THE MORNING SKATE: Islanders at Sabres, 7PM
ROSTER UPDATES: Nino and Reasoner in, Haley out. Pandolfo very out. #1800bigcubano gets the call in net.
WELL THAT WAS A WEIRD DAY, OH BY THE WAY WHAT’S DARCY TUCKER DOING
Yesterday two Islander villains of the 1990s got head coaching jobs in the NHL. The Capitals fired Bruce Boudreau before 9AM on Monday morning, possibly saving him the time of having to commute through DC traffic. In his place will be Dale Hunter who has been very successful in the OHL coaching the London Knights. I don’t need to recount who he is but in 1993 he… OH IT STILL HURTS ARRGHHH. Just someone tell Ovechkin to watch his back on goal celebrations.
About an hour later the Hurricanes fired Paul Maurice and replaced him with Kirk Muller. Muller had been coaching the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate. No confirmation yet if Muller is refusing to report to Carolina.
Somewhere, Darcy Tucker is polishing his resume.
ON THE TOPIC OF SALARIES AND SPENDING
Newsday had quotes from owner Charles Wang yesterday. Not much to see. It was a lot of the usual quotes you would expect from any owner that he has confidence in the team and GM despite the rocky start. There was one interesting part, this quote about the team’s spending:
“We’re not a big-market team that can spend like some teams do,” [Wang] said. “But I’ve never said no to what Garth wants to do. If it makes sense for our team, then we’ll do it. We’ve tried to be conservative and make smart decisions, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
I went over what’s going on with the salary cap at length on Sunday, so I’ll keep my comment short and let you decide about this one on your own. I imagine the comment section will have all sorts of thoughts and opinions. My two cents is that whatever we think about what’s going on with spending the true test of any theory will be if the team is within striking distance of the playoffs at the trade deadline or, if not, the test will be on July 1st. I personally don’t foresee much deviation from the current plan but like the New York Lottery says, ‘hey, you never know.’
NINO RETURNS
After all the questions and speculation, Nino Niederreiter will return to the Islanders lineup tonight in Buffalo. Whether it’s because of Pandolfo’s injury or not, we’ll never know. I’m sure Nino is itching to get back out there. Hopefully he responds to the time out as well as Kyle Okposo did last week.
Lineup updates will be added to this post as they become available…
OKPOSO SMASH is the new meme of the week, for sure. Thanks to this great Twitter conversation some of the players had, recounted by LHH. There’s an Okposo smash/Hulk photoshop waiting to happen there.
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 →187 Responses to THE MORNING SKATE: Islanders at Sabres, 7PM
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andrew says:
Conservative??
Ok maybe if it were a team that reached the cap floor via players WHO ACTUALLY PLAYED! But using buyouts, a favor to NJ and a 15 year bust to get to the floor is not conservative, it’s cheap.
This is a low 30 million dollar team and they are playing like it. If we had gone out and picked up TWO worth while free agents and thrown money at them we would still be a cap floor team but we’d be taken seriously around the league and not be known as the place where all the rejects go…Sad but true.
Its a double edge sword. If we continue to lose, they will say its because we are a low budget team. If we start to win..they will say they had faith in the guys in the room, to get the job done, all along (same BS they’ve been spitting for 3 years).
Nothing will change until we get an owner/GM committed to winning outside of “staying financially conservative”.
Any criticism is gladly accepted here
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Patience says:
NO worthwhile free agents are going to sign here at the moment. Maybe someday….
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Greg says:
The islanders actually threw money at free agents such as Ilya Kovalchuk and a few others I believe. The problem is that no free agent will sign with a team that is stuck at the bottom of the league, plays in the worst arena in the league, and might be moving cities in four years or so.
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upstateIsles says:
OKPOSO HUNGRY OKPOSO SMASH
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Steve C. says:
An homage to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which is on tonight: Long Island=Island of Misfit Toys.
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Hishutzi Skorz says:
Actually on MSG+ there’ll be a parody…”Ricky, the Red-Necked Goalie!”
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Island of Misfit Toys!!! Hahahaha That is great! And not far from the truth.
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IslesIn2025 says:
Andrew, No criticism here…you have nailed it right on the head. And not only that, its the kool aid that everyone seems to have because weve been bad so long. This team is obviously not as talented as most fans think, otherwise 6 shoutouts already and the worst goals for since the lockout wouldnt occur. The talent on this team is marginal – Bailey will NEVER be good -not in Edm not in Calg..never!! Why? Because hes not that good. Nielsen? People say hes excellent…are you kidding me? Hes great at the shootout, I’ll give him that. Defensively hes supposed to be in the top tier? Then explain all the times his man gets away and scores a goal. Theres a reason why other teams picks are already in the NHL and THRIVING…THEY ARE BETTER!! YEs Moulson and Grabner scored 30 and were picked off waivers…but think about it…its because we stink that we have one of the few first choices come waiver wire. And one more thing…..look at the Panthers who many Isles fans blasted for actually spending money. 3rd overall and tough. Isles? Another year of “will we get the first overall” Its pathetic and as a 35 year long fan, im tired of it
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Dan C. says:
I also remember people around here blasting FLA for ‘overpaying’ for free agents and even being thankful that the Isles saved their money. FLA traded for a top-tier defenseman, signed a speedy winger and about 5 other forwards who are the kind of forecheckers that make your team harder to play against. The Isles added players that help allow the opposition to take most of the night off and still come away with a W. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
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Honestly put, our team does have so much ‘potential’..but with that potential comes the need to work even harder to prove your worth. K.O., Bailey, P.A., Grabner, JT, Hamonic, DP, Nino…all guys who have been listed in the last few years as ‘potenial top players’ some have thrived and others let the media go to their heads. K.O. seems to be coming back to form a bit thankfully and I think bailey just has a problem being in JT’s shadow at center. Look at what he did in the couple weeks JT was out early last season. He was all over the place offensively. He needs to be a spotlight player.
Even tavares isnt playing like a spotlight player…yes he plays his heart out but only getting 16-17 minutes a game??? Ovechkin got his coach fired because he was ONLY playing 19 mpg. the top tier guys are all playing 20+ and he is no execption.
Bailey could be so much better and he shows flashes of it. Sadly the team plays hard individually but not smart collectively. Making passes where their should be shots. Shooting from the perimeter and not going to the net. having shots blocked and not picking up the rebounds.
Simplify the game and they will get back to the way they could be…at least a .500 hockey team.
I should have my own damn blog so i could right up and down about the whole team…I havent even hit the D or the 3 headed Goalie monster.
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Fios please give me MSGHD says:
Did anyone realize Rolston is the highest paid player on the Isles????
http://capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=21Wow. We are pathetic.
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exSection307 says:
I’ve been an Isles fan since 74-75. SnoWang has succeeded in doing something that I didn’t think was possible— my son asked me if we could get some Rangers tickets.
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nyc dork says:
That’s so gross
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MCG1 says:
Charles Wang is absolutely delusional, and has been for some time! He’s a friggen embarresment every time he opens his mouth. Face it, it has been proven time and time again with other sports and franchises, the only way things will ever change is when this lunatic finally sells the team to someone who actually cares!
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Ray Kaats says:
Florida, Edmonton, Toronto and Boston at times over the last 5-6 years. They all are now better the LIs entry in the NHL.
Edmonton is a small market. Perhaps Charlie might want to check the population of Boston % Miami and their suburbs. Then compare them to the 3 million people in Nassau & Suffolk, not to mention the 1.5 mil plus in Queens.
