely going to get.

I'll be the first one to post here if we signed Suter or Parise, or even someone who could help the team, I just don't see it happening. I agree with your vision for the team, but I'd be shocked if they ever actually did that.

I don't know if it's Wang, Snow, the current arena, budget or the expiring lease and no place to play. I only can go by what Snow has gone public with. Maybe I'm wrong and Wang won't agree to sign anyone to big dollars and that's what's causing the problems, but until it's proven, I can't blame him for this mess. If they would develop the kids properly and support the ones on the roster with veterans who could actually play, I think they'd be headed in the right direction but right now I don't see other options for the team based on what they're saying.

read it again dumb dumb. Keep laughing.
- niteislander

Go easy on him NiteIsle. Its common knowledge that most Leafs fans dont pass Reading Comprehension.

why you gotta crush my dreams BD
- niteislander

The man's evil I tell ya!

I agree with you, just don't expect anything to change.
- Isles_since_6

I got news for you pal, you're preaching to the choir, for the most part around here. We all (frank)ing know that, and maybe, juuuust maybe, that's part of the frustration around these parts, and all of Islanders nation, in general. I'm pretty sure, I don't want to put words in his mouth, that Jethro feels the same way.

I haven't been able to post for a couple of months, for the most part, because I have nothing good to say.

Only if we drafted DiPietro again! Oh, not that lottery
- UIF

Snow took over a team that got into the playoffs that was largely built by UFAs that signed here. I'm not saying the guys we signed were world-class talent, but certainly better players than the players we attract now. We still had an old arena, a crazy owner, and not exactly the greatest success over two decades. I just find it strange how quickly we've all accepted "no FAs will sign here" as some sort of irreversible natural law to the point where we're all perfectly OK with abandoning that entire avenue to improve the team. Snow has to do a better job there. Period. Smith did it, and as many point out, he certainly was not the greatest GM since he's been unable to secure a job since then.
- UIF

all true points but when milbury/smith were GM from 1995-2006, the Free agents werent really concerned about where they and their family will be in 2015....i dont know first hand from any players and i wont pretend to know for sure but i think we ALL can assume that is a MAJOR factor that now plays into a free agents decision to sign with the islanders today.

I agree with you, just don't expect anything to change.
- Isles_since_6

Neither do most of us. Hence the reason for all this negativity and frustration.

I dont know how a true blue Isles fan could sit back and accept yr after yr of being served Kool Aid without venting.

Some vent more then others. But I doubt there is anyone among us who is happy and content over the position (situation) the Isles are in today.

We'll there maybe ONE!

ideally, this is exactly what should be happening with this team. We should not have to watch players being kept up with the big club because their cap hit helps them reach the floor despite the kid not being anywhere near NHL ready and then being played on the fourth line. We should not have to watch players long past their prime who aren't playing at an NHL level, and aren't interested in playing for the Isles stay on the powerplay or the second line because their cap hit helps us reach the floor.

It's not right, it's not fun, it's embarassing and it should not happen. The reality is that because we can't seem to get those UFA's to sign here, that we may be in for more of this. I don't like it any more than you do, honestly, I don't support this direction. I just see that it's what we're likely going to get.

I'll be the first one to post here if we signed Suter or Parise, or even someone who could help the team, I just don't see it happening. I agree with your vision for the team, but I'd be shocked if they ever actually did that.

I don't know if it's Wang, Snow, the current arena, budget or the expiring lease and no place to play. I only can go by what Snow has gone public with. Maybe I'm wrong and Wang won't agree to sign anyone to big dollars and that's what's causing the problems, but until it's proven, I can't blame him for this mess. If they would develop the kids properly and support the ones on the roster with veterans who could actually play, I think they'd be headed in the right direction but right now I don't see other options for the team based on what they're saying.
- Isles_since_6

That's what I was calling into question. When exactly did this become "the reality" that everyone just accepts as some force of nature? It wasn't the reality as recently as Neil Smith, who operated under the same owner with the same building in the same area. If Snow was able to bring in UFAs even of the caliber that Smith brought in -- which weren't top-flight all stars but were certainly hard-working vets that could fill roles -- we'd be able to surround our youth with players who could help them along.

