ISLANDERS SAY THEY WILL SPEND FOR PLAYOFFS
The spotlight now shines on GM Garth Snow
Tortorella calls for instigator and head shot rule changes
(please discuss on FanHouse)
News: Garth Snow tells Larry Brooks that he has the green light to add players and payroll to help the team in its pursuit of a playoff berth.
Views: Well, I certainly would hope so! The only question should be, when?
The Islanders are 10-10-7. They are 6-10 in games that end in regulation, 4-7 in games that go to overtime or shootouts. (Strange how one loss skews everything, eh?)
But the Islanders are very much in the playoff mix. With all those home games coming up, they are in a swell position to make a run. Scott Gordon is getting just about everything he can out of a lineup with plenty of holes and hardly any depth. Several players – you know who they are – are having terrific seasons. (Yesterday, the Islanders finally deleted their official website depth chart – the one without Matt Moulson on any of the top five lines).
Garth Snow opted only to spend where he had to last summer – on a pair of good goalies and on The People’s Choice, John Tavares. Last Sunday, Snow was actually praised in the hometown paper for passing on these three players:
Maxim Afinogenov: 10-14-24 in 23 games, thriving in the Go-Go Anderson system in Atlanta
Nik Antropov: 2-19-21 and +12 in 23 games, also in Atlanta
Alex Tanguay: after a slow start in Tampa Bay, now 4-12-16 in 24 games – still good enough to be the Islanders’ third-leading scorer
Garth has done a fine job, but it’s his press agent who deserves a raise.
Now the pressure is on the GM. His team is hanging in. Everyone is playing hard. Many are over-achieving. A few are under-achieving, but only if you believe they are top-six forwards. (As they are currently developed – not what they may become – the Islanders have four top-sixes: Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Trent Hunter and Moulson).
With the team Lighthouse towers below the salary cap and a hair above the floor, the pressure is now on the general manager. Although it went without saying, Snow is now on record saying he has the authority to spend and help his team make the playoffs. Go for it. There is no question he should be able to make an effective trade without giving up one of his 4-6 solid prospects or a high draft pick.
Most significant NHL deals won’t be made until February and in the days leading up to the March 3 trade deadline. However, the Islanders are now without key pieces Andy Sutton and Frans Nielsen (word could come down late today or tomorrow at practice). Can Snow use all this cap space and stop the bleeding? Even better, can he convert his competitive team into a very good one?
Islanders Country turns its excited eyes to him.
Comments.
91 Responses to ISLANDERS SAY THEY WILL SPEND FOR PLAYOFFS
The spotlight now shines on GM Garth Snow
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HilbertSnipe says:
I agree with DC, and I believe we should save our money to make a huge move in FA at the end of the season. A depth pickup or a small key player wouldn’t be a bad idea right now, of course. Let’s not trade away picks for that either.
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Viper says:
The best insight in the business, as always CB. Thanks again for your tireless work!
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While I hope Snow does make a move or two to improve this team this year, lets not become short-sighted. This team is not built to be a true cup contender this year. This year is ultimately another rebuilding year….a year to give the young guys some opportunities in big roles. Make a few moves but don’t do anything that will jeopardize this team’s potential down the road.
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bergie20 says:
good to hear garth say that they can take on salary. the priority has to be on defense, which needs some serious work. i was never a fan of afinogenov and am really surprised at his success this year. garth can use our enormous cap space to our advantage, probably limiting what we’d have to send back in return.
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kevin27nyi says:
what can he give up? i think he is going t see what DP’s status is. if he is as good as he was then yes. DP is this teams best chance to being a playoff team. rolli has been amazing so far. amazing. but DP may be what he waits for. i could be wrong though. he could have full confidence in rolli to be the goalie in the playoffs. i guess we have to wait and see. id rather wait and try and go for it next year. and by that i mean be sellers this year or stand pat and in the offseason acquire a top 9 forward or a top 6 forward and a top 4 dman.
maybe the guy we can get is brian cambell. no one wants that contract and we can take it and he would be our number 1/2 guy. it would be dangerous but a bold statement that we are contending and it would be cheap.
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mw147 says:
D-FENCE! D-FENCE!
If we are going to add anything it MUST be on the blue line. Add a solid physical d-man (or 2) and we have a shot at the playoffs this year.
