TROTTIER OUT AS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Hall of Famer hoping to stay in the organization
Comments thread closed.
10:55 am: Bryan Trottier will not return as Executive Director of Player Development for the franchise, a role he has held since 2006.
Trottier, the Hall of Fame center, Hart Trophy winner and member of the Islanders dynasty, was listed atop the team’s directory of hockey operations personnel above even assistant general manager Ryan Jankowski, who was told on Monday night that his contract would not be renewed.
Like Jankowski, Trottier was not present this week at Islanders prospect camp. He was a mainstay on the ice, working with all the young players - especially the centers - in recent summers and during the season at Bridgeport. Trottier was unavailable for comment, but a source close to the Islanders legend said he still hopes to remain with the franchise in some capacity. The Islanders have yet to release statements on Jankowski and Trottier, or post the news on the official team website.
Comments on Bryan Trottier.
JUST START PLAYING THE PRICES RIGHT LOSER HORN ALL OVER THIS TEAM
oh boy…if you thought people were mad yesterday…
FAIL!!!
WOW! This gets more pathetic every day. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
CB, what is going on here?! Seriously, this has all come COMPLETELY out of nowhere. What are we not being told??
Why won’t the Islanders make some official accouncement on the back office changes? The fans care enough to ask.. I hope the team cares enough about us to respond.
holy poop. i predict at least 1,250 nasty negative comments on this one for sure. maybe the sky really *is* falling?!?!
Stay classy Islanders…
What is going on? Nice way to spoil the good press that normally goes along with prospect camp. It seems as uif the team has reverted back to its bizarre decision making process of the Neil Smith / Pat LaFontaine debacle.
What is going on and why doesn’t this team stand up and explain to the fan base what is going on? It is becoming increasingly difficult to follow this team. Without this blog the fans would be in the dark.
Again before people go hang themselves, this may have been his decision. Remember it is saying he hopes to remain with the organization.
Maybe they are starting to cut costs and cut ties to make a new start elsewhere as a new franchise.
I don’t get it.
And once again I ask my self why I root for this team!!!
People need to come back from the ledge a bit. Personnel moves within sports organizations happen all the time. It doesn’t mean the bus is flying off a cliff.
Also, just because people should not overreact doesn’t mean they shouldn’t react at all. These last two moves are curious to say the least. Especially since they are both people directly related to player draft/development. I wonder if a change in philosophy has happened in the organization and Trots and Jankowski didn’t agree with it? If so, what was the change?
What is going on here???? Quite the turn over here isn’t it. I began to think last night that a spot was becoming available for Doug Weight in the management after this next season. Now i don’t know what is up. If this is a cost saving measure, they are cutting costs in the wrong places. Just drafting players is only step 1, developing them is step two….I hope they have some good replacements on tap. Mind-boggling
This is not a good sign! Appears like the organization is in chaos and the more power/control Snow has the worse for our Isles. Not feeling real good about the team right now.
Maybe Snow will teach the young guys how to win a face-off
Shedding salaries,consolidating positions, cutting ties with an Islanders legend . . . Will the Islanders soon be run by a skeleton crew? wasn’t Jankowski supposedly indespensible not long ago? What’s with the sudden salary dumping? The anticipation I was feeling over our prospects and the upcoming season is now turning to a feeling of dread.
Bad after Good constantly around here. With no explanation from the organization they let these things run wild. Dont even try and figure it out. You can only sit back and laugh.
Who’s next? Bossy? Morrow? It’s one thing to mess around with employees, but when you start to mess with the Dynasty Era players you’re pushing it too far.
What is going on……?
Something is seriously not right! This can’t be a money saving thing can it? What position is next, what else can we do without?
Hope this is corrected, Trottier obviously means a ton to this team, he must remain somehow or take over something else I hope.
I don’t even know what to say anymore. It almost makes me want to stop coming to this website due to the heartache I get with every new story. Almost. But this is out of control. Absolutely out of control.
This news keeps getting worse. Fans should not renew their season tix next season. Lets speak with our wallets.
this is a bad sign if they keep letting people go means they don’t have money which i find hard to believe wang is loaded or maybe he’s just cheap
I gotta start drinkin this early?
There are Jokes, and then there are Bad Jokes. There are Laughingstocks, and there are Mockeries. But at the very, very top, when things cannot possibly get any less competent or pathetic, there are the New York Islanders.
Sorry but there’s no justifying cutting loose maybe the greatest two way player of all time, and really good guy to boot. Not when you’re this team. Sorry.
A change of Ownership is quite clearly needed.
WTF is going on?!
Don’t worry. Kevin Connery will fix it.
There is something fishy going on here folks. This is simply not just a consolidation move. This is a major cost cutting movement going on. The problem is that the coverage of the team other than this site is lousy at best. I really think Wang should sell the team. We need a fresh start with a new owner. We really do.
I guess Snow is going to take over that job as well. WTF????
Unreal. Maybe Chris Dey will come back!
Sounds like the beginnings of a good ole fashioned house cleaning just before a fire sale of the franchise?
please let it be proklirov (sp?) and brooklyn.
Unlikely, I know, but I can dream, can’t I?
Why doesn’t this organization have a PR department? Why even have a website? This team is a joke , with no clue about how to treat their fanbase. We deserve an answer , anything as to what is going on. Trots should be given a job for life doing anythign he wants, being tutored by one of the greatest two way centers ever can’t be replaced , end of story.
Can we all just back off from the ledge a little till we find out whats happening?
I have no problem with the assistant GM leaving, I have no problem with Trotts not being back in the same role, I have a problem with the organization not explaining anything to it’s fans!!!
(Loyalty is something not to be played with!!!)
Is this also a case of contract not being re-newed? Guess there isn’t any point asking questions since the Islanders don’t really like giving answers.
I’m just glad I wasn’t a Common Shareholder of CA when Wang and Sinjay were at the helm there… (AHEM).
