SNOW: ISLANDERS CONTINUE TO SHOP
Also: Wang no longer “going dark” on arena news
5:00 pm: Garth Snow said his team has the resources to spend and would be interested if a top player became available to the Islanders in a salary cap-relief trade prior to or during the regular season. Just as importantly, Islanders owner Charles Wang did not back down when the issue was brought up during Media Day at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday afternoon.
“We have never said we wouldn’t,” said Wang, asked if he was in position to financially support the acquisition of an impact player. “We’ll do everything we can to put the best product on the ice.”
Since several teams are desperate for cap relief prior to the start of the season, I asked Snow if he was looking at another deal in the next two weeks that would be similar to his low-cost trade for James Wisniewski. The Islanders could use a top-six forward.
“I’m always looking,” said Snow. “We’re always looking to add to our lineup.” The general manager added that he’s never received anything but unqualified support from Wang when he’s gone to the owner with a potential trade for an expensive player.
The Islanders are approximately $15 million under the league’s salary cap of $59.4 million. Teams above the cap or ones that could be in need of relief include the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers.
As teams finalize their rosters as the NHL’s opening day approaches, even more could be interested in moving contracts of quality players to low-salaried teams like the Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues. The cost for the acquiring team would not result in an equal-value trade. A potential deal would be similar to Snow’s theft of Wisniewski (making $3 million) from Anaheim for a conditional third round draft pick, or Tampa Bay acquiring Simon Gagne ($5 million) from Philadelphia for Matt Walker and a fourth-rounder.
Wang “Not Going Dark” on Lighthouse Issue: At the Media Day press conference, Charles Wang reported “no progress” on his efforts to keep the Islanders in Nassau County.
“We have a (Coliseum) lease until 2015,” said Wang, “and we’re going to be here until 2015.”
Since Wang has absorbed tens of millions of dollars in losses since buying the franchise ten years ago, I asked him if there was anything he can say to Islander fans concerned about how much longer he can fund the hockey team without an arena development. Never known for being comfortable discussing economics in a public setting, the owner said, “We’re committed to Long Island. I want to keep this professional sports team on Long Island. This is where they belong.” In his own way, Wang tried to send the message that the team would be okay.
He also neatly side-stepped my question about whether his recently revised lease with Nassau County – in which the Islanders generate revenue from parking and from other Coliseum events like major concerts – has softened the crushing financial losses.
Wang would not get specific about alternatives for an arena outside Nassau County. “We’ll look at other options, but right now our focus is on the hockey season.” However, Wang is no longer “going dark” on the subject of the arena issue, hinting that – after a year of mostly silence – he would communicate with fans and media if there is any news. That in itself is good news.
On the hockey team, Wang has “high expectations” for the upcoming season. “We embarked on this rebuilding program many years ago. We’re getting closer and closer.”
Notes: Wisniewski (groin) was out for today’s workout, while Mark Eaton (back) made his training camp debut. Zenon Konopka (back) remains out, but could practice with the team on Wednesday. Doug Weight, who took a scheduled day off today, said the plan is to have the occasional rest day. The captain is returning from shoulder surgery.
Snow on whether the aging Coliseum hurt his pitches this summer while he pursued free agents like Paul Martin, who signed up with the Penguins and their new arena. “If you can stay at the Ritz-Carlton or a motor lodge, what do you expect”?
Islanders Media Day: The Islanders hosted a Media Day today (with lunch!) and drew a large crowd. As someone who’s been in that spot before – especially with the Jets, Giants and Yankees all the rage this week – I can tell you that it’s no small feat. Congrats to new PR chief Kimber Auerbach and his staff on a first-class event.
Comments on this post.
66 Responses to SNOW: ISLANDERS CONTINUE TO SHOP
Also: Wang no longer “going dark” on arena news
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Dan says:
I guess this is good news. We have the Isles until 2015. Will the Canadian press report this?
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Jim says:
Kimber is da man! Awesome guy.
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Darren says:
10 years and not one step closer. Very sad!
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The New Isles GM says:
If there is a salary cap dump on our way, I’m aware of the teams that need relief, but question the player that could land in orange and blue?….