I would go for it, but I would not give up any serious pieces of the future. This franchise needs to show the team and the fan base that it is serious. Take on someone’s unwanted salary on the cheap and stay in the playoff hunt.
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Madchef says:
here come about 9000 lopsided trade thoughts…..
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dan from va beach says:
madchef,
i think you may have left out a few zeroes:) -
Dan says:
Campbell from Chi-town? Maybe we could get their 1st round pick also? Just win boys! LETS GO ISLANDERS
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streit02 says:
Really, who could he actually go after right now? Teams in salary cap trouble are the top teams in the league who probably wont be willing to make any sudden changes right now. I expected Garth to deal at the deadline before this was posted, but that may be too late to make a playoff run. Obviously Chicago is a team who needs to cut payroll, but aside from taking on another teams cap problem player i dont see the Isles having the assets to acquire some young players mentioned that are on the block.
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Doug says:
Hey Chris,
I want this team to win just as much as anyone, but do you really think the Isles have any worthwhile chips to use in a trade that when traded won’t be looked at as Garth “sacrificing the future?”
You said it yourself earlier in the season that most of their veteran players, even when put on waivers, aren’t going to be picked up.
While I’d love to see them compete, it just seems that this team doesn’t have anything to give in a trade that would actually bring back an impact player, unless its Tavares or Okposo, who no one wants to see traded.
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I’d love for them to make the playoffs as much as anybody else, but we can’t be blind to reality, either. This conversation is moot until at least the start of 2010, because we’re not 100% sure that we have a team that is on the verge of contending for a playoff spot.
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Frank nyc says:
As long as he doesnt do anything to hurt the long term prospects of this team i am on board. A few vets on this team could go. Also just a thought but one prospect with value on this team that could potentially go is Arron Ness. The way i look at we already have Hillen and DeHaan. How many smallish puck moving dMen do we need? He could bring back something of value. As long as we dont move our top prospects, players and highend draft picks im good. I think what this amounts to is takng on another teams bad contract. Hopefully Snow dosnt jeopardize the future.
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jbranny says:
Garth – Just don’t stick us with any more long term deals that are anchors around our necks (Witt, DP).
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admin says:
As I wrote in the piece:
“There is no question he should be able to make an effective trade without giving up one of his 4-6 solid prospects or a high draft pick.”
And don’t worry. While they are solid prospects, no one in the NHL is drooling over Hamonic, Ness, et al.
Enjoy your Sunday…CB
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Staten Islander says:
Ok, I saw that too this morning. Outside of Biron, and maybe Wieght when he comes back, proves he’s healthy and can prove he can contribute, who do we have that other teams want? I mean guys that we feel are expendable? We’re not giving up KO, Jt, MM, Hunter, Streit, Hillen, the goalies. Do Park, Sim, Thompson, Jackman Tamby Bergy or any of the others bring back something that puts us into the playoffs? Hey, I’d love to see them sneak in too, it’d be good for recruiting better free agents and for possible helping the Lighthouse, but honestly, I don’t know what our expendable pieces fetch, other than somebody elses problems.
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mrlbem says:
Agree with Streit02. There are no teams seeking to deal good players for cap relief during this time of year. Maybe at the deadline. What type of deal could Snow make that would yield a good veteran(but someone young enough to be part of the rebuild) for a prospect (someone who is good enough to bring back some value, but who is also someone we deem to be expendable)?
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nyislanders93 says:
Being buyers this year will only hurt the team again. The team isn’t good enough now to go anywhere farther than the first round even with the addition of a few good players through trades. Giving up assets such as early draft picks will set the rebuild back.
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isles72 says:
just add a vet d-man on an expiring contract who is expendable by his team
something as simple as an aaron ward type would make a big difference
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jim says:
Get a scoring winger a puck moving d-man!
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billy says:
i think we should get sharp at least from hawks, he would be dynamite here.
i think we need a more two-way dman than a campbell.
after that stinker yesterday, this was the perfect next day surpise!!!!
thanks CB!
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Strummer's Army says:
There is a good chance Snow would pay less if he made his moves now. Granted other teams have to be ready to deal but they should be.
Snow also should know exactly what he has at this point, so another reason not to wait until the deadline.
The biggest needs still scream out on defense, at least the two big mean, skilled guys we’ve identified as a need for years.
Top 6 forward would be nice, probably LW is the biggest need.
