GARTH SNOW BLOWS OFF POINT BLANK
Cuts out this writer for daring to be critical at times
A grand total of three reporters were at the Coliseum for the trade deadline today: me, Katie Strang of Newsday and Dan Martin of the Post. An hour after the deadline had passed with no Islanders moves, only Katie and Dan were invited together to speak with Garth Snow in his office while I was kept in a holding cell.
This blog has praised and criticized the Islanders general manager over the last year. When a team has come in 26th and last in the NHL the last two years and currently ranks 26th, there’s going to be some criticism.
Snow has done a pretty good job this year. He has acquired a few contributors at little cost, some prospects are developing well and the team is on the fringe of the playoff race with 19 games left to go. He did about all he could before today’s deadline. The team has already tied last year’s win total, but we were told to expect improvement with the upgrade from Joey McDonald and Yann Danis to Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron in goal.
I didn’t have much to ask Snow today, but would have listened for his take on his efforts as the trade deadline passed with no moves made. I would have liked to have shared them with the thousands of Islanders fans who pound this site every day.
In September, Point Blank – much to my amazement and sincere appreciation – reached a level that the New York Times wrote about it and AOL offered to support it. Thank you again, dear readers.
The Islanders recently asked me to promote a team charity event, and I was told Point Blank readers responded tremendously. Two-way street, I guess, unless someone dares to criticize. Awwww…Nevertheless, I’ll always be willing to promote the team’s charitable efforts.
Among the only questions I would ask Garth are this:
- What is your estimated timeline for the rebuilding project? A few young teams seem to have gotten a lot better a lot more quickly.
- If the team falls short this season, is 2010-11 the year you hope to get the seventh or eighth spot in the East? In other words, when does the team take a legitimate step up?
- You often say you have the money to spend. Can your fanbase expect that to be in 2010?
- It’s understandable that you want to collect a few lottery picks, but is the time when you acquire an impact young veteran or two coming anytime soon?
- Are you 100% behind Scott Gordon?
Seems fair, especially when season ticket invoices for 2010-11 have already been distributed and first payments are due soon. He wouldn’t have to answer the questions. In fact, the longer he doesn’t the more he gets to alter his plan and be critic-proof (well, to most).
I also understand that it’s never wise for a general manager to telegraph his every move. Still, questions should be asked. As you are all well aware, the Islanders have a lot of fans that care a great deal about this franchise. When they are asking for them to buy stuff, the Islanders talk about their fans being shareholders.
After today, of course, I will not request an audience with Garth. Contrary to what he may believe, an interview with him or any general manager is not a privilege for the writer. Far from it. An interview is simply a way to provide information to the readers - the team’s consumers. Not being able to speak with Garth did not prevent this blog from properly setting the stage for today’s trade deadline three weeks ago. Not being able to speak with Garth does not prevent me from being able to present fair judgments on the development of team prospects.
All I miss out on is presenting his quotes straight to you. Judging by what I read today, again I did not miss much.
There are plenty of other places for me to go for information, and plenty of stories, insights and actual facts (!) still to share. In fact, there is so much more to this story – but we’ll pour the whine a little at a time.
Garth and I used to be pretty good friends. I believe he would tell you I was fairly helpful to him for a few years in his transition from goaltender to GM.
On a personal level, naturally it is very sad when you lose a friendship. But it happens and I was fully prepared for it. I remember telling him in one of our last conversations, “Sometimes life takes you in different directions.”
Garth Snow is going to be the Islanders general manager for a long time, of that you can be very sure. You can also be sure that I will always wish him well.
Comments on this post only. Trade deadline conversation continues below. I’ll be away on assignment for a few days, but I have a few pieces to write and will check in throughout.
257 Responses to GARTH SNOW BLOWS OFF POINT BLANK
Cuts out this writer for daring to be critical at times
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Mike from Philly says:
Sometimes things like this show you what true men are made of. Wang and Snow do not want to answer any tough questions. They are lucky the Islanders are so buried in obsucrity that they never have to answer to the real NY media or the teams fan.
Chris – you do an outstanding job. Instances like this really show you this team has no clue, no leadership, and probably no direction.
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Imetbossy says:
CB- You rock … I guess snow is feeling the heat and preassure. Just look at his face … WANG has used this team as a pawn for long enough. He is now the league’s slumlord. If not for people like yourself , this team’s fan base would have dwindled long ago !! You have my vote and can interview me anytime !!! haha..
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Carmine says:
Sorry to hear that Chris. It’s a real shame. I live in FL and can’t access the newsday site and read Katie’s articles. It could of been worse though, He could of went John Torterella on you lol.
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Onesinceforty says:
Wow, I’m totally shocked. NOT! There is much to be thankful and optimistic about but Garth certainly did not attend any kind of charm school. The team should have embraced this medium but pisses on it daily.
Who gives worse quotes? Him or Roloson?
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PotvinsCupsx4 says:
Maybe you think you’re more important than you really are Chris? He wanted to speak with reporters, were any of the other Islander bloggers there? Obviously not. Maybe when he has a blog press conference you can attend.
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Joe says:
I hated Snow before and this just gives me more reason to dislike him.
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The Simtuation formerly known as K-Rob says:
It’s time like this where Brian Burke doesn’t look like a jerk. Brian Burke answers all the questions asked of him, even if he responds with a smart a$$ remark, he still talks. This was just weak and for someone who supports him, like I do, this hurts, and he should grow up and deal with the media the way a higher up in a major organization should.
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MarkLawrence says:
Is it me or is Snow starting to look like Gordon in that photo?
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Jeff Kuntz says:
Disappointing.
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Lighthousemylasthope says:
WOW. Very Fair of you to write this CB, considering that without you, who knows what kind of energy the Islander Fan Base would even have. As one of the Craziest, most loyal, die hardest Island Fan the past 30 years ! Especially the past 20 years, I can finally say, that I don’t think Wang, Garth, us Fans, or anybody else really has to worry about anymore anyway. 12 Months should really settle enough is enough. If in 12 Months there is no Permit to build, if in 12 Months there is not a better product getting geared up for the Playoffs, ….. than who really cares anymore. This whole “being a Fan thing” is supposed to be for entertainmnent. It has reached ridiculous heights at this point.
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Andre says:
Chris you do a fantastic job and really care about Islander fans. I will tell you what Garth’s plan is. Collect lottery picks until 2015 and when the team is really ready to contend see the team move to another city like Quebec after the lease expires and have the another city’s fans reap the rewards at Islander fans expense. Why is it that Phoenix (yes Phoenix) could be in a solid playoff position and yet not have their top prospects (Turris, Ekman Larsson, Boedker) in the NHL but the Isles will be in a forever rebuild. Wang has to authorize an increase in payroll to use the cap space on proven young player this summer or forget it. Garth needs to take the rebuild to next level or go away and get another job.
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Richie66 says:
Sounds like Garth had a bug up his a**, most likly because he couldnt get anything done today
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Jonah says:
Maybe the Isles should hire Martin Biron as GM – at least THAT backup goalie appears to possess a modicum of class…
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AngryPete says:
There’s a reason why I come here for all info NYI…and not the team’s website itself. Sometimes it’s as if they live in some sort of bizarro world where up is down, left is right etc. What on Earth are they thinking?
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neologizer says:
I wonder if this a reflection of something else (pushback by print media). Right now this blog is schooling the only two “old school (print)” media outlets covering the Isles with any sort of depth. Print media is in serious trouble – I wonder if there is some sort of pressure being exerted by Newsday/Post on the Isles for information exclusivity and thereby boosting their “value”?
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Jim Clark says: But even the General Manager of the Islanders sometimes must have to stand naked.
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Staten Islander says:
I don’t get this one. You haven’t trashed him at all on this blog or on Fanhouse.
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Pete says:
Nice to see that some things will never change. We’ve been waiting 17 years to win a playoff round and the team is still waiting for their next 30 goal scorer.
Garth has a much better chance of being the next Milbury than the next Torrey. Luckily he works for the one man who will never see that!
Party on Garth!
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rob says:
weak…
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JD says:
Great job taking the high road CB. Your work here is very much appreciated by all. With the amount of visitors PB gets daily, you would think Garth would give you a few quotes to relay to the remaining die hard Isle fans.
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scottd says:
CB, I say keep doing what you’re doing and let the Islanders live with the consequences. The fact that Garth Snow won’t talk to you does not influence me in any way in terms of whether or not I choose to visit the site, and I’m sure that’s true for just about all of your readers. I’m sure the hits for the past two days are off the charts.
The Islanders, not you, are the ones who have to deal with the consequences of not talking to you. Whether they want to acknowledge it or not, you probably the single most influential voice for Islander fans. You are capable of dramatically altering the mood of a huge percentage of their fan base with just a few strokes on your keyboard.
Personally, the organization will never receive another penny of my hard-earned money until it decides to treat this blog and its readers with more respect. I hope everyone else follows suit. Maybe if they received 1,000 season ticket cancelations all attributed to the poor treatment of this blog, they’d reconsider.
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Brian from Massapequa says:
I think this was a poor decision by Garth. Your site is so popular among Islanders fans and you do seem to always support the organization when it comes to promoting their charity events and youth and community involvement programs.
All of the above being said, I think you should have probably sat on this story for a few days and let your temper/ego ease off and decide if this is what you really wanted to post. It might have been better to do that in regards to future access that you may or may not now receive. I’m sure Garth has a temper/ego too. Don’t we all? But maybe you’ve wanted to post something like this for a while and this was the final straw. If so that is understandable
I still think you do a fantastic job and would much rather Garth acknowledge the vast readership you have and realize that he can reach just as many fans/people through this site (if not more) than through the Newsday sports section.
Long Live The King! Long Live Point Blank!
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Who cares about the lame, super bland, wishy washy quotes we would get anyways. Just a lazy move by Snow to avoid having to make up lame answers
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Pierre Turgeon says:
As always CB, you are a true class act.
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FourCupsin4yearsnot60 says:
CB – Garth is wrong. As a season ticket holder, can I apologize on behalf of the team? I guess not.
Once again this team proves it has no clue. There are so few media outlets that even acknowledge that the Islanders are a professional team. Why would they want to show any disrespect to anyone who actually wants to follow this team and drum up interest in this backwater mess?
Plus, you have been a HUGE supporter of the Lighthouse project. You would think they would try to cultivate/reward that sentiment. I guess not.
Keep your head up CB. You do a great job!!!! You published more articles on the Islanders during the Olympics then Newsday and the Post combined. Don’t let this effect you. Keep up your objectivity. Your my first read every morning because you are a far better writer then Newsday or the Post and your insight is 2nd to none.
Keep up the good work!!!!
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TIM,CALGARY,CANADA says:
well maybe you shouldn’t be so critical of garth snow then and block out die hard fans on your board as well i think you had this coming CB
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Eric Cup says:
How could he have a problem with you, CB? I seem to remember an article you wrote not long ago praising his efforts highly. It makes me wonder if there isn’t something else at work here. He must be aware of the reach this blog has to this team’s most loyal and diehard followers. As an avid reader here, I implore you to not give up on access to Garth. While I know he rarely says anything to tip his hand in any interviews, your questions need to be asked and answered.