Funny that in this day and age, with the franchise in it’s current pitiful state, appears any sort of PR with these guys is non-existent.
Glad I got Trottier’s autograph at the Draft Party…I hope to God they find a new position for him.
I’m a bit angry..
Really, people? Out of control? Are we Isles fans this conditioned to scream at any curious (but not necessarily bad, mind you) moves the team makes? Trots is being moved to a different position in the organization. How is this the end of the world? Jankowski probably asked for a decent raise (as he should considering his great reputation) and Wang didn’t want to give him it. My God…it’s like the team traded away half of the players at prospect camp.
A very sad few days to be an Islander fan. Kovy deal was a bust. Then Janakoski gets let go… he did a great job. Sad to see him go. As far as Trots… I don’t understand it but then again, i’m not on the inside. I hope for their PR sake they find him something quick.
Just irks me that in a “slow and steady rebuild” and at a crucial point like this we make these changes. It does sound a bit fishy… but I will keep faith.
I am behind Garth as a fan unless he proves to be another Don Maloney or Milbury. haha.
Maybe they would replace Trotts for Kevin Conolly ? This hockey team is not serious. Please Wang, stop to decay hockey and sell the team to Wilpon !!!
Unbelievable. The little respect I once had for this team has left with Trottier.
btw… how can an nhl team do so little pr? They’d smell a lot better to their fans if they did a good job at that. That is a business no-brainer.
Lest anyone say I am not a fan or supporter, I want to preface this rant by saying that I have been rooting for the Islanders since their inception, listening to home games on the radio as a kid before cable TV and relishing in their 9-7 road win over Boston in their initial season.
I’ve been to a Giants Super Bowl victory, a Yankees World Series clincher, but my favorite sports love is the Islanders and after returning to the New York area after a long absence, I got season tickets and introduced my kids to life as Islander fans.
Like many of you, I’ve been through a lot with team. However, I am finally at the end of my rope. For those who say the Isles would be dead without Wang, my answer is that I no longer give a rat’s behind if the only way this team can remain in existence is if Charles Wang is the owner. If the Isles fold or move, so be it. In any other area of life, supporting this team as currently run would be considered a psychological disorder, or at best, enabling someone else with a destructive psychological tendencies.
Instead of following hockey, maybe I’ll do more volunteer work at my church.
I really feel for the kids in the prospect camp right now. I’m sure for most of them, Jankowski was as much a face of the organization as anyone. While they’re surely focused on hockey–somewhere in the back of their minds they must be wondering what is going on.
As one last “hurrah”, in the absence of front office explanations on the personnel moves, I think all of us in the area should attend the Orange and Blue scrimmage on Saturday (assuming the money is actually going to legitimate purposes for the Islanders Children’s Foundation) and politely voice our displeasure with every Islander front office person we see. We should also seek out every reporter in our midst (two cover the Isles?) and let them know we are mad as hell and will not take it any more and will not spend another dime on this team.
Sorry. This rant is over. And so am I.
Something is clearly “shaking out” in the front office.
Is it Snow?
Is it Wang?
Is there some kind of disagreement going on that we are unaware of?
According to you CB it seems that Trottier may stay within the organization.
Very, very strange.
I like the job that Snow has done thus far. He is not a fool.
But this one is puzzling.
I think all organizations have slip-ups and gaffs. But since you left, CB, there have been too many poor decisions on the PR side of things. The organization needs to hire the proper people to handle the public relations of the franchise.
From these two incidents to the handling of DePietro to the Lighthouse.
“The Islanders have yet to release statements on Jankowski and Trottier, or post the news on the official team website.”
Dose the PR staff or whomever is in charge of PR not understand there is something called Twitter and the Internet….that news is on a 24-hour cycle and is continuous?
The team could have and should have been the first to issue statements before word got out through any other sources.
PR 101—if you have news that may not sit well, be the one to reveal it. By revealing it before anyone else does, you can control the “story” for a while and set the tone.
This organization is a joke. Snow is not capable of any management role. He does not address the fans in any way and has a real arrogance about him. Avg Goalie, crap GM
China trip gets cancelled,
Jankowski contract not renewed and more importantly, postion not filled (Snow assumes responsibilites).
Now Trots no longer with team
To me this means either:
1. Wang can no longer afford to keep losing cash and Isles are therefore cutting back expenses & raising prices, or
2. Team is looking to restructure hockey operations,
I’m hoping for #2, because if it is #1, then don’t expect any good UFA signings in the near future.
Maybe the rumors a while back that Isles were looking to NHL for financial help (ala Phoenix) has some merit. In this economy, everyone’s investments are taking a hit…I’m sure Wang’s are no exception.
Either way, as mentioned above, Isles should really issue a statment on this matter.
It would not shock me if the team is put up for sale. No assistant GM, No player development director, No PR department, No radio broadcast team. Simple bare bones cost cutting measure. I actually wish the league would take over the team and try to find another buyer.
Bad news on top of bad news.
However, this can be a different issue than Jankowski’s dismissal: the team can have a valid beef as to the development of our players, as only a very few have developed from our recent, touted drafts. We have many AHLers that cannot get over the hump to reliable NHL productivity, or who have their progress stagnate even at the top level. No legit prospects should spent 2, 3, 4 years in the AHL–they should season, develop, get called up, and then continue to develop. Sometimes more time is needed, but sometimes player development is to blame–that I get. The thing is, this organization does so many things backwards that we assume the worst…and are generally vindicated.
What the hell is going on with this franchise? First, Jankowski gets voted off the island, now Trots? This is getting stupid, especially after the success the team has had lately with player development and selection. I mean, why break up a good thing?
What’s worse, the team makes no announcements, no acknowledgments and apparently has no intentions on replacing these men and maintaining these positions. Makes you wonder if Snow is making a push for more power here at the expense of these two guys…
Party on Wang! Party on Garth!
At the beginning of the week, I was so excited about this team, the draft, the kovalchuk rumors, and the direction they were heading. I couldn’t wait for Saturday’s prospect game.
