Has This Team Tuned Out Another Coach?
Last night’s game was pretty awful on all accounts. The first line had a few flashes and you have to appreciate the effort from David Ullstrom. He played like someone getting his first shot at the big time. Anders Nilsson didn’t have a lot of help but he did make 30 saves including some big ones in the first. It’s hard to knock a kid who was put in a very tough spot. Otherwise, things were pretty ugly and there’s not a whole lot of use in dissecting a game that was more of a formality to Crosby’s return than anything else.
Last year, when the Islanders were in a similar funk it got coach Scott Gordon fired. Some of the talk — as is standard for any coach getting canned — was about how the players had tuned out the coach. In this case, it was the ‘task master’ Gordon. If Jack Capuano is the friendly buddy cop, then Gordon was the hard-ass sergeant.
Naturally, we saw the team loosen up a bit after Capuano came on board. Regardless of the results of the stretch run last year, one thing that was there was effort. Credit that to Capuano or simply being in a pressure-free zone at the bottom of the standings as you see fit. But now that there has been an unbelievable lack of effort from the team the question is; was Capuano an agent for change or was it simply the change itself that inspired the team?
This team came out of the gates playing decently, some nights better than others. Some nights have had more effort than others. As we’ve gone along, the problems have snowballed. No one has been able to stem the tide or solve any problems. That responsibility falls on leaders in the locker room (looking at the newly appointed captain here) as well as the coach. But, ultimately, it is the coach’s responsibility.
As we’ve gone along, little problems and big problems have each gotten worse and worse to the point that the team hasn’t scored in seven plus periods and has been listless for a month. After Saturday’s beat down at the old barn, Capuano was angry when talking to the media. Later, he held a closed door meeting with the team. Per Chris Botta:
Capuano, known for a player-friendly approach, was hard on his team in his postgame assessment after the Islanders were timid and uncompetitive throughout the drubbing by Boston… In search of answers, Capuano kept the players at the arena for two hours after the game. He must have been satisfied with his team’s response because, after the meeting, he canceled Sunday’s workout.
After a long meeting Saturday night, the team headed to Pittsburgh and repeated the effort and results that the coach had called them out both privately and publicly for. That sure sounds like a team that has bailed on its leader. It can certainly be said that last night’s game was an oddity, an extremely tough environment given the circumstances. Regardless, to have a visual copy of the Boston game repeated after the coach calls out the team is a pretty strong indictment of what he is doing.
It certainly looks like this is a team that is down and out, beating itself up and magnifying the mistakes that it makes. Capuano personified as much in the post-game interview on MSG. He looked exhausted, as if he had used up all of his options to right the ship. Maybe as a player’s coach Capuano was simply a welcome change last year when he replaced Gordon, the change itself helping to right the ship as much as the coach.
About Kevin Schultz
Kevin was formerly an NHL blogger for the now defunct AOL Fanhouse and was the creator of the hockey comedy blog Barry Melrose Rocks. He now covers the Isles for Islanders Point Blank. You can follow him for instant updates on the team and talk hockey with him on Twitter @schultz88. View all posts by Kevin Schultz →201 Responses to Has This Team Tuned Out Another Coach?
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Ryan says:
At this point, if they are going to fire him only to replace him with another rookie coach with no experience, i.e. Doug Weight, what’s the point at all? I wish Bettman would step in the way Selig did to get Alderson to the Mets. I know Snow isn’t going anywhere, but a coach with actual winning experience and no ties to this organization couldn’t hurt. Ultimately, this is a roster mixed with a couple of nice young players, a lot of severe underachievers and/or busts, several older guys whose best days are long gone, a minimum of 3 completely poor defensemen, and a giant elephant in the room in Rick DiPietro. Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour…it wouldn’t matter, this team is coming in dead last in the division, and possibly the entire NHL. I have been completely understanding and patient with the rebuild, but Snow’s offseason was unacceptable. The lack of toughness on this team looked worrisome on paper, but on the ice it is downright ALARMING. I have been watching this team since 1989 or so and I have never seen any team, Islanders or otherwise, lack the intensity and physical play that this team lacks. It’s sad to think that the pinnacle of my entire hockey watching life was that David Volek goal in 1993 when I was just 13 years old.
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josh and not bailey says:
Very well said. Most troublesome to me: do the Islanders have a clue how to develop players? Any first round pick, with some exceptions, should be a solid NHL player, to whatever degree. But the degree to which so many Islanders first-round picks are so mediocre is astounding. The Isles might very well have ruined Josh Bailey’s development by not keeping him in the minors for a year; what are they doing with the others? With de Haan? With Strome? With all the other first-round picks over the years? Did Neiderreiter even play last night? He was invisible in the Boston game. He was #5 overall, for God’s sake. What happens to players once they enter the organization, besides getting older? It’s no coincidence that so many Detroit players, drafted in late rounds, have prospered. The Red Wings identify a player’s strengths, maximimize them, and teach him the fundamentals and the system. Islander players too rarely maximize their strengths and potential (think Sean Bergenheim), are weak on fundamentals, and don’t seem to have been taught any system.
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Boomer says:
The most egregious thing about this team is a total lack of veteran presence that MATTER. I.E. a player, a contributor, someone who leads by example and has the ear of the players.
The way Keith Hernandez took over the Mets.
The way Messier took over the Rangers.
Now I am well aware that neither of those are available in any form, nor would they want to be here, and nor would Wang or Snow be smart enough to make this happen. But clearly, to me, this is a CRITICAL part to the rebuild, and management fanned on the whole thing.
I am done with emotional responses. The patient is a vegetable. Now you have to worry about screwing up Tavares, who is about the only player worth saving on this team. The rest of them, other than Streit, Nielsen and maybe Hamonic, wouldn’t be on an NHL ANYWHERE but here.
Sad but true. Anyone want in on a shutout pool?
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Footnote – I mean that neither of those are a player available DURING a season.
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Al's Beef says:
Problem is Wang. As long as he calls the shots, no chance of success.
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SBIsles says:
Co-signed.
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Dk says:
Bingo
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During the 2nd intermission the isles asst coach was interviewed. He called this team “fragile”. Granted, they are young, but fragile? JT, Hamonic, Nino. Most of these guys have played on big stages in their lives to get to this point. They are hockey players. Drop the puck and let them play! wE HAVE ALREADY PLAYED 4 GOALIES THIS YEAR. eXPERIMENT DIDNT WORK. None are sharp because lack of playing time, probably why they are getting hurt as well. Sitting Nino?, KO?…..This coaching staff is a joke!! Just say goodbye to all as well as Weight. Have the tough Conversation Charles. These tactics to try to motivate are useless…Let them play….On to the veteran leadership. Pandolfo, Rolston, Reasoner, Staios. We have them because they had nowhere else to go. Garth and Charles took the easy way out on these guys…..I am a season ticket holder. I want to watch hockey. Last night, JT and Nielson looked irate, there is obviousily something wrong…..GET THESE KIDS A REAL COACHING STAFF
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Isles4x says:
This team needs a house cleaning. They might have given up on Cappy but I believe they have given up on Snow. He is the one who took away the chemistry that worked. Zenon and the rest I the grinders are gone. He has no idea what he is doing. Wang needs to hand the keys to the organization to a hockey guy and step back. Let him do his job. The problem is no one with an inkling of hockey knowledge will take this job because that will never happen. I have has season tickets in my family for 35 years. My 3 year prepayment plan is up. As of now I will not renew. Why should I??
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AFIsle says:
we should occupy nassau colisium and demand wang to sell.
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upstateIsles says:
wang doesn’t have any control over that, its a lease…
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Bob says:
Snow will not fire Capuano because he’d be afraid that everyone will know what we already know about the team. It was “rebuilt” by Snow himself and he was allowed to hire his own head coach twice. So firing the coach for the second time in less than a year would actually mean Snow’s at fault, and he’ll never admit that. Snow must go!
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Doug says:
This is about NHL skill level folks. Effort and confidence make for wonderful debate, but this team does not have the talent to compete right now. Heck the team had two tryouts make the squad (and one put on the top defensive pair)! They have rebuilt throught the draft (a very sound approach), but it looks, to this point that they have not drafted well. Bailey (development was mismanaged) and Okposo are top draft picks that at this stage are not contributing offensively, at all. There is some good from this process; the team does have a system based on youth, Bridgeport is full of Isles draft picks. But again unless these draft picks develop into legit NHLers…
One question I do wonder about is the culture of last year’s team. From what I picked up, Konopka was a big time presence in that locker room and an upfront stand up guy. No effort was made to re-sign him. Konopka, Gillies, Martin, Haley (towards the end) must have given some bravado to the other players. I sense the culture is completely different this year.
