RYAN JANKOWSKI AND ISLANDERS SPLIT
Contract not renewed for draft director since 2006
Comments thread closed
3:40 pm: Ryan Jankowski is no longer a member of the New York Islanders organization, several NHL sources told Point Blank this afternoon. It is believed the contract for Jankowski, who had the title of assistant general manager/amateur scouting director, expired soon after the 2010 draft and the Islanders chose not to give him a new one. His absence from today’s first day of Prospect Camp was a surprise to many.
Since Jankowski began managing the scouting staff in 2006, the Islanders have drafted - among others - talented young players such as John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Travis Hamonic, Josh Bailey, Matt Martin, Kirill Petrov, Kirill Kabanov, Andrew MacDonald, Brock Nelson, David Ullstrom, Kevin Poulin, Calvin de Haan, Mikko Koskinen and Casey Cizikas.
Suggestion: wait for the Islanders to make their public comments before making any assumptions. This is all I know as of now, and probably all I will until reading it elsewhere.
4:00 pm UPDATE: Katie Strang of Newsday confirms this story. Katie cites a source revealing that Jankowski learned yesterday that his contract would not be renewed by the Islanders. She says the open position will not be filled. Garth Snow will have added responsibilities. Comments.
WTF
This is very troubling.
Bad news
Bad, bad news…
He deserved to see the fruits of his labor prosper.
Thank you, Ryan. I hope this was amicable.
typical day in Islander country. Good news followed by the expected bad.
I will withhold blasting the team a new one till more data is released. Nice of them to leave Ryan hanging till now - unless he really had planned to take that job in Regina all along - and he and the team were in sync on that…..just not choosing to reveal those details.
Wow! Terrible news for the franchise. Why CB? He is the reason we drafted so well and now it is up to Garth and Charles? Please help us Gary Bettman.
I cant wait to hear the reason.
Just Snowang, no more snojanks.
Did they hire Wang’s uncle to take his spot?
I agree. This is troubling. There must be more to this. Jankowski has been good and I think he will be missed.
WOW is all I can say.
It’s not like he’s done a bad job. something had to have happened. Maybe they wanted someone based on LI?
There was just too much good news today, now that’s the team I know and love.
Man…
NY Islanders franchise = rollercoaster
China Training Camp Fiasco = Down
Decent Draft = Up
Ilya Fiasco = Down
Prospect Camp = Up
Janks gone = Down
Please stop this ride…I’m getting sick.
Ugh.
i wouldn’t say its “terrible news for the franchise” but it certainly is surprising.
Gordon’s contract is up this summer. I bet he will be next. Charles likes to hire these guys on the cheap. I would not be surprised if Jankowski wanted a raise, and Charles balked. Pure speculation, of course.
In the name of staying hopeful and positive, let’s hope we find a suitable and adequate replacement. I guess its good this happened in July and not right before the actual draft. oh boy.
This is horrible news…. just when they started getting this whole draft thing right too. Watch the Rangers scoop him up.
Do we know for sure Isles did not offer to extend a new contract or he chose to depart? Either way, it’s a shame.
This is such a questionable move on the islanders part. Especially since jankowski has remained loyal to the islanders throughout all these years and turned down that offer to be general manager in the minors. Why not remain loyal to a talented team player like jankowski? I don’t trust snow all by himself. Good luck to ryan some team is going to be lucky to pick him up.
Huh?? What’s the backstory here? If the choice was up to the Isles, was there friction between Garth, Wang, Ken Morrow, etc.? Many of his picks–inasmuch as the Isles’ draft choices were his calls–were certainly not duds.
…let’s just hope the Isles haven’t decided to do away with the position of amateur scouting director to save some dough and just give Howie and Billy even MORE to do.
The normal saying is “Two steps forward one step back”
With the Isles it’s “One step forward two steps back”
Just when you think that the organization is putting things together and we are building from within, something like this happens.
Ryan will go somewhere else and do a great job
I would say it is terrible news for the franchise b/c it may mean more Garth Snow influence which imho is bad for the franchise.
Can the Islanders just leave Long Island. PLEASE. PLEASE. The franchise can’t sign any key free agents and now loses the mastermind behind the draft. Are you kidding me? It is things like this that turns off people who would otherwise think about joining the organization. I am telling you Wang does not care about this team at all. Otherwise he would not have left Jankowski leave. Shame on you Charles Wang. Really shame on you. Stop being cheap.
I remember years ago when the Devils in there first or second years since moving to NJ Wayne Gretzky called them a Mickey mouse organization. well fast forward 25 or so years and yes ladies and gents that our NY ISLANDERS. Like #3 said good news then bad news.
You know what, I think others have done more with less since 2006 as far as the draft goes and since we’re in the “slow and steady and slow” rebuild, why not.
Not saying there is anything wrong with the players we’ve taken, but we’ve taken some gambles the last few years and don’t have really have anyone that’s “WOW”ing us on a nightly basis.
KO is my favorite player though, I’m just tired of “looking forward”.
Has to be money related. As in, the Islanders did not want to spend to keep him.
I can’t imagine the Isles didn’t offer him an extention. I think Janks didn’t take it because he has a fantastic reputation around the league, and all it takes is one bad draft to undo that. With his current standing, he will be in line for a number of prominent front office positions in the months and years to come. Or, of course, the isles just didn’t want to pay him
He was the one good thing about this organeyezation. What a JOKE!
Every Islander game I go to im gonna wear a paper bag over my head.
Cue the circus music
Ryan was by far one of the most respected names in the scouting business. This makes absolutely no sense. His drafts have garnered praise from around the league and many have called him one of the smartest in the business. CB: Any word from the Islanders on their reasoning?
Just move this team already.
This is not good news at all. What are we doing…
They can hire DiPietro for the job. How fitting would that be?
In a related story, Charles Wang has just hired ‘E’ as the Assistant GM.
Charles Wang at it again.
Hopefully he is going on to a better position of his own choice.
Wow. This is sad news. I liked Jankowski and thought he was instrumental in the Drafting of Kabanov, which I really liked.. I wonder if Jankowski wanted to leave?
Cool now we can finally sign that sumo goalie
Good. Maybe we can hire someone who doesn’t think they know better than everyone else…or I’m not sure if Dubie signed anywhere yet…
What a bad move…but congratulations to whichever team gets to work with him next.
Lets hope that the prospect he picked turn out great - all the best to him in the future and hopefully they hire or promote a replacement that will make us forget him.
It’s an assistant GM. He is not the only person on the world who can scout well. Worry more about the team on the ice then Assistant GM’s.
What is going on here???? Talk about bad timing? Its ALWAYS something.
Ken Morrow for assistant GM please…..
so after a really bad weekend we get some good news this morning and some of the worst news possible today. THIS SUCKS BIG TIME!
Ryan has been in the organization for a longtime now and been highly praised by many in and out. I was thinking he might replace Snow soon and perhaps that is why he was eliminated. Since he ran the drafts Isles have done much much better. Per usual Isles won’t comment but this is very troubling.
Should have been kept unless some other team named him their GM and he couldn’t resist the big job. Other then that another strange thing and another reason since Milbury trained us this way and Snow maintains the tradition that Isles fans cannot trust the team and expect bad things to happen.
If Janks wanted to leave, that’d be one thing. But if the Isles told him to take a hike…they will have made yet another blunder. Why, oh why…
GOOD FOR HIM!!!! Get out while you can! THE SHIP IS GOIN DOWN!!!
Call him up and get him under contract, he is more valuable then Snow. Look at the results of Ryan’s draft compared to the trades Snow has made. FA signings can be credited to Kenny Morrow and his pro scouting staff.
typical isles. They r suck cheap you know what!!
This makes no sense. Did he not just reject an offer to be a head GM in the Junior’s to stick with the Islanders?
It’s funny, as Islander fans, we expect that it was the organization’s fault. It’s quite possible that Jankowski was offered a healthy promotion somewhere else. Can you fault him for leaving or the Isles for not having anymore room other than GM for him to go?
sigh…click…BAM!
I know you would have told us if you knew CB, but can you speculate on why you think he was not renewed? I remember the same issue with Gorid Clark and that seemed to be all about money. Is that the same issue here or i it something else?
Is it possible that Janks got a better offer somewhere else? I’m sure there is more to this story - time will tell. In the meantime I nominate CB for the job!
Drafting was the only thing that seemed to be panning out for management. The Isles’ trade and FA fronts sure ain’t lighting up the hockey world. Wonder what happened…
It’s just ridiculous how this franchise continues to deliberately shoot itself in the foot. This is simply another typical decision that we’ve come to expect from the imbecile in charge.
Mr. Wilpon, please save us from further stupidity and buy this team immediately. We’d finally have our new arena in a hub near public transportation and we’d have ownership that at least has a clue of what it’s doing.
