Comments on: ST. LOUIS 2 ISLANDERS 1 (shootout)Snow: “Our goal is to make the playoffs next year”

By: Albuquerque Mike

Albuquerque Mike — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:59:01 +0000

The next time they do an interview with Snow, hand out shovels. This guy could sell ice to eskimos. Would you buy a used car from him? Watch out: He might try to sell you the empire state building. Does he ever give a straight awnswer?

A lot a fans and scouts wanted Tavares as first draft choice by the Isles, me included, but now I see Matt Duchene as a real no.1 pick. If Tavares falls down again with no one around him, get him double runners. To really rebuild this team you have to get rid of Sim, Tembellini, Park, Weight, Bergenheim, Gervais, Hunter, and Jackman. That means a complete overhaul. Those of you who think Okposo is the salvation of this team watch him shoot over the net and how he has the puck taken away so easily along the boards. Fans on too many shots also.
There maybe something there, but Gordon has ruined him as he is doing with Tavares and Bailey. Good draft choices (Go Leafs), FA signings (get Sutton back), and get rid of Gordon are the keys.Finally buy out Martinek and Red Light Ricky. At my age I can’t wait out Snow’s “rebuilding.”

By: me

me — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:59:39 +0000

OK so Snow says he wants to fix the defense. So what will all the Kool Aid drinkers say to defend him if he does not fix the defensive problem in the offseason? More of the same? Bring up the “nobody wants to play at the coliseum” excuse?

By: Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:41:43 +0000

#55-I’m with you. I think the play-in idea is being scrapped away too quickly. And I like the suggestion of all teams that don’t make the playoffs go into an equal chance lottery. No more praying for losses for your non-contending team!

What’s the problem with the play in tourney? I mean you don’t really want your team to be a part of it, right? Its too much of a crap shoot! The goal would be to get to the top 7 and have that guaranteed 7 game series. But, for all those other teams, it gives them more meaningful games and the tiniest hope that things could go well. And if you give the 8, 9, 10, and 11 teams home ice, then we have even more races during the regular season to look forward too. This is the best time of the year! Every team jockeying for position…trying to make a run to make it in! This would just add more excitement! Plus the top 7 teams get an extra reward of a few more days rest while this thing happens.

Perhaps, to put everyone at a bit more at ease, they could begin the idea with an 8 vs. 9 three game series for the last spot in the first few years, then eventually expand the idea.

By: NYICHAMP39

NYICHAMP39 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:12:02 +0000

The only league where literally more than half of the teams in the league make it to the “post-season” and a GM still has the balls to complain about it. Here’s an idea. Instead of crying because they still only let 16 teams into the playoffs after expanding from 21 to 30 teams, why dont you get us off the basement floor and past mediocrity. When was the last time the Isles were in the top ten teams in the league? I sure as hell cannot remember. And its only team with a recent history of crapping the bed that would complain about there not being enough playoff spots. What a joke. Seriously, can I go a month without being totally mortified with this team??? Do we always have to be the laughing stock of the league??? Christ Garth. Round-robin for the losers?? are you serious???

By: Kbulger22

Kbulger22 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:02:03 +0000

Melvin,

You make a good point, and I ordinarily would agree, but seeing the moves of both ownership and management over the past few months, and Snow’s interview, I don’t get the sense the rebuild is progressing as it should. Maybe it’s my impatience talking, but wallowing at the bottom of the standings is not teaching our young players anything except that losing is acceptable. Does trading our best defenseman for a second rounder instead of adding a free agent and trying to make the playoffs teach how to win or how to give up on a season?

By: scottd

scottd — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:01:33 +0000

The LA Kings are often mentioned here as an example of a rebuilding team that has done things right. They are also often mentioned as a team that has moved through their rebuild faster than the Islanders have. I agree with the first sentiment. Not the second.

The fact is the Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2001-2002 season. (The Islanders have made it three times since that season.)That may be unfair as you might say they only began rebuilding with the 2006-2007 season. Still, the last three years they were 14, 11 and 3 games under .500 respectively. Didn’t make the playoffs once. Now in year 4, they have finally taken the next step.

So the question I have is, how can we applaud their rebuild in one breathe and dismiss the one taking place here in the next?

By: John

John — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:30:49 +0000

First off I think the goalie situation needs clarification before next season.Management cannot bury there head in the sand and say it shouldn’t be a problem,newsflash: it is.They need to go with Roly and Ricky next year(and call up somebody from Bridgeport if or when Ricky goes down)or find someone else to backup Roly,possibly Biron if they can find a way to cut ties with Ricky. On defence ,they need to go hard after Volchenkov or Hamhuis and find a PP specialist(I have someone in mind for that job but if Garth wants to know he will have to get in touch with me through CB).Up front,the core guys seem to be:Tavares,Okposo,Bailey,Moulson,Nielsen, Comeau and Schremp. The UFA’s should walk(Weight,Sim,Park,Jackman).Joensuu and Martin should be given every opportunity to make the team out of camp.I would like to see Bergy get another shot as well.As far as Tamby is concerned,as much as I like him,it’s time to cut bait.I also think Trent Hunter has become too comfortable here and it’s time for him to move on.Some UFA’s I would look at signing are Derek Boogaard(we need an enforcer and he’s the best),Evgeny Artyukhin(size and speed and a rough edge),Eric Nystrom(would help on the PK and can scrap,a younger and faster version of Jackman and another reason to cheer for the 2010-11 Isles),Alexander Frolov(this is a homerun possibility).I would even take a flyer on Nik Zherdev(think how motivated he would be playing against the Rags).

By: edward

edward — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:29:36 +0000

this is what will happen this july ist.they will sign a couple fa’s BUT NOT THE BEST AVAILABLE.This they will do to mislead everyone as usual.They will not spend money till they are satisfied with a decision on the lighthouse.If wang is not satisfied ,the team willl move

By: Brian G

Brian G — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:26:27 +0000

NO Kariya…we have already had Weight & Guerin….stop this trend of over the hill veteran signings…it is not working

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:14:50 +0000

I will not renew my season tickets until i see action by the Isles this summer. I have been on board with the rebuild but eventually you have to start adding outside talent.

I am not even mad at Snow, this was part of the plan but its time to take the next stop.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:13:12 +0000

“We’re doing whatever it takes to bring a Stanley Cup back to Long Island.” How many times is Snow gonna use that as an answer to dance around interviewers’ questions? Every time he does, it seems as if he’s distancing himself from the fans more and more. Just give some straight fricking answers for once!

By: MikeinRichmondVA

MikeinRichmondVA — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:40:08 +0000

While watching the game last night it was mentioned that Paul Kariya (he is past his prime) will be a FA after the season is over. He might be a good candidate to be signed by the Isles to work with the young players. What do you think CB??