How quickly things can change in a 4 days. Now there’s no way I’ll be there Saturday night, and unless things start to look up, I doubt I’ll be spending any money on tickets when October rolls around either.
I’m actually begining to fear the “sale” thing myself. Bare bones operation with marketable promising young team and only 4 more years of a crappy lease. Maybe wang has had enough?
What the heck is going on? I’m not concern with the fact that the team is changing personel but why? There’s something fishy going on. I wish Snow would address the fans and give us an update/explanation.
When selling a business you try and lower your liabilities as much as possible. They have no choice but to get to the cap floor, so they will do that. But these extra positions which do not have an immediate and large impact need to come off the books. The Islanders probably just took off 200 to 300K off their books the last two days. Wang must have a clue as to the TOH proposal coming out and does not like it, so he is preparing to sell.
Kevin Fitz - I hate to speculate but I fear that you are spot on. Good call.
if you win games on the ICE than none of this will matter.
Strange move, but although Trotts was a great player…maybe he wasn’t the best teacher. All these moves have a reason, I don’t buy the total cost cutting angle. The Isles really do need better PR though. The Isles probably didn’t want to announce Janks and Trotts moves yet until after the mini-camp…but the media realized the two of them weren’t at the camp and it became obvious they were let go. I hope we get an explanation from Snow after the camp is over. I don’t expect it while camp is going on.
According to Katie - the Islanders are working on finding him another position in the organization so it sounds like he may have requested a change
Days of Our ISLES!!!
#35 And WHEN will that be??? there is no PR person to bring us down from the ledge
One of my favorite Islanders.
Sell , not sell , hire , fire , I don t even care anymore , I just want someone who works for the team to publically announce what is going on. It is called public relations and it is taught in business 101 right after the chapter on keeping your customers happy. If it weren’t for this site we wouldnt have a clue as to what is going on , really a sad state of affairs.
Here comes another 300 posts on wang should sell the team, run in traffis, and snow is clueless and power hungry, please just jump off the cliff it is too much! Snow has set a course and is well on his way. We will sign one more scoring forward and have players to step in this year from the bridge. Patience people. We have suffered this long, at least the team is exciting now and has a bright future.
WTF! Wang just signed LeBron!
Hey CB, aren’t you glad you left when you did?
Whatever happens, happens.
A few months ago it was starting to look like the makings of a good organization, but with all of these firings “something is UP”. Wonder if Wang/Snow have found out what TOH is going to propose, doesn’t like it and is getting ready to sell the team to the Wilpons (I wish). PR for the Isles SUCKS.
First, I love Trots as a player and an Islander. Yet, does anyone on this blog know how he was as a coach/player developer? He did not last long on the Rags. The Islanders are a private, not a public company. They do not owe the fans full disclosure on every small mamagement change. What we, as fans, should care about is the product on the ice, and their plan to rebuild. Its very simple people, if you do not like whats going on the ice or front office, dont watch or go to the games, end of story. All of this negative, nasty remarks toward Snow or Wang, does not make CB’s job covering team any easier. Snow was also rated as one of the top GMs in an article on Puck Daddy.
I also have another idea for those fans that are so unhappy with Mr. Wang. Why dont you all empty your piggy banks, chip in and buy the team? Just make sure your folks increase your allowance so you have an extra $20 million a year to help fund the annual short fall.
Following what the Oilers are doing. They let go of thier head coach, all thier training staff and scouting staff. Cleaning house.
To me this is def an inhouse clearance before the for sale sign goes on the front doors of the mosoleum. I am devestated to watch my fav team of all sports go down in a slow painfull death. RIP
“Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?” I really can’t do anything but laugh because nothing makes sense any more.
It’s hard to continue to be a fan of this organization when it constantly alienates well qualified management personnel and franchise icons. Having supported this team through blatant mistakes year after year I believe I have reached the end of my patience. I demand answers from Charles Wang and Garth Snow on the ridiculous events of the past two days. Almost as bad as seeing a futile team on the ice is the circus that is the Charles Wang ownership.
So much passion exits for this team. This after the fanbase has been crapped on in every conceivable way. Guys we’ve got to hang in there and just hope that better days are coming!
Well I dont like it, but it is what it is. Again though this wont stop me from loving this team and going to games. I doubt the prospects are thinking about this to much, but maybe trots wasn’t getting the job done like he should have. Granted he’s an islanders legend we all love him, but it doesn’t always work out that they do the job the best. Still not at defcon 5, and snow wanting more power lol come on. When the isles trade Tavares for colby armstrong then you can say omg wth
Being part of the dynasty is one thing.
Being a good director of player development is something else. Until Snow comes clean and says why, do not jump into
any conclusions. He was not a very successful coach when he coached in the first place. So, just let it be.
Is there any way we can start a campaign to get that crazy Nets owner to buy the Islanders?? This team is so backwards, something must be done to save the franchise. This team will definitely be on the move soon
For a successful slow rebuild you DO require stability. I’m worried that there is way too much instability at this point… and Bryan has always been my favorite Islander. When I was young, his wife sat several rows below my dad’s season tix and she would bring autographed items for me and/or my sister.
This has fire sale all over it. The team will be next. Where is Kate’s scaled down version of the lighthouse that was supposed to be in by late june? We supported Wang’s vision by showing up at full force to all those lighthouse meetings, the least Wang could do is give us the decency of being honest with us. We as Islander fans are a forgiving group if you just explain things. Do they realize the arrogance they are displaying by keeping us in the dark? it just appears like they couldn’t care less!
Pretty soon Snow will also be answering ticket calls and editing the teams website. Speaking of which, does anyone know why there is a picture of Roloson in an Edmonton Oilers jersey as the main wallpaper on the site.
i’ve got nothing
I think CB’s last four stories do a good job at conveying the emotions surrounding the team right now. Kirill Petrov’s here? And he wants to stay?! Hooray! Wait, they let go of Janks?? That’s awful! But hold up a minute, here’s Petrov again, with Kabanov right next to him INTERPRETING for him and generally being awesome! I can’t wait for the season to start!!! But wait, you say Bryan Trottier’s losing his job now?!