Pathetic.
wake me up when its over, this 25 year nightmare is just endless.
Very curious to see where this came from. Whether the Isles let him go, or he didn’t want to stay - neither looks good for the Isles..
Just as everyone else is saying. This is Nightmarish. I can’t believe. Drafting is the only thing that they do right.
So they can’t attract any UFA’s. They can’t pay or reel in the big fish. And now they won’t be building anything at all. WHAT A GREAT MONTH!!!!
How many more cuts will Wang make before the NHL retracts or Coyotes the Islanders?
The only excuse is that he was promoted or fled for greener pastures.
So basically, you’ve been selling the fans on a recuild and one of the guys that has had a huge say in the process the last few years….is let go.
what do u expect. this team can’t even sign billy jaffe.
@14 That about sums it up…WTF?
#57 Last time I check Mr. Wilpon never prevented any stupidity with Omar and all.
Maybe Jankowski wanted out? Maybe this wasn’t the Isles’ doing? I sure hope that’s the case because it would be inexcusable to not bring that guy back under a new deal if he wanted to stay. Especially after the solid picks and scouting he’s done over the past three years.
Wow. Surprised and saddened. Big loss imo. Any thoughts of this coming so soon after the whole Kovy nonsense?
almost makes you wonder if garth was expecting a better crop of prospects than we have
crappy organization…he seemed to know what he was doing..
This has to be some sort of recent development, no? Jankowitz was right there on draft day, on the stage, giving interviews, etc. Don’t think he would have been that involved if it was his last day, do you?
I can’t wait to hear more because this is so odd.
I get the feeling Jankowski wanted to move to the next stage of his career. Not like Isles to just release people.
post updated.
i would wait until a formal announcement is made before throwing my arms in the air. Maybe the isles think they drafted enough promising prospects and dont think it is necessary to keep him any longer, lol. Well maybe the next news will be positive that comes out of this team
Again, this is something we should wait to get more info on before we start judging.
It might amicable, where Janks has a chance to be a GM elsewhere and Snow/Wang understood and left it on great terms.
OR…it could be what all of us have been preconditioned to believe (ie: Wang wanted to draft that Japanese U-18 Captain with the 5th Overall, and Jankowski resigned after defiantly selecting Nino)
It stinks that Janks is leaving us, but we should all withhold judgment until we find out why.
Why would the Isles choose not to renew his contract?
Charles must go!
I’d like to reserve judgment until we hear something from the Islanders, but can we really believe anything that is said?
potvin rocks:
Outside of a couple of incidents last year, they’re doing just fine.
47-37 (2 games out of 1st in the NL East), Davis and Pelfrey, the resurgence of Reyes and Wright, SNY, Citi Field, etc.
Let’s not debate who’s been the better owner in recent years. It should be obvious to everyone who would be the better owner for the Islanders going forward.
was he replaced by kevin connelly?
I wish Wong would sell to a legit owner who would keep the team on LI or close to it. Its that simple.
Didn’t Jankowski just turn down a GM job to stay?
OK, proceed with the Venom. This reaks of cheap. “According to one source, the Islanders are not planning on replacing Jankowski’s position; instead, general manager Garth Snow will take on more responsibility with their scouting operations.”
crap!!!
WOW!
The less people employed the less Wang losses money. The guy never did anything wrong. Didn’t he refuse an home town offer to remain with the Islanders. That’s what loyalty will get you.
How much longer till Tavares is trade and Milbury rehired?
VERY bad news, unless of course we can get Devellano back from Detroit
and the circus continues.
Thanks Ryan for all of your dedicated work! NOW HIT THE BRICKS PAL AND BEAT CAUSE YOU ARE GOING OUT!!!!! LOL!!! I think I am gonna cry with how embarassing this organization has become! Looks like they found a new position for Chris Dey!
Here come the bashers again. If so many of you “Islander fans” are so critical and complain of the organizations every move, it’s time you move on and root for another team. CB said to wait before making any assumptions, but you folks cannot. Maybe he is taking a job with more responsibility somewhere else, and the split was his doing. Maybe it was Snow who picked some of the draft picks that you guys love today, but hated yesterday. Some of you are so melodramatic and hysterical.
No radio announcers, no Billy Gaffrey renewal, no radio sigal, going to China not going to China, Neil Smith hire/fire, Goalie as GM, now this. It goes on & on. They won’t sell out the home opener. Where are you Gary Bettman
Every time someone dumps on Wang I just laugh. Go ahead and light $20M on fire each year for the next 10 years and then tell me he’s been bad for this franchise.
Unbelievable.
I rather have the league take over the Isles than have Wang own the team. He is as cheap as they come. Can he please sell the team. PLEASE!
75% of the coaches, GM’s and scout Staff leave jobs all the time to move on, or up, so I’d bet he’s leaving to go to a GM job in the minors. Would make sense not to announce this till after the draft
Hey for all we know, little wang picked all those guys at the draft
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ?!?!?!
This sucks
They will prob say its the recession
money, cmon how much could Janikowski be making anyway. he doesnt lace up the skate and how do we know how many picks were his. All the extra picks brought us both Kirill’s and outside of Hamonic what player is so wildly heralded in our organization outside of our first rounders. We need to sign quality FA’s at this point next years draft those players wont matter for 4 more years.
I like to speculate. If you were chief amateur director and worked all year on scouting players and then super-fan Connolly gets to announce a first rounder - pretty minor I admit, but pretty amateur by the club to allow that.
Also, what if Jankowski didn’t want “Nino” and Wang wanted him because he could market the slogan “El Nino comes to LI”. That might upset your chief scout as well.
Anyone notice how Garth will not meet with the fans anymore to answer questions like he did when him,Ted Nolan and Wang introduced the rebuild approach? He’ll be bombarded with questions from outraged fans. I’ll never forget that day when a fan stood up and said, “Garth, what do you see in Jeff Tambellini and why the two year/1 way deal?” Nolan, looked, smiled and stared right at Garth thinking, I asked the same thing. Next day, Nolan get’s his severance package.
BUSH LEAGUE!!! This maneuver speaks volumes to the fanbase! This type of Tom Foolery is exactly why we cannot attract top flight talent, and why we are laughed at, all over the NHL. The NYI are a joke of a PROFESSIONAL FRANCHISE, and will be for years to come. You expect the NHL and the Refs to show us respect, when we dont even take care of our own people, this is disgusting and disgraceful!!!
So far all we have outside of the first overall pick that looks like an NHL lock is Okposo. If Bailey and de Haan dont pan out, this era of drafting will not look good at all, since they went out of their way to secure those two high picks. Granted, I think Ryan is a good hockey exec, but I don’t understand how someone would rate their drafting over the past 5 years as top tier in the NHL - but its still very early for this era of prospects.
I’ll attempt not to have a typical knee jerk reaction and wait until I find out more before slamming or blaming anyone. I hope it is amicable since I believe Jankowski did a credible job with the Islanders. What is frustrating as a fan is the continual state of limbo trying to figure out what is going on with this organization.
WOW! This is simply AMAZING. And not the good kind of amazing.
CB - We can we start speculating? - because this may have a Neil Smith type ring to it.
regardless of the how and why, this is bad news, as i have heard nothing but praise the last 3 years for isles drafts… oh well
If the Isles choose not to give him a new contract then its money related more likely than not. They would not give the guy an increase. Now if they go out and hire a no name guy on the cheap its yet another sign that this club is being run out of a shoebox. These are the actions that convince me that the Isles will not spend a dime on this team beyond what they have to. Actions speak louder than words.
#86 Actually he has been terrible for this franchise! Yashin Contract! DP Contract! He should have sold the team and wherever they go they go! So for the team he has been a disaster! Just like he did with CA.
I guess the ice is melting in Plainview hopefully we will get somebody just like Ryan in the future. Lets all hope that we can remember him by the great picks he helped us in the draft. I will dedicate this playoff run season to all his picks who helped us. Good Luck Ryan.
I seriously doubt Jankowski would give up a dream job of Assistant GM/Head of Scouting because Kevin Connelly announced our 2nd pick.
And even if he did, would you really want someone that petty in charge of scouting for a multi-million dollar operation??
Doesnt surprise me, but doesnt mean the end of the world. The draft is over, the players are here. Sign some FA’s and lets wait for October. Its not like he has put together the 80’s Oilers
This is VERY Ominous … Did SnoWang just let go the next Jim Devellano?
Ya know what? I think I’m just going to keep my opinion to myself on this one. Because we all know damn well who was the man behind the rebuild.
I think I’m better off not reading about Islander news this offseason.