I agree with most that Smith was not some amazing GM. So if Snow is worth anything as a hockey exec, should he not be able to at least perform similarly in the FA market?

Look, I'm not going to sit here and read quote after quote from fans and team representatives preaching "patience" anymore without pointing out that as a whole, this fanbase has been extremely "patient" for the better part of the last 20 years. This team's ownership needs to drastically improve. Its been a broken record for the past 20 years: bad owner sells team to another bad owner. Bad owner gets nowhere with getting a new arena or signing a long-term lease, puts no money into on-ice product. Team sucks. Owner sells to new bad owner. Repeat.

I get it. I know nothing is changing with this team until at least 2015 when the lease expires. That doesn't mean I can't call out ownership for a dreadful job in running this team and be frustrated that 20 years of futility is going on 25 years.
- Jethro09

i agree with this...ownership is to blame...i just cant group garth into those 20-25 years of futility...i personally base the guy on what he has done with the time he was given and the resources he has (IE money, poopty arena, poopty lease)...do i think he is the best out there? no. do i think with everything he has been given, or lack thereof, would someone be doing a considerably better job? no, not much better.

all true points but when milbury/smith were GM from 1995-2006, the Free agents werent really concerned about where they and their family will be in 2015....i dont know first hand from any players and i wont pretend to know for sure but i think we ALL can assume that is a MAJOR factor that now plays into a free agents decision to sign with the islanders today.
- LetsGoIsles

Yes but how many of the FA contracts that we've offered (long or short) would have expired before 2015?

Although we have offered some good contracts. We havent signed a decent FA in quite awhile. I have to believe that few if any of those contracts would have run thru the 2015 deadline. Yet players still refused to sign with us.

Yes but how many of the FA contracts that we've offered (long or short) would have expired before 2015?

Although we have offered some good contracts. We havent signed a decent FA in quite awhile. I have to believe that few if any of those contracts would have run thru the 2015 deadline. Yet players still refused to sign with us.
- SCLI

most of the contract extensions the isles "core guys" have received are to 2015 or longer... having said that, most players would ideally sign long term OR sign a deal with the hopes of signing an extension so they dont have to pack up (if they have a wife and kids even more so) and move for just 2-3 years only to do the same process all over again...

Yes but how many of the FA contracts that we've offered (long or short) would have expired before 2015?

Although we have offered some good contracts. We havent signed a decent FA in quite awhile. I have to believe that few if any of those contracts would have run thru the 2015 deadline. Yet players still refused to sign with us.
- SCLI

unfortunately most of the ufa's now are looking for long term deals that can be front loaded so they make their money right away and don't need to worry about trying to sign a contract near the end of their careers. That means they're looking past 2015 and with the lease expiring it's tough to think that doesn't factor into it.

I think if Snow could get one big name player to sign, that the rest would take notice and we might get a couple more. I just don't want to see them have to pull a florida and sign a number of them for far more than they're worth.

all true points but when milbury/smith were GM from 1995-2006, the Free agents werent really concerned about where they and their family will be in 2015....i dont know first hand from any players and i wont pretend to know for sure but i think we ALL can assume that is a MAJOR factor that now plays into a free agents decision to sign with the islanders today.
- LetsGoIsles

I'm in the same boat you are...I certainly haven't spoken to any players and don't know anything for sure. But in 2008, when we started seeing public comments from Snow about no FAs coming here (which seems like a very odd thing for a GM to do, imo...almost like you're asking for a self-fulfilling prophecy), an FA could have signed a six-year deal with the Isles and not had to worry at all about where the Isles would be after the 2015 season. Guys who were looking for 2 or 3 year contracts...tough to imagine that a top priority for them back then was where the Isles would be playing in 2016.

My theory: I feel like the organization took a huge hit to its already flagging reputation when Snow came in straight from the bench. I believe Snow was and possibly still is in over his head coming into that high of a management position that quickly, and that has hurt him when negotiating with FAs. And I feel that if an experienced GM was here, we'd still be able to sign some halfway decent players to help the rebuild and our young players along.