This bum never brings us anything that gives us more hope. We’ll have to sit back and watch as he bides his time & then relocates the team in 2015 or watch him get an arena and continue micromanage a lousy team with a half empty building.
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Brian G says:
Spending no money makes sense to Wang, keep everything at low budget(rebuild) until he hears about the arena in a few years. I will not be spending money on this team until this on-ice product is improved…plain & simple. Hey clueless owner Have fun with an empty building for the rest of the year, you never do anything smart. You are the worst owner in sports and it shows in everything this organization does. THE FANS ARE NOT STUPID!!! Wang you better pray there is an amnesty clause to get rid of 1 contract in the next CBA. Thanks again for another last place season!
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How can Charlie relocate and recoup some of his ill spent money?
Try this scenario: Wang never gets a new arena. Then relocates the team to Quebec (or some city with a NHL approved arena). He bought the team for 195 mil. 100 mil for the cable deal (still worth over 200mil come 2015 as it runs thru 2030) and 95 mil for the team. No one is going to pay him 195 mil for the Isles to stay in the Coliseum and no one is going to pay for a cable deal that will be useless to the new owner when he relocates.
So, Charlie relocates to, say, Quebec. He has a new arena there, a solid fan base, a good deal with Quebec City on the arena and a cable deal worth, say, 100 mill.
The cable deal is worth less than the 200 mil+ on LI but the team is worth more. Charlie then sells the team & cable deal along with his new arena deal. Figure he gets just 250 million for the whole package. That’s a lot better than the $150 mil (high estimate) he would get for selling the Isles to someone else who would relocate or someone who would try & keep the team here. So, Charlie cuts his losses.
He would be hated by many on LI but he’s hated now…does he care?
I never thought this franchise would leave, now I do. Frankly, it would be worse if Wang stayed here and kept interfering ang giving us crap teams year after year.
For those who still think Charlie cares about the team: If you owned the Isles and saw all this losing year after year, would you change things? Would you bring in a successful hockey guy like Sandy Alderson (Mets) to run the team while you got out of the way. Wang hasn’t and won’t. So, how can anyone say he cares about the team yet does nothing but interfere that continues the losing.
Change the uniform Charlie, put in another tattoo parlor, let Sparky walk around among the fans blocking your customer’s view of the game, have your sales people come into the stands during games and try to sell season tickets while joining Sparky in blocking the fan’s view, extend Ricky’s contract 50 more years, bring back Yashin, better bring back Milbury…..you know best, you know everything and really care about the Islanders.
Charles Wang cares as much about the Islander team & its fans as Stalin cared about the peasants.
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G.B. says:
Milbury must still be advising wang!
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buzzard115 says:
neil smith did more than snow in his 30 plus days as gm !!!! he couldnt take wangs bs !!!! what does that tell you…
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Winning says:
Wang has been pinching pennys since he bought the team. The only 3 years we didnt have a bottom of league payroll were the osgood/yashin/peca years. Otherwise its been about pinching pennys. The man is a failure in every sense of the word.
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Arbour = Leader says:
Wang does not care. That is a fact
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Eric Cup says:
It’s my opinion that Charles DOES care. It’s that he has to exert his influence on all hockey decisions. And, if what he says is true that Garth can make the moves he feels would help the hockey team, then he’s an epic fail right now. I didn’t mind building from the bottom up, but it’s time to show progress and, ridiculously, we are still a laughingstock.
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Stumpy32 says:
Totally agree. While Wang is a buffoon and clearly has no clue how to run a hockey team, I’ve never for once questioned that the guy cares about the Islanders. And I know he wants to win. However, he has literally no clue how to do that, and has a ridiculous amount of loyalty to imcompetent employees. Plus, he needs to have his hands in everything. Terrible owner and manager, but saying he doesn’t “care” is just not accurate.
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Bean322 says:
Sorry but No…if wang cared he would have started with firing Snow…if he cares why hasnt he realized that Snow’s incompetant.?
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Junior junior says:
I agree with you bean…if this guy cares then why has he disgraced the team
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Jim says:
No surpsises here. The team is losing and that’s never a problem with Wang. He’s only known losing during his tenure. To him it doesn’t matter that in his 10+ years of ownership he’s never gotten out of the first round and this current rebuild is at least 3-5 years away from even having a chance to do so.
The “kids are making mistakes he says” what about the league high number of guys over 30?
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gary91922 says:
Great news about Nino, let the kid go out and play the game he loves. Hopefully he ate from the same bag of popcorn KO ate from when he sat.
Wang makes me laugh and shows how bad of an owner he is..
Don’t get me wrong, he has kept the team here on LI, but at what price? Sometimes it seems that the one big frustration of them moving 10 years ago would have dissapated by now. However the price we pay is day after day low points. I can count on one hand the number of “good” days to be a NYI fan over the past 10+ years
“Were not a big market team”… What have you done Mr Wang to convince the league to increase your share of the league revenue sharing monies?
What have you done to tap into one of the 10 largest earnings per capita in the country? Baby Boomers with mony were in thier 30′s and up during the cup days. They have money and passion if you worked the situation right.
What have you done to work the political system correctly so that we can have a revenue producing arena to help fund the team besides some shady deals that my 13 year old can see through?
Is there any acocuntability in Mr Wang organization besides stick to the cap floor and run the team with bubble gum and paper clips? Not for Mad Mike or Snow…
At what point do you reach out to the league (who desperately needs NY to be prominant) and get some hockey help?
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How about the fact that the team is allergic to marketing themselves to the biggest and wealthiest city in the world, which is a mere 20 miles west of the arena? You’re not going to get a ton of Rangers converts, but c’mon…if you had even a decent radio signal, it would be top 5 in how many people have access to an NHL team’s games. Move to Queens or Brooklyn, and you’d likely have a beat writer from more than just Newsday.
But you’re not going to do that. So that’s why we’re a “small market team.” In New York. Give me a break.
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There is no marketing with the islanders. Hence reinforcing the theory that the team has already been sold.
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I’ve never been more disappointed in this team than I have been this season. It’s so sad what has become of this franchise. It’s going to take a lot to egt things turned around and unfortunately Wang is not the man to do it. He may know how to run a business, but he hasn’t a clue on how to run a professional sports team.
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jisles says:
Ill keep saying it. Nothing will change with wang as the owner. For the most part I was a supporter of Wang. For buying the team, keeping them here. I wasn’t that excited about the LH project cause it was obviously a land grab but I figured hey a billionare and his money and it would help the team. I was totally in support of the referendum but that failed. Now I am realizing that Wang is just waiting til 2015. He has no intention of changing anything. If the team wins great but no big deal if they lose. Any owner in his right mind would have Snow fired by now. This is yr 4 of rebuild, at the qtr pole and the team has regressed and it is now officially a failiure. Wang needs to sell or step back and hire a president of hockey ops who can hire a real gm, who will hire a real coach and draft real players. What is so hard about this Mr Wang? What is so hard to understand? That would be the right thing to do. It is 11 years now. Over a decade since you bought the team. Time to get out or step aside. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
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Gene F says:
“We’ve tried to be conservative and make smart decisions, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.” = NO HOPE for the team and for the fans.
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Fred says:
Here’s a thought. The Islanders play 35 minutes out of New York City. They play in highly populated suburbia. Wang’s small market mentality is a problem, this team WAS a big market team with fans spanning the entire North American continent.