Snow to do more? Great. Hard to say where this rebuild would be without Jankowski. I just pray someone from the Isles calls me today to bother me about buying tickets so I can at least rip into someone that works for this mess of an organization.
End of the world — AAAAAGH!! You people need to get a grip — and a life.
Time to dig the hole for the sign in F/O NVMC, I’ve got the post hole digger. Mr Bettman do a Phoenix and PLEASE step in.
By the way - someone mentioned during the draft (on VERSUS) that Janks looked kind of stone faced. He could have known then what was up. Who knows - I cant wait for him to throw some mud- if there is any.
You wanted cheap? According to another source, the Islanders are not planning on replacing Jankowski’s position; instead, general manager Garth Snow will take on more responsibility with their scouting operations.
The update is even worse…looks like just more penny pinching from the team that was supposedly “in the running” for the top FAs.
this is the reason all along this franchise is never going to reach the heights it could have.i give wang all the credit for putting a ton of money into the franchise no doubt,BUT his medaling in the hockey ops area is frustraing.examples are dipietros contract,yashins contract need we say keeping milbury tooooooo loooong,letting gordie clark go and now a very good asst gm to leave this is sickening.
There’s more to this than meets the eye. Jankowski probably has several opportunities awaiting him… as he should… and the islanders let his contract expire so he could explore them…
I’m with Steve (#85).
FFS, nobody knows what the full story is quite yet. Everyone needs to calm down. Some here calling it the “worst imaginable news?” You’ve got to be kidding.
And we really thought they interest in Kovy! HAHAHA! They won’t pay Ryan J. What a joke! The SnowMan pulled one on us again.
What does everyone this news is going to set the franchise back? Oh wait because every piece of Isles news does. Everyone can step back off the ledge now.
stop assuming! lets find out why it wasn’t renewed before we start going crazy.
Post 99 and 101, well said, some people here are declairing this news like it is armageddon.
Now I understand why that Entourage dweeb was at the Islanders draft table. Ladies and Gentlemen, meet you new New York Islanders Assistant GM and head of Ameture Scouting, Kevin Connolly!
I think I just threw up a little.
@78 LMFAO.
Channelling my inner Ilya….”Damn, I am GLAD i didnt sign there.”
Seriously, CB. At what point are you willing to say that this franchise is a TOTAL Joke? We all see it. The league sees it….hell, even non-hockey-covering ESPN sees it.
Never a quiet day in Islanders Country.
Please Isles, Take I-80 west make a left onto I-70 west and stop in Kansas City…I am ouuta here!
We finally show some promise, and they fix the thing that is not broken. Jankowski deserved his job. DUH!
My speculation: Snow caught him posting comments on IPB during work!
I don’t think anyone is up in arms that Jankowski is leaving as much as the fact that they are not replacing him. It reeks of saving a buck.
Cb, you are doing a wonderful job as always, you are one of the brighter spots when it comes to being a fan of this team, thank you… I had a feeling it was because Wang was cheap and I was correct. My question is will Garth also be working the concession stands and/or janitorial duties as well?
I’m available for hire
The new assistant GM will be Kate Murray
Amatuer Scouting is not important to a rebuilding team when you can sign guys like Eaten, Parentue, and Jurcina.
Snow already has a job which he is not qualified for…..great to add more responsabilities!
Who cares??? Amatuer scouting director leaves and everyone’s shaken up? I mean, really?? People leave companies all the time. This will have zero impact on this team. He worked in the office, and I’m pretty sure I could do his job if you give me the info.
No one outside the small crop of Isles die hards will care about this. And even some of those have to say, so?
Wang and his circus act at it again. What a joke of an organization, move on Ryan, you deserve better than working for this feak show.
Im not going to say that Im all that upset about it. And im reserving my judgement for the Isles statement. But, isnt there a better way to tell a guy he isnt going to be getting a new contract than, say, the day it expires?? Ya know, give him an opportunity to seek other opportunities? Make some phone calls?? Just seems kind of wrong to do this so abruptly to a guy who worked his butt off for this organization for 4 years and did a pretty good job at it.
If I was Garth Snow, I would ask for a raise now. He is now the GM, Assistant GM, Director of Scouting, and whatever other title Wang gives him. Only in Islander land.
not even going to sweat this….as long as the remainder of the scouting staff stays in place…
Can we just change our name to the Long Island Clowns already? One of the few respected people that worked for our organization is now gone. Now it is officially a bunch of clowns.
Wang to Snow:
Why do you need an amateur scouting director when we pick in the top 10 every year, how hard could those decisions be…Garth let’s just save some more money
Stop people! This is not horrible, this is not terrible. It’s called business. So they didn’t resign the Asst GM. Big deal!!
Anyone of us on this board can do the job he did.
Was he a good man..yes! Do I hate to see him go…yes!
But lets stop with “fold the franchise up and move to KC” talk because they let the Asst GM go.
Come on now.
Sounds like Jankowski was not expecting this. If that is true, Wang/Snow really did him a disservice considering he was turning down interviews just a few months ago. Another SAD day for the team.
Cant wait for BD GALLOF to report this like he was the one who broke the story.
I swear Wang is such a jerk. Contract not renewed for the draft guru in an organization is trying to rebuild through…the…um, draft.
I hate this team. I hate that I can’t stop rooting for them. The team that has given me so many memories, so much joy, so many good things has been relegated to whatever the level below TOTAL JOKE is.
Devastating, quite frankly.
i guess its a good thing that there’s all this speculation about a hockey team in july-it shows the fans at least care
as for the whole sky is falling routine, its getting tired
until details are released its pointless to comment and to think one man is responsible for our drafting is just ignorant
I HOPE theres something more to this than the fact they just decided not to give him a new contract. I’m seriously disappointed.
Why is it that I am the only one that realizes that they day the Lighthouse project died (and yes, it is dead), Charles gave up. He will sell or move the team the second the lease is over.
This is embarrassing.
Islanders theme song for 2010/11: Sending Out an SOS.
Keep waiting to have someone talk those of us still left in Isles Country off the ledge. It’s like the last of the Mohicans over here - and you know what? I can’t really blame fans for leaving this team.
How much more can we take? The ongoing Lighthouse / Coliseum / Dump Drama; no radio; crappy video feed - donated courtesy of our hated rivals; not resigning Janko; our inability to sign any of the premier defensive prospects available this summer. Hell, even w/ the Yashin, Witt & DiPi contracts we’re not even @ the cap floor - and because of our inability to sign Kovi, we’re going to be stuck signing a handful of lesser quality players who we only hope won’t underachieve too much.
I’m still an Islanders fan - but I am no longer behind Wang. No longer behind Isles brass. Until they do something to wow me, I feel I’m rooting for a ghost.
To everyone saying ‘this isn’t a big deal’ of ‘I could do his job’: I don’t think you grasp the fact that this guy has run our drafts for the past 5 years. Any prospect that has the ability to be an NHLer on this team is here because of him. Without Ryan, what would this team have? A roster full of Radek Martineks and PA Parenteaus?
Chris - didn’t you run a story that said Ryan Jankowski wanted to see his job through to completion with the islanders and was the main reason he turned down a job in the CHL? If that was the case, then why wouldn’t the New York Islanders tell him that they did not plan on renewing his contract? This situation doesn’t make any sense. There has to be more to this. This information came from right out of the blue? Doesn’t make any sense, but then again many of the things this team does is confusing.
Bad move by Isles unless Ryan had something more fulfilling to do and the Isles stepped aside. As a realist, I highly doubt that to be the case. Watch the Rags bring him in.
this is what makes people not wanna come to this Franchise!! its not the Arena or any other BS… it’s that you don’t get rewarded for doing things well. Guess its just, thanks for everything Janks. I’m sure you and Lavy can talk now about how you were the guys that got things done, while tards like Milbury, Yashin, Ricky D got the big rewards
My blood pressure spiked. Regardless of the reason, losing Janks is not good for the franchise. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors. *sigh*
I have a bad feeling that Jaffe could be next…
Does anyone truly think we will really find out the 100% truth behind this?
OK, here is where they bring back Milbury, just to show the fans what they really think of us.
Anyone is replaceable in this world. Whocares out with the old in with the new.
Snow/wang has final say anyways.
Were never gonna know the real reason so its pointless to complain… just move on.
I think it was wrong that Jankowski was not renewed. He was responsible for drafting good prospects for the Islanders.
You know what- this is big news. For a team that is not committed to signing any free agents better than a 3rd liner or a 5th d-man, we are relegated to building the team through the draft. That requires a lot of time spent scouting. The organization has just made a decision that it was too expensive to keep an Asst. GM who had a lot of success in a short period of time. Even if it was Janks decision to leave, I am angry that Snow/Wang didn’t do what was necessary to keep him. Double his damn salary if that’s what’s needed. It’s a lot cheaper than singing Yashin for 10 years, say.
