TWO MORE OF THOSE “DEPTH” SIGNINGS
Greg Moore and Matt Moulson from the AHL
7:55 pm - Beauchemin went to TO, but two more from the AHL for the NYI. There’s Greg Moore, a checking center who played 6 games last season for the Rangers and spent most of the last four in Hartford. And left wing Matt Moulson, who played 29 NHL games (6-4-10) over the last three seasons while in the Kings system. For those of you still salivating over the thought of your team going after Kris Versteeg and/or Cam Barker, remember one thing: the Islanders have signed only one NHL free agent. They needed a goaltender.
147 Responses to TWO MORE OF THOSE “DEPTH” SIGNINGS
Greg Moore and Matt Moulson from the AHL
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guru says:
Garth, what is wrong with you???
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The PolishPrince says:
Crap…JT is gonna be getting plastered this season.
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Strummer's Army says:
Well they need a defense and an enforcer or three as well and to replace the AHL players on their NHL roster. There are a lot of good players here, especially the youngsters but this is just causing a lot of mistrust that Snow hasn’t properly addressed the issues. Should Barker or Veersteg become UFA Snow better get them, they’d both fit in ideally. They probably don’t like Barker though, they will hold his size against him, despite his puck moving skills etc.
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isles99 says:
if snow doesn’t go after versteeg, its a shame….this guy is young stud coming off a great season…he fits into what we are trying to build here. same goes for barker. its like adding a 1st round pick. why snow wont go after them is beyond me. just goes to prove wanger is not spending a penny over the bare minimum until the LHP is approved.
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Cain says:
Everybody chill – there are teams playing with cap issues, trades to be made (potentially) and two months yet.
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Bossjones says:
So Snow cannot sign NHL players because it takes away from the development of their young prospects but he can load up the AHL roster with players that will be taking time away from their younger prospects. That makes a TON of sense. Can’t wait to face Toronto this season, I guess they figure if they cant have Tavares they can disfigure him.
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Will C. says:
Bummer.
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doug says:
CB,
Don’t you think it will cost $5 million per year/ multi year contract each for Barker and Versteeg? Someone said on this board that Versteeg played for Gordon. So I would guess he would be the one that they go after.
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Isles316 says:
It’s going to take 5 years guys before we are a good team again. We need to prepare for the fact that we are going to stink this year too. There is no point in signing guys that take away ice time from the young players. It’s not like we have no one. They signed Reich,we have Rechliz, Witt, Sutton, Jackman. I would agree that if Versteeg becomes available he would fit in perfect with our style and system.
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JANE FONDAS ARMY says:
I like what Snow is doing, keeping w/the rebuilding. Like i heard from a poster last week, we are not going to win the cup this coming season, why steer a way from the origanal plan and screw up something thats coming together. Im very happy we now have Tavarez, so lets the team gel w/out spending on rentals. Im very pleased so far, i just agree we do need to protect JT & other prospects. I bet Snow Knows it, just be patient guys.
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DRIVE45 says:
Either Snow is waiting to make some moves or the Isles are going for the number 1 pick again in 2010. This team is going to get plastered, pushed around and plain beat up next year with no legit power/enforcer forward. Go get Boogard and McGrattan. Protect our players! And make a pitch for Tanguay!
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Jay says:
Good team “again”? when was the last one? ’93?
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Scout says:
CB for GM
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Cam Barker just resigned with Chicago and so did about 6 other guys. Versteeg has not.
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I find it hard to believe that Gordon and Snow ( two former tough goalies ) aren’t woried about their toughness.
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Steven says:
I’m not sure why were suppose to be lousy this year? I’m not saying were going to make the playoffs. This team was very competitive the 2nd half of last year and we added JT and Rolosson. Guys like Bailey KO Bergenheim Nielsson and Comeau are a year older and hopefully better than last year.
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jim in 226 says:
Barker just signed a 3 year, $9.25 mil extension.
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anthony says:
there is no reason WHY THE ISLES CAN’T SIGN THE “RIGHT” PLAYERS!!!!!
they can do this without hurting the rebuild and can have these players be actually a part of the rebuild……..it is called transitioning. plus the isles need balance-scoring, defense, protection in the line up,etc……..
this is nothing more than the isles being cheap for the wrong reasons….if they make a trade or2 to solidy these problem areas, great, i will eat these words…i am not anti-snow/wang and i like the rebuild, but i disagree with this seemingly stand pat mentality
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Tavares #1 says:
All we do is stock on players that are not even NHL caliber. That is not a rebuild. It is a con. JT is going to hate it here.
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Anyone upset about a lack of free agents go ask Ranger and Lighting fans how free agency went for those teams. Then go ask Devil and Wings fans how many big free agents their teams signed over the years. I’ll take the Devils and Wings approach any day.
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I just find it very disheartening when you are $6 million or so under the cap and you’re doing nothing to better the team. I seriously doubt Wang is holding Snow back. It would be one thing if Garth is shying away from older veterans, but for guys who are around 30, like a Tanguay, I just don’t see how that kind of move would retard the growth of someone already on the roster. Okposo, Bailey, Comeau — the guys that matter — will get their ice time. Some of these guys have no future and we all know it.