Wang threw some money in to the team when he first bought it in hopes of turning the fan base’s affection in to political sway to push a real estate deal through. When that didn’t happen, they became a “small market” cheap team with the owner watching every penny.
The Islanders with Wang will always come with a grain of real estate development salt. Time and time again Wang has said one thing about spending money and then the team doesn’t spend money. After 10 years the proof is in the pudding. Numbers don’t lie, Wang does.
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Bob E. says:
can we run Rolston, Mottau really hard till they get hurt. This way we can get back on track.
Hate to say these VETS have brought ZERO to the table. we still have blown leads.
All we are is softer and slower.
Bring back the speed. Get rid of the old timers.
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fred says:
OKPOSO SUCK!
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Jim Clark says:
No talk from Mr Wang like “the goal of the Islanders is to win the Stanley Cup” like Mr Pegula said when he bought the Sabres a few months ago. And no offense to any one from the Queen City of the Niagara frontier but that town is ranked only behind Detroit in devastated metropolitan cities.
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HELLO!! THIS IS HOW BAD IT HAS GOTTEN!!
Retweet: @NYIslanders..wake up, someone tell Garth we have loyal Isles fans being forced to do this type of blasphemy…”I’ve been an Isles fan since 74-75. SnoWang has succeeded in doing something that I didn’t think was possible— my son asked me if we could get some Rangers tickets.”
AND IM NOT FAR BEHIND..spend money!
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Jack says:
More double talk by Wank. Just like the Bond deal. When Wank was asked to fund an arena he said it couldn’t make money. When it was the tax dollar paying for the arena it was a guaranteed money maker. Which is it Wank??? Snow can spend money if it will help the team but we have to be conservative. More double talk. Small market??? The NHL doesn’t consider this a small market because it’s not. Wank has created a small fan base in a big market.
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BanGarth says:
You would think Wang has too much pride to let the team become such a laughing stock but apparently not. If Garth really has free reign to make moves he is the worst gm in the history of any sport,I would rather have Milbury, never thought i would ever say something so horrible.
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Dan C. says:
Let’s not go crazy. Milbury was still worse than Garth. At least Garth didn’t completely mess the bed when he had the first overall pick. DP is the worst #1 overall pick of all time outside of Patrik Stefan.
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DC says:
realxxxx… he made the all star game and started for team USA…. then the lockout hit and he started juicing and ruined his career!!!
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claude says:
WOW!! and look where we your thoughtful , conservative approach has taken us .Straight to the effing basement year in year out. P-L_E-A-S-E
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moonshine says:
i) the nhl does not need three ny teams.
ii) the devils seem set to go through bankruptcy at the end of this season. that’s what can happen if you build a sparkling new arena.
iii) wang at some point (soon) will want to recoup the money he’s bled.these are the issues facing the islanders.
selling and moving the team is the only reasonable outcome, at this point. imo it’s already more of a given than we realize. the losing fits very nicely into that picture because it’s one more reason to declare the islanders over and done with.
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danfromouteast says: More than likely only small market would be interested because any big market is not going to want to start off with a mess like this with a questionable roster, coach, health staff, and owner. Then all you’re left with is small markets and so all wang is doing is taking a small market team to another small market which in turn will last, what like four or five (if that )seasons? Islanders are going to stay and hopefully this knuckle head of an owner will finally sell. Sure would be great if the Islanders were modeled after the GB Packers of the NFL they are publicly owned and very successful I might add. Makes me wonder can that be a possibility. That is where my intelligence runs out and the business peeps and politicians can figure that out, sure would be cool though.
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FedUp says:
Moving the Team will bring the same results!!
If you can not make it here how will he make it anywhere.I said it once and i will say it again till i am blue in the face,
IT IS NOT THE BUILDING THAT MAKES A TEAM, ITS THE TEAM THAT MAKES A BUILDING.
You will still have the same out come LAST PLACE AND SEATs WILL NOT SELL,”ANYWHERE!!!!”
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Tony says:
I, like Charles Wang, am going to be conservative in the future as well. I am going to start by not renewing my season tickets!
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why you need a ST if the tickets for game against Tampa on 12/6 cost $2.50 a piece on StubHub?
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Subydude says:
Lots of anger and frustration here. What makes this rebuild so bad is all the losing that started BEFORE the rebuild.
I think Wang cares, and I think the team stays. I think his problem is he trusts those that he hires and lets them run with it – first Milbury (set us back a decade) and now Snow. Snow has sold him on a steady rebuild and it makes no sense to spend more than the cap floor on FAs when you are rebuilding – why, so you can finish 9th or 10th and draft in the middle like the Rangers every year? Even if you catch fire and finish 8th you are one and done.
This really sucks but more and more I think they are determined to stay the course, like it or not. At this point, I would prefer they not do anything stupid at the deadline. We WILL improve, when that day comes don’t be saddled with any horrible contracts (DP, Yashin) and sign a FA that matters.
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Well first off!
Charles Wang is a big LIAR! In one Breath he says that they are Conservative, and in the next breath he says Garth “The Puppet” Snow can do what he wants if it makes sense.
Well who is kidding who here.
If your conservative that means your not a spender not even a big one. So why would Snow ever come ask his boss to spend BIG money on a quality player if he already knows the rules. Wang is such a double talker it is sicking and that is why the Results are the same every year. you can see right through this guy.
It is clear by Charles Wangs DUPLICITOUS statement that Charles Wang and him alone is responsible for this mess every year!CHARLES WANG MUST SELL!!
GARTH SNOW MUST GO !!!-
Think about what you are saying – there is no buyer for this team that keeps them here. They may be gone anyway, but if Wang sells they are DEFINITELY gone.
I’ve been in it this long, may as well see where this ends up. I must say, I never remember watching the NHL draft every year as a kid…
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With all do respect how do you know there is no buyer until you put the team up for sale?
Where did you read that or hear that? from charles wang?
Put this team up for sale and some other wealthy corperation or indivual will buy them.
I’ll bet the ranch on it. -
totally agree. Wang is a fear mongerer. He is scaring all the islander fans that if he sells they will move. He has everyone believing including the media that he is the last owner fo the islanders. SELL THE FN TEAM ALREADY
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mark from massapequa says:
i’ll take that bet. nobody will buy the franchise and keep them here without a new arena.
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AND not for nothing but Long Island and New York has the highest net WORTH per capita
than Most citys in the United states.
That is why we have 3 NHL hockey teams here.Maybe if you put Quality on the Ice and Win some Games you would have a different outcome. And maybe they would sell out more than a couple of Games.
And Why would Charles Wang want to build a mini city and New building to play in if the Market was not a Big Market Here?
Charles Wang is a LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!!
In a Huge Way.-
Kevin says:
Its not that Wang is making money on this team, its just that he isn’t losing as much as he says he is. He says 10-20 million a year, I believe it is around 2-8 million a year. (small change to someone who has an 890 million or so net worth, plus its a good tax write off when you lose money on the business that you own… PS- he owns other ventures that make money)
Isles TV contract is worth approximately 20 million a year, which is A LOT OF CASH! That money off sets a lot including poor attendance and some payroll $. If this team starts winning, fans show up (just like in 2001-2004) and that increases Wang’s revenue. How can a SUCCESSFUL sports franchise not survive in NY with the ridiculously enormous population? TV contracts will always be lucrative in NY, because even if the game sells out, there are still millions of people who have to watch the game on TV. But SUCCESS IS THE KEY!