Maybe I'm way off on all of that. Wouldn't be the first time. But it's a strange coincidence to me that the team became off limits to credible FAs only when he took over as GM.

EDIT: Worth pointing out that Phoenix was able to sign some FAs in the very offseasons that they were rumored to be moving...

most of the contract extensions the isles "core guys" have received are to 2015 or longer... having said that, most players would ideally sign long term OR sign a deal with the hopes of signing an extension so they dont have to pack up (if they have a wife and kids even more so) and move for just 2-3 years only to do the same process all over again...
- LetsGoIsles

yes I understand that. But those are our FA's.

And right now there are 3 full seasons before anyone is faced with any uncertainty concerning a possible move.

What about the FA's that we attempted to sign 2, 3 ,4, or 5 yrs ago. Guys outside our organization. They could have made good money. Signed for multiple yrs and still been able to escape the the organization as FA's before being faced with the dreaded 2015 deadline. Hell some could have signed extentions. Been with the Isles for 6 or 7 yrs and still had time to find another city to play in. Besides, A 5-8 yr deal is the exception rather then the norm. Wouldnt you say?

I think theres more to this story besides the building and 2015.

I think players see Wang and the organization as unstable and unprofessional. We go thru coaches at a pretty good pace. And most of our coaches and GM's had/have little experience.

Like Jethro always said. Bring in quality, respected and successful NHL people and this ship gets turned around in a hurry.

I think players want stability in management/ownership just as much as financial stability.

I'm in the same boat you are...I certainly haven't spoken to any players and don't know anything for sure. But in 2008, when we started seeing public comments from Snow about no FAs coming here (which seems like a very odd thing for a GM to do, imo...almost like you're asking for a self-fulfilling prophecy), an FA could have signed a six-year deal with the Isles and not had to worry at all about where the Isles would be after the 2015 season. Guys who were looking for 2 or 3 year contracts...tough to imagine that a top priority for them back then was where the Isles would be playing in 2016.

My theory: I feel like the organization took a huge hit to its already flagging reputation when Snow came in straight from the bench. I believe Snow was and possibly still is in over his head coming into that high of a management position that quickly, and that has hurt him when negotiating with FAs. And I feel that if an experienced GM was here, we'd still be able to sign some halfway decent players to help the rebuild and our young players along.

Maybe I'm way off on all of that. Wouldn't be the first time. But it's a strange coincidence to me that the team became off limits to credible FAs only when he took over as GM.

EDIT: Worth pointing out that Phoenix was able to sign some FAs in the very offseasons that they were rumored to be moving...
- UIF

not disagreeing or agreeing but just to play devils advocate....

if you removed JUST the players/team/prospects (IE taking all the drama out of the equation) of this year and compared it to JUST the player/team/prospects when garth came in...this years team has a TONS more promise looking forward than the team did when garth become GM....if Garth had the players/team/prospects he has today back when he started i think he would have been able to attract more players...when garth came in, even though presumably the arena was necessarily the #1 issue at the time in free agents mind, the team and prospect pool was absolutely barren....now that the team and prospect pool is replenished and finally looks like there is a future, the arena has become enemy #1...its just the (im)perfect storm for the islanders....point is, timing is everything.

will some see this as an excuse, im sure, but i think there is plenty of truth to it... just my 2 cents.

yes I understand that. But those are our FA's.

And right now there are 3 full seasons before anyone is faced with any uncertainty concerning a possible move.

What about the FA's that we attempted to sign 2, 3 ,4, or 5 yrs ago. Guys outside our organization. They could have made good money. Signed for multiple yrs and still been able to escape the the organization as FA's before being faced with the dreaded 2015 deadline. Hell some could have signed extentions. Been with the Isles for 6 or 7 yrs and still had time to find another city to play in. Besides, A 5-8 yr deal is the exception rather then the norm. Wouldnt you say?

I think theres more to this story besides the building and 2015.