IMO, Bergenheim needs to be the man this year. If he plays well, Garth will look a lot better.
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@#17….so what? I guess that means we should not even try….at least the Rangers are in it every year. Which is more than I can say for the never improving boring Islanders
We do not have anywhere near the GM talent that the Devils and Wings do.
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Larry says:
Islanders arent under that cap, With Tavares’s cap hit which will be 3.75 they are over the 40.8
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SS says:
Bossjones (#6):
Someone needs to play in Bridgeport.
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TIM says:
i love the way your building this team garth,don’t listen to the nay sayers rebuild it the right way
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Harold C says:
Steven (#16) – that is a ludicrous analogy. Both those teams have won multiple cups and are the model organization when it comes to drafting. Garth Snow doesn’t have the track record of those GM’s to just sit there and sign nobody. Rangers and Bolts got lucky once to win it all, we haven’t sniffed drafting success since, unfortunately, Milbury was here. He was a jerk and an impatient GM, but he and his staff knew talent…shame they are all elsewhere. Other than Tavares, Snow has zilch to show for his drafting skills. The jury is out, but so far I am far from impressed.
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#18 the isles cap hit will not be 3.75 mil…that will be the total of his deal probably..cap hit should be about a mil….unless his deal has that much in bonus money…????/
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ItsGoodToBeRich says:
The longer we wait to sign an enforcer, the bigger the roles that Sutton and Witt have to play.
I thought we could of signed a free agent d-man to add to our team and move Sutton’s contract for picks, but now that’s probably not going to happen.
My only concern is that we should of signed a free agent forward who could play alongside JT. I’m still hoping for Tanguay, but the longer we wait we risk the chance of him signing with another team.
As far as an enforcer goes, I think Snow will make some sort of a trade that will bring some toughness to this team. I think he’ll acquire someone who we never have even talked about.
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Bossy22 says:
#5….You’re bang on. Teams like Philly, Chi and NYR are going to be forced to make trades with low expectations on what they will get in return because they are in a position where they must get rid of salary. This is when Snow comes in and picks up players without overpaying. It’s a long summer folks, don’t get to caught up in these mind boggling contracts.
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joedayisback says:
CB….could you please do a post about the cap for next year and where the isles stand? It seems there is a ton of confusion about this. I believe the Isles will be there with the Tavares signing and the signings of the RFA’s. Thanks.
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Mike L says:
Larry- Yup, and we still have RFA’s to sign so getting to the minimum should not be a problem. Should we sign Tanguay just for the sake of signing someone? I dont like the idea of using money just because you have it.
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derekkingforpres says:
Greg Moore played two seasons ago in the NHL. I believe in the 07-08 season.
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orngfan says:
is it really called depth if the guys you are signing have zero business being in the NHL? thomas pock all over again.
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i like these signings better than i would like tanguay…….just forget about this guy islander fans he’s a soft injury-prone girl
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I do not want a Tanguay type of player. I want a Kessel type of player. If the choice is between Tanguay and giving a roster spot to a big promising forward like Jesse J, I rather see Jesse get the spot.
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#20, that is what his cap hit will be, his base is around 900,000 and he will have bonuses that take it to 3.75 per year, just like stamkos
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Cam Barker signs with Chicago 3 years 9.25
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ShardZ says:
Matt Moulson was the captain of the Cornell hockey team, my first year there. I got to see him play every weekend. This is a GREAT signing, even if he is just going to be an AHL player. He’s a big guy, plays hard, and has good hands, probably better than some of the various 4th-liners we’ve had cycling through the past few years. Plus, he scored a goal in his first game in the big leagues, a wrist shot from between the circles. I know he’s intended to be a Sound Tiger, but I hope he gets a shot in the big leagues, I’d love to see him play again.
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CJCB says:
You know what i dont get, why people say they agree with what Snow is doing staying the course and rebuilding? Like Streit was always part of the plan? Do people forget that he was a free agent signing and not a 21 year old but a 31 year old? Would it kill the plan to sign a younger maybe late 20′s forward or d- man? I dont think people are asking for the world or forget the plan but this team has SO many holes we can fill a couple and still NOT lose focus of the plan.
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BST18 says:
Any news on the Islanders RFA’s?
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CJCB…totally right, think about what the team would have looked like without Streit…scary
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dose says:
these are depth moves. and a foundation. if an arena is forthcoming, and i’ll bet it is, they will be well set up. why is everyone so negative? like met fans.
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PNut says:
@CJCB
maybe he tried and couldn’t get them…..like Komiserak. Maybe there was more FA players???!! Who knows Snow kept the secret of who he was drafting……maybe he would look like a fool stting who he went after. He doesn’t have to tell any fans anything anymore. He is payed by Wang, not by us. -
Madchef says:
we never sign anyone anymore….face the facts…we are becoming the pirates of hockey….except hopefully we draft better.
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@Bossjones, maybe there was no diamonds in the rough, or maybe just maybe there is still plenty of time to find that type of player.