Remember this: A business man never brags about how much money he makes… but a business man will always cry poor when he doesn’t make money! This is to try and get sympathy dollars from municipalities,other businesses, sponsors, partners, fans, whoever etc, etc.
The final point I continue to make is…. if a NY based team relocates to outside the NY metro area…… How bad does that look for the entire league and all of sports?? BAD. If a pro team cant survive in an area with 10-15+ million, then there is a problem with pro sports. Bettman will not move the Isles out of NY metro area, guaranteed. Look how he fights for Phoenix, imagine his battle with the Islanders!!! I’m not an expert with pro sports economics, but this is just common sense I believe.
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I hope you’re right……it seems like we continue to sink after hitting bottom. Wangs actions make no sense unless you wish to cut costs and sell. He can change by mind by simply stating his desire to win, make the appropriate person ell changes and field a competitive team worthy of the NY market. I will ride it out to the end but he is making it very easy to dislike this team.
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Damn iPad auto corrects and changes my text- please excuse grammar
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The most agonizing part about this arena deal is that Mr. Wang is so ‘morgue’ quiet on the subject. I believe he is either in the works for a re-location within the area (queens, suffolk, brookyln) or he is trying to scare local politicians, potential land investors into bartering a better deal for himself.
I think everyone (including myself) hopes he chirps up on the issue and lets his intentions be known, because the deadline for shovels to hit the dirt is approximately June – September 2012.
The reality of it all, and the silly thing, is that Mr. Wang’s silence is hurting the fan base and organization. But then again, his motives are very hard (and always been)hard to decipher.
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danfromouteast says:
Did I read what wang said correctly? They will continue doing what they deem as smart moves. So far I haven’t seen much in the regards to making or doing anything Smart. Well a small market team next to a big market team (RANGERS) doesn’t usually work out look at Mets and Yankees. Wang you are an idiot sell the team to someone who will keep it here. You aren’t threatening anyone with moving the team. Where are you going to go to another small market location. You are proof that you can be very wealthy but you don’t have to be very smart. Although you heard it from the man himself Snow so go out and do something. Tell DP you will give him more money….if he decides to pack it in. Get rid of Reasoner he is garbage. Tell Rolston nice try ah bye bye. Pandolfo sorry it happend heres some percocet enjoy the luxury box. Memo to the young guys shape up or ship out! Geez we could’ve picked up Eric Nystrom who has eight goals already! I think Poulins game is off because he is not as mentally stimulated I mean come on man he played last year and did an excellent job and now he’s back in the AHL and DP is starting? Demoralizing. Think we can get someone over six feet to play some physical defense other then Hamonic and (sometimes) Jurcina. Konopka sure does suck! Especially when we did the no brainer and signed Reasoner…I’m being sarcastic. Staois you are playing hard but YOU ARE NOT A FIRST LINE D-MAN!!!! Wang fighting doesn’t score goals, prevent goals but it energizes the team and can boost a team up when moral is down and can HELP lead to goals or a goalie waking up and quite frankly it’s a part of the game! You don’t like it go play ping pong. Oh another thing Cappy whether he is the answer as coach or not you got rid of Laviolette, Nolan,possible GM Neil Smith walked out. Give a quality coach a fighting chance. Also whether or not your a big market team or not you can still be respected and you have taken that away from the Islanders. The Islanders were never a big market team but they knew how to draft, coach, trade, they were intelligent which inturn got them the respect they demanded and in turn plyers wanted to play for them. Like NJ and Edmonton they aren’t big market but any player would more than likely play for them because of their winning attitude, intelligence and their demand for quality from the office to the ice and their demand for respect. There are many other small market teams as well Buffalo, Earhoff is playing there, Nashville, Carolina.
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Great Reporting Kevin!! Thumbs up!
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PotvinRocks says:
If its a “smart decision” of fiscal decision Charles? Jay Pandalfo, Mike Mottau, Reasoner, Mark Eaton all left over crap that they were able to get black Friday deals on. When is the last time Snow made a good hockey move? Moulson and Streit were lucky shots in the dark. Ryan Smyth might have been only hockey move he has ever made. Which is why we are the anti-Detroit.
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Wang is a Liar, if anyone thinks he cares about the fans are smoking crack. He only cares about this arena deal. As soon as the last failed attempt with the county to build an arena is rejected. He will sell this team ASAP to anyone, he doesn’t care if the franchise is moved. Season ticket holders should NOT waste their money anymore. its sad but this is the real state of the franchise. He does not care to win, he just wants to get by spending the least he can til he gets a final answer!
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/islanders/sinking_deserted_isles_be_damned_5h8mY5mUHggSeqoCtiwVXM
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Dk says:
PotvinRocks is dead on.
Aside from JT, the biggest improvements to the team were Moulson and Grabs falling in our laps. What else has snow job done aside from getting a very good coach in Nolan canned
And Wang wasn’t shy demanding the fans to write politicians and take time off of work for rally’s, votes, town halls, etc. But when he loses he doesnt say squad to all of the people that did go to all of these outings, that did contact politicians, that did burn 5 vacation days.
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You burned 5 vacation days on this garbage? …..that vote was NEVER going to pass and Wang knew it. I’ll wager that a deal to send the isles to another market has been in place for over a year now. How else do you explain the lack of competency in the organizations decisions the last few years. Wang is clearly finished IMO.
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CM says:
Only chance now is if Bettman steps in.
Wang is making the Isles act like a small market team. Such a bad excuse.
Wang’s philanthropic contributions are meaningless.
His legacy will be forever tarnished for what he did to this organization. In hindsight, he never saved the Isles, he ruined them. I wish the Isles had moved or folded rather than go through this mess as a fan of nearly 40 yrs.
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Oh snap, chuck clown came out from hiding.
Want wang is tryng to say about “we are not a big hockey market” is that he doesn’t have a new arena yet. He wont mention the arena issue because distractions.
Wang is using Snow is his scapegoat.
In the Milbury days, his infamous words were “Mike’s the hockey guy?!” Now it’s ” I’ve never said no to what Garth wants to do. If it makes sense for our team, then we’ll do it”
Spare me your crap you clown. Fool me once shame on you. fool me twice shame on me. -
The New Isles GM says:
Gentleman,
I sense a major frustration on this message board. I feel your pain. It’s very simple. Stop paying for this product. Watch it at home on the tv you just bought on Black Friday. I will care more when Garth and Wang care more. For now….let the sink ship. You can’t save it alone.
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Bob says:
It starts from the top, plain and simple. Wang is the worst owner in professional sports. He hires his backup goalie to run the team, who in turn drafts and trades irresponsibly, and hires a minor league coaching staff. This will never change until Wang sells, new arena or not.
Reasoner in and Haley out? Other than Garth trying to prove that 1 of his free agent signings was a smart move, I just dont get it.
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cjcb says:
LOL! Haley sits? What a joke team. I think im done with this team till we are out of the Wong Snow era. Its becoming to hard to stick by this team anymore.
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ed says:
I remember how excited I was when Neil Smith came in as GM and then Hired Ted Nolan. I couldn’t believe that Islanders were going to be relevant again.I still remember being at work hearing that Smith was gone and that Snow was moving up to be GM. Then the 15 year extension for DP. Team has been doomed since and will not be able to get out of this until Snow and Wang get over their insecurities and hire a hockey guy for coach and get a scouting department
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really starting to look like we are trying to spend as least amount of money as possible so he can move the team..
cant beleive a billionaire forgot the idea that to make money, you need to spend money.