When will all this “turbulation” end?
Like many fans I am mystified as to why the Islanders act in such a dismissive manner toward those of us who have supported this team for so long. At some point someone in management needs to step forward and explain the business rationale for these moves. This needs to be done sooner rather than later if Islander management hopes to maintain what’s left of any mutual respect between the fan base and management. The only sports franchise I can think of that acts with less transparency toward their fans and the media is the New England Patriots. And no one is confusing Charles Wang and Garth Snow for Robert Kraft and Bill Belichik.
Maybe at the end of the day, the Islanders arrogant perspective (or clueless) toward managing their own PR is an issue about media. The only local daily newspaper coverage of the team constitutes a text book example of conflict of interest. Every media entity other than Newsday seems to be viewed by Islander management as non-threatening.
As a lifelong Islander fan going back to day 1 in Year 1 it is clear the management of the Islander brand can today be characterized as a joke. None of this really matters to those of us who follow the team and feel connected to the history and tradition. But if you consider the state of how many franchises have issues with their brand I can not think of any that has won a championship while functioning in such a clueless capacity.
CB, any motives you can give us/take a stab at? This is starting to get scary. So long committee approach. Will Bossy be sent packing next?
Yet another job for Garth to assume? Pretty soon he’ll also be the guy handing me my parking ticket at the toll booth by the Marriott… if I choose to go watch this team.
Like most of you I’m outraged at the state of OUR organization. Like some of you I agree that we don’t know what went down and movement within the organization is normal. HOWEVER, Wang and Snow, as evidenced by their lack of communication skills, have no respect for their fan base. Feeding Katie a line every few days just doesn’t cut it.
I think it’s very possible that Wang has gotten a look at Kate Murray’s idea of development and is starting to ratchet back in anticipation of a sale. Can we really blame him, if that’s the case?
The Islanders are the only sports team that I follow closely, starting back when I was a kid and my dad had season tickets (from ‘72 through ‘94).
Do other teams have such bi-polar fans? One day, we hear about a possible singing of Kovy. Fans are elated. The next, it’s news of Jankowski leaving, the reasons behind which are pure speculation, and whose impact we really can’t understand in any meaningful way. Fans are despondent. Next, an interview with the two Kirill’s. Wow! We’re so close to being a contender, we can’t wait ’til these guys blossom into top tier 1st liners! Next day, Trottier is gone. Despair! People are done with this team! They’ve had enough! Never again to cheer for the Islanders, because some of back-office politics!
Take a deep breath. We have little-to-no idea what’s going on, why it’s happening, who was involved in making these decisions, or what possible impact this might have with the on-ice product.
The Islanders are looking to find him another place in the organization? What the hell does that mean?
The Isles are so happy with the young core that they are dumping the guy that drafted them and the Hall of FAme player that was helping them develop.
Why would anyone come work for this team?
So all this team really has to hang its hat on is it’s young core that we’re supposed to believe is eventually going to get us back to glory days, yet the people in charge of putting those young players in place are being let go? So if this is strictly financial why would i believe that we would even spend the money to keep the kids if they develop into what they’re supposed to? And if it’s not financial, are they telling us that they don’t believe that they’ve done a good enough job, therfor why should i buy into you selling me on the core? Moves like this without a justified answer, to me atleast, leave a catch 22 where it’s just not good at all.
I want my “NHL’s most abused Fans” T-shirt back!!
( ripped it wrestling a large Rags fan off of a couple of kids @ the NVMC after a game )
BUT, I’m with the last two posters, still gonna love the team, still gonna fight the Rags fans…
Maybe Trots wants to golf more?
Terrible, terrible, Terrible way to save a buck. They are charging interest for extended payment plans for season tickets, they are now charging us for parking, They have not renewed a scouting director in the middle of a slow and steady re-build and now they do not renew Trot’s contract as a development coach. I must say I am awefully disapointed by these recent decisions by the organization.
What is going on with the Islanders?????? They should be keeping all and getting rid of Wang!
Just another step closer to the edge. Just another nail in the coffin. I am so much closer to being done with this organization. I love hockey. It is my favorite sport, and the Islanders my favorite “professional” franchise. But they are destroying my love for them and hockey.
Maybe they are scrapping together their last pennies to renew their interest in Kovy. NOT.
Sometimes you just have to pick up an extra shift or two at work but I fear the GM may be running out of hours in the day. How can he effectively do all those jobs? Remember when we had the three headed monster? Wang/Smith/Lafontaine. Now we have a no headed monster!
Wang has just appointed himself GM, Assistant GM, Director of Playing Development, Scout, and Head Coach. Oh and he will also be starting in goal for the injured DP.
Sell the team to someone who cares please. It’s obvious Wang does not care anymore. Can’t blame him, his real estate dreams got flushed down the toilet. He said on an Isles broadcast this year that he regrets buying the team. Ok, I can live with that if you just sell the team already. This team has potential and I would like to see it come to fruition but until we get an owner in here who cares about the team enough to invest in it we are in for a long roller coaster of a ride. I will root for this team wherever they go. I just want to see this lighthouse stuff over and done with. Charles Wang please let go…you are killing whatever progress you have made over the past few years.
There is no logical reason to be cutting jobs that deal directly with drafting and developing when you are a team shunned by free agents and built exclusively through the draft. Unless of coure you are looking to save a buck. I hope the next owenr keeps the team on Long Island, but at some point you have to ask yourself - Is it better to be a joke in Hempstead or be well-run elsewhere?
Can you say JOKE !!!!!!!!!
hahahahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahah
hahahahahahahahah
Can you say Pathetic !!!!!
Will we ever get answers from this organization? Is it too much to get explanations about not renewing our draft czar and hall of fame EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of Player Development. No press release, no press conference, nothing!!!