CB, Labrun reported Bobby Ryan rejected Ana’s offer and will be a RFA because he doesn’t seem to want to resign during the year. Ana has some serious cap issues and contract problems with both goalies. Could Snow snag a Bobby Ryan?
The Isles do not need a center. Tavares, Bailey, Nielsen is more then fine. I’d love to see a Gaustaud type playing on the 4th line. It would add so much to this team.
If the Isles are serious about the playoffs then make the trades now. Enough of this trying to squeak into the playoffs. Set yourself up to succeed in the playoffs by finishing in the best possible position and hopefully getting some home ice advantage.
The team needs to have more of an edge. NJ yesterday was pushing and showing disrespect on numerous occassions and they were fine with it because they know the Isles are a team that will let you get away with it. That has to change.
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mLem says:
I can’t think of a single person I’d want to see traded that would bring back any value…The top 4 forwards we have and top 2 dmen aren’t going anywhere. However, I don’t want to see Bergenheim traded and beyond him we don’t have alot of desirable talent. Biron, Comeau(rather not see him go either), and maybe Witt. I just don’t see it…trade Witt, Weight, Biron and the like for picks and go with free agency next year.
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Doug says:
CB,
Good article….like I mentioned yesterday they need two forwards with size that score 20-25 goals and two defensemen that have size and can move the puck. I think he should look to Chicago since they need to shed some salary.
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Seth says:
Garth Snow has done a nice job so far. Hopefully as time goes on, the players he drafted over the past few years come through the system strong and make an impact on Long Island.
thanks for the great post as always Chris.
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isles316 says:
I agree with the thought process of sticking with the plan. only make a trade if it helps the team for years to come. in all reality the isles have played more games than most teams and .500 won’t get you into the playoffs anymore. I’d hope any moves that are made are for defensemen that can clear a zone and move the puck.
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GParks says:
I say go for a scorer at the ahl level who is ready for the jump aka nathan gerbe of portland. With what we have for trade and how the team loves young players it could be the best bet
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Michael from Toronto says:
We should all be happy to hear what Snow said. I don’t think many people believed the word “playoffs” would even be in the vocabulary this year.
I don’t believe Snow is going to jeapardize what he is building to make the playoffs for one year. He has shown he is a smart GM and will continue his rebuild.
Nothing is wrong by adding a few pieces along the way to speed up the process and also make the playoffs. -
Neil S. says:
At this point being .500 when the Olympic break comes then you can start thinking playoffs.
I take what Larry puts out there with a grain of salt. If the Lighthouse issue is resolved soon, and they are close one would have to believe then Charles Wang would tell Garth go for it.
What the team needs right now is a lock down blue liner and someone to jump start the secondary scoring.
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Let us also remember that the whole point of the rebuild is to be good for more than a year or two, get past the 1st round and become a cup contender, not just a contender for the last playoff spot so that we can get knocked out in the 1st round.
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Chris R says:
Don’t trade anything except Garth trades park, weight, and biron for draft picks. It would be much better to miss the playoffs this year, draft a sick defenseman, and sign a top dman and a top forward in July.
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Billy-no-not-Jaffe says:
If we can pick up a good young veteran (24-28) from a cap laden team that wants flexibilty at very low cost other than then cap relief, we should do it. It would only be a guy who seems to fit into our future plans. I would not give up any prospects or picks that have any value for short term fixes.
We should have made a good offer to Beauchimen in the offseason. -
JoeRiverside says:
Wow, above comments show how intelligent Isles fans are. Usually when you hear fans start talking trades, you get the old “let’s trade x, y, & Z for Crosby” Like other teams want 10 dimes for a dollar bill. I hope Snow is hearing us and does not Milburize the team. Snow, please stick to the plan!
JoeRiverside -
I don’t want to give up the opportunity of a to 10 overall pick to get bounced out of the first round. So if your going to make moves Garth they have to be right. Make another Zednik and Smyth type trades and the organization gets set back.
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Blizzard says: ….well if Baily isn’t a top six forward, he will be by the end of the year. I would hope he is untouchable. Other than KO,JT,TH, trade away if you can package Biron and get another top six forward or a solid D-man.
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JPinVA says:
They may not have a bag full of prospects, but they may be able to NET themselves a solid D man by trading a goaltender. Munroe and Lawson have been playing well enough to back up Roloson, and there won’t be enough playing time in the organization when DP and Koskinen are making starts again. You might want to do the True Value on Biron pretty soon.