Snow and Wang got angry after Janks didn’t pull the trigger on any worthwhile FA… Snow then took over and signed from the UFA Junk Heap… This is how you guarantee a playoff spot in 2010-11!!! LOL! Nice job Barnum and Bailey! The organization is a JOKE! But at least my Jets and Heat will be good! I am never ever putting money into these jokers again until Wang sells and Snow gets Janokowski’d…
Its hard not to be negative on this subject. The Isles went out and signed some lackluster free agents. Made a dumb inquiry public about Kovalchuk and now this. Its frustrating. You cant really argue with the negativity on this board. And just a note to all the fans of the slow rebuild - you know all the prospects we’ve been so amped up on - well, every team has those kinds of guys. It’s a nice smokescreen to deflect the fact that the product on the ice now will be subpar.
Jankowski obviously saw things differently then The Peoples Republic of Wang - and you know what happens when you speak out - you go bye bye. Just like Neil Smith, just like Teddy Nolan, just like Peter Laviolette and YES, even Billy Jaffe will be gone too. If youre a puppet - you fit the mold of working for the Islanders. Just like Scott Gordon. Its sad. Very sad.
How is it he won’t be replaced? Was he doing so little work that others can just fill his shoes? Please tell me there will be more to this story…
It’s not “pointless”. Considering the questionable moves this organization has made in the past, one will always question decisions that (on the surface) seem to be going in the wrong direction. It’s possible that the Islanders have a very legitimate reason for letting Janks go. That said, there are two problems.
#1 Having a GM pull double duty seems to be a questionable move (let’s hope this truly isn’t the case in the long run.)
#2 For PR reasons, this type of thing should be announced in a straightforward manner. The Islanders should recognize that some of their fans do know who Jankowski and, to say the least, would show concern until they hear a logical reason for the move.
With Chris and Katie (among others) active, SOMEBODY was going to notice and question Janks absence.
Thank you GD (156) I didn’t think of that.
This fits the Wang program to a T. When someone deserves an extension and/or pay raise, they’re quietly shown the door, and replaced with a bargain basement option (or in this case not replaced at all!). I see this as Gordon’s last year for the same reason, regardless of how well the team does.
unreal!! Janks was one of the best scouts, other than devellano that we ever had. He was smart and seemed to truly love this team, which is a rarity. Also, he is one of the few in power that actually knows about hockey. I guess Wang and Snow do not like it when their employees know the sport, because that makes them look dumb, but nothing is dumber than letting such a passionate and loyal scout leave! Please, GET A P.R. PERSON!!! We are the laughing-stock of the N.H.L! Then you wonder why you overpay talent, and they still refuse to come? I love the Isles, but I can honestly say I would not want to work for Wang or Garth.
Doesn’t sound like a step in the right direction, particularly the part about Snow taking on increased responsibilities instead of backfilling the position. Looking forward to hearing Snow spin this one to the fans.
…guess he was deemed not part of the slow and steady rebuild……..hopefully he had a better option.
Janks will have no problem finding a job. I hope this is not just another cost cutting measure by the Isles.
Sounds to me like Snow did not like hearing all the praise Ryan was getting for the drafts and worried Wang would replace him so he recommended Wang not offer him a new deal. It sounds like Ryan was caught seriously by surprise.
Let’s review stuff: Ryan is responsible for the draft picks.
Ken Morrow makes the recommendations of FA’s.
It is Snow’s job to sign the FA’s. Streit, Moulson, Roloson have been positive none were sought after FA’s.
Snow has failed to sign all moderate to high level FA’s he has pursued.
Snow is responsbile for trades to improve the roster but to date has only managed to obtain draft picks and filler for Bridgeport.
Snow does oversee all departments but as he’ll tell you it was Ryan and his very small scouting staff and Morrow and his pro staff that do the work and make the recommendations.
I know of no other team in the league without an assistant GM. Too much work for the main guy who should be around the team not on the road. What background other then part time the past few years does Snow have for it? Ryan had a long history that made him ideal to run the draft.
Why can’t these guys just act normal and not mess up what is not broken and why can’t they fix what is broken?
I don’t presume to know how or why Jankowski left. But for a franchise that needs to build through the draft, the biggest investment has to be in scouting and player development. So if Jankowski leaving screws that up, then it’s the first real bad move Garth (and Wang) have made in a while. Appears to be very shortsighted.
Last bit of unfounded speculation before I stop: does anyone think the awkward “leak” of the Kovalchuk 10yr/$100M story has anything to do with this.
One day, you have a whole bombshell story about Islanders interest in Ilya at $100M (big bucks, when maybe the owner is trying to paint a different picture about the franchise’s financials)…the next day the Asst. GM’s contract is not renewed. Coincidence?? We have no idea.
I wish Ryan well. What else should we expect? It is getting harder and harder to still bleed orange and blue.
#173 First Real Bad Move??? LMAO… Sure if you say so…
Signing Jankowski could be one of the BETTER moves a team could do in this free agent market right now.
This is no big deal. Granted its odd but I wouldnt say The NYI are ruined.
I dont think he did as a great job as everyone thinks. How hard is it to draft for a team that stinks? What results has he given us? Seriously, he is overblown b/c the Draft is the Fans Playoffs.
No biggie, as far as management, my biggest concern is Cairns. Whats the deal with him and how did he shoot up the ranks so fast.
Sometimes I really feel as though ownership is trying to sabotage the franchise (Slap Shot, Major League) in order to justify a sale and subsequent move sometime in the near future.
Thanks for all you did Ryan! You will be missed!
From everything I’ve read and seen about Jankowski, he was AWESOME. I could be reading too much into things but he didn’t seem entirely pleased on draft day when they were about to announce their first pick of Nino.
That’s just my speculation from reading body language and what not.
I have no idea whether or not to have faith in Garth and just Garth….I don’t feel so good about it though.
Sometime in mid-May of 1980 this conversation happened…
Devil: You can have 4 Cups, but after that, they’re all mine
IslesFan: So 4 cups and all i have to put up with is 25 straight years of torture. Spano, Maloney, Muller, Milbury, Wang, Goalies as GMs, 15 year contracts, worst building in hockey, circus like atmosphere, laughing stock of league to the point of proposing to other GMs that EVERY team make the playoffs (i love that one), etc?
Devil: That’s it, yup.
IslesFan: Deal.
Great, if you’re over 40 and remember the cups. Our tortured lives if you didn’t.
180..ive never been so happy to be over 40
Not the end of the world, but looks like a dumb move.
I’ll reserve judgement about the situation until the details emerge. No point in getting worked up over wild speculation and accusations, particularly over an assistant GM leaving the organization after his contract was up.
On the surface, this sounds really bad. Hope it all makes sense , is amicable and works out for both sides. Why is this team such a soap opera?
I’m starting to think Snow is the anti-christ
Wang trying to save money? Or did Jankowski not agree with him at the draft so out he goes.
wow the old FU. Guy helps you rebuild team, poors his hear out in finding best picks and the when you got your players you just Send him to the curb. I hope there is more to this story.
I too am hoping its him taken the other opportunity and not just a $$ dispute. if we can afford a assistant GM, how can we afford players.
No stability in this organization really hurts the overall franchise from every perpective!! I wonder how many GM’s in the league are also the head scout?
great question pat! (189) i often ask myself that same question with a lot of the other moves this team makes.
Boy, it’s been a hell of an offseason so far. No arena deal, no offer to Kovalchuk, shot down by three guys we wanted and needed, and an assistant GM is let go so that Snow’s duties are expanded. Yeah, it’s going to be easy to sell tickets for next year.
I guess he was getting too much credit
Doesn’t Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin, Kirill Petrov, Kirill Kabanov, Brock Nelson, David Ullstrom, Kevin Poulin, Calvin de Haan, Mikko Koskinen and Casey Cizikas actually have to prove something before we give a scout credit?? I mean, every team has prospects.
And it wasn’t exactly brain surgery to select Tavares. It was a reward for being the worst team in hockey.
Further, Josh Bailey has a hell of a alot more to prove.
Reading this Blog, you would think we have cornored the market for prospects throughout the league
IF THERE IS ONE PERSON WHO WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT THE ISLANDERS THAT I WOULD READ IT WOULD BE HIS BOOK…..
oh yeah, commenting on my & others comments, 25 years ago is about when Jimmy D. left so peeps don’t tell us asst. GMs are meaningless. All in all it’s just another brick in the wall . . . I’m going to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come . . . too bad they didn’t get one of them ther outdoor games then we woulda coulda shoulda flown a banner over the stadium and let the world know, oh well let’s all just go to our windows and shout . . . “25 years of lousy hockey . . .”