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hathead68 says:
We continue to hope … and hope … and then hope some more. Let’s Go Isles!
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Gutty says:
Positive news. If anything we can all breathe a sigh of relief. 5 more years here regardless. That means we will get to see the benefits if the rebuild at least. Also glad to hear Wang is behind this team and lifting the silence that has angered so many of us. Feeling good about the season and excited to see what we can do. I think we will land a decent top 6 forward before camps break. Devs. Vancouver. Need to dump some salary and any player earning 3-5 should be decent or else they wouldn’t get that dough. Preferably a winger as we are ok at center. At least hockey is back. Ahhhhh
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Macch says:
We know by now that what Wang/Snow say and what they actually do are two totally different things.
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Staten Islander says:
I guess that means they can take another shot at hoping Kate gets voted out
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Jim Clark says: Has Gary Bettman been giving Charles Wang lessons on how to force governments into giving him what he wants? “We’re going to be here until 2015″ makes me wonder where they will be in 2016.
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Stumpy32 says:
How many times have we heard Snow say something to the effect that “Charles does not limit me financially” and then Wang comes in and says “I have no limits financially.” After all those times, we remain where we are…a contract to a finished 40-year old part-time coach away from being under the cap floor. This isn’t about getting better free agents…I have no doubt that we can’t get the big-name guys. But what about the 20-goal scorers, someone who can give us a pulse offensively? How come these salary dump trades haven’t happened yet? Please…Wang and Snow can say whatever they want, but we know damned well that no money is being put into the team without a new arena/development deal in place. I don’t entirely object to that – Wang is losing a ton of cash – but be honest about it. Please.
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Drouin says:
He could just as well have been equating Isles to a motor lodge and Pens to the Ritz
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Jerry says:
Only accept salary of players that make sense – Vancouver (Kesler), Devils (Clarkson,Zajac), Philadelphia (VanRiemsdyk). Not bad contracts – Devils (Zubrus).
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PotvinRocks says:
I think everyone noticed that Mr Wang was “dark” about the Lighthouse Project and I’m glad that he is going to be more open about the situation. By my estimation, we will know where the Lighthouse will be built by 2013. A year to sort through the red tape and a year to build. Good.
I hope that Snow channels his best Brian Burke and convinces Lou to trade Parise. There is no way that he won’t be a Free Agent next summer and though Lou won’t want to, he will have to trade him or lose him for nothing. Another Ryan Smyth trade. That worked out for us, and lousy for Edmonton. -
TM says:
Wang & Snow can say anything….but they do nothing.
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tim says:
when we actually sign a legitimate top 2 forward i will believe it
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Islesfan in Vancouver says:
so if we’re 15 mil under the cap, rather than spending to it and having issues with our young players at the end of their entry level deals, let’s look for bargins on one or two year contracts who don’t cost a fortune and leave cap space for the key players in the rebuild. I’m perfectly happy to continue the slow and steady path we’re on if it means I don’t have to worry about seeing Tavares in another team’s colours. Cap space is a massive problem for a lot of teams, and a lot of players have changed teams because of it. I don’t WANT to see them spend to the cap at this point. Save room for KO, JB, JT and NN when their rookie deals run out. I don’t want the Isles to build like the Hawks and then lose a bunch of players all at once.
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Steve says:
It will be really interesting in the next few years regarding the Isles arena situation.
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4theisles says:
If the Devs are in cap trouble, perhaps the right guy, not too old, and not too much over the hill,and not too expensive in terms of prospects or piks, and someone who will help the youg rebuild, in other words someone just right. Am I dreaming, probably.
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Chris says:
Went to college with Kimber he’s a good guy……. Nice job man
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Potvinscupsx4 says:
WOW #10….you stole my thunder.