Well, looks like its time to start planning a move off the island cause if their gone, what the hell is there to do in LI?
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kevO says:
I agree with “the new isles gm”. Everyone should not attend games. The coliseum should be even emptier that it already is. Fans should show wang & snow that if they dont care about making this team more competive then we the fans dont care either. Why should we spend our hard earned money to go watch a handful of “key vertern pick ups” get shut out at home. I have made my decision as well as about 8 of my buddies to never spend $1 as long as wang and snow are part of this mickey mouse organization. they keep blaming the building how its so old and players are unattracted to come here cause of the building. They are so full of BS, players dont want to come here because they have a former mediocre goalie as the teams GM.
I dont blame the team, the Islander Organization is pathetic -
StevieL says:
Hmmm Charles Wang…I know the name! Don’t tell me ummmm ok, What does he do again? And who is this Gath Snow guy? Are they somehow involved in the NHL??
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I still remain perplexed about this supposed “small market” status. We have a NYC television contract. We SHOULD have a NYC radio contract, beat writers from NYC newspapers, but we don’t. The only reason we don’t is that the Islanders, in one of their many brilliant business moves, decided to market only to Long Island, and not the city of 8 million people immediately to the west.
It’s wonderful to have pride in your hometown, and I’ll admit, part of the special nature of the franchise is that team from the suburbs being underdogs and knocking off more urban teams. But we’re not Palookaville here. When people ask where I’m from, I say New York. We’re all Islanders, fine…we’re also all New Yorkers. That means that we’re never small market, because, frankly, even if we did only market to Long Island, you’re then marketing to 2.5 million people with greater net worths than at least half the NHL cities, probably more.
If there is any reason we can be considered “small market,” its because we label ourselves as small, and we act small, and we market small. In absolutely no context should a Long Island-based professional franchise 20-25 miles east of New York City be considered “small market.” Saying so is insulting to the fan base, most of which never had a goal of living in a “small” market.
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What!!! Haley out? Oh thats right were a finesse team
Effing joke! Another stupid, thoughtful, conservative decision -
Frank DiPietro says:
Dear Mr. Wang.
You are the modern day version of Harold Ballard. Low budget, and all about the bottom line with no focus on the on-ice product. Look at Mr. Ballard’s track record. Ran a historied franchise into the ground and you’re doing the same. Business success comes with winning and winning won’t happen with mediocre talent on the ice year after year.
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Islesneedpride says:
Thank you Larry Brooks of the Post for telling it like it is. Newsday would never run a story like that. While the Islanders play like crap and without passion, Newsday runs stories about how improved JT is on winning faceoffs.
Listen, Wang, who I have lost all respect for as an owner, has every right to be at the cap floor. If you had an NHL ready GM running the show, things would be a little better. With all of the money Snow gave to a bunch of geriatric players, he could had signed or traded for one or maybe two solid players. A smart GM would have added some bulk and not stocked the team with smurfs.
Bottom line, Wang is clueless or just does not care anymore. Snow is in way over his head, and has done a really poor job to date.
It’s not the building why free agents will not sign here, it’s because of the ineptitude of the organization.
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the bomber says:
i would hope the coach has the final say in who he wants to dress, after all, hes gonna be the first one tossed overboard….
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Wang translation: I will not put one more dime in the team until i get a new arena, here or anywhere!
N.Y., a small marker team??????
“It’s not like we are getting blown out of games” Uhm, let’s see: We are dead last and the only constant has been getting shut out by 6-0, and 5-0, just to name the latest disasters.
“The young guys are going through growing pains, which is to be expected” Oh, O.K., so the 3 senior citizens you signed are going through some arthritic pain I guess, because they have not grown in 20yrs! And your boy toy D.P. aka Grizzly Adams will be an all star in a few yrs., right???
“We have the players to be a competitive team”. Unfortunately, the word competitive as per Mr. Wang means being allowed to play in the N.H.L, as opposed to the real definition which is that they have a chance to win every game.
Folks, Mr. Wang is either the most stubborn idiot when it comes to running a hockey team, or he just thinks we fans are. Wang just does not have the assets to run a hockey team professionally. I am devastated at how this team is run, and how indifferent our owner is to the fact that we are the laughingstock of the whole sports world. I simply can’t see how this man has so little dignity. -
MarioGazz says:
Im not even going to comment on why Haley is out.
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Hollywood says:
I just don’t get it! Why is Haley not playing over Reasnor????? Reasnor blows, the team has played well with Haley in the lineup. Typical, this can’t be Capuano’s call got to be Snow. No way would Cappy prefer Reasnor over Haley. When is enough enough!
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yo yo…
My name is Charles the clown with my 1 inch “wang” in my hand and my chillin and coolin with my scapegoat Garth, snowman. =)(beat-boxes to the beat, with lee on my legs and Adidas on my feet)
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Al L says:
This is the insulting type of crap that makes my blood boil! We’re not a BIG MARKET franchise? Are the LA Kings of Englewood California not a BIG MARKET franchise? The NEW YORK Islanders are 12 miles from Mid Town Manhattan and 15 minutes from an outer NYC Boro! Stuff it,Charles!!!! We spend conservatively and will continue to do so???? Translated! We will spend as little as we possibly can under the current CBA rules until our current lease expires! The Leashold is worthless! If I could escape from it NOW I would have sold this franchise to a consortium from Mars if the price was right!
We’re not idiots,Charlie! -
itsuksbeingislesfan says:
reasoner over haley , come on
this is ridiculous
line up should atleast look like this
sit rolstonmm jt grabs
d ullstrom frans ko
martin bailey nino
haley reasoner pa
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Danfromouteast says:
Do not put that bag of sh** reasoner on the roster. He as useful as tits on a bull
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We have to ensure that we stay under the 3 players that care. Max limit. What a joke.
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Why would you want PAP on the 4th line? What is it with some of you people on this board? He is their 2nd-best forward this season and one of about 3 players (along with JT and Martin) who actually look like they worked to improve their game in the offseason. I know this team isn’t physical, but it’s not every single player’s job to check. PA does his job, which is to bring some offensive creativity. He is on pace for about 60 points which ain’t too bad on this low-wattage team full of d-men who can’t clear the puck out of the zone and stone-handed forwards who can’t put the puck in the ocean.
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Capuano has as much say as we do.
Let’s not forgot that they also canned janikowski so the complete draft is run by Wang, Snow Job, and E. Now that Entourage has ended I am assuming a bigger role for Connolly. Maybe when cappy gets canned he stands next to Weight???
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Danfromouteast says:
Think about this wang backwards is gnaw which is exactly what he’s doing ti my patience
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But Snow is the exact opposite in reverse …
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Michael Pastore says:
I guess Haley has played with too much heart on this team. That is the reason he is being benched for Reasoner.
I would love to hear Snow’s and Cappi’s reason to benching Nino. Thank god he is finaly back in.
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danfromouteast says:
Why Why Why Why the hell is reasoner back in the line up he sucks a bag of d****. Haley on a line with Martin and Ullstrom centering. Reasoner is the biggest waste
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Mike says:
Reasnor is signed for next season also!!! It was a 2 year deal!!!!
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danfromouteast says:
a bunch of poop!!!!
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danfromouteast says:
“We’re not a big-market team that can spend like some teams do,” [Wang] said. “But I’ve never said no to what Garth wants to do. If it makes sense for our team, then we’ll do it. We’ve tried to be conservative and make smart decisions, and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
The following thing you have just read is POOP!!