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i don’t think there’s to many ufa’s left that i would even think about signing now so let the rebuild begin for another year CJCB is right with the exception of tanguay
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nystrom23 says:
Umm for all u fans ask for big signing go ask lou lamieriello how many huge signings he has made the last 10 years
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Staten Islander says:
At this point, if they sign someone who can even impersonate an enforcer i’ll be happy
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Blockness Monster says:
Im getting really tired of people bashing Snow and saying that he has no experience and etc.
I think he is doing a fine job so far and over time he will gain the track record other GMs have…winning GMs that is.
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Harold it’s not a ludicrous analogy. Garth Snow has not been on the job for 15 years ruining this team. He deserves a chance. Who is to say he will not be a success? You cannot judge Garth’s record yet on these drafts.I’m sorry but I refuse to look at guys like Bailey KO Bergenheim Nielsen and Comeau and think Mick Vukota like some fans want to do.
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WM says:
I’m puzzled. We’ll be around the cap floor come opening night – can’t we go $3M to $5M above that by signing a YOUNG promising forward. Kessel or Versteeg would be great for us! Either one would instantly be a first or second line player. Sign one of these guys, get an enforcer, and drop the puck!
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Be careful 46. I made the same type of comment and some Isles fans did not like it. Some Isles fans still see Garth as a nobody instead of an ex player and someone with a Masters Degree. Garth is no dummy despite what some fans like to think.
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islestherapy says:
i understand we’re rebuilding, but can we get SOMEONE with nhl experience?!
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Alex says:
EVERYONE! Once The RFA’s are signed we will no longer he under the cap floor…. so give it up!
Snow should be going balls to the wall after Versteeg. 53 points as a rookie…only 23.. comeeeee onnnnnn….
talk about speeding up the rebuild. add some youth and numbers at the same time!
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Tavares #1 (23): The Rangers “are in it every year?” So I guess the nine entire years they went without winning even one single playoff game is completely forgotten by now lol? How soon we forget. Fact is, the Rangers have made the playoffs the last few years- yay. Thats it, though… no reason to make them out to be more than they actually are.
Sigh. “Rebuild the team via the draft Garth- but do it instantaneously, sign big-name FAs, and make us contenders”- right? Sorry fellas but you cant have it both ways.
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i bet chicago signs versteeg tonight so stop dreaming of him we won’t get him
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@Steven…his degree has nothing at all to do with building a hockey team.
@Nystrom…I do not see anyone including Botta looking for big signings. We are just looking to improve. Obviously that is too much to ask.
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Joe says:
Wow, really Garth?
Beauchemin- 3 years 10 mil, I cant believe he didnt do that.
Garth has earned an F in free agency. Staying the course or not, that would’ve been a great signing, plus no enforcer yet.
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hyedray says:
Reasonable depth signings. No complaints.
I dont understand is why so many fans who cheered Snow on draft day are now jeering him.
Snow has said many, many times that he intends to BUILD via the draft. Tempting as it might be, for every NHL free agent we sign, that means one of our young players stays in Bridgeport, or is traded.
I applaud Garth. He made the right pick on draft day, added De Haan and solved our Goalie issues with smart drafting and a good UFA pick-up. He is letting the kids develop here, rather then seeing them become stars on other teams…ahem…Milbury.
Time. Patience. This is not going to turn around overnight. It is going to be a rebuild in the model of Washington–3 full seasons. Free agents are there to HELP the core, not necessarily BE the Core. It must come from within.
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Blizzard says: Blah,Blah,Blah…….Snow isnt gonna sign anybody of any significance. As CB said we needed a goalie. We signed a 40 year old thats part of the rebuild….whatever.
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@hyedray….our players in Bridge suck. It is that simple.
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Isle be Damned says:
honestly Garth is running a big risk of having his players being manhandled every single game this year. They MUST get bigger & more physical and they can do that with 1 or 2 signings. I can’t for the life of me understand why he isn’t bringing in anyone to protect his young players.
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Robert says:
I;m not looking for them to get away from the plan (which is to stick with the youth movement), but can we at least sign our damn enforcer!!
Brian Ncgratton would be great.
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Hud says:
The Isles can’t sign anyone, they have to pay Yashin 2 to 4 million every year until 2014, awesome! This is why Garth is doing what he is doing, none of these free agents is the savior, build the team, then get the savior, Butch Goring, when ya need him. Looking forward to next season, each will get better with Garths plan.
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valentino says:
I love how everyone thinks its so simple for Snow to go out and sign whoever they want. What big name free agent is coming here…I mean seriously…
Stop already…lol…
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Ever since Smyth bolted to Colo followed by Poti, Kozlov and whoever was lost during that UFA season, he’s just kind of stunk.
It was really his failing at UFAs that brought us all to this rebuild. Not that I’m against it, I’m all for it, but it’d be nice to cheer on some goals and wins along the way.
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Scoundrel says:
Too bad about Beauchemin. He would have been a nice addition. I’ve liked a lot of the things Garth has done, so I’m content to wait and see how he addresses the ‘toughness’ issue.