It’s a smoke screen and anyone who thinks otherwise drank the kool aid. -
don says:
just sign a legitimate top 2 forward alreadyjust do it and prove to the fanbase your serious about winning,and dont give out another ridiculous 15 year contract.i thought they would learn after yashin,but they made the same bonehead mistake with dipietro ,and see where that got us??learn from your mistakes pleeasssssssse its ok to make mistakes but learn from them
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Hey, Stumpy32, you’re starting to make some sense. Matured over the past year? Weren’t you the one who said Gordon was going to be “Coach of the Year?” WE might agree more often than not this season. Keep up the good comments! I still don’t like Gordon’s style. Know of no other team that uses it either. Let’s get that top 6 scorer.
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D in BIG D says:
Seems the Isles are in and will remain in an enviable position financially.W/ these low cost 1yr deals they are signing these low risk players to they are @ least not committed long term.If they don’t produce Isles are looking @ another top 5 pick.To be quite honest I’m tired of these top picks and all the expectations that come w/ them.Its been a very,very long time since the Isles drafted well.Yeah,yeah I know all about the current roster as well as the upcoming AHL stars but only time will tell.W/ that said….Go Isles!!Can’t wait for season.
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Al L says:
Unlimited resources,ay? Acquiring Cap strangled organizations salary dumps? We can see the sincerety based on how tenacious Garth was in persuit of Ilya Kovalchek. I see this as nothing more than deceitful lip service as the season draws closer and ticket sales drives become more urgent.
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Madchef says:
wow is the brass changing their stance on revealing nothing on a regular basis to the fans? I wonder if Garth hasn’t pulled the trigger on a trade for a salary dumping team because he is waiting for the right player. You have to think a few players are being dangled from a few teams and some of those guys could be better than others. I could see snow waiting and trying to maximize return and what he is giving up.
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IsleFan73 says:
Good new all around. For some of Wangs critics, I love how they are so free to spend his money with the team bleeding red and with the deficit he has accumulated. I do take issue regarding free agents and the arena. I think thats a bunch of BS. How many hours do players spend at a rink to care. To them, it’s a slab of ice. It comes down to money first, and secondly, their chance of playing with a winner. Also, Long Island is a much nicer place to live then some of the other cities in the NHL.
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Strummer's Army says:
I will wait until he makes a transaction. Not really looking for much on offense, think the team is set there now and for years to come. If you look at the roster there are 15 guys for sure who should be there either because of contract or talent. Hopefully youngsters won’t be sent down just because an old vet has a contract.
A shame about Petrov not being able to be here.
If the Rangers want some help we want McIlrath!
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Peter Mandzych says:
Wang in one press conference has said more than the Town of Hempstead has said in 3 months on the Lighthouse. Woops… I’m sorry the Town of Hempstead has presented us with nothing but their version of A BAD ALTERNATIVE to what Mr. Wang has put forth. THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR UPDATES CHRIS. YOU ARE THE BEST !!!!
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Examiner says:
What did Charlie and Garth say about radio broadcasts? I’ll believe them about spending when they start paying Chris King on a regular basis again.
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rb says:
People can say what they want about Charles Wang, but he’s absorbed so many losses while trying to keep the team here that he really deserves to see the team become a winner. It would be like watching Art Rooney or Tom Benson when they finally had Super Bowl winners after years of futility.
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Hollywood says:
This team won’t be a lottery team. Gordon will be in the running for coach of the year. We will see playoffs!
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Bob Bassen says:
“If you can stay at the Ritz-Carlton or a motor lodge, what do you expect”?
Wow.
Wow.
So, it’s true? -
Never witnessed a Cup says:
I feel like Im being set up for heart break…I don’t know, is it me???
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
The way I see it … The trajectory of the timeline it would take to build or renovate the coliseum and 2015 is approaching very very fast. If Charles has nothing solid by the end of 2012 seasn he’ll have no choice but to look outside. That’s 2 full seasons.
**
If Garth can pull of another salary cap enahanced trade like the Wiz for a top 6 … then this team might have a good shot at a 6 – 8 spot in the playoffs. I’m not holding my breath though … but it’s possible. -
Isles Fan in FL says:
I dont know why some people get on Wang for not spending the $$. We have a young team and were near the bottom of the league the last 2 years. Should we have a high payroll with that? Should we have overpayed for mediocre free agents (i.e. Hamhuis, Volchenkov) Keep the payroll down and when the time is right we’ll have the $ to spend, now’s not the time.