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Isles Fanatic says:
There are dark days ahead my friends….I fear that Snow will stand path for another 7-8 games, and do nothing….
I mean the season is already lost, let<s not kid ourselves…Maybe with Yakopov (top rated junior player and supposedly the best prospect since Crosby) at Tavares,s wing, and yes bring u a little toughness… But I digress….
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hale says:
if the players are tuning out another caoch…don’t we have to examine them…the way this team is constructed it doesn’t matter who the coach is…the blame goes to snow and wang…at this point just move the team..it would be easier to digest than watching this crap
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Bruce says:
You don’t have to watch many shifts to see that our players are being outskated most of the time, out-muscled much of the time and out-played.
Most of our quality opportunities come off of opponent breakdowns.
I often wonder how banged up our guys are.
With few exceptions – Islander players are not up to NHL level in ability and it is showing – especially against stronger teams.
This rebuild is not producing the impact players youwould expect. The draft picks are not panning out as “the core” of other young teams have NEVER performed in this manner.
I question “the core”. I question the coaching,I even question why we produce bad ice at home to try to slow down the opposing team.
Our players are top athletes, but there are many other “top athletes” in different colored uniforms going against them.
How this team has performed at the beginning of this season is a testiment to their attention to facial growth instead of preparation for what is supposed to be a breakout season.
Shame on the club for not developing these players in the off-season so that they are ready.
Obviously, many other teams got the email several months agao and came prepared!
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isles14 says:
this sucks!!!
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jimmy ragusa says:
lets face it effort or not thee are teams in this league that are just better than us we the exeption of columbus ,minnesota ect but do have carter,nash and heatly our roster blows.its not even thansgiving the season is over.thank god i took half season and next year baring major change im done.and as i said before pack up the truck and just leave.
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minnesota!? whata you smoking? dude, their ranked #2 in the NHL Power Rankings…get a clue
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I’m tired of hearing that Bailey’s development was mis-managed. Bailey, like Comeau, are fringe players that every club has.
With less than 30% of 1st round selectins actually making a club – it’s a crap shoot. Bailey has been frustrating because we spent alot of picks to get him and we are not getting results.
Period!
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Dan C. says:
Right on. The mistake was not made in Bailey’s ‘development’. The mistake was made in drafting Bailey in the first place. What rebuilding team makes their first #1 pick of the rebuild a player that many projected had thw upside of a 3rd line center?
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Chris TMC says:
Wrong- the Isles did not “spend a lot of picks to get Bailey” it was the exact opposite- they kept trading down and getting extra picks. You are thinking of deHaan.
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The Haley Hammer says:
Totally agree, there comes a point in time where the individual has to look in the mirror, enough with the excuses.
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It’s probably both, if he had a 30% chance of meeting his potential, Isles made it 10% by screwing up his development. Either way it’s time to waive him, as well as Comeau and all the geriatrics on the fourth line.
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IslesFan says:
Wrong. You can rush the development of players. He needed to play juniors, play international games, get more experience, learn more, practice more, improve parts of his game and get size before playing in the NHL. The Isles rushed him and ruined his career. No question in my mind. That’s why I want Strome to stay where he is, for at least one more year maybe two.
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Scotty says:
As log as Wang is at the top of the ffod chain… The Islanders shall remain extinct…
This hurts to watch…
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claude says:
So they fire Cappy insert Weight, maybe a five game surge. But ultimately about team composition and system from coach to goon.
Look at team like Boston and Pittsburgh these teams are built around 4 to 5 talented,high compete level players who have bought into system. These teams police themselves
Besides JT and Streit this team is composed of senoir citizens and NHL wannabee’s.
We are the village idiot of the NHL. We are a paradise for the visiting back- up tenders’, The first pick is ours -
Nail! and trade up for Alex Galchenyuk so we can just go 1, 2 in this years draft…JT deserves to have someone on his wings
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Adroc says:
You just wrote the wrong article. This is Snow’s mess, including his choice of coach. We need a new GM. It’s obvious. Even if the team had tuned out Capuano, they know they don’t have the talent to win. Some of the players are quoted saying there is a lack of talent in today’s Newsday article. Your post has missed the mark today.
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fmcisles says:
Agreed. Cappy is not the problem entirely. This is Snow’s fault for putting this crap product on the ice. We need an outsider with a pedigree to come in here and shake things up. Wang would never do it. I would rather they move than go thru this another 4 seasons.
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Snow needs to go, too, but that doesn’t negate the fact that they also need a new coach. This team is totally disorganized in their own zone. Granted, their defensemen are weak, but when no one seems to know exactly what they are doing or where they should be when the other team has the puck in their zone, that’s on the coaching.
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Even if Snow goes, who will take his place. It is quite obvious that Wang dosent want a gm with strong opinions, just as Neil Smith, he couldn’t wait to get out of here.
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hoser14 says:
Newsday’s Arthur Staple pin this one rignt
“…..From then on, the Islanders played their role as Monday night’s Washington Generals, watching and waiting for Crosby’s next bit of magic as the Penguins controlled the play completely. All that was missing was a rendition of “Sweet Georgia Brown” on the PA system…..” Ouch!
Just now on XM Radio’s Hockey This Morning said that before last night game Cappy walked into the locker room popped a tape of the 1st period of the Bruins’ game, press the “PLAY” button and walked out. So maybe it’s not the coach but the players! Half this team needs to go NOW beginning with DP and most of Garth’s Over The Hill Gang starting with Rolston.
64 games is way too many to write off already right. Stick a fork in Cappy, it’s over. This team needs a good experienced NHL coach NOW and not Doug Weight.
Somewhere I hope that Chris Botta has some grim satisfaction that Garth Snow has been shown as the arrogant incompetent that he is.
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Paul says:
Wow, this team is a joke.
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kevO says:
islander organization = a joke!
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Fred says:
The defense coverage, effort, clears and passing are horrible. I have never seen a team cause so many unforced turn overs in their own zone.
The offense, when they make it in to the attacking zone, seems to forget what the idea is. Low cycles are nice, especially playing with a lead but this team needs to attack the net.
Not scratching passenger vets Pandolfo or Reasoner and instead scratching two young guys sent the entirely wrong message to the team, fans, and passenger vets.
Cappy was right in his Boston post game – who in this room is standing up and saying “I got your back” – no one, not without Haley and/or Gillies (or someone in their mold) up here.
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Cant cover anyone if you cant catch up to them. Our defense has to be the slowest in the nhl. Aside from Hamonic and Streit, i Will give Amac a pass for now because of his surgery, our d men are slow and old.
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since 75 says:
You’re blind if you think Streit shouldn’t be lumped in with that heavy legged group of D men. He’s one of the worst. Trade him nooooow before the hype of him being one of our better players wears off and we can’t get anything for him.
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Hector Marini says:
I agree…Streit has been horrific this season.
He needs a wake up call and should watch a few games from the press box.
Arbour did it to Potvin and Streit aint no Potvin
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DANO says:
For the love of god ,why are you people attending games, its time to make a statement,gather outside the rink and demand answers , make your stand ,you have the right ,bad publicity will get someones attention. TRY THIS ONE WITH 9000 STRONG OUTSIDE WANGS GOTTA GO ,AND SO DOES SNOW,again all together now WANGS GOTTA GO AND SO DOES SNOW, 1 more time WANGS GOTTA GO AND SO DOES SNOW
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Bob E says:
Sadly, Capuano has to go. But dont see what the point. They only going to replace him with Doug Weight. If we had the best PP in nhl and were losing i would say good change.
But we dont. We need an NHL coach. Look at St Louis in the 5 games after hiring Hitchcock. Look at devils last year when they fired Mclean and hired Lemaire.
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caber09 says:
They have to get rid of the coach, they are def tuning him out, but Snow needs to go too. I know everyone agrees, BUT a real NHL gm and real nhl coach need to be brought in, having Doug weight take over would be the same thing and nothing would improve. I wish the league would take over and insert real personnel, it would be nice to have fun watching hockey again.
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Subydude says:
I agree, unfortunately as its not Cap’s fault entirely.
I know we don’t have the talent to win going away but there are definitely other issues – we should be able to at least hold our own. Do you see how we go into corners? I swear I saw Bailey “fake” a check. One Pens player chases into a corner followed closely by two Isles, just gets the puck, turns and skates away untouched? Really?