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Matt says:
This is horrible, just plain horrible… Garth Snow is a loser idc what anyone says, hey garth why dont you hang out and play around with more girls huh? you washed up backup goaltender… He’s the new gm of the Bridge Port Soundtigers.
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jon from nj says:
Look, I’m all about the rebuild…but we can’t get anyone else besides Roloson? I guess this speaks volumes about how Garth and Wang know that not many want to come here and play. There are plenty of youngsters who’d fit into the system and rebuild…lets not cut our noses here to spite our faces.
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Michael from T.O. says:
Nice to see Bridgeport with be competing for the Calder Cup and the Isles will once again be competing for the first overall pick in the Draft Lottery!
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Dan says:
Garth is the Gm of the Soundtigers..
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Section 320 rocks!!!!!! says:
Tim your nuts!! You would rather sign AHL players then an NHL player in a position where we don’t have alot of depth. Thats amazing to me! Why is it when people want to bring in a person or two people call them Mad Mike followers! I dont mind a lottery finish next season but why is in necessary to stay in the bottom 2?
Sorry I just needed to vent
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robby d says:
Again, why haven’t the Islanders signed Travis Moen? Does Kenny Morrow scout the Ducks? Has he not seen this 27 year old, youth, play. He does it all. Chris, call Garth and tell him to sign Moen! Please.
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StevieL says:
Has everyone forgotten the part about Wang losing 20 to 25 mil a year?This team will be at min cap level untill something happens with the Lighthouse! I am sure Snow is handcuffed by the lack of money available. If Tavares bonus brings us to min. cap the UFA period is over for the Isles unless we move or release players. That is where I have a problem with Snow, the rebuild needs to involve moving players from a last place team and creating space. Right now we have the same exact team as last year with just Tavares and Roloson as new faces. That is hard to understand.
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What were the Penguins big signings the summer after drafting Crosby? How about the Caps immediately after taking Ovechkin? No one of significance.
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LouD says:
Actually remember two things. 1. “The Islanders needed a goaltender”, and 2. Garth Snow already told everyone he wouldn’t be signing any free agents so if you’re still suprised you may have either a hearing or a reading comprehension problem.
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Jester69 says:
To everyone saying Garth fails at FA signings…. didn’t he have the best FA signing last season in Streit?
Be patient…. for once let them build this thing THE RIGHT WAY. No more rush jobs to build teams just good enough to finish 8th and bow out of the playoffs in 5 games.
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Brian G says:
Remember another thing – the Islanders need everything not just a Goalie…Pick up some of these guys…they will not break Wang’s bank…even though he probably set Snow’s budget at the cap floor:
UFA Canidates still available:
D
Seidenberg – 3 years – 3.3 per
Morris – 1 year – 2.2
McKee – 1 year – 750W/C
RW – Kotalik – 1 year – 1.7
LW – Moen – 2 years – 1.6 per
RW – Grier – 1 yr – 1.3
C/W – D. Moore – 1 yr – 1.3
C/W – Goc – 1 yr – 700Make some moves – If Versteeg is available be bold and sign him
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Dank516 says:
I am so tired of hearing “oooh this team is gonna be terrable” “Snow is a joke” Seriously, people get over yourselves and just be patient. Imagine for a minute how great it will be to see this team fight fight fight and then finally win. These kids are tough and are willing to take a few bumps and bruises to earn the cup. Let me say that again “Earn the Cup”. This team is gonna get better and better and better. I can wait and so should you because it will be that much better. The mentality of signing overpaid and spoiled free agents is over.
Lets go Islanders!
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Everyone whining about the Isles kinda reminds me of Randy Quade from the movie Major League. hahahah Wild Thing!
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Hock says:
Similar team as last year, but a lot of young guys with a little more experience.
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DLR says:
Dank- There is little fight in this team. Its a collection of injury prone pacifists with little ability to score. I think all fans of this team have a right to complain. We are awful. We didnt ‘earn ” JT; we were given the shot at him through pure ineptitude and luck. Wang has proven to be less than savvy in hockey mngmnt; Gordon is a puppett who cant get along with the only real winner on the team(and Cup Champ now) . Snow has proven NOTHING since being absurdly promoted to a position critical to our success. Yea, lots to cheer about. You grab a coke and watch Tambellini and company while the rest of us remain realistically pissed off. Benefit of the doubt? For these clowns? No.