Didn’t Janks just turn down a GM position elsewhere to stay with the Isles? I could have sworn that I read that within the last two months.
I am not happy with this news.
Ive read some replys and I need to ask a few questions …
1. This is a matter of saving money …. FOR WHAT!!!??
2. Not a big deal. LOOK AT THE TIMING … Wouldn’t it be better do do this end of season. I consider this to be the beginning of the season. It’s not earth shattering, but it says something.
3. How do we know this has ANYTHING to do with Wang OR Snow? There are no details?
I guess my point is, it could not have been a very good relationship,on both ends.
This BS. I’m just about done with this two-bit organization. What a joke!
I’m fed up. I’m hurting the franchise where it counts. No more merchandise, tickets…anything. The Islanders continue to run a franchise like a circus show. My only wish is that Wang sells and Snow is fired. Please GOD, do this for us.
For the people saying this isn’t a “huge deal”, they are right. But in combination with the many misadventures and unprofessional things this organization has done, it IS a BIG DEAL. It’s just another stroke of the brush that has painted the picture of the NY Islanders. (looks like a Salvador Dali painting, doesn’t it?)
its embarrassing to be a fan. we really sold our soul to win those cups
i get physically sick when i see that smug snow. he’s such a joke
we have no idea why this happened. unless CB comes up with an explanation, we’ll probably never know. i’m not even sure i want to know. it might raise my blood pressure even higher than it’s been. therefore i’m not jumping to the easy conclusion that it’s a cheapskate move by the owner or a selfish/paranoid power move by the g.m.. any number of things could have happened, it’s a waste to assume or guess anything. but - 2 things are certain: one, everything i read and heard about that guy was really, really positive and he seemed to be highly respected by everyone who matters, so this cannot be good for the team’s future. and two, the last few days have been as bizarre as the neil smith/pat lafontaine/garth snow lunacy and the new york islanders carnival act continues to bemuse and stupify.
Are you kidding me
Is there such a thing as a “news conference” with the press like we see after games when the coach answers questions whose answers appear later in the print and electronic media? I think fans deserve one on this and other issues.
This just makes no sense to me. Very disappointing news.
CB,
What are the odds that there is a Q+A with Wang/Snow in front of the Coliseum like the owners had some years back with Kumar +Co.? I always thought that was pretty cool and I can’t imagine fans are that much more infuriated now then we were then…well maybe not… but do you think that would ever be the case in the near future again? What about only with STH?
Ironic that Wang made some money off Ringling Bros a few months ago when they were at the coliseum. Why can’t the team just have a PR department , it blows my mind, save money wherever they can , this is probably just another example. We are defientely dealing with another case of someone not seeing eye to eye with the owner ( see Nolan, Lavi, Smith)and not being a puppet and they get let go . The fact that they can’t come out and tell us what happened with a simple statement or interview is insulting and shows a complete lack of respect for the fanbase.
I think Snow is more to blame than Wang. Snow carries himself as if he’s done something in this league. Not saying he didnt have talent to be a backup, but he wasn’t a great NHLer and he hasn’t accomplished anything as a GM. Yet he seems to have the attitude that he doesn’t have to explain his actions or even give people the time of day. Serious character flaw, and I honestly believe any one who disagrees with him or has a difference of opinion is exiled.
I had a feeling, maybe more of a wish, that if the Isles didn’t bring in Kovalchuk the Snow experiment would be over within a year. We’ll see what happens
Why does management only reward people who don’t deserve it? It is obvious we are rebuilding ONLY through the draft, so you let your director of pro scouting go? Jankowski probably wanted W & S to sign some free agents that he suggested, and my guess is none of them were. Janks has realized that Wang will not spend 1 penny on this team in no shape or form until some real estate deal is reached. Memo to Isles management: You are treated like second class citizens around the league because that is how you treat people. No P.R person, our reputation is horrible. No interaction with your most loyal fans, except a vanilla website where you post pictures of sparky and not much else. Also, did you guys ever take business 101? If you don’t put money in a team, it will never make you money. I spent between 5,000-6,500 on this team last season. PLEASE, tell me one reason why I should even bother this year. Why do you insist on alienating every one who loves this team. You should be thinking of building good will, instead, every day I read a sports article, it is nothing but negativity about the Isles. I used to get very upset, but now I feel like they can’t all be wrong. if you don’t feel like this, you should answer your fans. Oh, I forgot, you have to do six jobs at once so we will really never know how you feel.
Look, I don’t really know what Janks did in the organization insofar as how much involvement he really had in drafting and scouting but it was always my understanding that he was THE guy when it came to both. If that is truly the case and Wang has no plans on replacing him then anyone calling this move “no big deal” is kidding themselves. It reeks of shortsighted penny pinching and will bite this organization in its collective ass. Now watch they’ll get rid of the Jaff next. Good luck Ryan. I hope that job offer you got earlier in the summer is still available for you.
Granted, I was only a teen when the franchise came to town, and in my 20’s when the dynasty took place,but thank goodness I SAW that, because the last 25 years of this team has been a BAD soap opera. We were the redheaded stepchildren during the cups, and a total circus troupe after.Every day another drama.Unbelievable. Ryan, I hope you got a fantastic offer and took it.(please be the reason)
The one thing we “at least” had/ve is a great scouting program (that was obvious) and we used to have a leader for that program. We still have the results of that talent, but now we have no leader. Even if we don’t want to face it, we STILL have 3 years left on the rebuild. Now that is in great jeapordy! It means what we pick will be different (AGAIN = NO CONSISTENT PLAN). Why should I continue suffering. So dumbass smirking Snow can make draft picks between 1-5 the next three years. So Wang can save a few thosand dollars on a Asst Director-head Scouting salary when we are 12 milion under the bottom. WTF?
Look at my screen name, says it all! I was worried that this would happen…I said it several times that “I hope Jankowski stays the org”. I knew this would happen because he was getting respect so why would we keep him???:rolleyes:
Thank God Im a Yankee/Giants fan or id be miserable all year like most of you Mets/Jets?isles fans…That must suck.
Of course Snow has time for scouting b/c he does nothing as far as trades/FA signings of note.
They are a joke led by the clown himself Wang.
I love the Isles but i am reaching the point where that might not be enuf.
Please Gary Bettman take the team over so we can be done w/ Wang and Snow.
Another joke by the Isles, why do I still follow this team?
You guys are talking about Good News, where???
Really, I care so very little these days about this team, especially compared to how I used to, so I’m a bit short on details but wasn’t Jankowski supposed to be one of the (very, very few) bright spots in the entire organization? A young, adept, skilled evaluator of talent? A key gear in the machine that would revive the franchise trough the draft?
The biggest problem right now is the mental-case owner, who refuses to believe that anyone anywhere could possibly know more or better about anything than he does. Remember, Charles is one Sanjay-Stool-pigeoning away from the federal big house. You think Sanjay will be hard up for cash when he gets out?
It starts at the top. Wang as an owner has been a complete and abject failure, and has as much to do with this team being mocked as anything else that has happened to it in the last 20 years. Team performance, bizarre personnel decisions, outlandish real estate plans, all contemptible. The fact that he “loses” money on his poorly-run franchise and writes it off does not make him competent or a savior.
I am absolutely certain that this team will remain the laughingstock and mockery of the entire league as long as he is the owner. Knowing how stubborn and ignorant he is, I expect that will be a long time.
I hope Ryan does well. You can be sure he’ll be raising the cup long before anybody around this team does. For that, he’s a lucky man.
if the isles signed kovalchuk this would be a non issue. CB your website is becoming therapy for this franchise to complain at every mpve that is not a win win situation. Can anyone else tell me a sports team where the assistant gm leaving is news.geeze
Talented young players hmmm ok
Betcha Jankowski goes to the rags, his father I think was a longtime scout there.
wow. considering the results, esp from mid to later round picks, this is disturbing news. amazing the amount of upset folks posting, given all the grief the team gets after the Draft. Garths a pretty sharp guy, hopefully theres an upside to this story.
Amazing…another questionable move by Wang. After being and Islander fan since the 70’s I find it hard to be interested in this team anymore. Thinking that they are actually building the team right through the draft and then let go of the man who supposedly responsible for all these great prospects. It makes it hard to want to follow this team. I certainly won’t be spending any money on this franchise.
Well I was just booking Amtrak tickets and arranging a hotel for the Isles blue-orange scrimage. I already paid $20 for the ticket. But not now, I’ll stay home and wipe my a$$ with the ticket and send it to cut-throat Wangdung. I have been a fan since 1978, probably have watched 30-40 games in Chicago and the barn. Now I’m out for a long time. It will take Wang, maybe Snow to be gone and a new arena to get me back. I’m just tired, broken, frusterated, pissed-off and sad. We all know what this means. I’m just facing the music and movin’ on. GLTA.