Unwatchable. Lack of talent in the NHL still gets you 80 points, not this group. My personal opinion is they are kids that play scared because of the lack of toughness behind them. You have to do the dirty work to score goals/raise the intensity level and right now nobody is willing to doing it. Cap gets fired and replaced by Weight.
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Oleg Kvasha says:
Sidney Crosby has played 1 game and already has more points then Blake Comeau and Kyle Okposo combined.
I honestly don’t even know what to think about this team anymore. I don’t think I will ever see them be good in my lifetime. Not on LI anyway.
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Fishbulb says:
For the first time in 20 years, I have stopped caring about this team.
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Dan says:
Its time to bail on this team. Just move them already so we can pick a new team to cheer.
I AM SICK
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Joe in Massapequa says:
If Caps get fired the team goes on a roll and finishes 4th or 5th worst and then misses out on the top overall pick. Except for JT this has been the trend and it has gotten us nowhere. KO and Bailey are adding nothing to this team. Nino and Strome are still unproven. I highly doubt the lack of success is on any of the coaches. Yes, some are better than others at getting the most from their talent like Bobby V did with the Mets and even more recently Ted Nolan with the Isles.
The problem is with Wang and Snow. Since the start of this ‘rebuild’ no GM or head coach of significance will ever be in place because that is Wang’s style. He cannot have figures more powerful than him in positions lower than him. Look at how long Neil Smith lasted. Till the management/ownership structure changes I am afraid this is something we will endure every year until, God forbid, a team move…
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NYI says:
It started looking right when JT, Grabner and KO were all signed longterm. Nielsen and Streit are also legit NHL’ers. But that group of players has to be surrounded by a couple of good vets around their 30s. Not players who are 38 years old and are done. Okay Garth tried to sign Ehrhoff, but that was the only thing he tried. They just don’t invest in the quality that is needed because Wang does not want to loose more money.
And IMO if you don’t have the talent and skills other teams have, you should acquire gritt and thoughness but that also never happens. The whole organization is rotten frow the top down.
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And I agree that a change in the tone at the top must change. Snow must go for a proven GM and Caps must go for a proven Coach. Enough of this we can outsmart the league bull.
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Sean says:
I say we call out Wang the main guy and ask why won’t you let hockey operations to the right people and stop running our team in to the ground. Get a clue already!!!
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Winning says:
Wang should talk bettman into allowing the dolans to own 2 nhl teams. Nobody else wants us, dolan doesnt make hockey decisions. Wang is an inferior gm cimpared to sather, etc. Tavares will fire his agent for allowing him to sign with the montral pirates.
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Oh yeah. Can anyone give me a good reason why this team should not be relocated?
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StevieL says:
Adam Larsson? How about Cam Fowler falling right in our laps, filling our most glaring need, and Snow passes!
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the bomber says:
its a new record. before thanksgiving and I’m on the central scouting website looking at the top players in the 2012 draft. truly never saw this coming.
but if theres one thing i know its that you build a team from the net out. you’d think our goalie GM might know that, but he obviously has no clue. Losing Adam Larsson will hurt for a long time, cause our defense would not even be a top defense in the American Hockey League, let alone the NHL. We miss Martineks shut down ability and Hillens ability to turn up ice and get the puck out before we get pinned in. Those two are average NHL players, and we miss them. Think about what that says about the defense we do have….
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Yeah, the last guy tried the whole ‘build from the net out’ idea and that didn’t work, either. That idea is a meme that is not borne out by reality. Forwards develop faster and more predictably. Most top defensemen and goalies were not top-10 picks, but the majority of top forwards were top-10 picks.
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yes, the Luongo/DP fiasco set us back 10 years. DET won a cup with Osgood – after we had him.
I hate Milbury
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Oh please! Stop blaming Milbury. Snow has been the GM since 2006. This is HIS team.
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1972IslesFan says:
The fish rots from the head down. The Isles had a real GM who put together the best Ranger team since 1940. The brilliant owner decided to fire Smith when he would not agree to sign DP for more than 2 years. Pat LaFontaine also left over that issue. He then hired a goalie with no experience to be GM. There is nothing left to say.
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G.B. says:
agree
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SnowMustGo says:
Kevin,
I feel you’re being grossly unfair to Cappy. He’s an AHL coach given AHL talent and expected to go up against NHL teams. The responsibility falls squarely with GARTH SNOW. He’s the one calling the shots and determining who’s playing in goal each and every game. He didn’t want Wangs son, DP, to get embarrassed on national TV so he throws Nilsson to the wolves (Pens). DP would have given up at least 9 goals last night.
What a national disgrace last night, a laughingstock of an organization.
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Ct 74 says:
This team is the team wang wants as he tries to “revolutionize” hockey. Wait until he sees how many fans agree, as fewer and fewer show up for a game. His players don’t either.
No way he wants a real hockey man, only a garth snow would listen to him., -
8 players over 33, equals has been veterans happy to be collecting their last paychecks, without getting injured, on a last place team!
Snow is a joke! Has been since day 1. No experience, arrogant and silent when it comes to addressing the fans! There is no move he can make that can change that! He has to go! Cappy should just be collateral damage. Wang has created a losing culture. The players expect to lose! Time for him to step up and say enough is enough, the fans and Long Island deserve and need better! Real Hockey men are needed to rescue a franchise! -
moonshine says:
no kevin, the team didn’t ‘come out of the gates playing decently.’ after a crappy pre-season they got shut out in their home opener.
to have a long meeting to then cancel practice to me sounds dumb. but capuano isn’t even worth discussing at this point. he pbl isn’t an nhl coach but since there’s no better alternative it’s pointless debating it. firing him serves zero purpose. in fact it only adds to the chaos.
let the man fumble through the season, let the team fumble through the season, let’s all fumble through the season, and then we’ll see. -
Real Hockey Fan says:
.. The EZ target is Capuano, thats just 2 EZ a person to pick on, its NOT all his fault, its not!!
.. Theres a ‘culture’ on this team thats just bad and uninspiring, they remind me of the walking dead zombies TV sh
ow, TERRIBLE.. Mark Striet SHOULD NOT BE CAPTAIN imo, sorry boys and girls hes not captian material and its time for someone else to lead or just have a couple assistants right now
.. Snow CANNOT defend his lousy offseason moves – Marty Reasoner has 1 point, 1 whole point (same as DP whos a goalie) – PATHETIC! The rest of his moves (Rolston) is not much better (hes a lil better, but not much) – these moves look more and more like to get the Isles to the salary cap floor
.. DP and the 3 way goalie rotation is NOT working, cut ties send him down, put him on IR but the 3 way monster is not working, end of story
.. Team needs some speed and more size and better Dman, (i know it takes time to get Dman to develop, but get some size and some more speed Garth, not more 36 yr olds)
.. They lost grinders and heart/soul and ENERGY players like Konopka, Hailey, and to a small extent Gillies. – These guys are not that talented but they brought intangibles and the Isles played much better with them in the lineup.. THIS TEAM IS SOFT! SOFT! SOFT! SOFT! SOFT! SOFT!
.. This is not so much a “rant” (ok a lil bit) as it is a HONEST OBSERVATION of the current roster and team on the ice – the organization needs to look in the mirror!
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Brian G says:
Moves by Wednesday:
1. Fire Capuano, hello Marc Crawford
2. Eaton to IR, call up Haley
3. Scratch Rolston, Pandolfo, & Reasoner
and play these lines:
Moulson Tavares Nino
Comeau Nielsen Grabner
Parenteau Ullstrom Okposo
Martin Bailey Haley
4. Burn all of the new jerseys
5. Start selling $20 seats to all gamesbefore end of season:
FIRE GARTH SNOW, he cannot be in charge of another draft and summer of getting no vets that can still play. He clearly doesn’t have a clue what he is doing.-
The Sick one Six says:
Brian G for President! And not of the islanders…take Obama’s place. don’t think that will happen but Christmas is only 4+ weeks away so start putting that Christmas list together. Also my feeling on the new jersey is still neutral…
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thanks for the support
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Brian G, I agree with you replace Cappy with Marc Crawford, the more I think about that, the more I like that idea. But Chairman Wang would never do such a thing.
DO NOT HIRE DOUG WEIGHT!!!!!
Half this team needs to go beginning with Garth Snow!