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isles71 says:
Sad when a story like this becomes commonplace for its’fan base. As Isles fan, can we really expect anything but these types of stories to come out about the team we love? We have become such a JOKE since the ’93 season it is embarassing. Yet I still display the car flag on every gameday. I’ve seen games in Miami, Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville & Carolina the last 2 seasons and going to Thurs. game in Atlanta…why, because I care. Growing up in Port Washington in the 70′s-80′s, the Islanders were the only TRUE thing to represent Long Island. Everytime I see a story like this, I can’t help but think of Mike Milburys’ comment about Palffys’ agent…the village missing an idiot line…sometimes I can’t help but feel like an idiot…go Isles
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Blizzard says: Dissapointing. I would have loved if you could have had the opportunity to ask those questions and to hear how Garth answered them. In my estimation it is clear the Snow is feeling some heat. Although there has been improvement, success has been slow compared to other young teams and teams who finished near the bottom last year.
Snow has done some good things lets be fair. Drafting JT, The Campoli trade, signing Streit, Moulson, Roloson. But it eigs the question, how are we going to feed our homegrown blue chippers with some talent to play with. There isn’t enough in the system coming and if we go strictly through the draft its gonna take a real long time.
That doesn’t mean Snow should make a deal if it isn’t fair value but I think as Islander fans we would like to hear what the plan is moving forward. And no disrespect to Strang, and Martin we would all agree we would have liked to here it all through you.
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Chris Mc says:
PotvinsCupsx4- Last time I checked Chris was a reporter. He works for Fanhouse.
It does suck when a friendship dissolves, especially when you still encounter the person professionally. Either way though we don’t need to hear from Garth what went wrong or what he tried doing. We can see for ourselves. But thank you CB for putting in all the effort you do.
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mht says:
I can’t help but think that there was pressure on Garth Snow and the Islanders to deny you access by Cablevision. In her first year of covering the Islanders Katie Strang has done a good job. But she has not been critical of the club, its players or the organization in any way. I miss Greg Logan, Alan Hahn and Helene Eliott [veteran beat reporters who pulled no punches] When the Chicago Tribune owned Newsday its reporting was more objective. Larry Brooks pulls no punches in his coverage of the Rangers and the NHL and we the fans benefit. When the Lighthouse Development needed publicity to publicize the Aug 4 2009 rally and march to Hofstra, IPB was there. Garth if you are reading these blog entries give Chris access to this organization. Otherwise the Islanders will fade a mere blip on the NY sports scene.
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Bobby BanTon says:
His loss CB…Keep on truckin!
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Ryan says:
It seems clear that something similar happened between Snow and Greg Logan, as well. This team has been deaf, dumb and blind on media relations for the last two years. I’ve e-mailed comments about my displeasure through my season ticket rep, and I’m writing to Chris Dey now with a full explanation of why I won’t be renewing my season tickets next season. The Islanders’ double-faced media policies are one key reason.
I fully support Snow in his hockey decisions. He seems to have his head screwed on straight and has a genuine desire to win, and right or wrong at least we know he’s trying. Blacklisting CB and getting Logan pulled off the beat do nothing to help this team win and reek of spite, ego, and misplaced passion. It’d be nice if he’d take a page from his own players’ book–the crew that took a microphone on the ice last April and thanked fans for sticking around through a tough season–and showed some appreciation for the people paying his salary.
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ecairns says:
potvinscups-
cb may be a writer for a blog but he is most definetly a reporter. He finds the stories and reports back to all the Islander fans that have no other way of finding out information.
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Mike R. says:
The fact that Chris Botta isn’t a reporter shouldn’t be relevant. His blog is the PLACE to get Islanders news and he has worked in the organization for many years. Not to mention that he is a prominent and professional writer for Fanhouse. Keep doing what you are doing, Mr. Botta.
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Billymac23 says:
I don’t think this is a class issue. Garth is a fiery guy. He had to answer questions of the local newspapers. He doesn’t want to duck them. Maybe ha had somesort of deal to take back salary and Charles said no. Maybe he feels like his hands are tied, and maybe he’s really frustrated, and knows that CB will tell us all. Maybe he’s just trying to maintain his composure, and knows that that may not come across in the papers. Just a thought
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Dan L says:
Poor PR decision on Garth’s part. Even though he may not necessarily “owe” it to you Botta, he still should realize that a large share of his fan base sways strongly, most of the time, with articles written for this site. He’s shown that he doesn’t want to waste the 17 mil in cap room that we have on useless, aging vets, but if he doesn’t make a serious acquisition this offseason, he needs to be on the outs. Cap room is useless if you’re never going to use it, and by constantly stockpiling draft picks we will field nothing more than an AHL level team. Get your s**t together Snow.
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Blackwasser says:
If Garth has something personal with you he ought to put it aside for the sake of the fans. By dissin’ you, he dissed a large part of his most loyal fan base. How many readers get their Islander news from the rags? Not me. I go right here.
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Faye from Brooklyn says:
CB, you rule. As for Newsday, they recently doubled their newsstand price after cutting the paper edition down to almost nothing, and now they charge for viewing their website. I no longer buy that paper.
As for Snow, I think he needs to look in the mirror. -
“reporter” as in a writer for Newsday and such. The man has been involved with the organization for so many years and still remains largely relevant to the hockey world, and this is what he gets?
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Dan says:
CB criticism comes with the job of being an NHL GM only one GM will not be criticized this year and that’s the GM whose team wins the Cup. Other than that GM’s will be blamed for making too many moves or not enough.
Also Islanders fans love coming to this site for your input and he knows that your words will most likely be read by all islander fans.
Great job as always!
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dominla says:
he comes across as somewhat classless
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daniel says:
Sounds like it’s time to offically put the label of “Mickey Mouse operation” on this franchise. It’s deserved it for years, but this puts the final seal on it. What a clown of a GM.
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Sour grapes….I’m getting tired of the act and the facade anyway. Everything that comes out of his and Wang’s mouth these days seems like a bunch of BS anyway. I really think they find us to be a bunch of mindless gullible morons. Keep putting lipstick on a pig guys. Anyway, great job CB.
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25yearfan says:
Bush league move and very disappointing.
I predict Point Blank will outlast Garth Snow’s GM tenure.
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Viper says:
This is unfortunate. I guess Garth does not realize that you have a much greater following than all other Islander writers combined. Way to drive another wedge between the fans and the organization, Garth.
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Joe NYC says:
Our loss…it’s too bad he doesn’t listen to his fans and read these comments.
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Matt says:
BOOOOOO!
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To make matters worse, the “official” team web site, right now, does not even mention todays trade deadline passing. Nice job!
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symbol says:
i really dont care for you cb. but that was just wrong by snow
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Madchef says:
what a fustrating day in a fustrating 17 years straight. We still get nothing at the deadline to either improve our team or gather talent for the future. Then our best liaison to the club gets held out of the press conference. At least Snow could have blown some smoke up our a$$.Thank God for CB, I wonder if the isles realize how interested he keeps alot of us fans in their club.Judging by todays events…..not likely.
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Nyslefan says:
That just sounds petty. The Islanders should roll out the red carpet to anyone who provides a full-time reporter, blog or newspaper.
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rc28 says:
CB, I feel you have always been more than fair to Snow, Wang, and the Islander players. I would have to agree with post #16. I wonder if Newsday and the Post have threatened to totally drop coverage of the Islanders if they don’t get these exclusive interviews.
This is still the best source and most enjoyable source of Islander info out there.
Keep up the good work! -
Hollywood says:
CB, I wouldn’t take it personal. Snow knows that we the fans speak through this Blog. He understands that the rebuild game plan has sputtered. I mentioned it before his moves have backfired. This rebuild is no where near what it could be. Toronto has the right plan, they have aquired studs like Kessel and Phaneuf to build around.
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Blitz says:
DP and Yashin deals stink like the Albert Belle deal with the O’s. All down hill after a big chunk of change was spent and it backfired. The team cheaps out, the rest of the division spends, and takes off while one team lives in obscurity in front of 1/4 filled venues under the guise of rebuilding.
When you ice a stinky team on Game 1, get stinky results, and are closer to last than a playoff spot, accept the criticism.
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I feel sick reading this. Chris, you know you have my undying support…and sometimes unfortunately – so does this team. Its just amazing to me how some teams just don’t find their way out of a culture of losing. It takes every decision to be done with care and consideration for the team, yes…but also the passionate, die hard fan base…one amazingly alive and kicking hard on this blog daily – despite this team’s performance the past few years.
And with no solid direction for the future…it really just makes me sick, but I know Chris will reap plenty benefits elsewhere.
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eastonhockey says:
The day before Milbury was fired, 70% of Islander fans still supported him on Islander message boards. The truth is most Isle fans just want to “believe” period. Even if the Isles are a mickey Mouse operation, Garth Snow, Charles Wang..etc..
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John says:
Is this simply a case of message being controlled by the team? I can’t read Strang, and Martin’s posts seem bland when he writes. The info on this site is always insightful and thought out. Too bad the team only views this site as a promotional tool, and not the news and info site it has become. As far as no trades go… no biggie… seems to me if the team makes a deal a portion of the fanbase whines, and if the team does nothing the other half says why are we holding old guys? In this I can sympathize with Snow… but he really needs to address the timeline of when they expect to contend so fans can actually hold the timeline accountable.
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Gern Blanston says:
Ok, so since when is blogging not reporting? Are Dreger, McGuire, et al held to that standard? This is a personal issue Garth has with PB- period, amen- do we really wonder why the rest of the sports world thinks we’re a joke?
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Frank says:
Wow this organization has really lost touch with their fans!! Nothing against Katie Strang but main stram media is no longer the driver for Hockey. I do not understand why Wang and Snow have decided to completly aliante their fans this year and provide no meaningful communication on the direction of the organization or the lighthouse
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Tony says:
You are a bigger man than I. If I were you, I would’nt be wishing Garth Snow well.
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Bryan says:
this is really ridiculous. I wrote the Islanders an email. I know they dont care but I sent it anyway.
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I live in Vegas now this is my only source of info for the Isles.Newsday dumped thew real fans long ago your questions were more than fair its a classless move by the abominable snowman shame on garth be a man and take the heat or answer the questions.I didn’t see us making any moves who would want the scrap heap players we offered but at least conduct a interview with someone who is our lifeline to whats going on.Shame a real shame……………
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C.J. says:
CB,
Good for you!!! I love the fact that you wrote this.Some ego-maniacs need to grow thicker skin.
You’re a half-witted GM, of a half-rate team, who perennially sits in the lower half of the standings.
You want your butt kissed?
You want accolades for coming in 26th?
You want a friggin’ medal?Sorry Garth. When you take this org out of ‘joke status’, then you’ll have earned your stripes. Until then, suck it up, because you’re in “you suck” status.
As for Wanger, the non-savvy business man that he is… I can read him like an open book. Regardless of what he or his puppet says, Wang won’t spend a penny that he doesn’t have to on this team.
CB, I’d answer your laundry list of questions here, but I’m too damn tired. Too damn tired of this team. Too damn tired of the same ole story year after year. “Wait until next year”.
How’s about you do something besides lose Garth?
I don’t give a damn that we reached last year’s win status w/19 games to go. That was the bottom of the barrell. You couldn’t get much worse with 2 minor league goaltenders and a bunch of kids.
Let’s say we hit 33 wins this season.
Whoopty friggin’ doo. We still suck and we’ve got nothing to show for it.
Color me frustrated, but I am and this sucks.
2nd round pick for Andy Sutton. Granted I didn’t expect a heist, but tell me why Sutton isn’t in the Isles plans for next year or the year after… especially after not making any other moves.
What hulking Dman are we going to either bring up or ink to give us size.
Pigme Jack Hillen? Midget Katic? Tiny MacDonald? Ewok Ness?
Or should we hold our breath while we ink a has been hulking dman like Hal Gill on July 3rd? Then, are we to drink the Kool Aid that he’s a difference maker.