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Spartiarti - RVC says:
isles need to focus on rebuild. if we become contenders, the pressure will be on TOH not wang. we have other options in citifield and brooklyn if kate murray and do nothing for next 5 years.
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Stevie10703 says:
I doubt the Devils trade guys like Zajac and Parise right now considering they are being paired up with Kovy. Also, do the Devils trade within the division? If they move someone it will probably be Elias and his $5 million contract. I’m sure the Devils will do everything possible to keep Parise so, I can’t see them trading him this year. If he does become a UFA, then I can see us making a big run at him next year IF we don’t make a trade to get a “top 6 forward” (which I doubt we will, Snow will just say he was kicking the tires to see who was available). But, you don’t run an organization hoping someone becomes a UFA next year and then hoping to get that player if he does become a UFA. The Knicks made that mistake with LeBron.
Most of the teams that need cap relief are in our division and I can’t see those teams dealing with teams inside the Atlantic…the B’s most expensive forwards are injury prone in Savard and Bergeron and I wouldn’t take an chance on either of them…that leaves the Wing and the Canucks and the guy I’d try to make a run for is Ryan Kesler. He kind of fits the identity of a player the Isles target, he’s young at 26 so, that doesn’t hurt the rebuild, he’s fast and would excel in the Gorton System, he’s coming off a 25 goal, 75 point season..BUT, he did make $5 million last season. The big thing with Kesler is that he’s a center so can he play the wing? is JT willing to move to the wing? If no to either, do you pay $5 million to a 2nd line center then?
But, this is all just wishful thinking because I can’t see us making a move.
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StevieL says:
Honestly! What would you expect these 2 to say on media day? “sorry fans but we have no interest in spending money!”, “we have no interest in acquiring top players”" we are not looking to improve”,” I’m not looking anymore, I am content to play on-line poker all day”,”NVMC is a Hockey mecca”, “I am busting the lease and moving the Isles tomorrow!”, “I honestly believe we have built a team that can finish 13th in the East!”. Sorry but I don’t see any real news here. At this point I have to see action, not media directed BS!
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First..just because we are in a rebuild doesn’t mean we should have to suck.
Why not overpay a player. As long as its not more than a 2 or 3yr deal we are still fine. All we need to do is get the overpaid player out of here before JT, KO,etc..get to the age of making real NHL money. These young kids might sign for a little less if we keep they together and we have a winning team.Second…I just want them to get a taste of winning. I WANT A TASTE! All of you want taste. Please sign a top 6 forward and give us all a taste!!!
Third..why are all the new guys injured? We got them to help cover injuries.I say Radek Martinek plays all 82 games this year and wins the Norris Trophy!!!!!
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Alex says:
not necessarily 19 Isle in NJ 22! If it gets close to 2015 and something is worked out last minute, the isles could always extend their lease for another few years until the new building is ready! Detroit basically did that this summer.
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Hey CB when the lease is up 2015 and the islanders are free to go just what IF wang buys the coliseum and runs it himself gets all the money from it upgrades it can that happen?
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#30 Examiner, exactly. If this franchise can’t even spend for radio coverage, what kind of lip service will they say they’ll spend on players? It’s pure BS.
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tonysac says:
Its been a long time since I posted, but I gotta admit this season is the season I am most excited about. I love the direction this team is going. We have some very talented young players who now have a few years experience under their belts(Bailey, Okposo, Nielsen). I would love to see Nino and Martin make the squad this year. If Nino is ready, he’s ready, no need to put him back in the Minors. The kid looks like he can handle his own, and he definitely has the body to handle the big boys. This is also going to be a huge season for TAvares. I think we are all going to be very suprised at just how mature and talented this kid is and what a bright bright future he is going to have in this league. Our defense is looking very solid this year. With the likelihood of Martinek getting injured again as always, its going to make room for CDH or Hamonic to step in and get a taste of the NHL. No need to rush their development, where Defensmen take much longer to develop than forwards, it is beneficial for them to start in juniors(CDH) and Brideport. If DP stays healthy and I sure hope he does, hes been my FAV. player since he was drafted, it will be nice to have him and rolli split the season, preferably 60-40%…The season cant start soon enough…LETS GO ISLANDERS@!!!!!!