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david salazar says:
Any chance you could write an article in letter form addressed to Garth Snow explicitly asking Snow to make a change, a trade, SOMETHING? Something from the fans telling this team how we feel
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this team had success the second half of the year last year largely because of toughness. if you have guys to bag around the other team and wear them down the other team will be less likely to skate at 100%. which means that they will conserve there energy to offense and stick checks. which will ultimately lead to more room on the ice for our forwards…this is exactley what is done to us. Also WTH is up with Rolston on the PP over Grabner? Cappy has to go agreed but there are a few players that need to go also. And please do not bring up Strome…this team will kill his confidence and development!
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I think we are getting somewhere – we just should be further along, and some of these kids should not be learning in the NHL. I still believe in KO, Bailey is a bust – it happens. Don’t forget we are still paying for Milbury’s drafts…
I do think they can get more out of this group, and agree that Snow’s “veterans” have all betrayed him to a man. But maybe Garth believes that finishing 8th just isn’t worth it and this was the plan all along and he has convinced Wang? You have to admit, a few more years of this and they will be stacked. Its painful beyond words and hard to believe but maybe its the plan and that’s why Snow doesn’t get called out?
Look at the Rangers – they have a good coach, spend on FA’s and are much more entertaining I know, but they get the 7th/8th spot every year it seems forever but never really get BETTER. We have been waiting a long time and it hurts but maybe they have a plan.
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Juniorjunior says:
I am hoping that’s the case but hard to believe in now….
I have never heard. Harley’s Wang say he wants to win anything. He only wants to sprinkle in has beens and keep his expenses at a minimum. He lost his arena deal so now he is being a crybaby and goin home.-
Bailey is a bust and doesn’t even look like he wants to play hockey, not sure about KO but these weren’t the best draft pools. I’m not giving up on DeHaan yet. Hopefully Strome and Nino pan out. There are other too that may be a bit further away (Mayfield, etc)
Yeah they look worse than last year but please, its hard to say they have regressed – we sucked last year too. All I’m saying is the losing does put talent into your system. In the past they traded it away stupidly trying to compete for playoff spot – I don’t agree with all of Snow’s moves but just maybe this is the plan for now – stay at the floor and stockpile talent. If this is the plan and Wang is truly in it for the long haul they will be judged 2-3 years from now. I’m as frustrated as anybody but this problem started before Snow.
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How is this team getting anywhere? They are actually playing worse right now than they were this time last year. And it was this time last year that Howie was caught asking, “how long ’til pitchers and catchers.” And last year was worse than two years ago. Their #1 picks from ’06 and ’08 are busting right before our eyes. The other #1 pick from ’09 is busting in B-Port. Other young players are markedly regressing. This team is getting absolutely nowhere.
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btw, last night’s game isn’t worth discussing. after the boston embarrassment you’d want the team to come out with super effort, but for crosby’s return everything had to be kept harmless and clean. there was no way they could play with the necessary desperation. philly will be more interesting.
and i’ve got no use for hockey analysts saying the isles need gillies and haley, when those same analysts were driving daggers into the islanders after last year’s pittsburgh massacre. hypocrites. -
shlo says:
Snow is a failure, but it is Wang’s responsibility. He had a good GM for few days in Neil Smith ,he blew it. I just wonder who would agree to manage the team if Snow is gone.(I know I am dreaming)
Capuano will pay the price , he’ll be the scape goat because it is always the case.
Agree with those who say that with Kenopka, Haley and Gillies we were a better team.
The current senior citizens on the team are awful . -
Toomas says:
Kev, I noticed you didn’t mention Charles B. Wang or Garth Snow in your assesment. Cappy may not be the answer, but this team needs a competant GM & Owner– pronto. Firing Cappy is activity, not productivity. The team can’t move forward under the present leadership, the men upstairs need to go away. Barring that? Sure, fire Cappy, hire Doug Weight. The team will still finish in 29th place.
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Hey Kevin please start numbering these comments, I’m starting to get a headache – old format was better – thanks
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JT says:
Having been to the abomination on Saturday, and watching yesterday I don’t think all is lost just yet, but moves need to be made.
I don’t necessarily agree with those who say Snow is a lousy GM, but I will agree that he had a horrid offseason outside of the draft. As I’m sure some will agree, letting Zenon Konopka walk was a huge mistake. Konopka brought leadership intangibles to this team that are sorely missed, and his replacement Reasoner has done nothing. If there is a way to pluck him back from Ottawa it really needs to be explored, even at the expense of overpaying a bit.
The other thing that jumps out is how listless the current team looks outside of Martin & Tavares. I don’t think this is necessarily Capuano’s fault but I agree with Shlo that he will take the fall undeservedly. Snow needs to make some moves but not on the bench.
Staios, Mottau,& Jurcina have looked awful out there. I am also wondering how recovered from surgery A-Mac really is. These guys need to be waived/traded/whatever post haste. I know the prospects arent setting the world on fire in Bridgeport but Wishart/DeHaan etc can not be that much of a downgrade from the aging crew.
Also were I Snow, I would promote Michael Haley post haste. I dont expect Haley to win games for us but I really think he would be the spark that Sean Avery gives the Rags. A line with Haley and Martin hitting anything that moves would wake a team up. Maybe even move Reasoner for a D-Man, and give Casey Cizkas (sp?) a shot at the 4th line? Just anything to get a line that shows life and brings energy.
Finally, This team needs to make a trade. The guy i would deal is Comeau, who really isnt clicking this year. Package him with Nabby and/or Reasoner if need be and ship him off in exchange for a D-Man, or someone who can wake these guys up. Include some of the D men as well, if anyone would take them. Carolina is hard up for secondary scoring, as I am sure others are too. I feel a trade of a semi core guy like Blake could be the shake up that wakes the Isles up. Maybe send Blake and Nabby to the Maple Leafs for Cody Franson?
Just do something other than the cliche coach firing that won’t accomplish anything.
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Phil L says:
this all points to Wang. If any one here has ever met Snow, you’d know that he is very smart and knows alot about hockey. Its hard to imagine that he is happy or even content with this team. As for Cappy, again, just a puppet. No legit Coach/GM will come here. Unfortunately, there’s no way to fire an owner, other than stop giving this team your money.
Bettman will not intervene b/c Wang is making life easier for 29 other teams.-
Really, then where is his outrage? He built the team, it is his fault.
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RV says:
No one should blame the coach this time. They fired Gordon last year and while there was limited success in a no pressure atmosphere for the final 1/3 of last season, the start to this season has produced nearly identical results.
I cannot comprehend how Wang repeatedly watches his team scrub toilets season after season without going completely nuts and making a change with the GM. Garth has been given his chance. It’s simply time to move on.
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Marc says:
Howie Rose doesn’t know what season to ask for at this point.
The team needs a big shakeup but we can assume no substantial changes are coming.
The only thing good about not calling up Poulin is that he’s not being directly exposed to this crap. Maybe the canvas cutout goalie will play tomorrow night, even though the problems go a lot deeper than goaltending. Scratch the off-season acquisitions for young, hungry, energetic players. Get Nino & Comeau back in the lineup. Call up Donovan and/or Ness.
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Nilsson was called up because he is better than Poulin this season. Poulin is struggling.
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Harold says:
Remember before Neil Smith was hired, Dean Lombardi REALLY WANTED this job. However after talking to Wang, he bailed and took the Kings job.
How did THAT work out for the Kings?
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I do remember that, he drove through a snow storm to have an interview with Chariman Wang. Even the Charlestown Chiefs have a better owner!
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nightbite21 says:
What’s really sickening is the bounceback effort game after game. Almost no difference. What is the dynamic AFTER these nightly embarrassments? Shower up, get dressed, and see you at the rink tomorrow. Do any of these players hold one another accountable? Along with everything else I’m really starting to question streit’s captaincy. May’ve I’m mistaken but has anyone seen any real vocal presence from him on the ice? He seems like a really subdued nice guy. LAST thing this team needs is a nice guy to rally the troops. Big Z would have filled that role nicely.
Just my daily insight for today and like most everyone else too disgusted to analyze any further. Coaching change, top 5 draft pick, let the kids develop, blah,blah,blah……..BULL#@IT!!! We need a proven GM and coach in here COMMITTED to winning. The only one that can make this happen is old Chuckles.
I’m with DANO and a bunch of others in regards to voicing our opinion. It all starts with not giving Wangdoodle ONE MORE CENT of your money.