I think players see Wang and the organization as unstable and unprofessional. We go thru coaches at a pretty good pace. And most of our coaches and GM's had/have little experience.

Like Jethro always said. Bring in quality, respected and successful NHL people and this ship gets turned around in a hurry.

I think players want stability in management/ownership just as much as financial stability.
- SCLI

--for the guys we are looking for IE the difference makers, im not sure 5-8 year deals are the exception anymore.

--100% agree with second bold comment.


EDIT: i guess my main point is that i just have a hard time pointing the figner at garth simply because i think wang runs the ship and quite simply, what wang wants, wang gets...and if you say otherwise, you can join neil smith...id say 9 of my fingers are pointed at wang, 1 is pointed at snow....

I'm in the same boat you are...I certainly haven't spoken to any players and don't know anything for sure. But in 2008, when we started seeing public comments from Snow about no FAs coming here (which seems like a very odd thing for a GM to do, imo...almost like you're asking for a self-fulfilling prophecy), an FA could have signed a six-year deal with the Isles and not had to worry at all about where the Isles would be after the 2015 season. Guys who were looking for 2 or 3 year contracts...tough to imagine that a top priority for them back then was where the Isles would be playing in 2016.

My theory: I feel like the organization took a huge hit to its already flagging reputation when Snow came in straight from the bench. I believe Snow was and possibly still is in over his head coming into that high of a management position that quickly, and that has hurt him when negotiating with FAs. And I feel that if an experienced GM was here, we'd still be able to sign some halfway decent players to help the rebuild and our young players along.

Maybe I'm way off on all of that. Wouldn't be the first time. But it's a strange coincidence to me that the team became off limits to credible FAs only when he took over as GM.

EDIT: Worth pointing out that Phoenix was able to sign some FAs in the very offseasons that they were rumored to be moving...
- UIF

I was typing while you posted this. Seems both of us are beating the exact same horse.

I'm in the same boat you are...I certainly haven't spoken to any players and don't know anything for sure. But in 2008, when we started seeing public comments from Snow about no FAs coming here (which seems like a very odd thing for a GM to do, imo...almost like you're asking for a self-fulfilling prophecy), an FA could have signed a six-year deal with the Isles and not had to worry at all about where the Isles would be after the 2015 season. Guys who were looking for 2 or 3 year contracts...tough to imagine that a top priority for them back then was where the Isles would be playing in 2016.

My theory: I feel like the organization took a huge hit to its already flagging reputation when Snow came in straight from the bench. I believe Snow was and possibly still is in over his head coming into that high of a management position that quickly, and that has hurt him when negotiating with FAs. And I feel that if an experienced GM was here, we'd still be able to sign some halfway decent players to help the rebuild and our young players along.

Maybe I'm way off on all of that. Wouldn't be the first time. But it's a strange coincidence to me that the team became off limits to credible FAs only when he took over as GM.

EDIT: Worth pointing out that Phoenix was able to sign some FAs in the very offseasons that they were rumored to be moving...
- UIF

The Phoenix sutuation pokes holes in the argument that the Isles' arena situation and potential move is keeping players from signing here. The truth is, Phoenix has been able to build a pretty nice team with the league owning the franchise for the past three years, threats of moving anywhere from back to Winnipeg to Quebec and no indication until very recently that the team is likely staying put. They were able to do it in large part, believe it or not, through stability and respect from the GM position (I know, I can't believe I wrote that about Don Maloney after how badly he butchered the Isles) and through having a very solid and respected coach in Dave Tippett.

With all of the crap swirling around the Coyotes the past few years, they still found a way to run their ship credibily and maintained the respect of those in the hockey community. Phoenix goes out and offers a guy like Ray Whitney a 3-year deal and look how its paid off. Whitney's been great for them. He was willing to sign a three year deal with the Yotes despite the uncertainty of the team's future. Does anyone here think that Whitney would have signed with the Isles for the same contract terms? My guess is "no".

One point to note...