No other organization operates like this. If this team had any legitimate press on the beat (sorry Katie) we’d perhaps have some more answers. Maybe someone would put pressure on the PR Deparment (do we event have one??) for something. Anything.
Cant wait to see everyone jump off the cliff over this… Its not like they are trading away their good players. Will we miss Jankowski at the draft? perhaps, but the islanders didn’t just rely on his input at the drafts the last few years… they do have other people on staff with the title “scout” so this is not the end of the world.
Trottier is unfortunate too, but i think it’s time to move on, thank these two men for their contributions, and move on. It’s really not the end of the world that they aren’t going to be around, the Islanders will survive
wow
this is a joke now.. Even i who doesnt find anything startling finds this a joke now.
Is it football season yet?
I am not one of these “the sky is falling” Islander fans but the non renewal of Jankowski and now Trots is very disconcerning. Especially Jankowski. How do You just not resign 2 of the more important front office guys. Janks has done a great job with the draft now hes gone.
Boy oh boy another day, another alarming cost-cutting move.
Those of you holding out hope for significant player investments above the cap floor, just remember: talking (”We checked in on Kovalchuk”, “I’ve got the green light to spend from Wang”) does not cost a dime…
I think the worst news will be coming in the next week or so. LH Project will officially die, which Wang probably expects and now Wang is cutting everything in order to sell the team or move it out of NY.
Maybe we can rehire Trottier to dress up as Sparky. And sell those hideous Santa outfits the Ice Girls wear on eBay. We can also save the franchise money by bringing our own toilet paper to games.
At first I thought this was all money related. But this reminds me a lot of the Smith/Lafontaine fiasco. Perhaps (like Neil Smith) Janks and Trotts got canned because they did something to upset Charles? This owner reminds me more and more of Harold Ballard: impulsive, controlling, and shamefully stubborn. I bet Garth can’t wait to leave this circus. According to reports, he is gaining more respect around the league. He is just building his credentials and will bolt as soon as another team expresses interest. Who in their right mind would want to work for Charles Wang? As long as he owns the team, the Isles will continue to be a bottom feeder.
What the hell is going on with this team?
It is embarassing to be a fan of this team. I was looking forward to next season and now I don’t even want to go to a game. Just made up my mind whether to go out to dinner on Saturday night or go to the scrimmage. At least i will eat well. I hope Kete Murray comes back with a proposal that really offends Wang and he gets out. He’s no damn good for this team anymore. C’mon guys how bout running it like a hockey team and not a circus.
If anyone here doubts what kind of mentor or teacher Bryan Trottier tries to be for young hockey players… Don’t.
Jankowski & Trottier gone ….. no Kovalchuck, more Tier III FA’s ….. but they’ll be quick to sell you on the Islanders Dynasty line of cooking utensils they have coming out this season. WHAT A JOKE!
….All right you can label me as disturbed now. I wanted to reserve my hostility of Janks but now Im just flabbergasted. WTF is going on here. I feel there is a big bombshell waiting to explode. Maybe im crazy but Is this team being sold or something?
There’s a reason why the Islanders constantly get made fun of for their poor behind the scenes office operations. I mean first the whole Neil Smith + Pat LaFontaine incident a couple years back - now Jankowsky and Trottier. Why do we keep cleaning house??? Is Wang that egotistic? Why is something always wrong in that front office? - This is why people don’t want to get involved with our organization. And of course the lack of coverage on the topic - typical Islanders.
All I can say is….I didnt renew my tix - that, I hope, speaks volumes
108-Same here…
I wonder if Trotts was “blindsided” like Janks was? Something just doesn’t feel right about all this.
Winnepeg looking for a team, Hamilton too. Sell the team already….this is getting too much
Someone please call Jeff Wilpon or Mikhail Prokhorov to save this franchise.
just another day in Islander Country!I am never suprised.Who is next?Morrow?Bossy?
Screw this team - to those, saying “dont jump off the ledge until we hear more” Why in the HELL should we wait. It is SNOWANG’s responsbility to inform us, not hearing it 2nd hand from CB. No offense CB, but there are too many leaks.
Bad things are brewing, bad bad things. You’ll see.
What is going on here?!?!?
the problem is not simply that the team is making ‘personnel changes’ and making ‘administative decisions’ like ‘every other team’ does. it’s that they’re doing this during very uncertain and tense times for the franchise and it’s FANBASE, and WITH NO EXPLANATION.
they seem to be going out of their way to incite criticism and even bitterness.
Now I realize I’m glad I gave up my 4 season tickets at the end of last season. It was a tough decision when I did it as the seats were in a great location. The Islanders expect the fan base to support the team, while they remain millions below the salary cap floor. Good luck filling the barn this year (and good luck with your new parking prices for season ticket holders).
I have a question. Is there an ex Islander player that is FILTHY rich that can put together a group to buy the team from Wang, ala Mario?
Is Wang in such dire straits that he can’t pay anyone….he is making it seem like he is getting ready for bankruptcy
It’s time for Wang to put this team up for sale. I no longer support Wang as I think he owns this team for the wrong reasons. I truly do not understand the reasoning behind these 2 recent moves. They must of disagreed with the Almighty Wang. God forbid they would have an opinion. Not a penny more of my money is going into this team…not 1 penny. SELL, SELL, SELL
CB Can you give us some sort of opinion on what these moves could possibly mean for the organization. Because to me, this cant be good.
Drama never ends. Any thoughts Chris. is this pretty much how it happend when you worked for isles? while they even issue statment?
It’s hard not to think that a sale of the franchise is not in the immediate future (2-4 years). This all just does not add up, especially all at once. Maybe someone with a bit more behind the scenes knowledge than myself can explain, but just as someone mentioned earlier, this looks like they are getting rid of everything that is not necessary to prepare for a sale.
Nothing surprises me with these guys anymore. One poster wrote above, “is this how we Islanders fans are conditioned to react”…the answer is yes.