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Lets go through this debacle of an organization:
The Islanders are last in the east – 11 points out of the last playoff spot and 7 points out of 14th place in the east, have no road wins, & have been shutout already 5 times this year. What else is an indication that things need to change. No more injury excuses Snow and Wang – we have Streit & Okposo on the roster this season and they are suppose to be better, but the team is worse than last year. Go figure…..
I’m sorry Capuano should be fired today, he is worse than Gordon ever was. -
BanGarth says:
It is over , Wang doesn t want this team to win. He is being spiteful that he didn t get his projevt so he is running the team into the ground , stockpiling top picks , until the lease runs out and he can sell. Garth is a puppet , he must get a bonus the worse the team does. I have seen over 65 softball teams at Cantiague be more physical. At the end of last year when the team came together , stood up for each other , they deliberately stripped the team of anyone with a backbone , problably scared that we might actually win. How can you bring in 8 over 38 guys and call it a rebuild. Its either put up ( get Garth and Wang out ) or shut up and let the team ride into the Quebec sunset.
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Flux Capacitor says:
Are we the Cleveland Indians from the Movie Major League?
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gdmike says:
I had pretty high hopes this season for the first time since Yashin, Peca and Osgood came. I am actually speechless at this point
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Since we all know the problem is Charles and his lackey snow, and we will never pay for a legit coach, as punishment snow should be forced to coach his mess. Let’s see him make chicken soup out of his chicken sh&&.
The worst part is this is groundhog’s day. As long as Charles is here, so is snow, and so are the losses. How do we ever improve with the blind leading the blind?
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Wang is the worst owner in sports
Snow is the worst GM in sports -
FedUp says:
When does it all stop. You can not keep firing coaches and the Team still makes no progress.
When do you start Holding Ownership Accountible?
This is all the makings of Charles Wang. If you tell me wrong you must look at the facts.
It is time to hold Ownership accountible, period.
It’s all Charles Wangs fault. And if he really cared about the fans and the base he would do the right thing and Hire a Real GM and a Real Coach with NHL experience.
It is as simple as that. But this man is about savaing a dollar and does not care about us which is sooo obvious.
He only cares about corprate dollars, not the individual Fans, can anybody see that already. He just wants you to support his realeastate venture and thats all.
So with that said, you must start the chantsWang Must sell! Snow must go!
Then change might come. -
Double J says:
Interesting stat I just heard
The opponent has scored on their first shot in 5 out of the 18 games the Islanders have played.
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Gene F says:
Kevin,
the new format is terrible. the new thing is not always better than the old one. Please get back to the old format. thank you
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A quality coach such as Crawford, Therien, Hartley, etc will not come to NYI to work for Snow. Why? They all can do his job better than he can! Quality coach only comes here with legitimate GM in place. The proper hockey move is to replace Snow. Immediately. A skilled GM would be very creative with NYI’s rising talent stockpile in the trade market. Problem with a GM like Snow is he had A plan. Problem is it’s failing and there is no plan B in place. Reasoner? Ugh. Pandolfo? Old. Rolston? See, Pandolfo.DiPietro signing alone should get him axed. As I said before, ANYONE could draft Tavares, even Wang’s kid who oddly runs on stage at every draft.
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Nick M says:
It’s quite simple really..
Coaching staff is a joke-how are players that the islanders insisted were the central focus and snow hired Gordon originally because he was “committed” to playing the kids unlike Nolan. But NOW players like Pandolfo rolston reasoner staios eaton Mottau are playing WORSE then our youngs but not ony are they getting more ice time (rolston 2nd line promotion) (reasoner 3 line promo while bailey drops to 4th) (staios getting top 2 minutes) but on top of that players like Comeau, KO , nino are getting SCRATCHED!!! Think about it how do you think the players feel when some old farts who are atrocious are being reward for playing like garbage. (perhaps they are following by example and just tryin to follow the “leaders”..sarcasm)Sadly we might as well neglect the cause which is Wang and attempt tothefawe wetting but that. The players felt a relief initially when capuano came in over Gordon’s strict style but now it seems he is too nice. Isles need a coach just in between( like the goldy-lock theory)
No wonder the old guys are held accountable because JaCk capuano isn’t the one calling the shots on TE roster. dOUGh weight is..he snows eyes and ears on the bench …assistant gm cough cough.-
Totally agree, if you are drafting and talking up the young players, then either play them or trade them.
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DWC says:
Columbus trying to move Vermette and Brassard in salary dumps per The Hockey News. Do it Garth. Try something, anything.
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Ugh, those were some awful trades.
You can sign an expensive FA, but what does that really get you? A few more wins? By the time some of the talent develops (hopefully) those guys are on the downside or playing for someone else. Heck, half of our picks are still in college! At some point that will make sense but not now. Milbury f’d us and Wang too, now we just have to wait and suffer.
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Bobby Neuendorf says:
I have been an avid Islander fan since the early 90′s. I am 24 years old and my father has had season tickets in section 315 row a seats 3 & 4 since i was in elementary school. It is utterly despicable that this team has consistenly gotten worse while year after year they finish at the bottom of the standings while getting lottery draft picks. From the phony ownership buy in the mid 90′s to Milbury marring the franchise with bonehead trades (remember we did have Big Z and traded him on draft day for Alexei Yashin). It just seems that the ownership and the organization is outdated and out of sync with the modern state of hockey. Law of averages simple math would eventually catch up to having a couple winning years and maybe getting by the first round of the playoffs but NO! Aside from the one magical year with Peca and Laviolette and Osgood this team is a disgrace. The draft picks have been questionable (Josh Bailey #9, Okposo (who capuano has fucked mentally with i still think the kid can play maybe just not for the Isles) to the worst of them all Rick DP. DP makes me sick, the guy is joke and i cannot wait for the day that he is gone from the island and back up in Boston. im surprised he didnt get hurt after jumping around after the Montreal victory acting like an imbecile . GUY YOU let in 3 Goals!!!! Your a bum. Additionally, Whats with the islanders organization gm/managment/ head coaches all being from New England. Is there a conspiracy? I feel bad for JT, the kid is surrounded by losers and even he may want out in a year or two. I sometimes think the best thing that can happen to this team is for them to be sold to Quebec or Kansas City and be appreciated. Changing coaches is not the solution it may be but until they actually spend money and invest back into the team and sign quality free agents to build around JT they will consistently be losers. It’s becoming laughable year in and year out and by christmas this team will be playing for Nail Yakupov. Knowing the Islanders, they will probably trade the pick down and acquire Teammu Selanne or Paul Kariya , maybe Kirk MUuller
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Does anyone realy think the players will listen to Doug Weight? He was a teammate of half these guys. Just think that will be a way for Wang not pay for a real coach.
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the difference last year was that 1. there was no pressure
2. many players played for the contracts – many of the them signed a long term multimillion dollars deals – KO, Bailey, MM, Grabner. Young guys are making so much money no matter how they play. The paycheck is coming anyway. Life is good. -
If the plan is to lose and not spend any $ they are actually doing quite well. Wang and Snow are not going anywhere we have to deal with it. Milbury sold Wang a bill of goods, Snow presented an alternative plan and Wang bought into it. It will be a tough road but now is not the time to panic and do anything stupid.
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what can we do? this team is doomed under the current ownership.
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I disagree. Now is the time for Snow to panic and do something stupid (in his mind)! That way it will turn out good.
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Nycisles says:
I’m tired of the line “nobody wants to come and play here”. Well there has to be two reasons 1. The owner is a clown that operates a bargain basement. 2. It’s BS, erhoff didn’t sign here because he wanted to test FA and in turn we didn’t offer enough. That is just one example of a long list of horrible low ball offers we have tendered in the last 10 years. The stadium is not a valid excuse, players want to win and make money they don’t care whee they play
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I disagree. The Coliseum is a dump and why would anyone want to play here. Ryan Smyth turned down more money to play elsewhere.
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JP Preissy says:
Oh yeah. Can anyone give me a good reason why this team should not be relocated?
Nobody would go see them no matter where they played. What a disaster – I almost bought season tickets this year now I don’t think I’ll even watch games on TV.
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PotvinRocks says:
Yes the Islanders have lost Capauno’s message. It’s time for a change. I’d love to see Craig Button hired as our new GM and Iron Mike as the coach. Over the summer I thought that buying into Capauno’s fools gold win loss record as the spoiler. This core is young and there needs to be a real leader. Right now this ship is going down and how much more can this franchise continue to do this. Currently we are 1 point ahead of Columbus and both teams have 5 wins. Thursday is Thanksgiving which is recognized as the Quarter poll of the season. It’s no longer a bad start because the cream is raising to the top while the Isles are sinking to the bottom. Change is needed.