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Christian says:
Chris Botta tweeted today: “Charles Wang’s comments to @StapeNewsday – latest confirmation he doesn’t want to work with the best or give autonomy” I couldn’t have said it any better. Chuckles will run a bargain basement team filled with washed up over paid players, with absolutely no grit or heart. He will drive this team even further into oblivion. In 2015 this team will move and all of us will be put out of our misery.
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Ted says:
Holy Christ! Where to begin with Wang’s idiotic quotes? “We’re not a big-market team that can spend like some teams do,”. I guess when your unwilling to spend above the cap floor, that would make the Islanders a small market team, or at least run like one. The problem is the Isles play in a big market and their clueless billionaire owner is too egotistical & cheap to improve this team. Here’s another beauty “But I’ve never said no to what Garth wants to do.” Wang never says no to Garth because Garth does whatever Wang wants him too. It just doesn’t matter anymore who is playing for this team, or who they draft, or who coaches, or who the GM is. As long as Wang is the owner, this team will continue to be a compete joke. Period!
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john says:
REASONER???? OMG cmon already..actually we have a better chance of him getting hurt while in the lineup. this is unreal, someone is BLIND!!!!!oh wait i know what they are thinking they can put reasoner on the ice when we have a 1 goal lead in the last minute of the game to blow it. if winning the game tonight is top priority then putting reasoner in instead of haley is just idiotic!!!! sabres just exhaled and said ok guys hit JT , crash the crease and do it hard and often…..
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I find it interesting that we waive someone that is claimed in hours while we have at least 5 guys that wouldn’t get a snif.
And that’s only players. Would snow or cappy ever get a second chance in another org? Hell no. One and done. Once Wang finds those pictures and can get rid of snow his career is over. Too bad for us that probably happens when we are the quebec city ramparts.
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As much as I want changes here on the Island, I don’t think it’s fair to judge how good Garth Snow could be at being a GM when no one can succeed under Charles Wang. I think him and his staff has done a decent job at drafting (minus Bailey), and pulled off some nice waiver wire pickups. When you can’t spend money past the cap floor, your hands are tied. I’m sure if we had Buffalo’s owner right now, Garth would be doing a better job on the phones.
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Jerky says:
There are a lot of other small market teams in the NHL who must watch their bottom line, yet still have full scouting departments, full radio signals, beat reporters, etc. And while they may not spend to the cap ceiling, they certainly are not at the cap floor using buyouts, injured players, etc. to get there. Wang is a POS.
And if what Wang said is true about not preventing Snow from making moves for financial reasons, then Snow is complicit in this scam. If what Wang said is not true and Snow is hampered from making moves, then he should’ve quit by now to preserve what’s left of his reputation. Either way, Snow a d-bag.
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Agreed.
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Nashville is as small as it gets and always are in the mix for the playoffs.
Amazing what a great GM-Coach condo can do. Especially when there isn’t a meddling owner and a great goalie in place.
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Combo not condo
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I have been wondering what our situation would be like if we had the Poile/Trotsz combo and the same record as Nashville the last 10 years. Would the Coliseum be full, or nearly so, every night?
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Reasoner is another Snow ball drop. The only chance of this organization being saved is another wacky Long Islander with money buys the team and hires real hockey people not backup goalies.
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no more says:
i’m going to save a lot of money next year— NOT renewing my season tickets after too many years of wong!
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So if Wang says that Garth can do what he wants as long as it is feasable, why doesnt he ask Garth “why are we in last place”? Your full of SH*T Wango because any other owner would say to Garth, what the fu*k are you doing? Im trying to make money here and you put a crap product on the ice. How am I supposed to get people here and make money.
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conservative=low budget…hear me out…this is a great analogy I read recently in a book revolving around management philosophy and operating styles for large businesses with complex heirarchial structures…
“operating with your focus strictly on the “bottom line” is like playing Tennis with your eyes focusing on the score board.”
Focus on the ball!
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CLUELESS Chuckels!!!!!!!! I will be watching NHL hockey tonight Pens vs blueSKIRTS!!!! Thanks Chuckels for driving away a fan since 76-77!!!!
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kbulger22 says:
Yes, Wang cares about this team, the same way I care about my cat. I love my cat, but if my cat needs a new kidney, Fluffy’s SOL.
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Wang-You Suck at Life!!!!!!
-Anyone else looking forward to the rags-pens game more than isles game tonite…
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YES!!!!! Watched Pens vs Mont Sat night was the BEST game I watched all year!!!! It is AMAZING how great hockey can be with NHL players!!!!!
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As a fan since the mid 80′s I am done now with the Isles. I’ll be watching the NHL Network, the Rangers-Pens game, and maybe NBC or CBS programming tonight – NOT ISLANDER HOCKEY. WHY WASTE MY TIME????
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Mike says:
I think we need to get a bus trip to the next Hurricanes/Caps game, and get some nice seats behind the benches, and spend the game yelling vile horrible things at both coaches. If the game is on NBC, then we can tell Milbury how much we hate him too. It’s a triple crown of Islander hate!!
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islandersfan4ever says:
I Have been saying all of this for years, but when Botta had this site it was all WangAss kissers. Now You are finally hearing me. Wang is just in it for the land development, and since that failed, so will this team. he will not stop until it is done.Stuc a fork in and guess what, heburnt this team to a crisp. As a fan,my heart breaks with every bad decision.I feel bad for the couple of good players we do have. They are surrounded by minor leaguers.And Rickety just looks like a fuzzy douchebag.Dont know how his wife stands all that hair.Gross…Hope he doesnt sprain something with all that jumping.After all, the all star game was his downfall,LITERALLY!This team sucks, and every one of our Castoffs in the last % years has gone on to be quite sucessful on their next teams!Biggest mistake as of late was letting Z go.The only guy who would stand up for this team.What the hell will we do when JT gets boarded badly?He is all we have.Mabs,Roli,Bergy,Blake,Tenko,Park,Guerin,Z,RIP Joe Vasicek,Martinek,all flourish after Islander stints, and thats just in our Last rebuild.Not to mention 30 years since Al retired.What a sad sad story. We suck because of the owners.
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” WANG MUST SELL !!!”
“SNOW MUST GO !!!”
CHANT IT!
BLOG IT !
SHOUT IT OUT LOUD, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE !
I Beg you Islander Fans to
SAVE OUR TEAM AND THAT ONCE PROUD LOGO!!!
We are the foundation! We have to save it!
It is our obligation!
Do NOT let Charles Wang Continue to Ruin It! -
Larry G says:
How do you know Wang is lying? His lips are moving. That saying is as old as, Wang’s lame excuses. Everyone knows, his is using the Islanders, as a tax write-off, and cover-up, of his ill-gotten gains, when he ran from Computer Associates, leaving Kumar, holidng the bag, and behind bars.
Second item for today’s game, Haley out, NoReasoner in. WTF???
If that does prove to Bettman, Wang is ensuring his tax loss scam, then the NHL, needs a real leader, as well as the Islanders do.
I am not watching this enforcerless bunch tonight. Can’t sand watching the kids get smacked around. If they continue to let Tavares, get mugged and pounded, there goes another 1st pick, down the drain, as well.
Hey Wang, we’ve upped our severity, “UP YOURS”!
40 YEAR FAN, FORMER SEASON TICKET HOLDER
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Yeah, let’s take a heart and soul player who sticks up for his teammates out of the line-up for a pylon.