Good for you CB… standing up to this *** clown who’s continually shunned by his peers and late to his own prom.
Toughness? Team toughness… yeah right. That’s the answer.
Jody Shelley avail for a 6th rounder? What’s the excuse there? We gonna land the next Henrik Zetterberg with our 6th or the next Justin DiBenedetto (AHL extrordinaire)?
Let’s rent a bum who in 2 minutes of ice time won’t even look eye to eye with Chris Pronger nor could he even scare Simon Gagne…. and let’s put him on waivers the next day. Great job.
Brass tax is the almighty dollar here. Wanger won’t spend. Snow continues to pandor him. Biding time, biding time.
Sucking the fans dry, sucking the fans dry.
Sell and move the team Wang… had enough with your nonsense. Then, we can get a real GM in here who actually cares more about winning than keeping his job.
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I’m done. I’ll watch the Isles on TV but not much more than that. As far as I am concerned they don’t care about the fans or even their own product (team).
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The truth is, if Chris didnt have to worry about access to the Islanders players, he would of been ten times harder on Isles Mangement. My goodness only 3 reporters show up to a press conference and 1 gets sent home? Unbelievable.
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nyislanders93 says:
This website is the best place to turn to for information. The official website for the team is a joke, they only publish positive news, if there is any. This fan-base would have a lot less followers if it wasn’t for this blog. CB, the work you do is great. If Garth can’t accept that there HAS to be some negative things said about a team thats finished bottom 5 for the last 2 years and now is bottom 5 for a third year, he is a joke.
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Mike Rubino says:
With out knowing the whole story, I would think that posts like this may be why you were denied audience. Right or wrong, this is a blog and it shouldn’t be overlooked that the organization has relationships and mutual interests with these news outlets which are trying to protect their business.
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bill says:
bad decision by Snow. This is the only site to get info on the isles. Newsday’s in bed with the rags, and the Daily News and Post don’t even bother covering the isles. As a 30 year fan, it’s time for this mickey mouse org to get it’s act together. I almost don’t care anymore.
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boss15 says:
CB, you have definitely been more than fair to Snow and the team, sometimes infuriatingly so!
Not to be mean but Katie is not a good sports reporter and wouldn’t have anything to say if they didn’t get her the exclusives. I don’t know anything about Dan Martin because I don’t read the post but the newspaper business is all but dead and irrelevant anyway.
PB, and the other blogs/boards are the way most people <60 find out news about their team(s) now so Snow should be kissing your butt not leaving you out…But the reason he kept you out is the same reason we read PB, so keep up the good work CB! -
ExSection307 says:
Seriously, the Islanders have been so bad for so long, that by the time they are good, will there be anyone left who cares? CB, you’ve started to have success elsewhere ( Fanhouse ) and not need the Islanders, and I bet you’re even starting to say to yourself “Oh, who gives a c**p anymore?” Granted the Olympics are a fantasy tournament, but it sure was nice to have a team to root for that actually wasn’t in the middle of a 15 year rebuild
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iheartgordielane says:
With the ticket prices as they are for a team that fields players that would perhaps contend in the AHL, the Islanders are officially a joke. If Wang is losing too much money, and the CA money is running out…sell the team. While i supported the Lighthouse project, it seems to me there is no interest in winning. There is no interest in upgrading the team unless its a FA on the cheap. Stockpiling 2010 B level draftpicks when at best will help the team in 2015 seems to be the “rebuilding” project. Bridgeport has very little so what is different from 3 years ago. Nothing. The islanders dont care except to promote the bottom line, they dont care to promote the team (no radio, no CB) so why should i care anymore?
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DavidNYC says:
This is a poor PR decision by Garth in the age of social media, blogs, and wisdom through crowds. CB has a serious voice with die-hard fans. The Isles would be occasionally interesting but CB makes them everyday interesting with his coverage over the past couple of years. I think this situation or response is interesting as well. It must be virtually impossible to be an honest journalist and remain true friends. First year beat writer Katie Strang has bosses to answer to, this blog is all CB which means he can be even more demanding (according to Garth) or more insightful (according to us readers). I think part of this post is a bit personal and should remain between CB & Garth but I think as a blog focused on delivering Isles info, he takes the task of delivering (on trade deadline day!) paying customers and fans/readers some worthy answers seriously. I think your response is a product of social media and unfortunately for Garth, your message will be heard and it will require some damage control or answers. CB’s effort and fan reach does deserve legitimate if not preferential cooperation from the team, this is where I get my Isles news first and foremost. I have not read Newsday since they put up the pay fence so their voice is no longer even heard by me. All of this being said, I still think Garth is doing a commendable job and I am not discouraged with the state of the rebuild at this very moment. I would like him to open up a little more with the fans though.
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SCLI says:
CB- Someone must have LEAKED those questions to Snow. You cant blame him for dissing you. Those were very tough questions. He’d have to give you explicit answers and commit to a specific date. He’d have to be openly honest with you. What could you possibly be thinking??? Truth? Information? Snow should have held a press conference and briefed the fans about Trade day and what the REAL goal for this team is for the remainder of the season. Like Burke did in Toronto. This PO drive crap is a insult to Islander fans. Also I’m beginning to believe that our rebuild is mirroring Edmonton’s rebuilding program rather than Pittsburgh’s as we have been lead to believe. SJ, Chicago, Colorado, LA. Hummmm. Could they possibly be beating us to the punch?
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Potvin's Cups says:
BUSH LEAGUE. Snow is a tool bag.
ps – I am in no way affiliated or agree with potvinscupsx4.
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CB it aint your fault at all man. i’m sure that garth reads the comments and wonders why he should bother to answer to a bunch of angry people who are just gonna criticize him anyway. and that right there is a shame.
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dose says:
either he was so ticked off about something that he was blind to how this might alienate a lot of fans, or it didn’t matter to him. if it’s the latter, it might be hint of something going on with regard to the future of this team. either way, it ain’t good.
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Paul says:
When you have no clue how to manage a team…you just continue to collect draft picks and tell people you’re rebuilding through the draft. Problem is that you can not rebuild strictly through the draft as Snow is doing.
As far as Snow blowing off CB is concerned I am not one bit surprised.
I’ll leave you all with a quote from Ed Norton when he told Ralph Kramden the following…after he was promoted within the bus company.
“Be good to people on the way up…because you’re going to meet the same people on the way down”.
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SneakyPete77 says:
He must be ultra-sensitive because CB doesn’t bash anyone. He basically writes things as he sees them and he is very accurate. Proof is in the pudding. Look at all the fans that are glued to this site and are anxious to read what CB has to say next. How could we all be wrong? We aren’t. CB is very good at what he does. When Garth snubs CB, he snubs all of us. This from a GM who you never see or hear from. How many interviews has Garth done this season? I can’t think of any. It is time the NYI fans put the heat on Garth. All it takes is a quick call by many NYI fans to Francesa on WFAN and beg him to put Garth on for a 15 minute spot. Enough fans call, maybe it will happen. Then, we will get our answers.
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valentino says:
Unacceptable on so many levels.
Just when you think that this franchise has done everything it possibly can to disappoint its fans….
I guess the Islanders are being run by North Korea….anyone who thinks for themselves will be punished…Wang and Snow are the new Kim Jong Il tandem…only propaganda will be fed…whats next…and article on the isles website on how tambellini is the next crosby???
F this team
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Bob says:
Personally I think Snow is overrating himself as a GM…yeah he has acquired a lot of draft picks but they can’t do it alone, they need leadership and solid mentors, sorry but Weight is past that stage. This is where Garth fails as a GM, acquiring the supporting pieces for the youth.
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Les Beaver says:
That’s a poor move. Perhaps, somehow, he and the Islander’s management don’t realize how important this site is to their fans. It has become the #1 source of info for the fanbase, without a doubt. It’s run professionally, information is accurate and trustworthy, all in all, IPB is a class operation and something to be proud of. The management should embrace that.
And if Garth feels maligned by something(s) CB has said here, wow, that’s some thin skin. Perhaps he should read how some of the other area teams are discussed in the local papers – The Mets, Jets, even the Rangers get A LOT more criticism from “beat writers” than Snow ever gets from here. CB has, in my mind, been more supportive than critical.
This is disappointing, and as was said above, Bush League.
Or maybe this is some sort of reporter initiation thing, CB….maybe?
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Jeff says:
My son and i read your blog regularly. Don’t always agree, but appreciate your perspective and the news you present. Obviously there is not a lot of sites that present Islander info. Snow needs to grow up. You are an independent contractor. not a shill. Again, not always right. Many of the things you identified as needs still remain. He has done a decent job and deserves to continue. I remember when the Islanders were good and didn’t show up in the late 80′s. These guys almost always show up. They are fun to watch most of the time and they give us a reason to root for them. I want the Cup, but 12-14 wins the remainder of this year will be enough proof that they have earned our attention for another year. Mr. Wang and Mr. Snow, you are in the Bigs, don’t act like you are in the ECHL.
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NH Isles fan says:
Thanks CB for all you do w/ this site. I love the Isles but cannot stand Garth Snow and think he is a horrible GM. It is unfortunate we Isle fans have a bush league GM and an owner who will not spend money.
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Original Rob says:
I cannot defend Garth for this action, nor am I a huge fan of his to begin with. But it’s hard for me to feel bad for you, CB, when you practice the same sort of prevention of opinion by often deleting posts that you don’t happen to agree with, even if they don’t break your strict comment guidelines. What goes around, comes around, I suppose.
“Two-way street, unless someone dares to criticize”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
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kevin27nyi says:
your venting on your blog instead of to garth? seriously? and you expect it to get any better by writing this?
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barney stinson says:
Hold up. It seems bad at first, but I don’t think any of you were there to see what actually happened.
Maybe Garth only had three chairs available in his office, and was embarassed that he couldn’t provide one for Chris.
Maybe he JUST got back from Starbucks across the street with only three lattes and didn’t want to seem rude by not having enough for everyone.
Or, maybe, they were playing Xbox and Garth had only three controllers.
Suit up.
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Candor says:
The funny thing is I’d say CB is WAYYYY too arse kissing to the isles…certainly not overcritical. CB is a pr machine of goodwill for the team. Whole thing seems silly.I’d like cutting commentary, not lamenting over Snows childish vindictiveness.
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1972 means i'm old says:
A few months ago with Tavares’s debut, it seemed the media suddenly “rediscovered” there ws an NHL team called the NY Islanders and there were quite a few mics in the room. Things were looking up. Now we’re back to to some kid who got free tix holding up a lone mic from WFUV. Garth must be getting his PR skills from Jeff and Fred Wilpon.
I wish we could do a “Green Bay Packers,” and buy the team, hire experienced NHL personel, and come up with a realistic rebuilding strategy, a realistic new- or relocation-arena policy, and a tri-state transportion policy for fans who don’t have cars. Pathetic! -
Glen S says:
The media coverage(????) of this team stink’s. First the radio team then logan now CB. The only place to get info on my team is on this website, and your kept outside waiting almost forty minute’s, the update on the isles website are so far behind it’s a joke like my team is becoming more and more. It truly seem’s they could give a rat’s butt about their FAN BASE, I’m at a point that unless I get free tix I don’t go and I’m not the only one that feel’s this way.