If you can’t get a second rounder for Nabakov, if you can’t get a bag of pucks for Comeau take whatever you to MAKE THIS TEAM BETTER. -
Bobby says:
I agree with everyone that Wang is the problem. I find it hard to believe that Capuano or Snow would dress such a soft line up.
The team as a whole did much better and had confidence when they had the physical presence with Konopka, Gillies, Haley. Plus they were fun to watch.
Hell, my neighbor and I have been going to the Sound Tigers games instead of the Islanders, a lot more fun. We’re sort of boycotting the Isles until they dress a tougher line up.
I’d like to see Cappy stay and bring back Gillies, Haley and Poulin as well as send down some of the dead weight.
The team is a joke right now and is not good for Taveres who is playing hard and with heart, constantly driving towards the net. He deserves a tougher team. -
John says:
10 reasons why wang is the problem:
1) he hired snow;
2) he kept mil bury far, far too long;
3) he treats the franchise like a toy and not a business. witness the farce of having his son at the podium on draft day. or kevin connelly.;
4) he won’t spend a dime on the product;
5) he won’t employ anyone who may push him. see neil smith and the pat lafontaine-led, short-lived front office team;
6) he lies through his teeth. get a clip of his interview with mike francesa when he was lobbying for the arena vote in august. note how he pretentiously commented how good his team would be this year;
7) his main media outlet is run off a college campus;
the ice girls;9) sparky the dragon;
10) did i mention garth snow?
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I think trusting Milbury was by far his biggest mistake. If Milbury wasn’t such an idiot we would be in far better shape. Now he is trusting Snow who I think wants to win but is willing to do it the hard way. Its hard to tell a fan base that has suffered so long to be patient.
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Hey John, what about Garth Snow?
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WangFireSelfPlease says:
What? You list that many things and you don’t mention the most ridiculous contract extension in the history of professional sports?? Sorry, epic fail.
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Jim says:
I can’t figure out how Wang ever succeeded in any business. I’m sure he thinks the rebuild is going just fine.
One has to ask, when does he realize that he really doesn’t know better then all of the other NHL owners? When does he realize that these experiments with inexperienced coaches and GM’s just isn’t working?
Perhaps not in my lifetime.
It’s not the building it’s the owner.
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I am miserable over this, but I am at least old enough where I was a kid when they took out the rangers in 75. I saw all the Cups.
As bad as I feel for myself, I actually feel worse for you guys under 30 that has Shawn bates penalty shot as your biggest highlight.
My Bossy has been your Kenny Jonsson. I give you young fans an incredible amount of credit.
If only Nolan could have won the power struggle.
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Bean322 says:
Im 30 years old-it is sad for us..im one of the fools that actually got excited when they honored the 92-93 team-seriously that is one of our best moments-ughhh-so depressed!
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Blizz says: LETS GO ISLANDERS
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exSection307 says:
Another season over before Thanksgiving….unbelievable.
I think it may be the building
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Jisles says:
Wang reminds me of Leon Hess. The late owner of the Jets. For years, decades he ran the jets very similar. Cheap coaches and gm’s. Fired good coaches (walt michaels) never really brought in good players and then in 1997 finally gave in and brought Parcells. Hess always told the fans positive news and you always heard good things from anyone who ever worked for him. Hess was never a hands on owner though he never really took the reigns either and let the franchise slip into obscurity. From 94-96 the Jets were a combined 10-48 over 3 seasons and he hired parcells.We need Wang to get to that Parcells moment where he even says enough! Wang needs his parcells to get the franchise righted. The question is who is the parcells of the NHL? Keenan? Lemaire? Bowman is too old at this point and he is in the blackhawks payroll.It is a sinking ship. If wang doesnt do that then he should sell the team. The fans do not deserve this. we are too proud to be emberrassed in this way. Let me know how you all feel about this. LETS GO ISLNADERS!
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Tom D in NJ says:
I dont know if Capuano is a truly bonifide NHL coach, but he is not the main culprit here. The fish stinks from the head (Wang) and Snow blew the team chemistry by trading Kanopka and keeping guys like Haley & Gillies in Bridgeport and replaced them with guys well passed their prime who have brought nothing positive to the team. Wang and Snow should be called out to answer for this debacle of a season rather than make a scapegoat of our Capuano.
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nick says:
we need a coach whos not gonna take anything from these non proven players. idk who these kids think they are not working hard theynshould be honored to be inthe league now they arent gonna work hard. we need a guy to come in here and rock these players worlds and theyll have no choice but to play like a pro. they all have the skill and skating ability, ive seen them look amazing in some games. they just arent making smart decisions and arent skating hard its so easy to tell. seasons lost it rly is something needs to change and its garth snow and the coach. A die hard fan could make a better team than this. its really hard knowing that things need to change or they will be gone.
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It’s time for a youth movement. We should get younger by replacing the reasoner-pandolfo-rolston line with dalgarno-mcinnis-green.
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gutty34 says:
My hotskates team drops the gloves and is tougher than this team – and we are a bunch of 35-40 year olds. We would never stand for this. How can a professional NHL team be shut out in approx 40% of their games played. I am sorry but this is so unacceptable its a joke. We had some minor hopes for this year but I honestly feel we are wrose off now than even before this whole rebuild. Okposo not what we thought. Bailey has to go. Comeau is a 3/4th liner tops. What does that leave us as far as our “deep” prospect pool – Tavares, Strome and Neiderreiter??? Thats it??? No player will come here with this joke of an operation. I have followed the Sabres (did go to school in Buffalo) this season and have watched more of their games than the Isles. I hate to say it fellow NY’ers. They are also our team and its time to consider what to do when this team bolts – I have half a foot on the bandwagon. Love the team….love the new owner….my heart is breaking but I cant watch this team and wont anymore. Until I see Wang on TV saying snow has been fired, cappy is on warning, and minimum of 3 are waived or gone (Eaton, Motteau, Reasoner, Pandolfo, Rolston, Bailey) and new blood brought in I WILL NOT watch nor spend a penny at the coliseum on this team EVER again. I think its time we all show Wanger a thing or two – its hard to do but we need to just stop going. Dont show for a game until something drastic is done. Wang laughs at us – see guys – I told you they would still follow my lead no matter what I do – see how pathetic they are – dangle something and they salivate – well im done. This is not an angry tirade based on last night or Sat – I am done because this is not entertatining – this does not provide stress relief and fun.heck my 6 year old kid makes fun of them…all the opposite of fun and that goes against the grain of entertatinment and escape. I repeat – I am totally done with this team – sad that a rec league in a local rink provides more entertainment than a professional team. Signing off for possibly ever – and for anyone who says your not a real fan if you say this or do this – trust me – I am as die hard as they come. I went to every rally, was at the coliseum for the vote till 12am….sat in the stands with 3000 people and watched Salo, Palffy, Fichaud, fish sticks, Spano, Toronto series, Pitt series when Volek scored….I have lived and died with this team and now they die in my eyes. I love hockey more than anything….which is why I am watching real hockey in Western NY going forward.
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Wang survived in businss because he cheated, lied and manipulated numbers and used a scapegoat to avoid direct persecution- things you cant do in the NHL -
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I’ve defended Wang as a guy who’s preserved and kept Isles on LI for 10 years. But it’s gotten to a point where I think the team folding is preferable to continuing on this way.
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Im Angry. I cant follow or root for another team. Whos going to organize thebrevolution? This is BS and i aint standing for it nor am I running to a new team. I want the islanders back.
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itsuksbeingislesfan says:
brian g
i agree wholeheartedly , that is what our lineup should look like
Moulson Tavares Nino
Comeau Nielsen Grabner
Parenteau Ullstrom Okposo
Martin Bailey Haleywith this defensive change
streit hamonic
amac and staois
wishart /reese -
Also bailey n okiposo dont have goal scorer hands. Neither has ever scored 20 goals. They simply are not good players. They both gotta go.
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JOE M FROM NC says:
I’m sick and tired of constantly reading and talking about the problems with the Islanders. It’s sad when we the fans know whats wrong and how bad it is but NOTHING is being done to change it. They obviously want a losing team and don’t care about the fans. I’m trying my hardest to become a Canes fan but the Isles are like a drug or disease. They are hard to shake regardless of how bad it is!
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A says:
There really is not much more to day…. I know Chris Botta in the past has said that Wang cares about the team… But all the movies and the lack of production in the past 5 years to me shows ownership not trying to make the team better and just riding this whole thing out till 2015… Wang please sell the team and move them so we can all move on and root for teams with owners who care!