Their three biggest assets for a trade are, Biron, Munroe and CAP SPACE. If Sutton is out for an extended period they might as well trade for draft picks, because this season is OVER, home games or not… that is the worst defense in the NHL… and there is nothing in the AHL to help either.
Maybe somebody should have been paying attention to the free agent market instead of the real estate market over the summer.
Forwards: NOT ONE 30 GOAL SCORER under 30.
Defense: NOT ONE 10 GOAL SCORER under 30.
“Year two of the rebuild” = SQUARE ONE.
Tavares, Okposo and maybe Bailey are the only players that may qualify as top six forwards some day. Hunter is a middle six guy as his best year (and he’s no kid) with the Isles was as a third liner, and he’s never put up 30 goals or 60 pts.
Let Moulson play a year in the NHL before you tag him as a “TOP SIX” guy. We all love what he’s brought, but if you put him on the third line with Bailey and Sim he’d be no better than they are. Put Kessel on that line and he elevates their play… that’s the difference.
But signing a proven scorer, like Tanguay, would have taken ice time from the kids.. WHAT KIDS??? -
Jim Clark says: This team gives out Guerin pennants and Yashin trading cards as prizes to its few remaining fans. How are they going to be able to afford any more salary?
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A ‘Smyth type trade’ = trading prospects that are overrated and not performing up to standards for a quality NHL player. That type of a thing may not work out to help long term- it didnt in the case of Smyth- but it does not set back an organization unless you favor keeping players based on their draft order instead of the type of player they actually are.
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Islesphan25 says:
Brent Sopel anyone??? Thats what being offered by the Hawks…. Has 1 year left after this 1. You can get him, plus a top prospect and a 3rd rounded for a 2way contract guy and a low round pick. Do you do it?
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MickeyBoy7 says:
CB I’m glad to see some heat finally be put on our back-up goalie GM. He has been getting quite a free pass here from what I’ve seen. The future is a wonderful thing but at some point the future must become the present. We need NHL caliber forwards and d-men. Role players we have. Let’s invest in some talent.
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In case you were wondering:
deHaan 21GP(missed 5) 2-12-14-14 and is the second leading D scorer on the Generals to the undrafted Tony DeHart…Disheartening… but he’s a few years away even if he does make it.
Hamonic 28-7-25-32-44 and is the second leading scorer (all players) on the Warriors. I’m looking forward to seeing Hamonic in camp next year.
Those are the best two defensement in the organizatiion under 30. But signing a FA over the summer would have SLOWED THEIR DEVELOPMENT!!! -
cody says:
Sharp Sharp Sharp
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eastonhockey says:
Wang spend over the league MINIMUM requirements on Payroll? I will believe that when I see it. That said, Isles are close to worst 5 teams in conference. Once teams catch up in games played it will look worse. Asuming Okiposo is not ready to have a 30 goal season I see no playoff contention for this season. They wll be way out by Mid Jan probably. Plus Dipietro is not going to play better then Roleson and that will hurt the team since Dipietro is all going to expect to play at least half the games.
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Ethan K says:
I’d be willing to trade Tambellini, Sim, Martinek, Biron, Park, Schremp, and maybe Sutton, but he’s been playing well. Also any draft pick below the first round if we can get a quality prospect or earlier pick out of it. Let’s add something on so that we can get into the playoffs and have a shot at getting through to another round, while improving the team and keeping the team young.
I think Biron is the best trade value we can give.
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potvinrocks says:
No love for Bailey as a top 6. I think that if they give him anyone to play with he would accell. He is like an island on the third line.
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NH Isles Fan says:
37
I would do a deal like that…take on the contract and look for picks and prospects in return. Garth should look at all teams with these problems and go to work.
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mmm22 says:
Snow should always be looking to be making the team better long term (ie no rentals and no contracts that will screw them for the next 5 years) that being said it is way too early to be talking about a playoff spot. Not to be a huge pessimist but after all is said and done with injuries and underachieving teams getting better I think we will be looking at a top 8 pick come June.
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battfist says:
I agree with most..Snow shouldnt get too carry away.