Hey Mr wang you want to bring fan’s back I’ll give you a hint on how to do it, stop treating us (THE FANS) like crap give us something other then empty promise’s. We have a good group of young talent but you’ve got to take it a step further and trade and spend $$$$ not cut FAN friendly thing’s (RADIO coverage) press coverage.And one last thing how do you send out season tix invoice’s for next season when there 19 game’s to go what a joke, Oh I know get our $$$$ get our $$$$ so you can earn the interest and put it in your pocket and not give it back to THE FAN’S that plain STUPID… -
Dr. Generosity says:
I think Garth is doing a good job running the Islanders’ hockey ops, and I don’t think the turnaround is going to happen on the accelerated timetable suggested in your post (CHI and LAK both took plenty of time to turn around), but I’m sorry, this is bush league stuff on Snow’s part.
Your frustration is evident; there’s steam and clenched teeth in every line. I hope, for the sake of your many readers and admirers, that you can brush it off and keep putting out brilliant coverage and analysis. Newsday’s back pages are dead. IPB is the must-read stuff in Islanders Country.
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Lenny says:
love this site, but I swear if CB just wrote how open Garth was today with him and that they were going out for a beer, it would be a love fest for Garth in the comment section.
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Usually a big supporter of this site. After what happend earlier in the day I agree with potvincupsx4. I’m sure this comment will be deleted as well.
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Vas says:
CB, we thank you for being their for us but unfortunately our No class GM and our clueless owner are alienating a fan base that has been on Mars for 20 years! It’s a joke and a complete disgrace! This is coming from a season ticket holder that is just about had it! And if I had the chance to speak to Mr. Snow I would tell him exactly this!!!!
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Dan says:
BOOO Snow!! No moves at the deadline then leaving my boy CB in the dark?? Thats cowardly!! Its time to give Johny T and Okposo some help!! Hey Garth Worry about doing your job not keeping CB in the dark!!
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Cairns311 says:
Tell me something we dont know CB, anyone who has met or had a conversation knows he’s a jerk. That being said he’s doing the right thing in rebuilding which will take at least 2 or 3 more seasons.
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big dig says:
Garth’s motives not bright.Garth get a grip
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Nick says:
CB, you do a Great service to us Islander fans. I have always thought that Garth was growing as a GM. Made some questionable moves early on but appeared to get on track the last year plus. I can’t understand what his problem is other than maybe being slightly embarassed by his inability to move some dead wood or solid trade candidates (goalies)and being afraid he would be asked the tough questions all GM’s must face. He had nothing to gain and a lot to lose by his decision. I for one have lost a lot respect for him. He needs to start making this team bigger, stronger and better soon. I have been a season or partial season holder for 10+ years and I am losing patience.
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seabass says:
Sometimes i think this team and organization is on the right track. And then days like this give me a reality check and I remember the last 20 years. Things just haven’t gotten better. In fact, they have stayed exactly the same…a joke of a franchise perpetually shoving their amateurish company line down their loyal fans throats. The only thing that has changed is that the Long Island sports hall of fame (next to the urinals, lower concourse) has vanished and a fan can no longer buy carvel ice cream at the game but has to settle for some frost bitten water-based crapola. They do have good beer now though, assumably to make the product on the ice more bearable.
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Anderson Cooper says:
Sux to be vetted doesn’t it? I think you are political.
It shows you are disturbed by being scooped by the other beat writers. Nice line to end the blog.
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Paul Russell says:
Mark Twain once said: ‘Never get into a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel.’ This is how the Isles run things. I would bet every last penny I have that the edict for the cut-off was issued by Mr. Wang. He runs the entire organization, using Garth as his lackey front man. Getting the GM job with no experience was part of the trade-off for being remote-controlled by an owner who is suspect in so many ways that go beyond his control of an NHL franchise. Snow knows he sold his soul for the opportunity to get a job that he had no experience in earning. And when he’s told to align with certain journalists over others what’s he supposed to do? Swallow hard and keep the opportunity until you garner enough experience and credentials to move elsewhere. Lafontaine left for a reason. The Neil Smith fiasco is well-documented. Mike Milbury was allowed to stay so long despite his mountain of mistakes because the owner puts performance on the ice second to whatever his view of the world is at the moment. The payroll is bare minimum for a reason, the scouting is mediocre for a reason. All fingers point to the owner. It’s time that Mr. Wang at least know that we’re not naive to reality. And I’m a season ticketholder. I won’t renew until I see what they do with all this so-called excess cap money come free agent time on July 1. If they think I plan on renewing before then, they’re crazy. Enough with the concert passes, Sparky the Dragon, premium parking and other silly amenities. Either advance the on-ice product or sell to Kansas City.
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JTorBust says:
With much of the die hard fan base glued to this site you would think Garth would have the brains to show some class. I think he is just a puppet and his hands are tied, Wang has demonstrated he will not spend money and all Garth can do is hope he drafts a dream team. Anyone around any franchise or business can not be that ignorant and clueless to who signs their paycheck at the end of the day. This site is responsible for fans going to games, for fans showing up to a draft party, for charitable events being a success, the Islanders website is a joke and reports nothing of substance. CB i give you credit for sticking around the Long Island Ducks of hockey franchise when you have been given free reign by your employer to cover any team you want.
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no class garth
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Alan says:
Nothing good comes out of these threads or posts — plain snd simple — leaves a bad taste with everyone — hopefully things will sort themselves out
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dan says:
I think I like this blog more than the actual Islanders. In fact if there was a yearly cost to have you still do this I would pay it. I like the moves Garth has made, but this one is so stupid. Pointblank in my opinion serves more Islander fans than any other type of media coverage.
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I was listening to Tool in the car today and my favorite song by them came on, “Ticks and Leeches”, and I could not help but think about the Islanders. They do nothing by ask their fans to give and give some more. Whether it be the LH Project, or the rebuild, or patience as Wang talks like a moron on tv. I can only hope 5 years from now this team is playing in a brand new arena in Queens with a new owner and GM. Then C.B. will actually encounter more then 2 random journalist who aren’t being punished by covering the Islanders. I have reached my end point….yet I will still never leave. The Islanders are a drug.
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It’s sad that Garth blew you off. Who cares about Katie, nothing personal but I will NEVER pay a cent for online news. Islanders Point Blank, TSN Canada and The Hockey News provide more than enough info. We all know that IPB is the best for Isles info.
Wish we could have gotten something for Rolo, but I’m not entirely shocked, since I expected there to be more play for Sutton, at least from NJ and Wash.
Lets get one of those top 2 forwards in the draft since all of our top prospects seem to be D-men. Then maybe we can sign a player or 2 and get to the payoffs next year.
Hopefully the rebuild is over and we can actually start playing. -
I sometimes wish that I was a fan of another team because of the crap we go through. I sometimes wish the idiots never let the Islanders exist so I wouldn’t feel upset about being a ranger fan. Recently I hope that the team does move so that I can leave long island(i am still in college and the only thing holding me there is the islanders, not sky high taxes but thats another story)
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ant says:
I have been a fan for 30 yrs and I am getting sick of the way this organization is run.We are the joke of the league.All we hear is we are rebuilding,but like someone said before you just cant rebuild through the draft you have to add some pieces through trades or free agency.To see a team like Phoenix do well after a year of rebuilding and us again at the bottom.If we are rebuilding then why is Martin and JJ in the minors and we still play guys like sim ,park etc.Roloson is 40 and will be free agent next yr so we will get back less next yr.Snow is Wangs puppet and this team will never improve unless they spend some money.They will just continue to say we are rebuilding and have us all believe they have a plan.Its a joke.CB for G.M
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BC says:
You sold him out, killed his bargaining power by saying he wasn’t getting the value he wanted. I love your blog, and do think he’s wrong, but get why he’s pissed.
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Anyone notice that ever since the Lighthouse project went completely down the tubes…the Isles organization has made it clear that they no longer have a need to use the fans and this site to their advantage?
They used us as long as they could…and now they really don’t seem to care.
True colors my friends…true colors…
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Hud says:
I have been and Islander fan for 35 years, so, I believe I can comment on this. Garth should have spoken to you, this team is so far off the sports radar. Nobody knows who or what the Islanders are, 3 people want to talk to Garth and he shuts out one? Makes no sense. That being said, this is not sorority girls bickering. CB, whatever happened today, it is one day, to say you would never do anything is kind of tough to live through, don’t ya think? If we judged each other by our worst moments things would be ugly. My prediction? You are Garth will talk, understand that the common ground you have is the success of the Isles, and we will go back to talking about why JT never scores and how every Islander fan in the world wishes he would. Peace, see any west coast fans in Anaheim and LA next week.
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Obs says:
SAD, REAL SAD..
Bad form Garth Snow.
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@ Mike from Philly:
I love that song. It does kind of fit with what it seems the Isles have been doing.
Suit up.
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Brad says:
As Uncle Junior Soprano once said, “Goooo -s- in your hat” Garth! Between the treatment of IPB, cutting the Islanders radio team loose, and omitting Rick from the home opening festivities, this organization has clearly been making numerous P.R. mistakes. Hey Chris, weren’t you the Isles’ Director of Media Relations? I think since then, the Isles forgot what “Media” and “Relations” truly means.
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Sorry, see west coast Isles fans in two weeks, my bad.
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Quagmire says:
This blog is the single best and most comprehensive source of Isles info anywhere. Garth needs to understand that and get thicker skin. This amateur hour nonsense just never stops.
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CM says:
I think he has an obligation to the media first. It would be slightly insulting to the NY Post and Newsday to also invite a blogger. I mean no disrespect but that’s how I see it. Print media first then the others. That said, this blog is still the best out of any coverage from the Post or Newsday.
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Tim Wally says:
Let me start off by saying thanks for all the work u do chris
with that said, this is an extremely immature post in my opinion. two men are in a fight, and it should stay right there. to run and post it like this is uncalled for. i see your intention, to get all these readers fired up at garth. congrats, youve accomplishd that. but i thought you were better than this. and while this comment will probably get deleted, its gotta hurt being called immature by a 22 year old kid… youre better than this chris
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rob76 says:
I have never been a fan of Garth in the front office from day one. It just wasn’t right to me how he got the job – he never earned it. But after dealing with him personally the past few years i now really dislike him as a GM and more as a person. He is arrogant, check out his interviews, he is just not a friendly, media savvy man. Oh yeah and he was named GM of the year by SI b/c of one trade but what has the team accomplished under his reign? Nothing – this is a disgrace i personally know that all of the Islanders brass knows the popularity of this blog. Its a bad job by the entire organ-eye-zation because there is no doubt that THIS SITE is the place for any and all Islander news
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cusi says:
CB with guns a blazin. Snow has and is doing a good job as gm with what wang gives him. CB is the voice of the isles to many. I have been reading since the early days of this blog. I have gone to more games,watched more games, gave more $ to Isles causes, spoke about the Isles and tweeted/facebook’d Isles more since this Blog started.
I agree with Mike Rubino that it is business related and add that it MUST be personal as well, between Garth & CB.
Also everything #73 DaveNYC wrote i agree with…. -
BringBackNyles says:
I am going to take the unpopular stance here…yes, it was low to embarass you in front of the two print media folks, but you no longer work for the islanders. You can’t be friends with the people you cover, that is the first thing they teach in journalism school. This is a great blog, but at the end of the day, it’s a blog the Islanders likely figured would be dead by now. Your ex friends cut you off , they obviously did not like the blog last year
The club does give you access to the Coliseum is closer then most non-affiliated blogs get.
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C.B your the MAN!!! Its a shame that garth and the Isles would treat you like that. seems like you truely care bout the team. Just goes to show you how the isles countinue to spit in the face of thier fans. So many of us go to you to find out whats going on with this Dysfunctional team that we love so much. The islanders are like the favorite uncle that plays catch with you but keeps going to jail for bad crimes. C.B please dnt let garth stop you from your work on the isles. We the fans appreciate you!!!!!!!!