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dorfer 74 – pens signed gonchar, recchi, leclair, and palffy after taking crosby
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Jim M says:
I dont understand how alot of people think we are a lottery team next year. In fact I believe this team is a few healty players away from an 8th seed push. With Dwayne Roloson, hopefully a healthy DP, youth with more experience with the inclusion of JT, I believe this will be a very fun team to watch next year, if the freak amount of injuries can be avoided. Sorry guys no lottery pick in 2011 for this team
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I sit and I read all this complaining day after day, its like a hen party. We all know by now garth is building through the draft. The team loses money, stay at the min. cap. Also what is lost from last year was the fact we played without a goalie. Joey Mac and Jan Danis are not NHL caliber starters. With them in net and a lack of scoring does everyone forget the Isles lost something like 25 games by one goal, nevermind the games where there was an open netter. Now picture this, for some of you glass is always half empty fans, hopefully DP in goal if not Roloson, the development of our young core players, and the scoring touch of JT(should get atleast 20)most of the one goal loses turn into atleast 1 point maybe 2. The team was not as bad as the record, goaltending was a major fact as well as the 580 games lost to injury. Just something to think about from a guy who love the Islanders,,,
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MikeL says:
I have been behind Snowman up until this draft. Not sure what we just did with all the trading and then drafting goalies that probably will never play here. We needed forwards and decided to not do anything about that. You could have had 3 forwards that would have been on the Isles for the next 7 years. Snow may have really set this rebuilding process back with that draft. I was at the daft and a monkey could have drafted JT. After that he let the air out of the building and God forbid he drafted Ferraro’s son for the fans. All I can say is unreal. Every good move the Isles make they follow it up with 5 bad ones. So depressing this organization!!!
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JPinVA says:
What about signing two Islander draft picks in 2009-10? Ziggy and Mattias Weinhandl had impressive 2008-09 campaigns. …and Milbury’s gone…
Well… at least we won’t have to watch Andy Hilbert this year. Whew!
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Church Hill Drew says:
#84. Drafted Ferraro’s son for the fans? Are you serious? Because Ray Ferraro was instrumental in doing what for us exactly? He was a glorified 30 goal man with a good shot and competed hard. The fact that Ray Ferraro (whom I liked) is one of our better players in team history speaks volumes about the overall talent level decline since the glory years.
Stop it already with comparisons to Zach Parise. LOTS of teams passed on Ray’s son. Don’t put it all on Garth.
While we’re at it, Alex Tanguay would be the BEST player on this team. Sad but true. He’s a steady, bonafide NHL calibre winger under 30 years of age who regularly produces 25-30 goals and 60-80 points. He had 41 points in 50 games last season and almost 60 in a “terrible” year before that. In anyone’s book, that makes him the top forward on our team by a country mile.
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Brother Rat says:
Dorfer, they weren’t a waste of money at all. I’m not sure what metric you’re using to say that. When you draft a kid who’s supposed to be the face of the franchise and carry the team for years, he has to learn leadership at the NHL level. The Pens brought in experienced leadership in Recchi and LeClair, and they already had Lemieux to lean on. Plus, both Recchi and LeClair had won Stanley Cups and scored big goals in the finals. Recchi and LeClair scored more goals that year than anyone on the Isles did this year. Palffy was a fine depth signing, and his “insignificant” scoring would have been good for second on last year’s Isles team.
Garth has brought in nobody to help mentor Tavares with leadership (is Weight enough?) and nobody to help carry the burdens of scoring or setting up Tavares. The Pens had a good, young team in 2005-2006 (Malone, Orpik, Scuderi, Whitney), but they complemented that talent with scoring and leadership. Garth has so far done neither for us.
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Pez says:
i say we sign versteeg instead of thompson and let versteeg take his spot that way noone gets ice time taken away? sound good?
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jeff says:
Unless the Isles put some real players around JT, he will be gone as soon as he’s free to leave. What doesn’t Snow get? There have been so many young players signed that are better than anyone on our team, and Garth does nothing. Unless this changes, and soon, it’s going to be another long season at the worst barn in the NHL. Please Garth, sign some real players. It’s OK for the team to make a playoff run now. Really, it is.
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JZimm says:
Interesting how Garth Snow is taking such a pounding for this An unrestricted free agent has never turned a team around. Not Peter Forsberg, not Mark Messier, not Jeremy Roenick, not Theo Fleury or Valeri Kamensky, not Wade Redden… MAYBE you could argue Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard, but those are obvious unique cases that have not gone beyond the 2nd round of the playoffs. I’m not a big free agent guy. The home grown players are what bring consistent winning results. I hope this team improves, but if they get another top 5 pick next year, so be it. I will be thrilled with an 80 point season.
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MikeL (84): You are bummed that the Isles drafted a very promising goaltender who is going to go professional and play in the AHL this year because in your opinion they needed to draft Ray Ferraros son to “make the fans happy”? I just dont get the fascination… the Islanders didnt even draft Ray Ferraro himself lol! And do you know how big Langdon Ferraro is?
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vukota says:
These poor kids are going to take cartoon like beatings this year!!!
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Greg says:
Garth is doing the right thing. We need to restock the organization, replace the players we have lost. As far as people calling out Snow for not signing Beauchemin, who’s to say he would have signed the same deal with this team?
Patience. We’re finally on the right track. Don’t just sign free agents for the sake of signing them (NYR). Target specific players for specific roles and go from there. Do not just settle for “leftovers”. We can build this thing through the draft and then supplement this thing with some veterans when the time is right.
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Mark in Ottawa says:
Chris – Can you confirm that the Isles had Bill Derlago in for a visit ?
Will he be signed to a one-way or two deal ?