Add some size on the blueline…and
Get Clutterbuck!!!! -
corey says: i think it would be alright to make a few trades that wont impact the rebuild of the team. please stick to the plan snow. i would rather wait to become a cup contender then to make the playoffs and lose in the first round
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tond24 says:
just because we are buyers dosnt mean we will be giving up anything..and thats good because we have nothing to give..there are alot of teams that want to dump salary and thats where we come in…and pls stop saying we should save money this is new york not phoenix…
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Alex in PA says:
I don’t see anything wrong with trading away a prospect and a pick or two (other than our 1st) for a solid D or a top 6 F
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akeem says:
CB,
Call me crazy, but I’d have no problem trading Moulson for something legitimate in return. I think the Country is enamored with what he might become, instead of the stark reality that he’s put together his best 2 months of his not-so-short pro career, and if the Isles sell high, together with what they can get for Biron, they might be able to get a few nice chips. Stick with the game plan Garth – a few months ago, no one, including Garth Snow, even knew who MM was, and the Islanders were progressing with their “plan” with no consideration for Moulson. I say, why not take what we can get, and continue down that very path? -
Pat says:
Agree with Cody, Sharp, Sharp, and more Sharp. Don’t think Chicago wants to move him but I’d give it my best shot. They have to cut salary somewhere. Sharp would look great playing with Tavares. I also don’t want them to do anything that screws up the rebuild. Don’t make any quick fixes. If were going to add payroll wait till the offseason and go hard after Kovlachuk. Now were talking about one of the top five forwards in the league.
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Mike L says:
I’m glad to see that many people dont want to trade the future for a shot at the playoffs. We gotta think long term. No more mediocre teams.
And I do like the Sopel idea. I know most fans would hate it but if we could get a 2nd round pick (i think that’s what was rumored) with him then I wouldn’t mind taking him. I dont think he’s much worse than what we already have and most of our big D prospects wont be ready for a few years anyways. I think at worse we could afford his contract and keep him in the chateau bow-wow if he really is that negative to the team.
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BillyBC says:
akeem, I see your point but trading JT’s roommate and probably best friend on the team wouldnt do well for the current chemistry of the team. Since MM career has been quite short and has put together a nice run early this season, i dont think any teams are gonna go crazy for him at this point.
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JJT9090 says:
no one is going to be moved any where. and if anything is going to be done soon it’ll be for the D position.
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Islesfan_in_Vancouver says:
not sold on sopel. I’d be a lot more interested in a shutdown defenseman. The tragic thing is that Sutton had been playing the best hockey I’d seen him play this season. I really hope it’s not hurt seriously.
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Crackhead Theo says:
I wonder if this all means that Lighthouse negotiations are going well. hmmmmmm….
Why would Wang want to increase payroll on a team he loses 15-20 million a year for if there wasnt some sort of good news or money making venture in sight? -
NYI4Cups says:
Would love to see our Isles make a move for an immediate impact player but not at the chance of losing a prospect. I would rather see us wait until we can get the same type of player via free agency in July 2010. We did not have many hopes going into this season anyway so any meaningful games we are playing past the Olympic break will be a plus. Stay the course and let’s be major players in the Kovlachuk bidding in the summer. Go Isles!
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#40 Smyth and Zednik deals didn’t help the Isles do anything but get bounced out of the first round.
That is the point. Smyth played well in his time, Zednik’s family issues got us a few games for a 2nd round pick, granted Yashin and a lot of other garbage was on the team and it was their fault not Smyth’s but the point is the same, Snow has to make enough moves he is certain will get the team into the 2nd round of the playoffs. Anything less is a waste and they’d be better off trying to pick as high as possible again. Whatever direction he moves in he must “Go Hard or Go Home”, no more half-assed moves like adding a couple forwards while still having a weak defense (like the Smyth year) and a team not built to compete in the playoffs. Could you imagine how many injuries the Isles would have in a 7 game series against big teams like Bos or Philly? Isles had some nice performances against those teams (even for a few periods) but over a 7 game series their size and grit, combined with their skill would over power the Isles as currently constructed. So if your not going into the 2nd round, best served picking high.
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joe fred says:
We need to part ways with Gervais and possibly Sim if anyone will take him. Trading Tambellini would be a mistake, kid is starting to play. We could trade two of our goaltenders, Biron and Lawson as well. They are just a bunch of kids out there and I do not even believe they know just how good they really are.