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islanders1984 says:
CB don’t always agree with what you say, and I think you at times talk down to your readers in your comments. But I have to say Isles owe you more than that. No one would have gone to any of those lighthouse meetings if it wasn’t for this site. Its a bigger promoter than the teams own website
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isles72 says:
ny islanders
expiry date , 2015 . -
Joseph says:
Those questions are those I’ve been asking myself for a while now and they deserved to be asked and answered. As a subscriber now for over a decade and for a franchise that consistently asks me to renew for additional years – I think I, and other countless fans in the same boat, are entitled to have an idea of where the franchise is headed.
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gary says:
keep on bringing unfiltered thoughts, opinions and perspective for us. I live in Westchester and have no access to Newsday and hate the Post (and their 2 articles on the Isles a week…)
Haven’t bought a ticket to an Isles game in a few years, and this just proves why my hard earned money goes to other things…. -
Ethan K says:
The more I think about it, I think Garth’s good at managing the team and bad at managing himself. I can’t believe how selfish the people that run this organization are. They ask for charity help, fans here come through so well. They ask us to stick with them through a rebuild, or to support their real estate ideas, and they repay us by denying our favorite blogger and place to find out the truth about our team.
Thank you Chris. You’re the only person who can truly cover this team. This blog is the reason that I’ve actually become a huge Islanders and hockey fan. The day that Botta stops writing about the Isles is the day that I don’t care about them anymore.
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Garth, get a personality and a pair of hockey pucks
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IslesNation says:
Someone please tell me what Garth Snow has done in this league to be given the right to tell off reporters? Career backup goalie, 1-4 playoff record as a GM and two awful seasons. At least you are great at what you do CB. What a coward move by Snow, he really needs to get a reality check, he was brought here to be Wang’s whipping boy and then brought in a coach to be his. There is no way an organization built like this can be as successful as us fans hope to be. That is unless we get very, very lucky.
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Despite my loyal following of this blog, I won’t join in with the 100s of pro-Pointblank posts because I have a couple of questions first.
Did Garth say that you were kept out for criticizing the team? Have you ever been kept out of these kinds of meetings before?
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rb says:
I think Garth’s doing a pretty good job on the hockey side, but it would be asinine for him to develop a thin skin like this. Using Wysh’s rating system, cutting out PB is definitely a “4 Milbury’s” move.
Part of your job as GM is to communicate with your fan base, wherever they happen to read about you. Not too many people go to Newsday or the Post for Islanders news. And if Tortorella has to deal with Brooks, then Garth can deal with PB.
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george says:
Dean Lombardi would have taken the job
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CB, I dont think your friendship with Garth should have anything to do with something like this, tell you the truth. I mean, you and Garth do not have to BE friends in order for you to do your job. The thing I do not understand is why the hell the Islanders organization would choose to turn down ANY professional who is looking to cover the goings on of this team. Doing so makes absolutely no sense to me. Where is the POSSIBLE benefit in that? I also do not understand why they put pretty much all their eggs into the basket of a dying newspaper owned by their rival which rarely gives them OR the Lighthouse project the thorough coverage they deserve.
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Bob Bassen says:
Garth Snow has become Wangs butt-buddy just like Mad Mike. Period. That is obvious!
Wang kept the team on Long Island but what a truly laughable organization.
Oh, and the coyness with regards to the Boy King, Ricky DP just raises the level of pitifulness.
Thanks you, Chris. Bottom line: If it wasn’t for you, I really would be following another team more closely than the Isles at this point. I don’t need a perennial *Winner* but the BS AND losing that do surround this team is really becoming too much!
Thanks again, CB! -
Islesrock says:
There are always two sides to every story, and in the middle there is the truth. I am sure Snow thinks he has a valid reason to cut you off. We will never know, but I think you should have not reported the story. It will not help your cause, or the many who visit this great blog.
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doug f. says:
Like I said on your other blog…while I’m a die hard Islanders fan they are a lousy organization. They are seem to be like the Devils of the late 80′s and early 90′s when Wayne Gretzky called the NJ Devlis a “Mickey Mouse” organization.
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Lance says:
Dictionary
Islanders (eye-lan-derz): a once proud organization
noun – They used to be great, but now they are just Islanders.
verb – The organization has been Islanderized.
adjective – She used to be great, but she became too Islandery. -
Frank James says:
It’s a shame that Garth has chosen to speak with Newsday (how irrelevant that paper has become) and the Post.
I don’t know of any fan that gets their Isles fix from the local papers.
You get better info (and actual critiques) here and on sites like espn, tsn, Toronto Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, etc.
I hate to beat a dead horse but since the Dolans took over Newsday that paper has gone down dramatically.
I used to love reading Newsday cover to cover.
I haven’t purchased an actual paper in years.
I haven’t checked their website since it became a pay site.Keep plugging away Chris and continued success with AOL.
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Examiner says:
Perhaps Garth is smart in assuming that this is where the majority of die-hard Islanders fans get their news, updates, and analysis. Answering CBs questions would have left him vulnerable if the team falters next year to a lot of hardcore fans.
Might as well shovle the typical ‘everythings hunky dory’ quotes to the less direct journalists.
The man is sly. Learned from the best. Wang has a nice 6’4” protoge.
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Crazy8 says:
The Post doesn’t really follow the Islanders.
The majority of us can view Newsday’s content anymore.
You’re the only one who follows the Islanders at all that we can get information from. It’s really not the best decision by Islanders management. They should really be embracing this blog as it keeps interest alive. If the die hard fans lose their source of information they stop being so die hard.
I really fear the day you stop doing this CB.
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Bob says:
Chris, now you know how we feel as Islander fans….unappreciated, lied to, and used.
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Jerky says:
CB – could it be that Snow and Wang read this site regularly and see all the outstanding 411 provided by an outsider to the organization which has primarily provoked negative responses from the fanbase the past two seasons? The truth is that a majority of the news is not positive out of Isles Country; however, all you are doing is presenting the news factually to us fans as it should be (e.g., not spun/sugar coated for subjectivity).
Perhaps Snow is annoyed that you’ve created something much more successful than the team has ever been able to generate and he’s both embarrassed and being a bit spiteful. All the more reason all of us appreciate what you do and hope you continue for the foreseeable future.
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I am curious why the perpetually anonymous “Islanders Authorized” writer was not there.
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mark p says:
maybe letting us know the best offer was a #3 for Roloson 1 hour before the deadline hurt Snow’s bargaining position?
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metalcoconut says:
That is very mature, measured and insightful response to a less than desirable situation CB. Cutting off the only experienced reporter is not a great way of comforting fans. Perhaps he is mad from all the negative comments for the Sutton trade?
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Garth is probably having a good laugh about this outrage! While we are venting over his bad behavior, we have not focused on his statement that DP will play again this season. Really, that’s the update. Not that he is day to day or out a week, but that he will play again this season.
When they are out of the race, you’ll here Garth say, “We decided to shut him down. He could have played if we had made the playoffs.” Good job, Garth.
At least we aren’t lamenting the fact that our last goalie just won a gold medal and the one we have now hasn’t played 10 games in 2 years.
Stay away from their lousy product. When they sell the team we can at least remember the glory years and block out the inept efforts of the gang that can’t shoot straight!
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Waz says:
Politically Correct Re-post attempt: Katie Strang & Dan Martin are not even that into the Islanders and therefore aren’t even interesting!! We would have gotten the best & most sincere Islanders news from you. Not only is this site the best, but you don’t charge like that other site!
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OlTimeHockey says:
BC #109 – exactly!!
CB – you are a credible guy. So when you publish Garth’s hand on the WWW. Why would any GM offer a first or solid prospect for Roli when he “supposedly” only received a MAX 3rd round pick?
I’m not saying what you did was wrong. I’m just saying put yourself in Garth’s shoes and ask yourself if you being black balled was necessary punishment considering his known desire for privacy.
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Ryan says:
So basically, Garth, you blow off 1/3 of the media?
CB, is there a precedent for you telling us this? I can’t imagine that this is the first time an Islander GM would refuse an outlet access. What do you hope to gain by releasing this? We know you have the experience and instincts to read the situation and report fairly.
It’s a bad move by the organization that invented the blog box to restrict access to an outlet that is, without a doubt, the future of hockey coverage. However, I think something like this should be kept internal, at least until after the season is over.
After all, if the Isles were in a playoff spot and Garth’s picks were lighting it up every night then we’d all be say, “Garth must have has his reasons.”
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Adam says:
Chris,
What you mention here has been brewing for a couple of seasons now with the way they have begun to pull back from the fans that support them. From stopping the open houses to cutting season ticket holder benefits to closing practice and prospect camp. While the team almost always seemed to be a joke on the ice, the fan commitment was at least there. Now they are bee coming a joke with the way they deal with the fans.
It makes me sad. While I am always disappointed in the way the teams preforms on the ice, it was the commitment to Islanders Country that kept me buying my season tickets. At this point, I don’t know if it’s worth it for another year. I guess I’ll have to make that decision sooner than later.
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Radek says:
Wow, did you just undress Garth! And deservedly so! What a douche he acted like today. It is a crying shame that someone who has yet to accomplish anything can grow a head the size of the contract he gave DP. I consider myself a diehard Islanders fan. I visit PB three times a day—it is my only Islanders source—I do not even get Newsday anymore. You know the numbers CB…there are tons of others like me…people that go to PB and PB alone for Isles info. For Garth to put a personal beef with the main connection of most diehard Islander fans to the organization is not only the most selfish and unprofessional act I have heard of in a long time, it is also just plain bad business. I am joining the others in withholding my April 1st season ticket renewal in protest, and I will let my ticket rep know that Garth’s behavior today is the reason. If the Isles don’t give me the April 1st price in July or August, then they’ve lost a season ticket holder. What is it with the Isles GM position that makes all holders think they are invincible and above all others? Shame on Wang for tolerating this behavior, now from two different individuals.
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SNOW MUST GO ! WANG MuST WALK ! Sell the team move them to wherever … Enough is Enough ..This lighthouse project is as good as dead..Condo’s in TOH ?? What a rediculous pipe dream of a guy who clearly as out of touch with the political and economic climate as he is with running the team… As it turns out WE the FANS pay the price as we are a joke and WANG a slime ball joker… Snow is just his puppet, so pay him no mind … CB- You are a true fan , a true professional , and deserve better !!!
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JoeRiverside says:
CB – This blog has kept me much more connected to the Isles than they deserve and I’ve probably attended a few more games because of it. Without this blog, I’ve probably would have lost interest in the season by now (really, where else can you get information / insights on this team). Snow should be aware that this Blog drums up interest. The product on the Ice is weak, it’s the discussion of the future that keeps me tuned in. Having said that, I’m not holding this incident against Snow as long as he sticks to the rebuild plan. Go Isles.
JoeRiverside -
NYICHAMP39 says:
Too bad this team can’t be run like a real, classy, franchise. Outside of the New York Knicks and Pittsburg Pirates, the New York Islanders could be the most poorly managed team in all of sports. Its sad when even your own fans call the team, and the way in which it is run, a complete joke. Sometimes I wish my fandome could have been based somewhere alittle more north (Buffalo) or south (New Jersey). Those are well-run organizations.
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Not only is it one side, but it’s on home turf to the home fans. It’s quite a claim to attribute motive to Garth without anything from the other side. Not very journalistic.
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Bottom line he rather talk to someone like Katie Strang who is a puff piece writer…I’m sure she is a nice woman but she should not be a beat reporter in the NHL.
Snow rather there be no coverage and keep himself in the shadows. He’s trying to be Lamoriello…but you BETTER win if your going to be a jerk.