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we need to get a rules change. make the coaches salary count towards the cap floor. this will help us two fold:
1) wang will pay more for an actual NHL coach. (and maybe we can afford one without a Boston accent)
2) with the coaches money getting us to the cap floor, Snow wont need to get there by signing his washed up american born buddies to theie 401K contracts on their way to retirement (at which point he hires them as a coach)..
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bossjones15 says:
I have gone to the game after Thanksgiving for the better part of a decade, as it’s one of the only times I’m in town, but definitely not wasting my time and money this year! At least in past years there was hope and you could see some of the good prospects. This season all you get to see is a visibly frustrated Tavares having to play with a bunch of no-effort-low-ability-tough-as-peeps fools.
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say*
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NY711ot says:
Hey Gutty Dont QUIT NOW!!!!There is so much more pain to endure…Hows this for a recall into Garths Drafting…
Islanders Pick Calvin De Haan—and Pass on Zack Kassian (next pick) who is 6’3 225 has 14 pts in 18 games at Rochester with 27 pim. & is now a cant miss prospect. Dmitri Kulikov after that.
Just what we needed ….
Islanders Pick Josh Bailey—trade their pick to Toronto (Luke Schenn ranked 5th in pre draft) and pass on Erik Karllson(ranked 4th in pre draft euro) and Tyler Myers(ranked 4th in pre draft NA)..Boy would any of those guys look good right now….We can only hope Nino, Brock and Kirill, Strome and Mayfield aren’t busts and Nino and Kirill can help next year.
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Frank DiPietro says:
After much optimism in the offseason, these latest performances have just sucked the life out of me. Wow. I have NEVER, ever, ever seen in my 30 years of watching hockey seen such pitiful performances on the ice by so-called NHL caliber players. Then, to top it all of, the decision is made to play a rookie goalie, who has never played an NHL game and ask him to play a game in which the best player in hockey returns after being off for 11 months and the whole hockey world and media are there! I mean, are you serious???? DiPietr needed to play. The result wouldn’t have changed, but at least put the burden on the shoulders of the guy who deserves it and wants it…..Again, the result would have been the same, but in my mind I now question some of the decisions that are being made…..I’m at my wits end as a fan, and I never thought I would be in this situation, even knowing that the whole rebuild would take a while. They’re doing in Edmonton….but things on the Island never change.
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Tom says:
If there isnt a big trade or waive by the end of the week, the season will be officially over and 5th in the east for a pathetic 5th consecutive season will be locked up.
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If only Neil Smith or Ted Nolan won the power struggle..does anyone realize that Snow is close to surpassin Milbury’s time as GM under Wang…and Milbury’s reign had 3 playoff appearances…sad that Snow makes MM look like a HOF GM ugh!
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2006 Draft-Neil Smith’s first and last-
1-Okposo
2-JOenssu
3-Firgren
4-Rhakshani
5-Weslosky
5-Sims
5-Johansson
6-Macdonald
7-Day
8-Ridderwall
9-MattilaNot an NHL’er among em….
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If they cannot dump these ‘fragile’ players and they were smart they would send NINO back and get him out of this environment.
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Hock says:
To my fellow Islander diehards, I share your pain. We don’t deserve this. In my opinion, they tampered too much with a good thing. The team was doing well in the second half of last year because they came together as a team and watched each other’s backs. Konopka, Gillies, Haley and Martin seemed to be a big part of this. If for nothing else, the fights they engaged in were entertaining. Well, we’ve lost 75% of this group and primarily replaced it with veterans whose best playing days are behind them. I do not doubt that their leadership is valuable in the locker room, but we need to see some leadership (i.e., production) on the ice as well. Anyway, this does not seem to be a good trade off for the team (replacing the young, energetic, watch your back leaders with the veteran, locker room leaders. Instead, the changes, assuming we could not make any substantial acquisitions via trade, should have been to only tweak and keep building with youth. Instead, the chemistry has been upset and the rebuild looks to have gone backwards.
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Feel like adding my criticism as well….A-mac is horrible and the D is way too small AND slow. Look at the Crosby goal. If we’re going to be small, get guys who can skate in – Ness? Moulson is too slow…I actually looked at the 2012 mock draft last night so see who is an option….bummer.
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The New Isles GM says:
If Charles Wang wants to show any signs of life, he must clean house. Show the fans your not happy just as much as the next guy. This organization has been made fun of, ridiculed and laughed at for years. FIRE EVERYONE! Bring in new life. If this season is going to be a wash, at least get the new employees familiar with the players in hopes of having a better year next year. I’m talking training staff, medical staff, scouts, the stick boy, the coach, the gm and the assistant coaches. We need new direction and an identity. I’d actually consider bringing in Craig Button to be GM. He’s on the up and up with these prospects.
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cjcb says:
Martin should be captain on this team not Streit. Team is weak and frail. They only want yes boys on this team they dont want players that speak their mind or speak in general. Good guys finish last ans thats exactly where we are headed. Team needs balls and our owner likes to lick them! Fire Snow, Sell the team Wong NOBODY cares of your real estate quest!
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the Isles are already out of it. Last season 93 pts gave the Rags the 8th seed, which is a .567 Winning %. The Isles at 5-10-3 (13 pts) would need 80 pts in 64 games, or a .625 winning % th e rest of the way, that’s impossible for this team.
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Sutter says:
The season is over. I feel bad for JT he just signed a 5yr contract he should ask for a trade. I dont get how a 4th line of Haley,Martin and Gillies will be any worse then having Pandolfo,Reasoner on it now.Waive Mottau,Eaton bring up DeHann,Donavan and let them play this team needs toughness they play scared. AMAC is playing scared.Snow and Wang are the reason this team sucks Cappy may not be the best coach but it is the talent that this team has on it.I cant get over the season is over already.
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Eklund has Okposo rumors, which means nothing except……
Kyle Okposo sitting in his house saying to himself, “Please be true, please be true..please trade me to an NHL team”
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
If we think the playoffs are far off this year, wait until next year when they swap out Winnipeg for Detroit. Sad to listen to as well as watch as even the Penguin radio announcers were feeling sorry for us on the satelite radio feed.
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Ted says:
Not to change the subject, but did you see the quotes on the Islander website by Terry Goldstein Director of Retail Operations concerning the new 3rd jersey? “With our white and our blue jerseys we look back at our history, and with the black jerseys, we’re looking forward.” “It’s going to be a different look. Hopefully we win in these jerseys and our fans will love it.” Look forward? To what? Our fans will love them? The fans said they didn’t want a black jersey on Twitter before this jersey was designed. Talk about being out of touch with the fans and not having a clue. The entire organization is toxic joke.
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Who is Terry Goldstein married to? Never mind that pushing a product (a hideous black jersey) that everyone hates and no one wants is never a good business or idea.
Tomorrow night I plan on wearing my Chris Osgood punpkin jersey to the next debacle against another team that’s too big, too fast and way too tough for Wang/Snow’s cupcakes.
SNOW MUST GO!!!!
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M says:
This won’t be a new rant. But, what is so obvious about this season is that Garth turned his back on what made the end of last season so successful. Konopka, Gillies, Haley etc..might not be the most talented players, but they gave the team an identity. JT,MM, MG, FN, KO,BC,JB and the other skilled players were skating with a swagger and an energy that you’ll never find with the less energetic veterans we have now. Marty Reasoner? Jay Pandolfo? Mark Eaton? Mike Mottau? Brian Rolston? even our choice for captain Mark Streit…can be summed up in one word. BLAND.
I am not being critical of their skill level (thought maybe I should be) — perhaps in the right situation all of them still have value. Streit is a no-doubter top tier player and I think Pandolfo in particular has been pretty good. But, could you find a less emotional group of players in the league? Bottom line: toughness and nastiness breeds confidence. SOMEONE needs to get angry and not allow this team to get pushed around. We’ve lost 11-0 in the last two games and we didn’t drop our gloves once! We didn’t take an angry roughing penalty once! As a New Yorker and a fan…I find that inexcusable.
People say that the game has changed and those types of players aren’t necessary anymore. If that’s the case, why does Boston have Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton? Why does Pittsburgh have Aaron Asham and Derek Englynd? Philadelphia’s Zac Rinaldo and Jody Shelly? The Rags’ Andre Deveaux and Sean Avery? I can go on and on and on.