Any info will help.
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jonsson3 says:
I’ll say it again, go get MAXIM AFINOGENOV!!!
He’ll be cheap, so if it doesn’t work, so what. But if he plays like he did a few years ago in Buffalo watch out, we’re gonna score plenty of goals. Please Garth. Go get him!! -
Afinogenov is a terrible hockey player. Great skater, fancy moves, little RESULTS. It’s like Kvasha all over again.
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Barker is off the market now too.
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Whoa, whoa… Kvasha great skater, fancy moves? In what dreamworld?
I would have loved to see Beauchemin in an Islander uniform, but there are still some good UFAs out there. For all we know Garth tried to woo Beau, but he turned it down. I’d like to see Garth go for Seidenberg, and Kotalik. For size… Travis Moen. We all knew that the roster wouldn’t change that drastically.
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Hotstick says:
Snow is obviously just not spending money…flat out,come on its easy to see.this team will be a non playoff team again and i don’t know how that brings along the kids,by losing most nights?It will be another frustrating year for the fans and the team.I just dont get it…is there enough nhl young talent on this team to be competitive every night? too many nate thompson and guys w/ no scoring touch!
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BrianAlbany says:
CB, Any chance that we sign Peca for a year? I know we are deep at center, and he would be just like a Doug Weight. But he was a fan favorite, would come at a cheap price and he was a big Long Island guy if I am not mistaken. Another “tutor” type of player with some grit and leadership. Am I completely off base or would this make any sense? Also, hypothetically, this did make sense for us, how do you think Peca would mess with Weight? Just wondering. Thanks.
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MilburyRuinedMyLife says:
Moulson’s actually not a bad guy to take a flyer on–skilled guy w/wheels who can skate and goes to the net. He got caught up in the Kings’ logjam of prospects and jumped to the Isles where he has a shot to earn some playing time w/the big club. I would not be surprised to see him spend significant time on the Island this year.
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Bob says:
Don’t worry JT. If you suck this year we will not blame you. Garth has done absolutely nothing to help you succeed.
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jojo says:
another thing, the reason we gave up all those picks to move up, is so we wouldnt have to give out additional rookie contracts.
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TuxTax says:
Hey, I think this is a better team then what they started with last year. Two Reasons…A. Actual NHL Goaltender B. Wheres Mike Comrie?
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RobJ says:
Isles fans are so used to b1tch1n and whining…Don’t you want Garth to learn from the Ryan Smyth trade???
Players don’t want to play here. If Garth has a shot at another Streit I am sure he will try and get him.
Lets try being positive for once. No point in crying over spilled milk.
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Al I’m saying is that Ryan Smyth cried when he was traded here and then he left for less money for greener pastures.
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How anyone can say this draft set the rebuild back is beyond me. After JT there is no way anyone should be judging this draft for 3-4 seasons. As pointed out above Garth did say not to expect any free agency splashes from the NYI this summer. Guess what, we didn’t get any big splashes. Why is everyone surprised? If Snow adds an enforcer (which I pray he will) and the team stays healthy they’ll be entertaining to watch develop. Baby steps folks…
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There aren’t any more quality UFAs left, period–only the injured, old, and retreads. I wouldn’t mind taking a run at Jason Williams, Ales Kotalik, or Dennis Seidenberg, but that’s about it. What could Garth possibly pull out of his hat in the trade front? How can he say we’re rebuilding and then hope for a trade, which takes away our rebuilding pieces? Signing–even with slightly overpaying–was the easiest, less painful route, and he couldn’t get that done.
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big dally mac says:
We need one more year of true rebuilding. We need some protection for the kids and we now have our goaltending depth. 2011 is a brutal draft year and the cap is set to drop by 5-6 million. We sit back and be bad for one more year watching the kids develop, and then capitalize the year after, with teams looking to sell for cheap to get themselves out of cap trouble. The plan is in place and Garth hasn’t deviated from it and told us point blank, we are building through the draft.
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Jim says:
bad strategy. these signings do nada for the team.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
isles do not need to sign a free agent Center or RW. if anything we need a LW.
We all forget that Hunter got hurt last year he was on pace to score 25G last season. You have to figure they just told all our players dont bother coming back as we were in the midst end of year TANK.
RW you have OKPOSO, HUNTER, COMEAU and JACKMAN. Our Left WIng only has BERGIE and Park that are legimate players. Tambellini start doing something there.
If we can find good LW i would say Joenssu is our best prospect for that position.
If DP is not healthy, evenw ith roloson, its waste of money to get a guy like Tanguay. Tangauy in my opinion is the most talented LW available right now.
I agree, Signing Free agents is not type priority. If Bergie and Tambellini can score 20+ we will be very competitive. I already Believe Okposo, Bailey, Tavares, and Nielsen going to great this year.
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once again, there were and are very few UFA’s out there that fit ‘the plan.’ part of the plan is not to spend big on UFA’s unless and until there’s an LH/arena deal and the franchise is on the way back. they just won’t do it, and from their standpoint they shouldn’t. the one immediate need now is a true tough guy to protect their assets, but even that doesn’t have to be an UFA, and it will be addressed, of course.