And this is the man that drafted KO,bails,petrov,hamonic,JT,de haan,koskinen,el nino,nelson,and kabanov……usually i feel like snow knows what he’s doing but this is a joke
Well, because of Jankowski hopefully we already have all the pieces drafted in the organization to make this team a contender for years to come……I hope he finds a home elsewhere in the NHL has nothing but success.
i hear kevin connely has contacted kevin dillon and the guy who plays turtle to see if they are interested in the position… with the first pick in the 2011 nhl draft the islanders select jamie lynn seigler
Great timing BOYS!!! That is if you are hell bent on attempting to disenfranchise any remaining fanbase further. First you concoct a leaked perception you are HOT after Kovalchuk and stupidly think you have a PR Gem,then this a day later??? Incredible!!!!! What fools we all are!!!! You guys are ‘The King Of Duds’!!! Go curl back into a fetal position and disappear!!! The only thing you excel at is raising the hopes of your sincere fans and then push them off of a cliff! The trust is gone!!! Over and out until further notice!!! You can fool a fool only so much!!!!
You have to admit that on Entourage, Kevin Connolly has a pretty good eye for talent.
I am always defending the Isles moves but Im done…I need to have a better sense of humor because this must be a joke
I heard the Isles fired the cleaning staff at their offices. This position will not be filled & Garth Snow will take on this job of taking out the trash…
Maybe E can be asst. gm.
Wow over 220 comments about about the director of scouting fired in July in 4 hours.
With this fan base How the hell doesn’t this team sell out every game?
Cost cutting. Wake me up when we are trying to win cups again
In reading through the above the general consensus is divided by its only a Asst GM and someone who has been a loyal soldier and an integral part of the re-build.
The bottom lines is Janks was good for this organization. People believed and respected him. The fans trusted him. In the age of the NHL where the draft has become so important how do you let a guy just walk away?
to those who say its just an Asst. GM. if that were the only thing that has transpired in the last week and half maybe it holds a lil water. However this organization operates like (if I can quote the the legendary Herb Brooks) “like three monkeys trying to hump a football”. When is enough enough?
My dad was right when I was gloating at the Isles winning their cups. He said enjoy it now because it may never happen again. Some 27 years later the closet the team came to anything was in 93.
It’s a shame.
Sheesh I understand janks has a good rep but let’s chill out with all this talk of a loaded minor league system..even after 3 yrs we probably have a c+ or b- rank in terms of talent..let’s chill out..everyone is replaceable.the worst thing that could happen is if they start cutting scouts..then we are screwed..
The worst part of this is that once again the isles drop news out of nowhere. Its no different then Neil Smith getting canned after a month, and Teddy Nolan “stepping down” out of nowhere. I trust the management of a professional sports team to know what they are doing. HOWEVER, as a season ticket holder for as long as I can remember, I feel like we should be told whats going on.
They wonder why players dont wanna come here, yet they continuously drop bombs from nowhere. Its such bush league behavior.
I love this website, and the truth is i come here everyday for isles news………Since 1991 i used to read newsday EVERYDAY for the isles article. How pathetic that I cannot even read it online anymore. The games are always taking a backseat to every other NY team. The radio broadcast was cancelled. We use a trailer to urinate in. The list goes on and on and on and on. Its really upsetting because I love hockey and this is my team………forever. I just wish they would stop making this organization the laughing stock
The NYI don’t have a scouting problem they have an owner problem. The image of a once proud organization took yet another bullet with this decision. Wang doesn’t seem to respect the business.
It’s incredible the lack of stability this organization has. Why would any good free agent want to come here? Wang needs to sell this team already and stop embarassing a once proud franchise.
I agree with the first response.
bob… #228… sell to who? they lose money. wang doesn’t want to lose money anymore. until there’s development with the LH they will lose money. basically people want him to lose his own money no matter what. i say fire as many as possible. go shoestring until he moves the club or makes a deal with john candy’s twin. raise parking. raise tix sales. raise raise raise until he stops losing money… or a deal. no one’s gonna buy a team that loses unless they win a stanley cup and in that case maybe you break even.
what i love about this team is you never know what’s around the corner. it’s exciting. seriously. i love it.
wang must reaaly think he knows what he is doing, no wonder no one wants to play here…
Dp must be retiring. Wang probably will give this job to Ricky.
please garth give me an explanation. please.
I’m not sure what Jankowski means to the team but everyone seems to hold the guy in very high regard so I don’t see how the Isles benefit from this. Still, Garth seems to know what he’s doing so I’ll continue to put my trust in him.
Just like Peter Laviolette wasn’t good enough for the Islanders a few years ago (but was good enough for two Stanley Cup finalists, one of whom was a winner, and a USA Olympic team since) the Islanders dismissal of an organizational asset will be another franchise/programs gain.
I’m guessing he got a better offer somewhere else. Maybe DiPietro is taking his place.
HAs anyone seen Sparky and Snow in the same room at the same time…. Hmmmmmmm
#222 Ouch!!!! But funny!!! Maybe the isles can get back in on kovy with this savings!
Wang’s internal handlings are just as bad his external. No wonder no FA wants to sign here. Its not the building, its not the team rebuild, its the management/ownership
The fun never ends as an Islanders fan
Snow: We made an inquiry with Janks agent. That is the only comment we will be making right now……
snojanks is no more, with snow running it should be called Snowstorm this will end bad.
Could not have been a happy ending! If it was they would had something on their website! Good Luck to Ryan Jankowski!
I remember Botta’s article on how the Isles already had the SMALLEST scouting department in the NHL and allowed well respected scouts to take jobs with other teams. So now the smallest scouting department in the NHL just had it’s head cut off? Ryan won’t be without a job long. I wish I could say the oppossite for the idiot that pushed him out.
If they fire the Ice Girls, that will be the last straw = on the other hand Snow could do that job, after all he used to clean his own crease when he was playing.
Bush League
Sice we will never know the truth why not speculate?
1- everyone has their guy on draft day. Maybe Janks guys have been the Trivino’s, Ness’s and Figrens of the world…Maybe Snow declined all of Janks choices this draft day. Maybe he hated Kabanov. More than likely this is why Snow sold off those later picks. Maybe Snow just lost faith.
2- Maybe Pete (174) is right. Maybe Janks was the Kovalchuk leak? If so I would fire him too.
3-.Maybe this was simply for a salary demand?…Maybe Wang didn’t want to pay.? Maybe Janks got Wang hot when he considered the CHL job?
4-Maybe Snow is an ego maniac? Maybe as we get closer he doesn’t want to share the credit should this thing turnaround?
5-Maybe Wang is really cutting corners and this was part of a bigger layoff? Maybe he plans on charging the Ice Girls parking and ice level seat prices for each game they shovel snow? We know the wanger’s charging 7 bucks to park for people to watch the draft on a tv screen.Is anything really that far fetched these days in Islander land?…
CB- What’s your honest opinion. Is this Snow or Wang? You have to have an idea, you were in the org for 20 years. Is this a “difference of opinion” between Snow and Janks like it was with Nolan or is Wang cutting costs? Please, your best feature is that you know the people and the business, what in the world is going on with our team?
Still think Tavares is going to be sticking around for a while? NOT A CHANCE…DON’T BE SO NAIVE! Wang is a delusional egomaniac and he must be stopped or there will be no more NEW YORK ISLANDERS!! Garth Snow is just a “yes” man, a GM in title only. NHL owners should be given psych exams to determine their stability, it’s obvious Wang has lost his marbles and should in no way be associated with something that means so much to so many people. The FANS own the Islanders and it’s time to show Wang we’ve had enough. BOYCOTT THE NEW YORK ISLANDERS UNTIL WANG SELLS…IT’S THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE THIS TEAM.
This is just like when we lost Jim Devellano after winning the first 3 cups. He helped us develop a winner and then Detroit scooped him up and became a dynasty. This organization never ceases to amaze me.
Unbelievable…..NOT
Money, performance, or personailty issues, or a combination?
No Charles, less is NOT more!
Thank God no one here is quick to judge or takes the time to disect and rationalize things in an adult and intelligent manner. This decision wasn’t announced at the end of the season as one person asked, because his contract just expired now… not 3 months ago. Good scout and good guy from all accounts. Doubt it if anyone will care from a fans perspective when the team is winning games and is exciting to watch… let’s stop bashing Snow. He’s clearly growing into a respected GM around the league and I don’t think the rest of the hockey world views the islanders as a “joke” the way some of think they do…
No Ice Breaker Dancers.
No radio Broadcasters.
No radio station you can receive past the
NCVMC parking lot.