What’s amazing is that as a player Garth Snow exuded toughness as a goalie. He didn’t take any crap from anyone in his crease. As a GM, he seems to not recognize how important that trait is.
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nyc dork says:
WANGS GOTTA GO AND SO DOES SNOW, 1 more time WANGS GOTTA GO AND SO DOES SNOW
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Ahmed A. Meestake says:
WANGS GOTTA GO AND SO DOES SNOW
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XM radio questioning the Islanders as an N.H.L. team.
Just said no one wants to play for Wang.
Sigh, we could have told them that! -
john says:
Isles could have hired a great asst coach in Craig Ramsey, pass. Could have had a top flight GM in Lombardi after Mad Mike was canned, pass. This organization is a mess from top to bottom. This team has quit already on another coach, hire Andy Murray and watch the “kids” regress. Well, at least they can get Nail in the draft, too bad for him.
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Mike says:
Feel bad for JT that he is going to Waste his career with Chuckels the CLOWN!!!!!! SELL THE TEAM CLOWN!!!!!!!!
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If only Kumar had something tangible in writing on Wang. Maybe mark Cuban would buy us on the cheap.
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MikeT says:
It’s quite obvious that the team isn’t winning because they don’t have black jerseys.
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why can’t this organization wake up and realize that we have one #1 d-man (streit) one #4 d-man (hammer) and four #6 d-men?
And please strip the “A” off Rolston, Okposo and Staios and give it to Marin! 1 “C” and 1 “A” is more than enough…even though we look it this is not pee wees!
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How did we resign JT ? I feel bad for him , could be great with the surrounding cast.
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Ugh bored at work…i guess i know what the islanders feel like on Game day!
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Really hard to believe that nothing has happened yet. Not that I think anything will make a difference other than a new owner. But still.
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Billy Moore says:
No one any good will come here…Gm…coach or players…..need to get rid of all the dead weight and bring in the young guys…at least they will try!!!
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Flyers unveil their new winter classic jersey and go praise from networks for a simple but mean design. Isles unveil their new 3rd jersey an Brain leetch had no comment.
another fail.
clowns.
im sick.
again. -
NYI FAN says:
We need an NHL Experienced Coach. I like Larry Robinson, Mike Keenan,( who would bring discipline)Marc Crawford,or even Jacques Lammire. But bottom line is, as long as Wang owns the team ultimately it will be Doug Weight or the return of Steve Sterling. I can’t believe this, at the end of last season there was so much to look forward to, now here we are, same old, same old.
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justin says:
Hope they turn it around, theres too many names here that are giving it there all and there young. Martin/Hamonic/Tav/etc are core horses,youth in Ulls/Nino etc are close. When it comes together shortly. Put the “C” and “A”on the right guys. Still young but by he time Snow gets the team finally assembled, and its closer than you think. Put the”C” on the right guy.
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P.s. a Captain of the future is being made before your eyes. He’s mean and lean and a fighting machine.
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Tavares could of signed with any team and been much happier. I feel bad that he feels he owes wang. He doesnt owe wang a thing. Tavares was a star 3 years before he was drafted. Wang didnt make tavares. Wang took advantage of his naive youth. He tricked him. He tricks grown men who by tickets every day.
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wrath says:
Please, please trade Bailey!
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Bill from Oceanside says:
Kyle Turris just signed with the Yotes. Anyone see a Kyle for Kyle trade on it’s way?
Or Turris for Bailey? -
This is the worst. I cannot watch this anymore. It is actually depressing me. I feel bad for these players. Now, I know they are not performing to their standards or anyones standards, but this is truly Garth Snow’s fault. He needs to pull the trigger on some trades and he needs to sign Nielsen. But, if I was Nielsen, there would be no way in this world I would resign with this team. I think he would rather have a chance to win. He will go somewhere else and be a huge star. So so sad!
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Paul C says:
This article is moot because no matter who coaches this combination of players, failure will be the result.
Snow made real errors in the offseason that cannot be corrected, and behind most of them I fear is Wang.
I really wanted things to work with Wang at the healm but I firmly believe it will not. SELL AND MOVE ON!
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Amerks44 says:
Turris 4 Bailey. Okposo is salvageable. Tune a coach out? Look at the contacts these guys got his summer! They worked hard 2nd half last season for that reason. Now they are on cruise control and don’t care about winning or losing, IMHO…
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I don’t know what kind of a man Garth Snow’s Father is/was, but he should have taught his son to be able to admit failure, be a man, and resign given what he has done to this organization.
It’s time for Garth Snow to look in the mirror, admit that he is a failure, and go. He’s supposedly been “the hockey guy”, responsible for the team on the ice. So its time for him to “man-up”, look at the mess he has created and submit his resignation.
He has to stop hiding behind Wang’s dress, the arena, injuries, and all the other excuses and show some class for a change and go. PLEASE!!!!!
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Al says:
Boy, am I glad I didn’t re up my NHL center ice this year. What a shit show and still no word from Snow or Wang. Bunch of ass clowns that couldn’t even run a ice cream stand.
NHL must step in.Hello Buttman??? -
this team would need a veteran, older coach who’s already proven himself and put everything on his resume, to come here on a good-will mission instead of retiring.
this is the most disorganized team i’ve ever seen. the players need assignments on the ice, instead of skating around in chaos. they need coaching wisdom.
unless you get a coach like that, there’s no point making a change. doug weight wouldn’t help. a young, high-energy guy wouldn’t help either because this group is too beat up to respond to that.
btw, this team hasn’t quit on its coach. it has quit on its owner.-
b says:
they recalled haley…PATHETIC
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Garth Snow not available to media today – according to Katie Strang.
Probably taking a nap under his desk Costanza style
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I say fire Capuano, and put in someone like… Trottier…(curve ball pick I know!)
But does anyone else get sick, when looking at the stat sheets, and seeing Rick DiPietro having more points this season than Comeau and Okposo combined?
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I actually just get sick seeing DiPietro’s name on the roster, regardless of the points.
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If they won’t keep Trotts here as a figurehead role, there is no shot in he’ll he would get any gig here. It should be obvious by now aside from Bossy, alumni are not welcome.
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Jimbo says:
Time to boycott–with a demonstation outside the Coliseum. Ticketholders are getting ripped off. Why are we so complacent? Let us paraphrase a statement from Howard Beale in “Network”– We will NO LONGER TAKE THIS!And to shout this loudly and contiuously.
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per Darren Dreger: Garth Snow and Jack Capuano are tight. Snow believes in his coach. Change seems very unlikely.
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Haley has been recalled, Eaton on IR – out for 6 weeks
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sad. so sad.
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Kev says:
To bad al arbor is not able to coach anymore. I know he had all star players, but he knew how to get the most out of them!!
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If Arbour would take 150k per year, while getting lattes for snow and Wang as they conference in Kevin Connolly for his latest scouting report …..
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Danfromouteast says: Hello mike Keenan we have a bunch of slackers here
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IslanderFAN says:
Haley Haley Haley! maybe he will wake up some.
Please no Mike Keenan! Michel Therrien is the man…he doesnt tolerate slackers.
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vincent russo says:
this is not an NHL team its the micky mouse club. last year the team cried about not getting respect from other teams. someone
needs to let them know that you earn respect
and it appears that its something they will never get.
same old thing, thanksgiving, season over !! why go to games ??? -
Rich L says:
Hey DWC, I heard that Brassard, and Vermette said if they get traded to the Islanders, they both agreed to slit their wrists.
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50 in 50 says:
Hey Kevin, trust me its not Cappy, This problem runs so much deeper then him. I would fire Scott Allan, Deano goes next and make Doug Weight the assitant. Garth needs to waive and send his summer signings to the BridgeTrade Bailey, and K.O. in a package deal with Nabakov to Cloumbus. They need goaltending desperetly. If he brings up a few kids it will shake things up. We can’t loose worse then we aleady are. Besides at least it will be entertaining. Call Tampa and ask for Nate Thomson back, and beg Ottawa to get back Z. I think if we trade Amac to Edmonton Sutton will be only to happy to head East since he was willing to take a paycut as a free agent to re-sign here. THe GM and Ownership in Florida apologized to their fans and cleaned house. Its time to call Merry Maids and get rid of the trash…
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DP = DONE PLAYING 2 BAD goals already!!!!!
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DP YOU SUCK!!!!!!!! BLOW BOTH OF YOUR KNEES & HIPS OUT ALL 4 GOALS WERE HORRIBLE!!!!
Party on Wang! Party on Garth!