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nightbite21 says:
Reading that article made me sick to my stomach. This putz is is actually content w this sh#tshow. Snow has the easiest job in the world. No accountability, no worry of failure. Keep a low profile and say yes to everything the emperor says.
I had customer tell me her husbands an isles fan and they love to take the kids to the games cause it’s cheap entertainment. We shared a laugh in regards to the actual entertainment value. Unfortunately Wangdoodle will ride these meager contributions till 2015 hits. Unless a radical drop in season ticket renewals and partial plans is upheld next year then NOTHING will change.
Our Islander joke/embarrassment of the day:
Haley out- Pandolfo in.One area where this organization NEVER let’s you down.
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My bad…Reasoner. Still smells like s#it to me.
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Fio says:
How is it possible that when I root for the Islanders I live in small market, but when I root for the Mets I live in a big market and never move my seat but just change the channel..
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Although I hate baseball, this is so true. LOL
I guess the Jets were a small market team before moving to Jersey too.
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Fio, this is not a knock on you, but come next year, the idiot Wilpons (wonder how well, they know Wang?), will be fielding a ‘small market team’. Wilpon already lowered seat prices(reported in newspaper), a few weeks ago, which I think is the soft announcement, Reyes is gone, and probably Wright too.
If an owner is in trouble, why not just sell the team, instead of screwing the fans, and misleading them with lies? -
Snow should enjoy the cushiness of his current job it is the last one he gets in the NHL.
Maybe E can get Vinny Chase to Pony up and buy the team.
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EJ1SINCE40 says:
Can Wang be this much of an SOB??
He states on the Newsday column “at leat were not getting killed out there, the kids are learning, and are bound to make mistakes”
Not getting killed??????!!!!!!!!!!!
I this jack ass serious???????? 6 shut outs in this early season and back to back 6 zip thumpings????!!!
I cringe every time I see his mug..
Die hard since ’75, not sad anymore, but really angry that I have given this putz for a owner and a HUMAN BEING as much financial support as I have.
Who I am sad for are the fans that were not part of the Cup years with aurguably one of the best GM/head coach tandems ever.
Wang is not right and is up to no good. I am 48 years young and have never seen such treatment to a fan base as this current regime.
People, goggle CA and READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Al says:
I know this is wrong but I almost wish we had a Penn State scandal here, just so we could get rid of Wang and Snow.
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Al, the last thing this world needs are more young kids being abused.
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especially when its the Islander 2011/12 season ticket holders that are getting abused. Wang should give out free proctologist apointments to have the shafts removed from the remaining fans that actually bought seats.
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Isles4cups says:
TSN is speculating that 6’2″ 24 yr old LW/C Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks is being shopped. He would look good in an Islanders uniform.
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The Isles will make a trade for a REAL NHL player when pigs fly!!!!!!!
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that would be stupid.
Ducks will need him more then ever when Old hag selanee retires.Snow doesn’t have the skill trade for him.
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Almost forgot. Hey Kevin, hope all is well. Keep up the good work pal and good luck to us!
Everyone is bailing before the ship takes on any more water. Deb to the Devils and Katie to ESPN.
CB gets banned, Trots, Pat LaFontaine, Neil Smith, Ted Nolan, no real radio….and the beat goes on..
Surprised Chris King and #22 still have jobs..
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Matt says:
I have a great idea but I’m not sure if it will work.
Spend a little money, put a winning team on the ice and maybe people will show up.
ITS NOT ABOUT THE STADIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Chris says:
Wang is only concerned about real estate deals and Snow is a joke of a GM. Mottau? Reasoner? Pandolfo? Rolston(with his crazy contract)? Staios? PLEASE!! Then you salary dump a 20 goal scorer and keep these over the hill veterans? I would rather get ONE real stud FA (Parise) and overpay than have this cast of characters! There is young talent; the problem is that their veteran examples are AWFUL!! To me, a Zack Parise type veteran would be worth more than every veteran player on the team! They wont overpay cause Wang is not committed to WINNING. And Wang fancies himself a hockey expert who pulls Snow’s strings.
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Wang is telling his puppet not to over spend on good 5th 6th free agent dmen. That’s what he means about being “conservative”
If it make sense for wang purse to open, then he’ll do it.Can you imagine if some like Dolan owned the isles and called his own team “small market” ?
LOL. Wang should be ashamed of himself. -
islesrock73,
yea, I want to apologize for my comment. Knew it was wrong when I wrote it.
This mess is definetly getting to me. -
Orange&Blue says:
Reasoner in and Haley out. That makes a lot of sense, lol. Snow? Do other GM’s even take this clown seriously? Reasoner should be the next guy off the team. This move makes about as much sense as Wang owning a hockey team and Snow being his GM!
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PaIslanders says:
Nice to see Nino playing, happy al is net
just going to watch the game and continue watching the games going try to enjoy them if the game is a blow out going to change the channel
i see no reason to continue to b*tch and beat my head against the wall -
Wang makes the Wilpon’s look like the greatest all time owners of any pro sports team. Yes, the Mets have stunk for years, but until they were stung by Madoff, they spent on payroll, built a new stadium, and fired incompetent management and coaches that they always seemed to hired. Now that their payroll is reduced, at least they hired a top shelf GM in Sandy Alderson and a coach with major league experience. I am sure Fred Wilpon meddled on personal decisions over the years, but at least Fred Wilpon played high school and college ball. I am sure Wang could not even lace up a pair of skates or even play street hockey.
Wang and the Islanders? The complete antithesis of pro organizations in any sport.
MLB or the NFL would never let a franchise be handled so poorly. The Islander “organization” is an embarrassment to the NHL and an insult to the fans who still faithfully and blindly give their hard earned money to Wang.
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WALT says:
With WangChung in charge “Fail for Nail” will be the only discussion on this site after Christmas. “Small Market Team”!!!!
Spend some money for defensemen that can play
in the NHL, demote Red Light Ricky to the minors, dump the Devil Dead Wood, hire a proven NHL coach and the arena will fill up.
The fans have had it. If we had a good team to watch you could fill a wood barn with no roof or restrooms. The only thing “Small Market” here is Charles “Cheap and Clueless” Wang. -
Arent we playing the small market Sabres? Buffalo’s population is around 600k I believe. Long island plus Queens has about 5 mil.
Sabers highest payroll in the league ….. Isles lowest.
Just saying …..
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Blizz says: …you didnt have the kool aid….good for you
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I do get how 3 or 4 on this site have? That guy Charlie must be named his uncle Charles.
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Do not get
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Don from Levittown says:
Buffalo has a new billionare owner and a new arena. If the Sabres owner had a crappy building that no player would come to and lost 10 mil a year, things might be different there too.
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NoManIsAnIslander says:
This just in:
The crappy office drapes were really to blame for Chuck Wang giving himself a near 700 Million bonus just before Computer Associates stock value collapsed.
Yeah, the more things change the more they stay the same where it involves Chuck Wang.
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terry b says:
this softass team is painful to watch,,ranger game way more exciting,
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Terry, go watch the Rags. Become a fan and you will also be a loser just like them. You guys make it sound so easy to run and manage a team, why dont you go get a job for a hockey team and see how you do. Did you not hear Butch and Flats say the ice is horrible and they cant control the puck.Terry make sure you check back here and see how the game wound up.
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The clock strikes December and my favorite changes from the islanders to the 28 teams not named the rangers. It is Wang Snow Job tradition.
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Jon in Chicago says: Solid two periods. Montoya looks so steady but this team just refuses to score. And they’re terrible in 3rd periods so I’m not exactly filled with confidence.