No news on Jaffe.
No experienced coach like Ted Nolan.
No Stanley Cup winning GM like Neil Smith
No big time free agents.
No playoff series won since 1993
No word on Lighthouse project
No Jankowski
But hey, I’m a fan. I can’t cure my addiction.
and the hits just keep on coming. Once again I am miffed at this. The plan is to build through the draft and develop our own players so you fire the guy who was in charge of scouting and the draft? I was just starting to warm up to Garth because I have bought in to the rebuild I agree with it only on the basis that you cant build through the draft alone. Because of free agency and salary caps you really have to build a team (not just in hockey, but in all sports) through a trifecta draft, trades, fA’s. But after this week no good fa’s, ilya debacle and now this?! I dont get it. Why should I this is what it is to live in Islander Country these days. We were once a proud nation, now I dont know. I do believe that in the end when the LH fails and wang is out the us fans will be there to pick up the pieces. Wang didnt save this team, the fans did and always will. Lets go Islanders
who knows what went on behind closed doors. no one knows but snow .hopefully it is a ligit reason
Well said #245
The NHL and each franchise may not be models of perfection, but the Islanders are viewed as a joke. Even if Garth gets respect, it doesn’t insulate the ownership and hockey hockey ops from a decade plus of bizarre behavior (e.g., Milbury, sumos wrestlers in goal, the DP contract, firing Lavi, Nolan, Smith, having Pat LaFontaine resign, inability to smoothly trade Bill Guerin at the deadline, pursuing a 30-team playoff format, etc.). Even when we do make the playoffs, we get a bad call and the “fans” bombard the ice and lower bowl with full beer bottles.
We are the Pittsburgh Pirates of hockey.
Well, I guess this means the rebuild is over…
245- The 09-10 NHL player poll showed what the rest of the league thinks of this org. The NHL players rated the Isles the 2nd worst org in the league. It’s actually a step in the right direction because they are usually rated the worst. I personally don’t care if Janks stays or goes. It’s the fact that he won’t be replaced that bothers me.
I guess the know it all computer geek from CA is the hockey scout now. Chucky is no longer reading Hockey for Dummies. He is the expert now. What a way to be loyal. Let me guess, Charles did not agree with something Ryan suggested at the draft and now he is out of a job, a la Neil Smith.
Every Islander should rally and call for the sale of this team and boycott this team until this egomaniacal moron sells this team. Don’t buy tix. This guy really knows how to piss off a fan base or what is left of it. I love the young players on this team but I can not spend a dime on this team as long as Charles B. Wang runs the team. The B must stand for Bonehead.
Sorry folks but this franchise is a Mickey Mouse Org. and that is a plain and simple fact. People need to stop drinking the Koolaid and stop spending their money on this team. Wang is full of @*&#. He always has been and always will.
So a team that is selling a rebuilding program to their small and dwindling fanbase, basically fired the guy who was mainly responsible for 4 awesome drafts?
If the idea is that the Isles are done with high draft picks, well fine. But that doesn’t mean they’re done making draft picks. The notion that you can only get good/great talent at the top of the draft is ridiculous.
Shame on Wang.
Can we stop all this “lets wait and see what really happenned before we blast Snowang.” people, if it walks like a duck, sounds and looks like a duck………well you know the rest. Wang and Snow are inept and liars. Plain and simple.
This is all happening because Wang can’t get his way with his plans.
What happened to the set up where decisions were made collectively by a group of advisers that caused Neil Smith to leave?!!?! Now Garth Snow runs the show? How is he more qualified to have sole decision making when Neil Smith wasn’t? This is a terrible terrible decision.
POST # 207 WangMustGo, you had me going for a moment, lol…
The isles got rid of CB and we all know how awesome he is. Everyone seemed to like Jankowski and blames Snow for everything. None of us know what really goes on with management. Our frustration leads to distrust and anger. It really makes you scratch your head. Lets hope for an entertaining year of hockey
I’m just about at the end of my Islanders rope. I just don’t get it.
i’m pretty sure at least 90% of all nhl fans have no idea who their amateur scouting director is… just sayin’
Wang has been counting pennies since he bought yashin out n never replaced him. Every penny counts. This team would be better off if the NHL took over … Look at Phoenix. They are run much better. Anyone who still goes to games at Nassau coliseum is only encouraging wNg to serve us craxx.
The question is … Did this decision come from Garth Vader … or the Emperor himself?
Did they even consider the consequences of inflaming the fanbase further, still smarting after this weekend’s Kovygate? They have to know that the die hards who pump the life blood juices of the orange and blue has great respect for Ryan Jankowski and his reputation in the scouting community.
A GM cannot scout like a Chief Scout … Ryan had grassroots connections that Garth lacks … and if Garth thinks Ryan shared all his sources, than that is another fatal miscalculation.
I liked what the Isles were doing on the scouting front, because they took a page out of the Redwings scouting playbook … and that is to invest $$$$ in scouting personnel around the globe.
That’s all I have to say on this subject. Moving on now.
#241
This is just like when the isles lost devellano after 3 cups, except for the whole three cup thing.
After this years draft as well as last years draft Ryan Jankowski was front and center on Islanders TV explaining the virtues of all the players that were taken.On this blog 3 weeks ago we were told of the Islanders thoroughness at the draft combine of their interviews and psychological questionnaire.Jim Nill has been the assistant to Ken Holland For the Detroit Red Wings for quite some time and the Red Wings have excelled.Ditto with David Conte assisting Lou Lamorello in NJ.Not keeping Ryan Jankowski and not replacing him appears to a horrible move.Over the last few years most of the moves this organization do {dismissal of the radio broadcast team,failure to continue to support this blog.failure to put the Isles radio broadcasts on a major NY high powered station.giving out old Yashin tee shirts as giveaways and charging parking fees at draft party and now the dismissal of Ryan Jankowski]stink.
people need to lay off Snow IMO. This si a quote from Puck Daddy:
“We asked the agents: Which general manager gets a bum rap from fans and the media but is actually quite good at what he does?
Two answered immediately and emphatically: New York Islanders GM Garth Snow.”
said by players agents. Who knows what the story is. But derogatory comments about Snow make some of the fan base look really lame.
The fact that we are not replacing him is almost as sad as Newsday being used instead of a PR department. I really appreciate the communication and the straight forward honest approach with the fans. Lets move DP to assistant GM and the whole organization can be run by goalies has been and a never was behind the bench.
This is a MAJOR MISTAKE
The Isles don’t need to sign any top tier free agents because they are so happy with rebuilding through the draft. They are so happy with the kids they’ve drafted that they believe that these kids can take the team to the playoffs this year without any top tier veterans on the team. They are so happy with the rebuild that they fire the guy responsible for drafting the kids that they believe can carry the Isles to the promised land. He did such a great job, that they can fire him and not even replace him.
Hmmm. Never easy.
Can hardly wait for the *saw DP walking without a limp* sightings.
Wow.
Party on Wang! Party on Garth!
The major problem with this is that Garth goes to one Junior game that a prospect is playing in and he can play horroribly and then the Islanders lose out on a perfectly good player because he had one bad game.
They sell the fans a bill of goods, rebuild through the draft, then you let the guy who is running the rebuild go and the fans are still suppose to believe that you are rebuilding through the draft. What happens if you didn’t build anything? What do you sell the fans then? Re-rebuild.
Yes, the asst gm’s contract expired, and he is not renewing with the team. Right? And? Seriously, the drama from the fans (boycott?!?) is ridiculous.
The Islanders soap opera saga continues. I just don’t understand it anymore. At least we were legitimate for about 48 hours during Kovalchuk-gate. Sigh.
Yet another bizarre move by Chuckles & Garth…can’t wait to hear the team spin this one.
wang and snow keep up these bizzare moves and theres not going to have anyone sitting at the lighthouse if it ever gets approved. when is all this crazy stuff going to stop. How much more do they think we can take
Folks, they did not fire the entire scouting staff. You just do not know what came down. Maybe the guy wanted a big raise or there was a major disagreement during this years draft, and a loss of confidence Also, Newsday said “sources” confirmed Snow would take over his duties. Lets see what shakes out. I cannot believe so many of you are walking the plank with this team on July 7th.
Someone please explain why he is no longer with the organization. At least let us all know you are TRYING to find out!
Whatever.
we’re always going to be a laughing stock… sad…
Are the Isles not a frachise of the NHL?Do they not have standards to uphold?Betmann must do something fast to stabilize this organization or punish(fine) Wang to the point that maybe he’ll realize that he is invested in the entertainment business and HE HAS A BOSS TO ANSWER TO!He has just about alienated everyone in the league w/ his stupidity.Surely the NHL has rules and guidelines in place for this sort of thing.Next Wang will want Gordo to play to save the cost of a coach and apply it to the cap!I do agree w/ #28 but I also do think that not replacing him w/ a proffessional scout is and will be a big mistake.Wang needs to sell the team before what little progress was made is lost.