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EverybodyWangDungTonight says:
Well, Chris, I’m proud you came out with this. The organization is so shielded from blame on official boards and often here and elsewhere fans protect them so often rabidly. Well, nepotism, lazy hires, lowball offers, bad deals, assinine contract terms and a complete avoidance of addressing needs culminates with a GM (by title only) refusing to answer for his ineptitude.
Jordan Leopold for a second. Morris for a conditional pick. Boynton for a fifth. Grebeshkov for a second. What did Snow do to sell his own players on the organization’s desire to succeed?Once again, Chris, good article.
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MickeyBoy7 says:
CB I read your essay tonite and want to say I am proud of your stance and I am equally happy with the list of questions on your wishlist for our backup goalie GM. I still remember when #99 called the NJ Devils a Mickey Mouse organization. Well their GM rolled up his sleeves and did something about it. All our GM does is make promises as he hides in his Ivory Tower. Avoiding this blog’s inquiries may just be the dumbest thing this publicity starved organization can do. The 2 paragraphs we get in the Post and the Cablevision take we get in Newsday pales in comparison to your coverage. This humorless and apparently gutless management team has started my own second thoughts about why I keep investing my money into tickets for this team. How many times have we been told that there is cash for players if we need them? Well dammit we NEED them. There’s a point I’d like old Garth to explain to us. I don’t care how many tee shirts they shoot into the stands…I want to see some veteran quality hockey on the ice. I was there for the victory over Chicago. Believe me…we were outplayed by far. Our veteran goalie stole this one. OK. Nice. But we need some PLAYERS out there. How bout it Garth? Got anything to say?
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CB, I give you much credit for saying it like it is. If there is anything that this fanbase deserves is the truth. We have suffered enough. In fairness to Snow, I’m really starting to believe he is handcuffed by Wang. From everything the Islanders have done this season to save money from the business front, it wouldn’t surprise me if Snow can’t add on salary to help making this team quicker sooner.
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Potvins cups, CB gets paid for what he does by an extremely well known company to report on hockey on this site and another site. To me, that makes him a reporter.
CB’s point was that the fans didn’t get what they deserved. -
kurvers28 says:
If Garth thinks he is going to win this battle over you CB, he is dead wrong. The fans have a much deeper respect for you. I’m just being honest here. Three bottom five finishes in a row. What does he want? Not everyone can be so optimistic as his owner.
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Eric says:
Wow a lot of Garth bashing. Well, I think Garth Snow is a good gm. I did not want Park or Hunter traded for picks or Bergenheim for that matter. Park really isnt that bad. Sim, ok, I wanted him traded because he’s undrestricted but maybe the best we could have gotten was a 7th rounder. Dont know if thats worth it. Listen, if Garth does the same exact thing this summer, which is nothing, then we need answers. Last summer all they signed were 2 goalies. They will have roli next year so that plan will be inexcusable, but im not ganna kill him for today-not making a trade just for the sake of making one and getting very little back and not talking to Chris Botta.
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Matt says:
Garth Snow Job,
Nobody reads Newsday or wants to pay $20 for a web membership. The posts circulation on the island is a joke…. If you did your homework you would see that most fans get their news here. Way to alienate your fanbase.
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Sheik Yerbouti says:
You come off like a six year old having a tantrum CB.
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This is a shame that Garth Snow is pulling this. Everybody knows how fair Point Blank has been to the Islanders. Imagine if our GM had to deal w/ the daily rantings of Mr. Brooks over at the Post? Point Blank is the lifeblood of true Islander fans, & todays news will not change that! I’m sure our GM is feeling down & upset today w/ all the injuries & the lack of the right deal out there. But we have 5 picks of the top 75 picks this coming draft. Add that to a core of Tavares, Okposo, Streit, Bailey, Roloson, Hamonic, Dehaan, Nielson, Petrov, Donavan, Martin, Joensuu, Moulson, AMac, Hillen, Hunter, 2010 Top 10 pick & Comeau. The Future is looking good.
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raul17 says:
Non-story. I guess he’s trying to pump life into Newsday by trying to force readers/surfers to go its site for something “exclusive(?)”. I guess Garth is pissed that Point Blank is the first place Islander fans go for news about their team!!
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Jethro09 says:
I would think that if Snow was so confident in his “plan” and his vision, he’d have no problem talking about it. Screw him. If he only wants to answer cream-puff questions, I’m really not interested in hearing what he has to say anyway. But don’t take it too personally, CB. I’m sure Snow is still your friend!
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Maybe these comments are a great example of the power of the media. See how many people are condemning Garth based on Botta’s side of the story, and if Botta makes issue of it, it must be so.
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Phil says:
For an organization that makes one head scratching decision after another, this is just par for the course. Islanders management has proven time and time again that it is painfully and insultingly tone deaf when it comes to listening its oft abused fan base. As has been repeated numerous times, this is the only credible and worthwhile source for all things Islanders. To deprive the readership of this blog, which has steadfastly supported this team through last place finishes, a stadium project perpetually stalled in development, and a questionable rebuilding strategy, of access to the team’s G.M. makes little sense from any perspective. As you said CB, the product on the ice speaks louder than any haughty snub delivered by Garth Snow. Islander fans deserve, and should demand, better from this team. Lord knows we’ve suffered enough!
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billy says:
This was kind of un-necessary on both sides of it.
Snow should be happy that anyone showed up to discuss our ho hum day, and you’re right about the questions that need to be asked, especially since Snow has now created a little private sanctuary away from the media.
However i do agree with others that you are mad at Snow for doing what you’ve done on this blog, with regards to creating your own cencorship in ways.
I really think this has gotten out of control, i think CB and Snow should chat like adults, and let’s move on and concentrate on hockey.
Maybe it’s true that draft day is becoming a better venue for trades, i personally thought todays deadline was beyond weak with a few exceptions (Flames, Caps)
If Isles dont make playoffs then FLAMES vs CAPS for the cup. -
Jet Plane says:
Classless move by a bush league organization. Seriously, the most telling part of this whole saga is the media throng trying to get in to talk to Garth. Here, in the media capital of the world, 3 hearty souls are asking for a Q&A with Mr. GM and he blows one of them off for some past slights. Imagine if he were under the same scrutiny as Sather. He’d never come to work. Way to run an airline Garth.
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Numbers65 says:
Disgusting!
This is the only consistant source of Isles info and thought. He didn’t close the meeting to you only, he closed it to ALL OF US! Let’s see, how much percent of IPB’s content was GS quotes. In other words, we won’t miss much. Through the Lighthouse project and their actions and inactions, I trust Wang less and less until he proves otherwise. CB, thanks again for everything! I am so happy that you have a different employer nowadays! -
michael in seattle, WA says:
CB- You (and we) deserve better. I continue to have your back. Thanks for the balanced, fair coverage you provide. This blog is a daily staple for me and many Isles’ fans worldwide. Why does Garth not get it??
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If everyone is unhappy that Garth Snow literally said nothing and didn’t truly address the fans, then write to Chris Dey or customer service. If the Isles want us to spend on season tickets by April 1, then I want the Isles management to be run like a professional sports team that address it’s fans concerns publicly and doesn’t shy away from the biggest fan outlet.
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jon says:
not classy snow, not classy. dont underestimate the power of PB.
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BJ says:
“Cuts out this writer for daring to be critical at times”…CB are you 100% sure thats the reason why you weren’t invited into his office, why would you put that as your subtitle when there are no real facts, unless im missing something, to back it up…Love the site but im not sure about this post…
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teddy says:
not classy of snow
equally not classy of cb
settle your differences in real life jeeze..
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Mad Pete says:
Garth must be unaware that this site is the present, and future source of Islanders news for the fans. Sites like these are the future sports forums in general. That was a pretty classless move considering a great deal of fans stand behind your work, versus his. He’s not making any new fans with this move. when the hell are the Islanders going to act and run like a legit organization, thats a good question to ask him.
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The Islanders PR is run like Pravda–all we get is stock pablum.
Count me as another season ticket holder who will not be returning their invoice on April 1–and it doesn’t sound like many who sit near me are re-upping either. I would not be shocked if the base went down to about 3-4,000.
Naturally, Pravda at Old Country Road will say it’s because of the terrible building, but all of us know better.
For those who say the team would not be here without Wang, you may be right, but I no longer care. I’ve rooted for the Islanders from Season #1 and although I would hate to see them go, I’ve reached the point where their ineptitude and arrogance means it’s time to move on.
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Themass says:
Grand total of three reporters? Lol! Why do I even bother?
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davy says:
Screw Snow, I will take you anyday CB. Great announcement from Smow on DP also, real informative. If I didn’t love this team I would find someone else to cheer for.
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James C says:
Terrible forsight on Garths part, I’d bet PB gets 10x as many hits as the teams joke of a website. Never smart to burn your bridges either; a smarter GM may have used CB’s dedication and army fanbase (read: your concentrated target market) to his/the teams advatage … at the very least only you shouldn’t go out of your way to piss them off.
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dan says:
Keep it up CB. As an islander fan away from long island i look to you for Islander news. If you cant stand up to the media than you are just hiding and scared of the TRUTH!!!
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Dan from Cal says:
Maybe now you can see Garth and Charles for what we have seen for a while. This team is going nowhere fast and the last two days proves it even more. I was just watching the Avs v Ducks and didnt realize how many rookies plus young players the Aves have and all they talked about is how the team put the right Veterans with certain young players to make them grow and give them a chance to make their talent grow and work that talent into the system and not force a system on a young player. That team has become a very good team, much better and younger team than the Isles. The Isles have “ZERO” veterans with any talent; Weight used to be very good, but it is sad to see him out there now playing so hurt and old, he shouldnt be on the power play; Park is horrible, he plays with heart but he is all over place and never in the right place and I cant count the number turnovers, bad passes, missed shots, puck hogging per game on both my hands; Jackman has very little talent, doesnt play tough on the ice, not talking about fighting but hitting and checking, bc he is too slow to get to the play in time and doesnt have any hockey IQ; Hunter, I am the highest on, just because he plays hard and is tough to play against.
Ok to review, the Isles are having a large group of rookies and young players learn and build confidence on the ice from who…Park, Jackman, Weight and Hunter? No wonder you always hear hockey people talking about how sad the Isles turn young talent in 3rd and 4th line grinders; Bailey, Bergie, Okposo. Honestly, look at the team and the system, it is built for grinders not for talent, otherwise people like Bailey and Okposo would be let loose, Tambs wouldnt be benched after getting a hat trick bc one missed defensive assignment, Bergie wouldnt be on your fourth line as grinder and kids like Joensuu and Martin would be given a chance to sink or swim over the likes of Park and Jackman. I just feel real bad Tavares who has no one to help him rise, come on Garth he is only 19 years old and expect 20 year old Bailey and 21 year old Okposo to lift him, feed him and teach them? They are barely learning as well. -
Steve says:
Frankly I think Katie Strang oughta boycott covering the Isles / talking to Snow. Her blog’s popularity is a direct offshoot of your publicity. Then I’d like to see the mighty Islanders market their team. A team that earns $-20M / year in perpetuity isn’t going to convince me they’re valuable enough to cut off their one good, free marketer. It’s just absurd; stay strong CB!
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steven says:
Why do you assume it was the GM who wouldn’t let you in? Could it have been the PR people? Maybe the other writers didn’t want a blog in there? Is there a reason you feel it was the GM’s call?