Everything is so Mickey Mouse…it is incredibly hard to even follow this team, and usually just embarrassing…
I’m being dramatic right now, but this is all just so frustrating…there is ALWAYS something…
Trotts is my all-time favorite Islander, and I’m disappointed in hearing this as much as anyone - but I don’t think an owner who’s looking to dismantle the franchise would be as engaged as CW was at the draft table this year.
Roloson will take his palce
This smacks of Milbury being told to cut expenses.
Bossy Tomorrow and Morrow on Monday! This organization sooks! I think I might be officially done with my first love and the NHL! I hope you FAIL Wang and Snow and FAIL BIG!
whats going on, why are they letting all their great guys go? this is crazy
No explanation? Why am I not surprised. I’m done with this team for a while, it’s too stressful to be a fan.
Tomorrow’s headline: Dunham out as Goalie Coach. To be replaced by Garth Snow. Isles sign no free agents.
Saturday’s headline: Ken Morrow out as Pro Scout. To be replaced by Garth Snow. Isles sign no free agents.
Sunday’s headline: Dean Chynoweth out as assistant coach. To be replaced by Garth Snow. Isles sign no free agents because Garth has too many other responsibilities, which is rumored to now include stick taping and driving the team bus. In unrelated news, the equipment manager and bus driver will not be retained. No explanation was given.
What is wrong with Islander management? How can they make these decisions and say nothing?? What are they thinking ??
Both Trotts and Jankowski are still on Isles website.
this is just like Neil Smith and LaFontaine, Trotts was picked up right around then also, guess it just took a while…
Wow, second time getting the boot with the same team. First they let him go as a player right before the July 4th weekend, and now they let him go right after. You wonder why most of the Dynasty alum want nothing to do with this team.
money saved on janks/trotts is going towards an interpreter for Petrov
It’s all good, sometimes.
west coast fan - i’m no business or finance whiz, maybe someone who is can correct or clarify, but it seems logical that the one asset someone getting ready to sell would want is the draft picks and young talent. everything else can go. the players are the only assets worth holding on to.
Easy everyone, we r going to rebuild again. This is the 1st step in a 3-5 yr rebuild of the entire organization. We ask for patience and continued support as we look forward to someday soon winning a stanly cup. But 1st we have to take care of front office stuff again??? This is all normal procedure during rebuilds??? Losers!!
Jankowski was one thing. This, however, is out of line. The owner lacks all respect for possible the greatest Islander ever and one of the NHL’s all-time greats. Wang is not a well-rounded owner. He lacks any type of perspective. The only way he lets Trottier go is because he was derelict of his duties. This will be the easiest way to make your fan base very, very angry. I for one am boycotting the team I love until Wang sells.
BRUTAL BRUTAL BRUTAL….I said it from day 1! How can we be a winning team with our GM being our sub par back-up goalie???? Arrogant, does not answer questions for the fans, Wang’s puppet….I could go on all day…but I’m sure you already know all this!
(107) You may be right. Jankowski, ok. I’ll TRY and understand that. But now we hear that Trots is gone too? A day later? Really? Strange. Very strange…..
trots and janks still on website cuz webmaster snow in process of new web design.
Everyone needs to chill. So what Janks and Trotts are gone. Not the first time Trotts and the Isles had trouble getting along. Who knows that Janks was so good. Other organizations have good prospects too. How do we know that the other scouts in our organization agree with Janks or think he is an idiot. We all have no clue. For those of you ready to give up on the team, why do you keep posting here..just move on already.
This is Eff You See Kayed up!!! What the hell is going on? Just please… please, please, please, please, please sell the team!!!!
Nothing this team does should surprise me anymore, but I am continually amazed and disappointed more than not. It seems that soon the only management left will be Snow and Wang. Just how much money can be saved by the team and at what cost? No radio team. No middle management. No public relations. No mentoring for young players. Pretty soon we may see Wang and Snow on the bench… one doing equipment and the other as a trainer/player/coach. Jeez, what next?
I’m disappointed, but let’s see how this all plays out. Wang/Snow owe the fans (who financially support the organization) some explanations!!!
Everyone who is posting that they are done with this team is all full of themselves. Please get a life people.
I’m just trying to keep from screaming. CB, please tell me someone in the Islanders organization is going to explain these moves in more details. Not to feel like a “Chickent Little,” but this just doesn’t sound right. I feel like we’re going to find out the Isles moved overnight, ala the Baltimore Colts.
BTW, CB, you not only do a magnificent job but you ARE my Islanders source for news. I wish you still worked for the Isles. Maybe you would be able to add some perspective to the owner, gently of course.
Listen everyone… Rick D is going to retire tomorrow and he needs some jobs to do in the Front Office… Got to make him earn the rest of that 15 year deal…
Wang & Snow better have something up their sleeves to make everyone happy, cause right now… Yeesh…
you gave me quite a chuckle with #150. well-done!
what a joke
Of course they haven’t posted anything about these moves on the Islanders ‘Mickey Mouse’ website.
Didn’t care yesterday, don’t care today. Neither of these guys have scored a goal for us (well, in the past 10 years that is).
This is just beyond words.
Is Tavares now going to be charge of Player development?
Who cares. I do not see this having a major impact on the on ice product, it can’t get much worse then the last few years anyway. I root for the players, not the office personnel.
To all the comments here about Janks and Trotts possibly being no good at what they do. I’m certainly not a fan of the recent draft picks other than JT but did it really take all these years to realize that they aren’t right for the job. I don’t think so. The fact that there won’t be a replacement for Janks indicates that this is nothing more than a salary dump. Wang has been doing the salary dump for years. Why should this year be any different? This is typical Wang BS. We’ve seen enough of it over the years to recognize it right away. AND they’re still about 9mil under the cap floor.
Unreal. A little communication as to why these moves were made would be appreciated? If they were important members of the organization last year, then how does the team survive without these positions in the future?