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ROB76 says:
If Kovalchuk hasn’t signed an extension by the end of February we have no choice to go for him. I have no problem giving up picks/prospects other than KO/JT for him. He is what we are missing – If he was on the team now we are probably around the 32-34 point mark. Garth has to do his “due dilligence” to see if he available
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59
Not sold on Sopel, that’s all you are going to get from Chi town right now without giving a lot up. This is a way to fleece them.
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Nova Scotia Isles Fan says:
I’m speechless….
and very pleased to see the fans here preaching patience. If Garth can get his hands on someone like a Patrick sharp by trading some of the older guys, then i’d love to see it, but I think that’s probably unlikely. Biron will obviously fetch something at the deadline — that’s been the plan all along. Weight deserves a move to a contender if he wants it — Witt and Park too, if they want it, but DO NOT deviate from the Plan, Garth.
You have a base that will be patient Garth, don’t go Mad Mike on us for a vague shot a one Playoff round.
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JustinChi says:
I wonder why Snow didn’t make more of an effort to go afer someone like Antropov, Afinogenov or Tanguay before the season if he was allowed to spend a little more?Maybe he wanted to wait to see how the team would develop before committing that kind of money to a free agent? I still have my doubts the Isles will spend even if they stay in the race.
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Sign Jassen Cullimore for extra D and stick to the rebuild.
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Brian in VA says:
I don’t want Sopel Back! He was horrible here!
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Thomas says:
CB – go back and you read your old comments, I said several times they should have taken a shot on Afinogenov..the guy is perfect for our system, it would be nice to have another scoring winger…
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HOLLYWOOD says:
Let’s not get carried away. Stick to the plan. With Frans out we will finally get to see what Schremp can do. Other then Biron, Witt and Comeau all else should stay and ride it out.
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The New Isles GM says:
Hopefully this will give Schremp a chance to prove his worth. Maybe give himself some trade value. When you break down certain players that we believe do not fit this system or see as an asset to our long term plans, it is safe to assume that maybe they can thrive somewhere else. Look at Brendan Witt? He would be a perfect fit in Jersey. A team that plays a defensive game and does nothing but protect the net. Witt could add a physical presence on that blueline that they haven’t had since Scott Stevens. What can we get in return for something like that? We’ll see I guess. My point is…I don’t want to trade away the farm just to have a chance at the 8th spot. I would hope Garth makes moves for this team that will add to the long term plans. On a side note, CB maybe you can add an article to this…
It’s been rumored that contract negotiations with Anaheim and Bobby Ryan are treading water. I played hockey with Bobby back when he lived in Jersey and let me tell you, that kid can hack it. He already had one 30 goal year in the NHL. I know he’s having a rough year on his contract year, but do you think this is a player that should be on our radar. He reminds me so much of Okposo. His style, abilty to shoot quickly and strength on the puck, having another guy like that down low on the powerplay let alone with Josh Bailey or Tavares can give us the secondary scoring we have been looking for. Something to think about. Maybe not this year but over the summer. That would be a Garth Snow signing based on what he’s shown us so far. Cheap price – High potential
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Sutton, comeau/tambs, biron, and witt(doubt it,cause of the contract, but one can only hope) should all be traded by the end of the yr
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Les Beaver says:
Hasn’t Snow said before that he’s allowed to spend?
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Isle be Damned says:
This club isn’t ready to trade away any assets just yet. Firstly, there is still a TON of time between now & the deadline. Secondly, even post deadline there is a ton of time before teams start to clinch. I’m thrilled this club is competing every night, but they aren’t just 1 or 2 players away.
It’s one thing to make the playoffs, it’s another thing to be a force. Stick with the game plan and build yourself a playoff contender & then go and add pieces to help put yourself over the top. The last thing I want to see is something like Josh Bailey for Sergei Samsonov or Ray Whitney or something equally terrible.
Let’s not kid ourselves into thinking this team that competes would have a shot against anyone in the playoffs.
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Isles72 says:
Funny that alot of you have so many untouchables on this roster. The future stars I can understand but give me a break on the others.
In short, you trade ANYBODY if you can get a better player of similar age and Garth never said he was going to get a rental or make a bad trade as outlined by many of you.
To me its simple – Garth, go make our team better.
To you naysayers I say – Garth knows not to do it at the expense of the the future, he is not Milbury.
There is a lot of opportunity to improve this team for today and tomorrow and if it takes Bergenhein, Tambellini and Biron to do it then so be it.