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trottier687 says:
This organization has no clue what there doing. They have done nothing to help tavares through this 30 game slump. Put him on the wing! He’s lost playing center in his own zone. It takes the isles so long to Identify a problem it’s ridiculous, bailey’s clearly a playmaking center and tavares is more of a finisher they need too swap positions. gordon’s way too stuborn or just clueless and garth is a clown for disrespecting you CB…
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Strummer's Army says:
Be careful CB, you saw what happened to Logan when he started factually mentioning the team needed to get bigger and tougher (even in a supportive manner). Feels like Snow got hold of Newsday and told them to get the heat off him. Next thing you know he has a rookie (no offense to Katie) reporter who let’s face it is easier to manipulate and fool for a while.
Snow has done many good things but his stubborniness and his desire to operate unquestioned is wrong. It is insulting for him to be talking about playoffs when he keeps sending that roster out there. Even now when it is so clear the team has nothing going for it he says they are “battling for a playoff spot”.
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Lrdzz says:
The newspapers are dying and the internet information sources (sites like your marvelous one, CB) have already taken over when it comes to updating the public on sports minute by minute. Studies around the world shows that young people don’t even read the newspapers (like Newsday) anymore.
When WangSnow shut out (independent) reporters like you they potentially run the risk of losing a new generation of supporters.
I am an Islanders-fan from Denmark and your site is my main source of information about the team. -
brian says:
Are the Islanders even improved this year? Unlike last season this year they have Roloson and they don’t have a historic amount of man games lost to injury. That’s why thye have a better record than last year. With that said, they are still very close to being one of the 3 worst teams in hockey.
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TM says:
Snow should man up and answer those GREAT questions if not here then somewhere like on TV to Howie etc. Snow ran and hid as he knows few read Strang or the Post as most of the fanbase reads IPB.
This is just more BS from a LOSER organization that remains completely inept in fan relations and marketing. No radio and now this. Ridiculous.
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EJ-1since40 says:
Wang, you suck! Snow, you are nothing but a retired back up goaltender with a puppet job, and you suck too! This current regime is the worst, a TOTAL embarrasment. You will see more and more empty seats(NVMC) as this crap continues.
Until we can get an owner who does not want to renovate half of LI along with the NVMC, this farce will continue.
CB is the ONLY source of reality we the fans have. It does not surprise me to read about Snow’s actions yesterday towards OUR reporter, and can I use the word friend? Yes, I and many of us here consider CB a friend as he has proven his loyalty and propfessional work ethic, not only here, but on many fan related PR meetings and events.
What has this current regime done for us, the fans? Look at how Wang barked at Howie on that on air interview! Simply disgusted, after 35 years, I find myself betrayed and most recently a pawn in this Wang game.
CB, I hope we never lose you and maybe in the future with different ownership, WE would love to see you at the helm of this once proud organization. Stay up, and thnak you for your continued coverage.
CB for NYI President and GM…has a nice ring to it, huh? WE are behind you Chris, 100%!
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thepolishprince says:
Gotta agree 100% with #120 on this one. Love your work Chris but no reason this story had to be posted.
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KO21 says:
Hey pot, meet kettle.
Let’s not act like where humble now, PB bans readers for criticsizing this blog.
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Cuillzy says:
Why are fans trashing the rebuild as If its already failed? I believe its going slow but steady, the way its supposed too.
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JSpitz says:
CB — Thanks for all the efforts. Hopefully Snowjob can grow up and appreciate one of the few media folk who actually follow this franchise.
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isles for life says:
Again, you cannot be surprised when everything flip flops from objectivity to self worth complex…..
With all due respect, if you look at other mediums in your field, bloggers are rarely given the spotlight, let alone the access you’ve enjoyed….
With that being said, your work is greatly appreciated by Islanders nation
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Chris, I love your blog but I agree completely with post #120. Your spat with Garth should have been kept quiet and you should have worked it out behind the scenes between the both of you. You just created a mountain you will have to climb over in order to gain access to Garth Snow.
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Brian in VA says:
Arrogant POS Garth Snow is a JOKE!
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Enzo says:
Snow is a joke. This only confirms what many feel. Blogger or not, this site is the most informative and important source for Islander information. Not Newsday and certainly not the Post. What do you expect from a guy who was a backup goalie and has no experience as to how to deal with the media. Unfortunately the way this franchise is run he will be here for a long time.
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Flux Capacitor says:
CB,
BIG MISTAKE by Garth! This is the only place I go to for Isles news. I imagine it is much the same for many fans. Blogs and internet information is the way of the present and future. Print news is dying! How could we expect the Isles management to be ahead of the curve and embrace this blog as an important media outlet in the new technolohy era when they consistenly put a last place team on the ice!
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Donna says:
very bizarre behavior from an NHL GM imo, nothing wrong with you letting us know what is going on, its got to be very frustrating for you. I give you credit for not pouring more “whine” it’s gotta be very tough. Continue to take the high road, more good will come of it–all the best. I will read what you write even if you become a Flyers blogger and that is saying alot.
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Garth would be Fired in a NY second if Wang sold this team to a real owner. Garth is a JOKE of a GM! He is a laughingstock among NHL GM’s…. I pretty much guarantee it. Wang is a lasughingstock too… Barnum Bailey Organization it is SAD!
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Alex says:
Sounds like someone needs a little PR coaching. Maybe he’s been hanging out with Tortorella recently? Snow’s lucky that he’s not running a public company otherwise he would’ve gotten the hook long ago.
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bcarey says:
Petulance begets petulance, I suppose.
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Hockey1919 says:
The only beef I have with Garth Snow is that if he did have an issue with PB, he should have addessed it in front of the Post and that other paper so that there would have been an unbiased account of what transpired. Now all we have now is “he said” and “silence”, which is immature on all accounts and tells us nothing.
I don’t see this as having any relevance to Snow’s abilities as a GM, but it does speak to an organization that treats the fans as props only to be used when needed. PB is the only place left to remain connectd with the Islander fan base and the Islanders should be glad that it promotes the organization.
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Kascycki's Krew says:
Would Garth ban the media if we were GM in a market like Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal? It reminds me of that “Town Hall” meeting early in the Wang administration when he told customers to “sit down and shut up”. The top dog may be setting the agenda here. I cannot understand why Garth would not want to talk to Point Blank. The Ranger owned Newsday pushes the Rag$ ( when you see Optimum Online commercials – what color unis do those teams wear in tv commercials when a hockey team is shown) the Post does not send Dan Martin on the road with the team – and barely uses him now. You look at what the LA Kings have done ( as pointed out in this space) and have to wonder about Garth here. He does not need to show all his cards here when speaking with writers – just answer basic questions and give the fans the feeling that he is working hard and shows us the passion he has to rebuild this team.
All in all, I bet Garth is doing a nice job with the rebuild – but he is invisible to the fans, Gordon less so…and when you have a bad team – management has to sell itself to the fans to ask for patience and re-assure them there is a good plan in place and to keep supporting the team. I don’t see this from the team. I hope that Garth sees this and calls Chris and arranges a private chat with him – and it can be in April after the season – for an exclusive post season wrap up and analysis. Garth should value this forum.
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T J says:
For all this site has done, for all you have done, for this team the players and most importantly the fans. It’s really shamefull and cowardly. Snow should be worried about filling the seats, helping the Public Image of the franchise not hurt it, but I think somebody got a little to much ego going on. We should pound his office with letters ( real ones not E-mail ) , and let him know how important this site is to all Islander fans.
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Joseph in Garden City Park says:
In Botta we TRUST !!!!!!!!
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Hock says:
You were snubbed
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Just want to lend my support to you CB. You’ve done more from the outside to promote the Islanders, and inform their fans than anyone within a thousand miles of the Island. I think Snow is slowly building what will be a very good team, but he can’t let any personal feelings interfere with his job part of which is to meet with reporters, and inform the fans. We don’t want or need a Glen Sather attitude out here.
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WM says:
CB, was this topic really necessary in your blog?
Man up. -
Tom says:
Chris! You are my idol. Love this entry. Honest, true, professional & VERY VERY fair. The questions you would have asked are the questions ANY media person/writer would ask of ANY sports teams’ GM’s. The questions you would have asked will remain unanswered. BUT at the very least they were asked. It’s incredibly important that the ‘little people’ us the fans have the media to ask the tough q’s to keep the ‘BIG PEOPLE’ aka, an NHL franchise honest.
In snow’s defense, I truly believe if he was ever to answer those questions honestly & in public? He’d be fired.
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Tim F. says:
From where I’m sittin’, it looks like the Dolans own two teams.
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JerseyBoy says:
CB, he’s afraid of you. By excluding you he avoids having to tell the truth. And the exclusion is the message, loud and clear.
Until otherwise demonstrated, assume this team is gone when the time comes.
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isles says:
Until he does otherwise, He’s still just a backup goalie running an NHL Franchise.
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HeyNow!!! says:
Although Ive often wondered about how sad the Isles media coverage is…Imagine how Garth would react if he had to deal with the media like Brian Cashman…Yankees fans get so much media its actually over kill but the Isles media attention is the polar opposite, its a joke…
With that being said PB bans fans for criticizing Chris and thats like “the pot calling the kettle black” just saying…I hope you this critique doesn’t warrant a banning, I’m just giving constructive criticism like CB did Garth
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cgs878 says:
Garth is a tool. I wish he’d quit already and let someone smart run the team.
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LouD says:
Love Pointblank and CB but I completely agree with post#171. Lets be fair here people. We heard one persons side of the story and yet everyone is so quick to throw Garth under the bus. Your loyalty in CB goes only as far as the teams record. If the team was in a playoff spot everyone would be calling CB a crybaby. And when CB shuts down point blank we will all still be Islander fans.
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Matt 85 says:
Chris,
While I respect you and the job you do here, and at the same time understand your frustration, I don’t agree with you writing this post. He was wrong, but two wrongs don’t make a right and you essentially turned most of the fan base against Garth tonight with this post. We’re all Islander fans and we need to be behind our GM, whoever it is. I can’t say I blame you for writing this, but I think it did more damage than good. Now you’ll probably get even less access to the Garth and the rest of the organization after this.
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Marc says:
Hey Chris, looks like they put you in “time out” again. Once again another move to alienate the dwindling fan base. Maybe Snow was hoping you’d meet him at the Lighthouse? The organization is a joke.
By the way, did they send the season ticket holders an invite to the draft party yet? Are names already on the jerseys?
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
I’m sorry to read about this CB… Who ever made that decision … whether it be Garth or some other Isle executive it was the wrong decision.
What Garth should know if I could talk to him is that I’ve been impressed with his progress. I’m a huge fan of the rebuilding project, and throughout I’ve been both critical and praising … It’s only natural.
If anything … because of You (Pointblank), I’ve been much more tolerant of the rebuilding process. I’ve grown tremendous respect for Garth as a GM, and have enjoyed his growth into that position … even with the growing pains.
Pointblank’s illustration of Garth’s progress, even with critical mentions is the Only reason I’ve been able to tolorate this ride on a daily basis.
Logan and Katie from Newsday’s articles as informative as they’ve been over the years of this rebuild can never both illustrate the synergy that you have with both facts with fan perspective.
When I meet Islander fans … we talk about what we read in PB, Fanhouse and NHL.com … not Newsday … There’s been a dramatic seachange in the way NHL fans, and Islander fans get their fix on their favorite team and league. I hope Garth realizes that.
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dan says:
Dont worry CB… I didnt need you to post a quote from Garth saying “I just couldnt get a 1st rounder for Park” to justify why i visit this site every single day. Keep up the great work
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Matt S. says:
there weren’t a lot of Snow fans before this. gonna be a lot less now….