This does leave a bad taste in one’s mouth, especially right in the middle of their touted prospect camp. In my mind, Jankowski is a rising star in the NHL, like Neil Smith or Jimmy Dellevanno in years gone by. Just hope that Garth is that good that he will look like a Torrey or Bowman in years to come. Only time will tell. As for Trots, this brings back thoughts of the Isles cutting him on press release back in the ’80s. Even when they were successful, Isles management always left a little to be desired. In the end, Gary Bettman and Kate Murray have to be held proportionately responsible for this debacle. KM and the whole supporting crew of TOH and their NIMBY attitudes have dragged this process to a grinding halt at a time when not only the Islanders need solutions, but a ton of jobs would help our sagging economy. Gary Bettman is just some schlocky marketing schmuck form the NBA, a real pillar of society, who is only worried about expanding the NHL into the four corners of the USA. What’s next, Boise, Des Moines, Portland (you pick which one) and Birmingham? Get your head out of your @$$ and take care of the organizations that need help, Phoenix, the Islanders and Nashville. Doesn’t it make sense that you would try to use some of the clout your office SHOULD hold, to get this deal done on LI? Considering the way you are handling the Phoenix debacle, this just foments your position as the BIGGEST SCHMUCK RUNNING A MAJOR SPORTS LEAGUE. One criteria for running a league should be that you actually played the sport (any sport) at even the most rudimentary level, ie CYO, Pop Warner, Little Leaugue.
You can’t just blame the kids for being bad, the parents have to be held responsible too. This is where the TOH and NHL have failed the Islanders and us, their loyal fans.
Is it fair to say that an explanation to their revenue producing customer base is a fair expectation to these moves at the time they are made?
Hey Wang,why don’t you just get rid of everyone(coaching staff scouts etc)and have Snow run everything.This is becoming more of a joke on a daily basis now.
Wang = Al Davis , end of story. At least the Raiders have a PR dept to put a positive spin on things.
I have said a few times the last couple days to “step back from the ledge” but my patience is starting to wane. At a point when the prospect camps are being held we get rid of the guy responsible for drafting them and a guy responsible for working with them. Regardless of the reason, this is atrocious timing and being left in the dark by the franchise is unacceptable.
I really try to see the glass as half full but this organization keeps pulling questionable moves. It really is logic in the vacuum of any other reason to surmize that the team is being cut down to bare minimum. I’m upset not only over the current loses but what this indicates for the future? Never mind free agents, when Tavares, Okposo, Bailey further develop and want a large contract extension, will they be shipped out? A lot of Islander fans are scared because this is exaclty what happened in the late 90s. A very talented young core starts to be put together and then is blown up. I don’t know if I could take that happening again.
2.5mil for Mark Eaton and they can’t afford Janks and Trots? How did that convo go:”hey Garth you can have the dynamic duo of Eaton and PA Parenteau but then no more Janks and Trots…” Snow: “okay”.
Let me ask everyone here: would you rather have Janks and Trots -OR- Eaton and Parenteau?
Keep getting rid of us fans Wang you DOPE!
PLEASE PLEASE SELL to the Wilpon’s
Relax folks….its not like the skate sharpening machine & hot tub are up for sale on eBay. I’m sure they are not showing Trotts the door…more likely they’re trying to find something else for him…but admittedly, how about they just not announce until they have figured WHAT he’ll be doing for the org. in the future.
Every recent offseason, we have become accustomed to this garbage. I remember CB writing an article a few months ago regarding our scouting resources against more well-funded teams. We are what we think we are…a team in transition, without a real known future, who sheds salaries because our owner has no clue what the endgame is. Now, this isn’t placing the blame away from Wang. Not even close. Wang should have made his ultimatum years ago. Even now, he should be getting cozy with the Wilpons, or Prokhorov, and having a joint press conference with them stating that he’s very interested in relocating to their boroughs. But to date, nothing. His joke of an October 2009 “deadline” wasn’t taken seriously. He’s just letting us die on the vine. Obviously, the TOH and Murray have led us here. But Wang hasn’t done much more than throw his hands in the air and give up. If I’m wrong, Charles, tell me. But you won’t. You never do. So, I’m doomed to a media blackout, as usual. And cost-cutting moves that make us look like a three-ring circus, all hosted by Garth and his ever-expanding resume. Even in July, its exhausting being a fan of this team.
It’s okay guys - GARTH SNOW will teach this kids how to win in the nhl… oh wait… he was a TERRIBLE player…
The Lightning get Steve Yzerman, and we get a crummy backup goalie.
#169..and im actually an Islander and Raider fan so im use to all this garbage going on. Hey, we still have the Yankees thank god.
I hear they are going to hire Tommy Sodestrom, Tommy Salo, Eric Fichaud, and Wade Flaherty to fill the vacant fornt office positions.
Sparky and the ice girls have been fired to be replaced by snow and wangs family.
Who’s next Shakey?
I tend to think this might be tied to the possibility of the franchise being put up for sale. I think with these moves and the non-offer to Kovalchuk (which would be another long term contract handed out), Wang is not looking to sell…but he’s looking for a partner. And we’ve been hearing rumblings of some talks between Wang and the Mets recently. Perhaps the writing is on the wall in Hempstead, and with Queens’ interest and the Mets admitted interest in owning the Islanders…the pieces fall together quite nicely. This makes alot of sense.
Folks, get real, cutting a part time player development coach and director of scouting are not the type of “cost-cutting” moves an owner makes to sell a team. These expenses are negligible in the big picture. Not going over the cap is another story. What the reasons are, we may never know, and maybe have no business knowing. Maybe they both did poor jobs. If Wang is having financial problems, like the rest of us, why not cut him some slack, instead of attacking. Who would want to buy this team after reading some of these nasty and sarcastic posts from “loyal” Islander fans? I am sure if Wang got a good offer, he would sell at this point. I am sure there are few beating his door down in this economy. Wait for the season to start, if you dont like the product, move on.