PS..CB, thank you for your hard work and dedication to your loyal fans. This is by far the best Islanders blog. You do a hell of a job!! Keep up the good work, always waiting for your next story!!
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bossy22 says:
Enough of the negative crap. It’s a rebuild, you don’t go out and sign expensive players unless it makes sense. Why overpay for a UFA when the market opens..we’ve been down that road..it doesn’t always work. There is no sense going after high priced players until we are ready. Let the core group grow. When the team is making the playoffs with the young core, you then open up the wallet and take the final step. If you do it now, we just end up middle of the road with cap restraints.
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Schultz39 says:
Go get Hartnell from the Flyers.
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dose says:
intentional or not, snow is in a position to benefit from other teams having to unload talent for less than they might be worth under different circumstances. however he got there, it’s a helleva good spot to be in. i think the former backup goalie is morphing into a cagey and real good g.m. i hope he capitalizes.
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gary says:
i think this is all press bs to pacify the fans–i would be TOTALLY SHOCKED if he made a bold move to acquire a big talent for lost player asset cost (sal dump of another team)
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steve says:
guys they could not go anywhere until 2015 anyway this is no news.if he wanted to go to kansas city with their new arena sitting there he can’t we their lease at coliseum is until 2015 period
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Goaltending is only thing im nervous about. Healty DP would help that. JT, JB, and KO going to put up some serious points this year. Watch. We dont need to acquire more players at this time.
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Dack1972 says:
bossy22- i agree with you 100%. I can’t understand why the fans can’t see that. We needed a patient GM which we got in Garth.
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gary9-19-22 says:
I’m a “show me” type of guy. I like Snow, just done beleive that he and/or Wang are willing to spend cash.
I dont blame them. No matter how much money a person has, losing 10mil+ per year hurts. I do think that they neeeded to raise ticket prices and such, but I would expect a higher quality of food and amenities. In addition, needless to say, show that your willing to spend a little bit more than the cap floor.
It is a business and perception is 90%…
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Gillies13 says:
15mm below cap and he thiks they are “putting the best team together’? No. Either go for it or dont. He apparently is not. Fine. Admit it.
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shlo says:
Snow and Wang say what they HAVE to say. They need to sell tickets.
They are not idiots, if someone worthwhile comes along they’ll spend the money.
They need to save cap space for Tavares, Okposo,Bailey, Nino, Moulson(if he produces). You do not want to see a Chicago situation here unless you are willing to settle for one cup and not a long term good team. Kovalchuk is not worth a 100 mil. He will score goals but committing all that cap hit for one player is insane. He will be a target, wait until they’ll play Phily, he’ll be toast. Spread the talent. -
kallur says:
Sorry. Ain’t buying it. Snow says: “We’re always looking to add to our lineup.” The facts speak for themselves: they haven’t. Who’s Snow snowing? Again, this is a very, very lean team.
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To get something you have to give something. Getting a star for only a salary dump doesn’t happen. You can get a very good player , example the Wiz. But not a top 6 forward that gets you into the play-offs. The price would include a trade of a good young player, or prospects or piks and Snow is probably not going to pay that price. Still GMs earn their salary and success doing deals.
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sean says:
All these negative comments, people come on. They are doing the right thing and it takes time and patients. Garth is doing a great job. Other than the arena situation It’s good.
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Brian G says:
Snow is always looking, but it has to be a bargain basement deal or someone else’s problem.
there is not much from any of the teams mentioned the Isles would want…maybe:
Bieksa from Vancouver
Langenbrunner from NJ
Hartnell from PhillyCB – would the Isles consider trading for Sheldon Souray? Edm is looking to get rid of him ….maybe Martinek for Souray and a future draft pick since they want to dump his salary…or would that not be a fit?
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EAF says:
looks like people have a short memory. people seem to forgot about firing of Billy Jaffe. How could you fire the bridge between Mickey Mouse Organization and the National TV.