The Isles rebuild began at the 2008 draft... that is less than 4 years ago. And no rebuild: Caps, Blackhawks, Penguins or such has been any faster. Pens took 5 years and got a generational player... no, actually two of them. Tavares is neither Crosby or Malkin, despite the wonderful development into a key player.

You can complain about Garth's tenure, but it was not until the 2008 season under Nolan as the team just fell apart that a rebuild was decided on and committed to.

I think what comes into play into fan feelings/perception is fact of the miserable years under Milbury and above all... the very frustrating and concerning venue situation. Also, only Frans and Okposo were integral pieces in system before this, so not working with a whole lot here (Andy Mac in my mind is a depth Dman)

So, I think we all need to add those factors to the issues here to really make an assessment.
- B.D. Gallof

Great article BD, I agree with many of the points and also with your challenge to Garth to lure the quality FA's to help make the leap to a winning season/playoff appearance....yes, we all agree winning cures most problems and is contagious in getting the off-ice issues resolved but I HAVE to insist that the lack of proven/quality coaching decisions has almost as much to do with the state of the rebuild we currently find ourselves in, sans a map or gps device to help locate and cross the border into Winville.

The Isles NEED a coach that will NOT ACCEPT LOSING. And one that can convince the players in the room, that THEY CAN compete and be successful.
Cappy waited until Christmas to bench Okposo, thus lighting the fire that saw his production return to what we all know he's capable of. But what about Grabner?? Bailey? Streit? Nino? Forget the failed Rolston/Mottau/Reasoner experiments, uh, veteran presence role players... Cappy was clueless as to how to squeeze that little extra that could have had them on the bubble. It wasn't a losing season by much. An improvement of 10-15% in wins/points would have had them fighting for #8 seed.

So, while I agree Garth's biggest challenge will be finding a way to get those few key pieces missing from the puzzle but HE CAN find a better coach that JC and a failure to do so is ignorant and contemptible, IMHO.

Good day, Sir.

The Phoenix sutuation pokes holes in the argument that the Isles' arena situation and potential move is keeping players from signing here. The truth is, Phoenix has been able to build a pretty nice team with the league owning the franchise for the past three years, threats of moving anywhere from back to Winnipeg to Quebec and no indication until very recently that the team is likely staying put. They were able to do it in large part, believe it or not, through stability and respect from the GM position (I know, I can't believe I wrote that about Don Maloney after how badly he butchered the Isles) and through having a very solid and respected coach in Dave Tippett.

With all of the crap swirling around the Coyotes the past few years, they still found a way to run their ship credibily and maintained the respect of those in the hockey community. Phoenix goes out and offers a guy like Ray Whitney a 3-year deal and look how its paid off. Whitney's been great for them. He was willing to sign a three year deal with the Yotes despite the uncertainty of the team's future. Does anyone here think that Whitney would have signed with the Isles for the same contract terms? My guess is "no".
- Jethro09

(for the sake of striking up convo) Finish this sentence:

if the league owned the isles _______

yes I understand that. But those are our FA's.

And right now there are 3 full seasons before anyone is faced with any uncertainty concerning a possible move.

What about the FA's that we attempted to sign 2, 3 ,4, or 5 yrs ago. Guys outside our organization. They could have made good money. Signed for multiple yrs and still been able to escape the the organization as FA's before being faced with the dreaded 2015 deadline. Hell some could have signed extentions. Been with the Isles for 6 or 7 yrs and still had time to find another city to play in. Besides, A 5-8 yr deal is the exception rather then the norm. Wouldnt you say?

I think theres more to this story besides the building and 2015.

I think players see Wang and the organization as unstable and unprofessional. We go thru coaches at a pretty good pace. And most of our coaches and GM's had/have little experience.

Like Jethro always said. Bring in quality, respected and successful NHL people and this ship gets turned around in a hurry.

I think players want stability in management/ownership just as much as financial stability.
- SCLI

Thanks for the plug! Seriously, its true. The fish rots from the head. If you want the organization to turn around, it starts at the top. This thread is not meant to be a bashing session on Snow and to criticize what he's done. Its meant to show how poor a job the ownership of this team has been for a long time. .