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Original Rob says:
lol @ #1
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dack1972 says:
#40- Snow did not overpay for Streit. We can’t be one of those teams that sign the best players available on the market by overpaying them like the Rangers do(no chemestry). Once we’re competitive than maybe we can sign one of these guys if he fits in. Why do it now..it doesn’t make sense. Let the team grow together. Turst me once Bailey, Okposo and Travares hit their prime we will need the space to sign these guys. I like the way Snow is building this team. Don’t forget he signed two of the best FA last summer. He will do it if it benefits the team. Have faith! Those AHL playes he’s signing is to fill out roster spots on the team and who knows one of those players could turn out to be a gem. Be happy and excited that we got the best player to come out of the OHL since Gretzky…i’m freaking excited.
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cgs878 says:
Seems like Garth is content to sit back and watch all the good players shuffle around the Eastern Conference while he signs “depth” players for 5 years from now. We don’t even know if the Islanders will still be on Long Island in 5 years. Heck, I don’t know if I’ll be on Long Island in 5 years.
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UIF says:
People are surprised by no signings despite Garth’s words because when Garth says anything there’s about a 45% chance he’s for real and not pulling one of those “fooled you!” moments. This is the downside of Poker Garth…when you bluff a lot people just assume you’re always bluffing. Wrt FAs…all I ask is for a competent winger or two to help Tavares adjust…nothing crazy, just someone who is at least a mild threat who can bridge the gap for two years until KO’s a bit more experienced and Tavares is ready to take the entire franchise on his shoulders.
Question: If you are an opposing coach, is there a single player on the team as you look over the Isles’ roster that would make you apprehensive about putting 100% of your focus and pressure on John Tavares? That’s asking a lot from the kid night in and night out.
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Atari8bit says:
Just a reminder, this is UFA time not waiver wire time. Just because a player is available does not ordain that the Isles can just ‘get him’. They are one of many teams bidding for his services. Perhaps the Islanders can make a pitch and offer a semi-inflated salary, but the ball is in the players court of who to sign with. Sure money is a significant factor a player uses, but likely only one of many other issues. At this juncture it’s silly to deviate from market value on any player unless they’ve identified a vital piece for whatever reason.
Another reminder, today is July 7 not October 7th.
Finally unlike most prospects, I’ve actually gotten to see Moulson play a bit. And while I am not a scout, his play stood out. I like the signing- I wouldn’t rule out him making the Isles at some point this season.
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RHL Vin says:
CB – Couple of questions:
1. Is it true the Isles were in it till the end with the Mike Komisarek deal?
2. Were the Isles in on Beauchemin at all?
3. Are the Isles talking to Tanguay at all? I think he would be a good fit on Tavares’ wing.
4. What do you think about giving a shot to Nick Zherdev providing the Rangers don’t resign him? He still is only 24 and tons of talent. Maybe try and sign him to a one or two year deal? Any thoughts?
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art says:
Everybody has an opinion on the rebuilding vs getting some ufa help. My informal count of these hundreds of fan posts in the last week put those favoring new signings at 10 to 1 over the patient crowd. But more significantly the Pros the professional writers scouts bloggers by even a bigger margin think our inaction this week is pathetic!
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Other than KO (Who Neil Smith had the final say on), exactly who has Garth Snow drafted that has shown real, tangible progress? Why is our talent pool rated on the lower rung of the league? Playing devils advocate here for sec, I know you have to give them at least one more year to gauge their prgoress, but my point is he wasn’t going to upset the apple cart cap/ice time wise for a Beauchemin type – still young and tough. We have Witt? Sure, but we still need NHL defensemen, not these AHL/Over the hill types like Sutton and Martinek.
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Spud 31 says:
Did the Thrashers sign Peter Mannino?
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Joe says:
any reason why Tavares hasnt been signed yet CB? I know it usually is quick, but are they hammering out the details of the bonus, which is why he hasnt been signed yet?
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lefty says:
i’m with you #123. someone with some skill would be nice. Zherdev (who the Rangers may let walk after the Arbitration) the past few seasons, hasn’t been as enigmatic as earlier in his career. and since he’s currently playing for the Rangers, perhaps he wouldn’t mind driving a little further to the Collesium. Proximity to a player’s home/family seems to be one of the only selling points for the Islanders these days (e.g. Mark Streit). Perhaps “proximity” may be our only shot at Tanguay too, if he moved to Montreal last season.
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Isles will not make signing unless there is a lighthouse. plain and simple.
We going into season with what we have right now.
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geduffer says:
The more things change, the mote they stay the same. No matter what Garth does, most of the fanbase will not be satisfied, so to that part of the fanbase I say “would you like some cheese to go with your whine”?
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we signed Greg Moore without a Lighthouse. take that.
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doc says:
Harold C:
I think it’s been stated over and over and over again;
Neil Smith was NOT responsible for selecting Kyle Okposo.
I might be wrong… but I think we’ve had that issue clarified by C. Botta several times.