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therain93 -- terriers fan says:
Theory 1 of …. Perhaps the islanders have to make nice with Newsday and give them exclusives to maintain any sort of coverage. I’m guessing Strang’s blog doesn’t get the same kind of usage that pointblank does. There may even be some entitlement on CBs part that he should have that access. Perhaps next time wave the AOL fanhouse credentials rather than pointblank’s?
Theory 2 of …. CB is seen as the Pied Piper, for better or worse. Some people hang on to CB’s every word and are “disgusted” or “sick” after reading this. Need a different example? CB can be seen as whipping up the masses into a frenzy about what could be fetched for Sutton. While the fan interest is positive, it backfires when the best deal made is still a letdown to them for no reason other than fanning the fires. Of course, if CB is the piper, everyone else here is…..
Anyway, there’s too little information to speculate on why CB wasn’t included. Whether or not it is true, or if this could even be considered dirty laundry that was aired, what I do wonder is the motivation for making such a post because I don’t see how it would encourage Snow and company to want to invite you back in.
In a clever way, this woe-is-me blog post reinforces an us-vs-Isles management situation which is more self-serving than anything that could benefit the masses. -
Garth says:
I have no clue. I’m Wangs puppet.
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I wonder how and why Bossy and Trots have hung on under this current joke of an organization…
I guess there’s a flip side to this story, BUT, isn’t about time that we deserve someone like CB, to bring everything out and communicate with the fan base.
Look at all that has gone on since the Spano fiasco, fish sticks logo, Don Maloney GM, mad Mike, and now a total of 10 years of the same BS under Wang. Come on people, why was Laviolette fired? Was was Nolan fired? Why was Neil Smith fired? Why did Pat Lafontaine resign? Look who is at the top, running this ship into the freakin ground!!!!
And some of you are going to look at CB as wrong in this equation?
Bout time someone had some balls to write only a portion of the dreck that continues to own and run the ISLANDERS..
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TimQ says:
The only thing that a (consistently) bad team can count on is the loyalty and hope of their fanbase. Both are being tested again this year.
Charles, Garth – Are you listening?
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Brooks Simpson says:
What goes around comes around, and that applies in more than one way in this instance.
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Chris in DC says:
CB, I’ve been a pretty strong Snow supporter, and have even been critical of you at times, but I’m sorry to hear that Snow treated you in such a manner. You certainly deserve better, and it makes me wonder about Snow’s character. I think he’s going about the rebuild the right way, but it sounds like Garth could use a little polishing in the people skills dept.
Keep up the great work, Chris. You are my lifeline to insightful Islanders news. -
Don’t know why everyone is upset with Garth. He is not calling the shots here. It’s obvious Wang and Dey consider this their family business. Did dey ever even see a hockey game before being given his job, which by the way, did everything he could to alienate the fan base? I am grateful to wang for keeping the team here, but pleeeease be a little more considerate of the fan base and hire someone who is passionate about hockey, not just puppets to help you keep the the costs at rock-bottom.
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JT says:
Garth and the Isles are only punishing the fans. This is the only true place to get true in-depth coverage. They should recognize that.
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Thomas32 says:
WOW , its unfortunate but we YET AGAIN suffer another black eye thanks to this franchise. As a season tix holder since 1990 , this certainly is helping my decision making in not renewing my tix! Not only can this team insult their fans by not trying to make the team better , yeah I know they already matched last years wins and yeah we drafted JT) but to insult the one guy (CB) who covers this team with such passion , and keep all of us up on our team since NO ONE ELSE seems to care and the legions of Islander fans that they should be GREATFUL to still have is totally PATHETIC! Good job Snow! Let me know when you send out the renewal invoices so I have my shredder on.
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I agree ERIKA T, Dey is completely out of touch with the fans and has no business holding the job he has. Wang & Dey might just have told Snow not to invite Chris but if that’s true then Snow is really a puppet with no backbone. I still think Snow didn’t want to face those tough questions Chris wrote.
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50 in 50 says:
I think I will buy Snow a box of Kleenex to wipe his tears away. BOOHOO. Life is full of criticism and critics, some move forward some get angry and some hide behind closed doors. So much for having a fearless leader
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Lorne says:
Agreed TM, Me thinks Botta and Dey did not along when he was employed by the Isles.
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100% agree that Snow did not want to hear the tough questions Botta was prepared to ask.
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terry says:
Maybe a gm of a team that wins on a regular basis can afford to act like a complete ass to its fans but Snow does not have that team.I am getting to the point where i hope they move so i wont feel like a trader if i start to watch another team.CB has banned people for things he doesnt like so it must be common for people with media power to do that so remember their are two sides to every story.All we can hope for is for isles management to get their heads out of their asses and wake up and let the fans know what is going on. Snow thinks he is keeping important info from our enemys it is a sport nothing else he is no more important to this world then anybody else who has a job.DPs injury is not classified info i think other teams know what is hurt just tell us already. It is getting hard to care anymore
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David Volek says:
Come on Garth, WTF?
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Ya know what , Im almost CERTAIN that this was the kinda stuff that went on when Neil Smith took the GM job , and was soon replaced by Snow. Wang and Dey were certainly wanting to “run the show” and Neil walked!! Hmmmm??
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Mike says:
The Isles front office has always been bush league. Even when you worked there Chris – From things like this right on down to Sparky the Dragon. Fact is the organization needs to be criticized. Its a checks and balance system. This isnt a country Club, Garth. I like what he is doing – but he needs to be able to take heat. Things could be worse – he could be Tiger Woods.
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JKP in Halifax says:
CB, I love you, but does this really accomplish anything? It feels like airing dirty laundry in public. It’s obviously your blog and you’re certainly entitled to write whatever you want, but it didn’t feel professional to me. It sounded a little too personal.
What Snow did or has done may not be right, but I think you should have taken the high road about it and not gone done the path…
That said, I’ll still hit this blog several times a day and Fanhouse and I still love your coverage, whether you’re in Garth’s doghouse or not.
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battfist says:
Gald to see Garth gave us an update on DP.
CB-I dnt agree with you 1/3 of the time. But you do provide awesome Islander coverage. If Snow wants to be a sour puss then I say you/speaking for us fans, from this point on raise the expectation bar higher on Garth and this organization. We deserve better and so do some of the players on the Isles. (Some of the moves/lack of moves Garth has made this season are questionable)
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Snow was a career back-up goalie when Smith walked. Wang tried to make him a puppet (FACT) and it wasn’t happening. Wang wants to control all aspects of this team and Snow was the perfect fit. Now Wang (Snow) wants to control the media. Everyone listen up. Economic times like these call for us to save our hard earned dollars and let this franchise feel the repercussions. “If you build it they will come”
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Adam B says:
Even though the majority of replies has been pro CB/anti GS,I am still SHOCKED by some of the digs going against Chris.
First: Someone calls Chris a “d-bag”? (Very mature and eloquent by the way. Really makes LI look like classy people) Why come to this site if that’s what you think of him? If not for this “d-bag”, where WOULD you go to read up on Islanders info?
Second: The people who say it’s not right for personal matters to be aired on IPB, two things for you. The reason this site is as huge as it is, (and the reason you even know about, hence your ability to post on it) is BECAUSE CB has personal stories to tell, as opposed to boring cookie-cutter BS. You didn’t learn about this site and then become a loyal fan simply to read cliche quotes. SECOND: Chris’ story wasn’t some “poor me” little schoolyard sob session, it was a telling tale of the state of the New York Islanders. Was it Snow who made the decision or was it Wang? Valid question. However, as Islanders fans, we all know how disrespected we are amongst media and civilians. The fact is, Snow did NOT meet with the Islanders major source of fandom.
THIRD: post 222, you couldn’t be more wrong. Yes IPB only printed one side of the story, because THERE ONLY WAS one side to present. If someone wants their side known, wouldn’t they jump at the chance of immediate connection to their audience? We don’t know Snow’s side because he did not want it known. so why give him the benefit of the doubt?
FOURTH: We’ve all been human and gotten pissed off at friends or colleagues before. Stop acting like Chris is a baby for being human.
FIFTH: Just read Strang’s article to realize than Snow is either a liar or Wang’s puppet. He claims he made no moves bc he’s pushing for a playoff spot. If that’s true, why would you trade away your best defenceman?
LAST: Charles Wang claims to be losing millions, but whatever money he is making, it comes from US. From YOU. EVERY sports organization knows that in order to continue receiving revenue from fans, you have to face the music. Media have been ripping the NYR for years because no one ever talks to the press. Well, they have the benefit of being in Manhattan and corporate boxes. We don’t Basically, don’t s— where you eat. -
jon from nj says:
It seems like I’m in the minority here, but I like the job Snow is doing. Granted, it’s a rebuild and that takes time, but I think they are finally do it the RIGHT way. Has he made some mistakes? Yes. So has Glen Sather who has a Stanley Cup resume, and look at how much more money he gets to play with. If we all had patience and saw this rebuild for what it is…a rebuild….then you wouldn’t freak at Snow for this. Like some have said, I love this blog…it’s the first place I come for Isles news. But this is high school gossip that should stay between “ex” friends. Stick to the real news CB. You’re great at that.
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Sue says:
CB, you do a great job and that is why we all come here for our info on the team. keep up the good work and as for snow, cowardly move
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dedshark says:
cb by mentioning this you have single handedly turned everyone against garth snow lol
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Ken nyc says:
Great post Adam B, ’nuff said. I guess we shouldn’t be suprised by this organization anymore. Keep up the solid reporting CB.
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Darren says:
Hey people(248) losing $ in big business is NOT the same as us taking pay cuts,losing hours or not getting paid holidays or OT.In business if some bean-counter says the co will make 500mil and they only make 200mil they consider that a 300mil loss.Its sad buts thats a fact.As for CB and the Snow thing…honestly??…I really don’t care.He is only going to tell you what he told those other 2 reporters.He probably knew you wouldn’t let that go down w/o a fight so he had you banned from the session.People on the Island really need to take back this team from crooked owners,bad managers,greedy lease holders,extremely greedy cable co.etc..Everyone has their own interest @ heart except for the fans.A Green Bay type situation may be the only solution to keeping team on LI and being successful or some filthy rich closet Isles fan.
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IslesinOside says:
Of course he didn’t talk to you Chris. If he did the Fanbase would actually here what he had to say and answer.(We all know they like to keep the Fans in the dark). By talking to Newsday he could assure no matter what he said, the Fanbase would never know about it…..I mean who really reads Newsday???Most of us use it just to wipe our …….umm….Windshield???
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Ben says:
CB – I enjoy your write-ups . . . .constantly.
However, read #6, interesting read on things. Do you think Garth would speak with you “privately” if you requested it?
If he turns you down then we know more about Garth.
Do us favor, ask for a private chat and let’s see what happens . . .
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The real reason Garth blew off Botta: His team’s website reports on Mar. 3 at 7 pm(in Islanders Authorized) that Hunter & MacDonald were officially placed on Injured Reserve. Later at 11:30 pm, it reported that Bailey, Kohn & MacDonald were assigned & recalled from Bridgeport. You can’t send injured players to the minors!! On the official game sheet against Atlanta tonight, both Hunter & MacDonald were listed as scratches!!
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dudley leiwicker says:
Chris, you are a lonely warrior fighting for truth, and we admire you for it. As for Garth being the GM for a long time, God help us.
That’s just cowardly by Snow. When only 35 people outside of LI can read Newsday, you’re the guide to the Islanders for the rest of us. Garth Snow is saying not only do I not care about Botta, but I don’t care about anybody who doesn’t subscribe to Newsday.