Now they are saying that they are always shopping. Where? At 7/11?
No one even accepted invitation for the try out. That says alot.
Re-Wiz – what else you guys expected him to say – “Sh.t, I got traded to the Isles, that’s really bad.”
C’mon, he said what he has to say – the right thing. -
kallur says:
Chris: my question for you, when Garth Snow utters these platitude about always looking for a way to improve the team, money not being an object, etc., do you (it, after all, being media day) ask: but Garth: what top-tier free agent, when legitimate scoring threat, have you signed in the last two years? Think of all the games the Islanders blew last year by blowing leads, often in the third period; they could well have made the playoffs had they won three quarters of those games, and had a couple of veteran, blue-chip players to show them how.
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Mickey says:
Any salary dump guy they bring in needs to be a high character guy. The last think you need is somebody who is going to poison the well of young talent on this team. For the first time in a while, there is some real talent in the pipeline. You definitely want to put the right experience around them. Adding five goals for this season probably won’t make the difference between making and not making the playoffs, but adding somebody who hustles and has the right attitude may pay off big time down the road.
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Mickey, Mickey, Mickey:
Enough with the damn character guys! I’ve been hearing that damned expression for 10 years. The Islanders need the type of character that can put the puck into a half-open net from 15 feet. That’s character! How many do they have that can do that? Two? Three? Most the team it’s a 50-50 chance they can put the puck into an empty net from 10. Give me a Pierre LaRouche, a Kovalev, a Ziggy Palffy over a truckload of “character guys.” (Er, Kabanov, excluded.) -
I don’t disagree with you, Kallur. But I think things are a little bit different this year. Why would you bring in a surly sniper (great name for a punk band) with a lousy work ethic, so that they can negatively influence your young players. Great example (different sport though) was when the Mets brought in Rickey Henderson. Or when Peg Bundy brought in Jim Jupiter, the healthiest man in Chicago. The Islanders don’t need Pierre LaDouche right now, they need Butch Goring.
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Isles Bri says:
haven’t posted in awhile but I don’t understand all of the negativity. If you’re a true fan of this team you know what direction they are going. And to their credit they have stuck to that rebuilding plan. The team looks like it could be a MAJOR player in the NHL in about 2-3 more years. Between now and then it would be nice to get some playoff experience for the young guys and if they do that then how sick is a team filled with 22-25 year olds with 3+ years NHL experience gonna be? And no use talking free agents … if you were a good/great player in free agency and there were 5 teams recruiting you would ANY of you honestly go to the team with the longest road to travel? $6 mill from Isles or $5 mill from the Pens? Where would you go? It’s a no brainer.
If Isles crack playoffs this year then (and only then) will some of the FA’s take notice of us. Do it 2 years in a row and make some noise and then you’ll have quality FA’s wanting to be a part of this up and coming team.
This is a big year in the sense that we’ve had enough low round draft picks. I want to fight all year for a playoff spot and pray like hell that we get in. If that happens, then things are pointing up for this franchise in a big way (no matter what the heck the arena/Lighthouse situation is)
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eduardo says:
i keep hearing were willing to spend money.Dont take us for fools.Your not even willing to the bare bones minimum of paying broadcaters to announce our gamees.Im tired of the lies.Sell the team already this was once a tremendously great team ,in modern sports history the greatest,because our championship teams were built from within through the draft not brought likehe rangers and yankees.
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Speaking of the Mets. Mickey — big mistake — remember 86? Yes, character guys, but the characters they were. Think: Hernandez, Carter — can you imagine two different players in the same locker room? — Backman, Dykstra; Sid the Kid and Dwight and Ron … every one of those guys, it seems, an honest-to-goodness, fully-flushed, unique human being. But boy could they play as a team. And believe it or not, the Isles of the Cup years were very similar; a very disparate bunch. Today’s Isles? … admitting I know next to nothing about them as people (so why am I talking, right?) but still: I just don’t get the sense that Comeau and Nielsen and Okposo and Bailey and Tavares have that spark, that individuality. (Though Streit and Moulson might.)
what a bunch of crap. he had a chance to get impact players, snow loves to blow smoke