Something is going on here - there has to be more to these not renewing of contracts
PS - they are only around 3 mil under the cap floor after all of the signings
Folks, I think the NHL (Bettman)should do his due dilligence and find out what’s going on here on Long Island. I don’t think it’s right that Wang doesn’t publicly address any of this. He’s running this organization on fumes. The reason none of this stuff is getting published on the Sanctioned Islander’s Web Site is probably because they let that staffer go already and they’re waiting for Snowjob to get some free time to update it. This is unbelievable how Wang is just stripping the Islanders brand into shambles.
I’m not one of those who demands an explanation from Snow and Wang. That’s because I wouldn’t believe them if they told me that my name was Gary. There is a negative sense of public relations in this organization. Other teams open their prospect camps to the public without charge and make the prospects available to meet the fans. Other teams don’t charge for a scrimmage under the front of a “Children’s Foundation” Other teams certainly aren’t freaked up enough to charge for parking for the g-d draft party. I converted from the Rags in the first place and became a 7 year season subscriber due to my wife’s stubborn work, but now I feel like declaring myself a free agent fan. I also let go of my season tickets at the end of last season and there’s nothing they can do to get me back other than sell the team.
snow is an ego maniac, wants controll of everything- ryan did a great job, this really sucks. the worst part is im getting used to this, maybe its time to jump ship. i dont even care about trots, but ryan had a body of work
Boy oh boy Still alot of Kool Aid being served in this group, though it is getting less & less. Time for Wang to sell the team to someone who cares about hockey.
I tend to agree with most of the above posts… The lack of information of the part of the organization is both inexplicable and inexcusable. A little PR work would likely go a long way to ease fan concerns, but they just don’t seem to care.
At this point, I think they should just pack up and head up 95 to become the “new” Hartford Whalers.
I thing what the proper term would be is estranged. That’s what has been happening for years under Wang. Janks and Trots are the cherry on top of this sundae.
nice move garth - the last thing we need is a hall of famer with deep team roots who is beloved by all - when you’re winning big p.r. may not be so important -in the islanders current sad state it’s critical
Just spotted Sparky walking around the parking lot at Home Depot looking for work.
why is this out of line? Wang brought the Dynasty guys back to the organization and in Trotts case there is a report they are trying to find him another spot with the team Is trotts owed a job because he was part of the dynasty? I dont think so. Hey times are tough right? Wang will do what he has to do and maybe he will sell. Someone local will buy the team there is no doubt of that. Not throwing a hissy fit over this one.
It rips my soul out.
We are right down there with the Clippers, Browns, Orioles and Pirates ! The dregs of pro sports franchises !
CB. What can “we” as Islander fans do? This is beyond ridiculous. Should we write to the commish. and ask for an intervention? The silence from management is deafening…we DESERVE answers!!!
This organization is a joke, They’re not going to have a director of scouting hahaha. Wow
Do fans of other teams get this worked up about scout and player development director changes. I don’t recall big news flashes or press releases for other NY teams changing these type of positions. I know Trottier is a legend, but lets not get crazy about this. There are plenty of things to be upset about with the Islanders, but I don’t think this is one of them.
I understand the frustration over Trots… he is an Islander champion. As for Jankowski… we’ve gotten to know about him from this blog. Seems there are many Chicken Little posters who want to make mountains out of mole hills. These types of moves happen from time to time in every organization. Get over it.
CB - Normally I’m a very critically focused person … I don’t just spew out venom and react emotionally … But now I really really have my doubts about the sustainability of this organization … It has been falling apart since the arena issue first became an issue.
The ONLY thing about this organization that I have felt positive about the last 4 years has been the rebuild, and the core of people behind the rebuild, and devlopment of those players (Janks, Trotts and Carins) …
Now you tell me 2 days in a row that another 3rd of that team is gone? Trottier has been my all-time fave player … and I learned from him both as a fan and a player … and he personally taught me things on the ice 20+ years ago that made me a 50 goal a year scorer instead of a 4th line wing 5 goal a year scorer.
I now have ZERO Faith in our leadership at the top to get this organization back into contention. All the faith they built with me over the last 4 years is now gone. Every bit. They proved that they can’t get an arena, they can’t get an impact free agent, they can’t stop the circus atmospher, they can’t even be loyal to the guys that were a positive impact on the product and were also fan favorite front office guys.
I wouldn’t order season tickets to this team if I lived in the Marriott. I’ll be there Saturday … but that’s for the kids on the ice and off the ice. This is it for me … no more 2 hour drive to “Wang’s World” that costs me a day’s wages. Not until SnoWang proves to me thjey’re commited to success without shoe string mentality.
No CG fans of other teams are busy retiring #’s and treating there fans and alumni with respect and NOT putting up a skeleton crew and calling it a “front office”.
thats it, i am cancelling my season tickets.
It is becoming to painful to read anything about the Isles. I am starting to think those who say Wang is crazy are right. Perhaps he’s just too trusting in certain people like Milbury and Snow and doesn’t have faith in anyone else but if you ask me if the organization is better off with or without Jankowski and Trottier it is easy to see they were better off with them.
*that should read:Other teams
Its not the act if justified. Its the process and timing that makes no sense. You fire two prominent ops guys, one who may have been on the ice yesterday during a rookie minicamp, so your future can see firsthand how messed up we are? You announce the firing of an icon without another position already in place but release that they’hope’ of another job? You do this all in light of the pr mess that was kovalchuk? I’m not even sure Milstein would have been that thoughtless. Somethings brewing.
Pro teams fire and hire front office personel all the time. No big deal here. This will not affect the product on the ice. Lets wait to hear the why these moves were made before we trash Wanng and the Isles.
“This will not affect the product on the ice. Lets wait to hear the why these moves were made before we trash Wanng and the Isles.”
What on ice product lol
Trim the fat!
Why do people keep saying Trots is “gone”? CB said he’s going to do somehting else within the organization.