What’s next — is Garth Snow going to be the starting goalie? Maybe Jankowski is going to revamp the Lighthouse? On a serious note, someone needs to explain what’s going on. With free agents not wanting to sign with the team, the draft & recruiting process is more critical — having a small scouting staff is a major concern.
I just finished writing an email to the Islanders customer service team urging them to make a statement to the fans. We deserve that much after all we have been put through by this management staff. I truly hope Ryan ends up in a great situation.
we can all bellyache to the tune of 1000 comments a post but the only effect we can have on the nincompoop owner is to NOT BUY TICKETS. the fact that they check this site and see all the activity gives them a false sense of security; while we all complain we always come back for more. the only, only shot we have of being heard is to STOP BUYING TICKETS. that’s what i’m doing. i shelved plans to re-up my 2 seats in the 200s the day last week they signed all the retread, cheap-o free agents. the simpleton owner will only crack when he sees half an empty arena on opening night and when his sales staff reports back in that they’ve lost > 40 percent of their subscriber base. do your part. the only way they will listen is to STOP BUYING TICKETS!!
The probably could not afford a raise to Jankowski and a raise to Sparky. So, Jankowski was not renewed.
My belief is that it is a cost cutting move. The Islanders did a lot of that last season and are now continuing to do so. Again im guessing, but the fact the Isles haven’t made a statement makes me believe that. A team that is telling fans they are building through the draft doesn’t renew one of the key components of their staff and draft decisions? Total BS. I’m tired of the circus.
May as well get rid of Snow and his contract, hire a monkey to serve as the gm, and continue with the rebuilding plan of sucking year after year to get a top 5 draft pick..What a disgrace and a joke this franchise is. And to think we were fooled into thinking that Kovalchuk was an option when they can’t even afford an Asst. Gm.
And just for the record, the Oilers hosted an open prospects scrimmage for their fans, which was FREE!
This is going to hurt but Garth and Wang definitely have the confidence to take over whatever Janks was doing. Lets just move on. Honestly, I am so excited for saturday. Just watching Kabs, Petrov and Nelson on Isles TV and it gave me the chills just thinking about the damage they could do together. By the way, I am not a season tickets holder, is it still possible to meet and greet with the prospects at the mets game if you get tickets from mets.com? I was thinking of buying the ceasars section for 84 bucks, but wasnt sure if it was closed off for season ticket holders only.
Just move already!! I would love a minor league team to move in so we can pay AHL prices for an AHL team.
Why do they make it so hard to be a fan? We either have to live in the very distant past (like back to my childhood or the brief little 93 run when I was in college) or we have to day dream about the future because these guys just act WIERD!
Botta reports via Strange that Ryan felt “blindsided”. He had no idea it was coming. Can you please explain to me what he did to deserve being treated like that? I bet he feels really stupid he turned down the minor league GM position a month ago as Botta reported.
Kevin Connolly - Honorary GM!!!
Maybe the Isles will sign Andy Sutton to be the assistant GM : )
What is the ISles plan to reach the floor?
Are they going to give more money to the players they already have?
Didn’t they do something similar to that in the past.
Why didn’t they just agree to take Huet (they like to pay goalies a lot) and another player like Versteeg for taking on Huet?
The only way for us to effectively show how annoyed we are is to not show up next season. I’m doing my part.
This is bad - I know this is business, but stability and consistancy are key aspects of effective franchises. You can’t keep restarting and expect to make progress. Truth be told, I think the Islanders have done better than average in the draft since Ryan has been here. this is a loss.
Wang is truly poisoning this once proud franchise. His micromanaging, narrowmindness and unrealistic overscaled lighthouse project are killing us. The only way things will ever get any better is if he sells the team. Until then just hold on because the ride is going to get even bumpier.
since my last post, ditto @196-@302. Also forgot to mention no radio station. I think in KC they’ll probably have the honor of real radio coverage. And then perhaps Islanders Entertainment can present the real circus 12 months a year (not to be confused with current amatuer hour) at the NVMC.
Wang might be the best and worst thing to ever happen to this franchise. He might have been the only one to keep us here, yet the team is a disgrace and his ego is too big to ever do things the right way.
I’ll wait to hear more but, I find it hard to believe that a team that was thinking of offering a player $10 mil for 10 years can’t afford the Asst. GM.
Botta on Twitter: Ryan Jankowski was “blindsided”.
That’s the way little men do things.
So Jankowski has 3 or 4 very good drafts, which were well regarded by other nhl scouts. It’s the day before a prospect camp full of prospects which he likely scouted himself, and they ‘blindside’ him by telling him hes out. When is this team going to be normal? When they’re in Kansas City maybe?
Post #142, stop drinking the Koolaid. This is Mickey Mouse Org. See it for what is. The people who run this franchise are an absolute joke. Bossy, Morrow, and Trottier should all leave. Embarassing to have the best part of our franchise associated to Wang! Wang has no clue how to run a hockey team or treat the people who are loyal to him. Snow has no clue how to scout because he has no clue how to be a gm. That is because he is not a gm, he is a retired goalie working for a man who has no idea how to run a hockey team. Period. End of story. NO SUGAR COATING!!!
BOYCOTT!!!
I am sick of Wang and the BS.
He will not spend a cent on this team.
Same crap year after year, perpetual rebuild year after year. Mickey Mouse organization.
Maybe Jankowsi wanted to draft Connolly and Wang overuuled and Snow overrode Jankowski. Maybe Jankowski dissed the owner. Wang had a nasty reputation of tossing people aside at CA when making hostile takeovers of smaller software company’s
If anything I don’t think it would be El Nino, but perhaps, the trading of 2, 2nd round picks for trading up to the 1st.
Why does it take so long for the Isles office to make an actual statement rather than let rumors run away? What’s the secret???
Of all the ways to save money…. This is not the way to go! Bring Jankoswki back!
Very true about Wang and CA taking over other companies. He would basically come in and fire everyone. Don’t be fooled by Wang, he is pretty much a terrible person, with no regard for anyone but himself. He doesn’t treat people like people, looks at them as business assets. If not an asset, they are gone.
Charles Wang is a greedy fool, and Garth Snow is a terrible GM. Ryan Jankowski has been one of the finest scouts in the league the last few years.
Unreal… Worst building, cheapest on ice product, worst management. The one thing I had was hope for the future, and it’s gone now. I can’t honestly say that I think this team will compete in the future, because it won’t. We won’t make the playoffs this year, and Garth Snow will fire Scott Gordon and start a new rebuild. And then we’ll latch on to the hope again and start all over. Round and round we go. Sell the team, Wang, have some decency for the people who care… US!
From Strangs article… “A source with knowledge of the situation said the firing was not a cost-cutting move.” Riiiiiight. So we have a bare bones scouting staff because it’s the smart thing for a team that is being built exclusively through the draft. Makes sense.
Am I the only one thinking Doug Weight might just have some kind of a front office position to slide into soon?
As said on Islandermania: The Islanders need to stop peeing on our backs and telling us it’s raining.
As fans we can’t win. This has always been about Wang & the project. Did he get jerked around by LI politicians. yes, I think he knew it would happen, but thought it would only take 5 years & then he would make his 100 million. Well I don’t think he is any better then those politicans just a different form of corruption. I’m sorry to say I hope they move. When my Ranger pals laugh at the attendance at least I know I did not spend my $3,500.00 on the Isles in the 2010/11 season
Just from a Business perspective: Wang is a businessman, why would you make a fanbase, freshly disappointed from the lack of signings in free agency, even more uneasy with this kind of crap? Not good at all.
Are we going to be the only team in the league without an assistant GM?
Is this another cost cutting move put forth by the Isles? Are they trying to put up a front to show what dire straights they are in? Losing Jany seems to be a foolish manuver right now but all you can do is wait and see if they do anything to replace that position.
Speaking of which when is Murray going to finish her year supply of twinkies and tell everyone what she has planned for the Coliseum?
This is obvioulsy a cost cutting move. However the trend is moving more and more toward video scouting anyway. Buffalo is one team that relies on it heavily. They seem to have drafted pretty well recently. See Tyler Myers ROY.
WOW - total shock over this turn of events.. Can’t wait to hear the Islanders official explanation.
In addition to General Manager Darcy Regier the Sabres also have a Director of Amateur Scouting(Kevin Devine) and a Director of Amateur Scouting Operations(Scott Schranz). We have Garth Snow.
I’am really surprised ,for me is it a bad move and the wrong decision.