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Real Hockey Fan says:
.. WOW , what a *small petty little piker* way of thinking, really thats LAME!
.. Granted we are not the NYRag$ (i understand that, i do) but cmon Charles this is still NY, my goodness how PATHETIC u sound
.. “Were not getting killed”? Really? u complete azzhole, did you really say that? Are we setting the bar and standard that loooooooooow? unreal
.. WHERES THE NY MEDIA? SERIOUSLY? WHEN DOES THE MICROSCOPE START 2 GET BIGGER ON THIS GUY?..
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Wang went the wilpon school of connecting with fans ….
We are not the Yankees so what can we do. They are 8 miles apart and both have their tv networks.
And Wang broke out the black jerseys just like the mets ran into the ground with.
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Jon in Chicago says:
Yeah, I know he’s 19 and blah, blah, but I’m still waiting to see Nino show me something, anything. He’s invisible out there, I don’t even think he’s touched the puck this season. And he was totally lost defensively on that goal.
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Danfromouteast says:
Wow who’d imagine reasoner on the ice when sabers score
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Reasoner prefers to stick check. Please package him and Motteau for case of Gatorade
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Shot by oposto
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rolston scores….he knew he had to since no Haley.
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.. BTW i had the game on in the second period for 5-7 minutes and i saw Nielsen “gat blasted” at center ice and then another Islander (not sure who) got steamrolled HARD behind the sabres net
.. Teams so soft its scary, WHY IS REASONER (no points, zero, “0″) and a minus in this game, in this lineup? why? anyone?
.. Hey guys you miss Konokpa yet?
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.. Hey look whio lost the faceoff on the power play and the sabres almost scored and now Baily gets a penalty
.. Guess who lost the important faceoff?
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Reasoner of course, GEEEZ he suxxxxx -
.. Holy shtyyyt what a bunch of GREAT save by Montoya on the 5-3 powerplay, wow
.. He made 2-3 spectular, dare i say high-light saves, wow great job Montoya!! wow
.. BRAVO Montoya!
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Montoya is playing his ass off
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Montoya has been awesome. He is pricing himself out of here.
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Jon in Chicago says:
So true
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If DP was in there would have been 4 goals on that 5 on 3
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AFIsle says:
montoya is becoming the goalie he was supposed to be
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SellWang says:
Thank god for Montoya! We will take it 2 in a row!
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MikeInNYC says:
Everyone killing Garth Snow remember that Al Montoya is his doing. If there was any question who the #1 should be right now, Montoya just answered it.
Nino had a better game I think. I saw him out there throwing his body around and until his offensive skills come around, that’s exactly what you want a 6’2″ 205 pound kid to do.
Tavares was everywhere, once again. Bummer that he cant pot any right now. He gets about 10 chances a game.
Okposo looked better, but my god Grabner…practice breakaways. He’d have 50 goals a year if he could net a third of his breakaways
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Give Snow credit for Montoya? The only reason he got is because he makes no money and only cost a 6. And ifKoskinen (his pick) didn’t suck we wouldnthave needed a goalie.
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what happened to cappy’s tie?
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Is there still a goalie controversy?
Grabner please find a new bag of tricks the high
To glove is getting old -
Scott says:
Has Montoya left any doubt that DiPietro should be to him what Mike Dunham was to Martin Brodeur? There should be no bouncing back and forth if Montoya has a modest game here and there. He’s repeatedly shown that he’s the No.1 guy and should be bestowed with that respect and confidence from the coach.
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U.P. says:
I never thought I would say this, but…..Rolston with a very solid game this evening.
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JTizzle says:
DP SUCKS!!!!
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very solid game by the fellas….looked like an actual team tonight…..nice job.
now just win the next 30 games and we are back in business. Wang still incompetent IMO. I really hope i get to eat those words and one day this team becomes a powerhouse. wouldnt bet on it though. -
Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Montoya has been great, yes. But we’re scoring 2 goals a game. How much longer can this go on? Here come the critics, oh even when we win, we still find a reason to complain. Of course, this is legitimate. We’re still not scoring goals. Our best player hasn’t scored in 10 games. We don’t have a 1st line on this team. We have 4 lines that play like a decent 3rd line. Facts are facts my friends. We’re not scoring goals…our power play is garbage and we can barely break out of our zone. I’m actually starting to miss Jack Hillen. He was such a good transition player, now we watch Mottau and Jurcina swing away at the puck. It’s just awful. Great… yeaaaaa, wooopyyyyyyyy we won two games. Sorry friends. This team is heading straight for the 2012 lottery draft.
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SB says:
Great game by the fellas. Any chance we trade for Bobby Ryan? What would it cost for us to get him?
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chris says:
trade??? whats that????
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Ct 74 says:
Work ethic and a real goalie and a couple of goals….maybe we are in business..
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SBIsles says:
Wow, this is going to be a tough goalie decision — do they play a totally competent and talented goalie who can make saves or the complete opposite?
On another topic, are 15-year contracts transferable?
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It is futile to respond to posts here. Reading some of these posts validate the ignorance of most isle fans.
People are really blaming Wang here? Serioulsy? If you are blaming Wang you must be under 30 years old and then your ignorance is justified because you are clueless about business. It truly is a shame you never saw competitve Islanders.
What we are witnessing is “gap insurance”-
gap insurance, great point…
why guys dont/didnt see Comeau and PaP as placeholders is puzzling.
still-montoya should make every start possible. since his return from injury, hes been insanely good.
i dont see the isles trading for bobby ryan and his $5 million/year. the cost is probably in the Pronger-esque neighborhood in terms of players/prospects/picks.
as for tonite- a win is a win. keep chugging towards an even record. then anything can happen. 10 games over 500 means playoffs.
always look at the bright side of life…. -
Isles fan 31 years BS, yes I blame Wang for not being passionate about winning, stating that merely competing is acceptable, and basically turning a once proud franchise into a club known only for underachieving. Losing and basically rolling over for the tough teams in the east. I also disagree with his mantra to take the physical play out of hockey. I disagree with his person ell decisions…I feel if neil smith had been given the job the club would have been more successful by now. I bought into the rebuild however it does not seem to be getting better, only worse. Wangs statements yesterday only reinforce that IMO. Winning tonight does not change that.
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Rich L says:
Hey Kevin, re: your post at 1:49 PM, and Wangs exagerration about losing more money then he truely is, it reminds me of a story about a Baseball player back in the 50s whose name I can’t recall right now, who went into the owners office to ask for a raise because he believed he had a good year, and had earned it, the owner told him that he had lost 2 million dollars that year, the ballplayer left feeling sorry for the owner, remember back in the 50s 2 million dollars was a LOT of money,now what the owner did not tell the ballplayer is that he made a profit of 9 million the year before, and only a profit of 7 million that season, so it’s all in the wording and how it is presented.But most of us believe Wang has been lying about everything, especially since the Lighthouse project fell through,and nothing will change with him at the helm of a sinking ship,like the Islanders.
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If Wang was the owner of the “Titanic” and he was aboard that fateful night it hit an immovable object in the North Atlantic, he would have told, no ordered, all aboard to bail the ship out with bar glasses,effing dope that he is.
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maybe if we protest outside of Wangs real money making companies he’ll actaully listen?
Typical politician comments from Wang. Blah blah blah blah blah. How about admitting you and Snow have no clue about hockey.
Hope Montoya continues to play, at least he’ll keep them in the game. Let’s go Isles