DOC
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#130….nothing has changed, the team is worse than ever.
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islesbl says:
No matter what Garth does, the fanbase won’t be satisfied !!! Problem with that statement is that Garth hasen’t done a thing to improve the Islanders anyway… I think we are all mislead, Garth is only the GM of the Sound Tigers, not the Isles… Garth Snow for AHL GM of the year !!!
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peter debenedetto says:
Garth Snow IMHO…..is doing a great job in starting the process for turning this franchise around.
I, for one, support my GM. I have faith.
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tond24 says:
really doing a steller job…cant wait to see ken morrow on tv again waiting for our ping pong ball
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We needed a goaltender so we got Roloson……we need someone to get Tavares the puck. Go get Alex Tanguay. Dont put all that pressure on the kid and let him go at it alone. We paid Bill Guerin 4 mill a year two years ago and Ruslan Fedotenko 3 mill. I think we can afford to sign a guy like Tanguay with his skill…..and he isnt 38 years old. Stay the course and help the course by adding Tanguay and subtracting Tambellini.
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Hockey1919 says:
Should the Islanders be out in the market like the Leafs? With all of the moves the Leafs have made they are in a position to move up to the ninth best team in the East and then come begging to move up to grab a quality player at next years draft. Build through the draft, keep a couple of key vets that can mentor the kids, cut bait on the fourth liners that don’t improve with additional ice time and reserve cap room for when the team can actually make the playoffs without having to buy half the roster. This team has had no organizational depth or top end talent for ten years, there were actually people out there that thought Tavares alone would bring UFAs at reasonable salaries to the Isle. Do we need another quick fix first round and out team?
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JSExpress says:
While I’m not ready to throw Garth under the bus just quite yet, there are a number of needs that must be addressed prior to the start of the season (and yes, I believe that most, if not all, can be met while staying within “the plan”).
With today’s roster, can you imagine what our first trip into Philly will be like? How about the Leafs or the Rags? We’re going to be grossly over-matched, plain and simple, and my hope would be to come out of games like that with the team intact, much less two points.
Last I checked, this was an NHL franchise. We need to get bigger and tougher in a hurry if this plan is to have any long-term success. Evaluating JT four years down the line won’t matter because he will be on the first plane to Toronto after taking three years of beatings on the Island. A friend of mine who is a Flyers fan seriously asked me what my thoughts would be on the outcome of a fictitious seven game series b/w the Isles and Sound Tigers would be. While we both agreed that the Isles would come out on top, we also agreed that it wouldn’t be outrageous if Bridgeport took a game off of them. That is a problem.
Garth, fill some holes now and give the kids a chance to succeed next year. You’ve got a solid plan in place, but I fear that no one will be around to gauge the results in three or four years.
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io20720 says:
Greg Moore was a former UMaine stand-out. Highly touted. In a mold similar to Dustin Penner (pre big contract) I am curious as to what happened that we were able to take him on as a project. GOOD DEPTH Signing. Patience everyone, in Garth I trust.
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EAF says:
139-JSExpress – excellent post, I agree nobody will be around in 3 years, loosing culture never helps
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@Chris TMC….I remember well, we have not done a thing in almost 17 years. LOL! The Rangers are continually better than us and will be in the playoffs again. People here are not calling for major signings, they just want better than players that do not even belong in the NHL. Sorry Snow’s GMing does not cut it, as most of the board and Botta sees.
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Brian says:
I am sure that Garth is casting lines for players, but they are getting more attractive offers. Because a player signs with a different team doesn’t mean Garth is sitting on his laurels.
I wonder how Maxim Afinegenov would do on the Island. The guy needs a change from Buffalo and we have the type of mindset that would fit him well. Fast paced, high energy. He was once a point-per-game player, I believe he could be again.
Someone to take the pressure off JT and our small forwards is a must, though. Wrecker isn’t going to cut it. We will see.. still time left in an overpriced free agent season!
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steve k says:
I think I know Garth’s theory, scoop up as many AHL caliber free agents and pray to god he hits the jackpot.Really this is the 2009 draft version 2. Its an ok strategy to bolster up Bridgeport, but besides 2-3 players on the current team, the Islanders don’t have a NHL team. Rebuild or not there needs to be an NHL team put on the ice and right now this isn’t one. Spending a few dollars on free agents is a necessity to even have the bare minimum.
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If Snow signed Comrie during the ‘rebuild’, he sure can sign Tanguay who is a major upgrade over him. There is a difference between rebuilding and sitting on your hands. You can’t just throw all the kids in the line-up and see if they can play. That’s what the Sound Tigers are for.
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DPS says:
CB-
Dont you think its a lot to ask of islander’s management to expect fans to actually attend games with this roster? I mean is it really a wonder Wang loses money? If i owned a business (which i do) and my product sucked i sure as hell wouldnt expect to make a profit. why does wang? his best effort was an 8th place finish. of course he has been losing money. -
Garth, please go after Zherdev even if you need to overpay. He is young and extremely talented
Greg Moore : Come get the STANLEY CUP!