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John from ATL says:
Good to see a lot of postings in favor of not making a short sighted trades. Even having Sutton and Neilsen get hurt isn’t all bad news. We can see if MacDonald can be counted on for next year and Schremp can get another chance. I’d rather see the Isles get another top ten draft pick than watch another first round playoff loss.
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Islebethere4u says:
Please don’t chase after the cow after you locked the barn door. we had a good shot at some pretty good FA’s before the season, without having to give up anything. No point in throwing good money after bad, or lose any more talent than we can afford right now. Raid the KHL maybe, but don’t waste a pick or a prospect just to get blown out in the first round again. Not good business.
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Jason says:
Here’s my trade idea:
Other team gets:
Something lousyIslanders get:
Something great… or don’t do the trade.
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TM says:
I’ll believe it when I see it regarding NYI spending. Snow said over the summer Wang would spend and he didn’t.
It was a big mistake going cheap in the summer what with the Tavares era and the parity in the league.
They needed D men then but with Martinek gone and Sutton out it’s a no brainer to get a D man AND a competent veteran forward now……but I’m probably still dreaming.
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Keep with the plan, bring up the young studs from BP, the games will be invaluable for later.
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Joyce says:
Please Garth, don’t trade Bergie.
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Upstate Islander says:
Well I hope we don’t trade any of our top 10 prospects. I also hope we don’t trade and of our first 3 rounds of draft picks. the team is doing well but lets face it we are still a long way from being a consistent winner.
That’s our goal right. So why make a short term trade (other than Biron) that makes this process harder. No more giving up future success for short term consideration. Let the cards fall where they fall and trade Biron for a first round pick.
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mikemcd says:
wait untill next summer and bring in good FA’s. kovulchuk would be worth spending the money
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EAF says:
there is NO WAY Kovalchuk will sign here – not a chance
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Isles Fanatic says:
The Islanders point standing is very misleading, virtually every other team in the mix from 6th to 13th position have games in hand on the Islanders. Teams like Tampa, Atlanta, Ottawa, Philly, Montreal, Rangers and even Florida, could all surpass the Islanders and the team can easilly find itself in 13th once all the games even out.
Garth Snow, will trade Biron when the tim comes, maybe he could also package a few prospects, but let’s not kid ourselves. This team will not make it into post-season until next year, trying shortcuts will only hurt the team in the long run.
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I say trade for Adrian Aucoin. I’ve wanted him back ever since he signed that monster deal with Chicago, and I’m sure Phoenix will be sellers at the deadline, regardless of where they are in the standings. He’s way past his prime so he’ll come cheap, and he’d be a perfect veteran presence on the backend – he’d also be the only righty shot Dman we have, except for Bruno.
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Frustrated Voter says:
Let’s give up two #1 draft picks for Ryan Smyth. Just kidding. Stay on course and build for the long term. Please no short term fixes.
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jt91ko21jb12 says:
this is a long shot but do you see anyway they go after versteeg or sharp considering the blackhawks have all their money wrapped up in hossa kane toews and kieth… the isles have the money to give to these players when their contracts are up whcih i belive versteeg is next year and sharp is this year correct me if im wrong… but trade them biron to help with their goaltending situation along with a high draft pick and a prospect.. chicago gets a pick and a prospect for the future and biron to help with present because they wont be able to sign both versteeg and sharp… definitly a long shot but just a thought
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acc says:
bring back potvin
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Gabe says:
We don’t have the team to compete in the playoffs, even with another top 6 forward and top 4 defenseman. Is a first round loss worth the sacrifice of excellent draft positioning for a rebuild team? I think not!
CB – the press agent’s comment is factually stupid but not entirely misplaced. Picking up a second tier free agent destroys our rebuilding plan.
Let’s be honest – other than JT, last year’s draft was horrible so far. Had we drafted well, perhaps picking up Kassian and O’Reilly in the second round, then it would make more sense to make moves now, especially if we could pick up some defensemen. But, that’s just not the case. We are yet again stuck with another ‘important’ draft year and I’m losing confidence in the decision making ability of our scouts.
Conclusion – we can wait one more year. It’s ok with us Isles fans. Don’t cut the requisite 3 year rebuild into a 2 year period that turns us into the perennial going-nowhere Edmonton Oilers.
Stick with the game plan…do no trade valuable prospects/draft picks to lose in the 1st round of the playoffs