Looks as if Lou Lamoriello will be in charge of hockey operations starting today (rumors of an announcement today are out there). As a long suffering fan of this team, I am ecstatic about the move. Lou is a professional and will hopefully turn this into a professional organization. The big question is, what does this mean for Tavares? Apparently he has reached out already. I know how important Tavares is to this team, but I wonder if it is worth giving him a max contract. That is a lot of years for a guy who will be 30 in a few years. Could that money be spent elsewhere?
Yeah, back when Lou was in his early 70's.
So, a few options.
As a fan, I'm happy cause it was time for a change and if there's one thing Lou is going to do is make changes. He's a credible name. He's 75 so this is not a long term project. But maybe he can lay the ground work for someone else like he did in Toronto.
Well having consecutive years of top 5 picks and having Marner and Matthews fall into your lap certainly helps.
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that he's replacing Garth Snow. Toronto was a bit of a laughingstock and Lou at least played some part in getting them to respectable again. The word around is that Hunter is also leaving Toronto and will be coming to join NYI after the FA period.
Well having consecutive years of top 5 picks and having Marner and Matthews fall into your lap certainly helps.
Not for Edmonton it hasn't. Or Buffalo. Or Arizona. Or most of the other teams who picked as high as TOR during those years and didn't hire LL.
You have to be really bad sometimes to get better and Toronto has been bad.
But they still deserve credit since Edmonton has been worse and hasn't markedly improved.
You have to be really bad sometimes to get better and Toronto has been bad.
But they still deserve credit since Edmonton has been worse and hasn't markedly improved.
Good call PJ, he was hired the month after the 2015 draft.
I understand the excitement from Isles fans on the hire and you guys are right, anything is better than Snow. I just remember Lou leaving the Devils franchise in shambles prior to his departure and left Shero to clean up his mess. As long as he puts the right FO in place and get Snow out of there, it is a step in the right direction
It is also about who Lamoriello brings with him to run the franchise.
And he already spoke to Tavares on behalf of the Islanders. So he is already attacking the franchise's biggest off-season issue in decades.
Now Snow has extra time to go for thirds at the buffet table, and maybe play soduku.
There may be 12 of us but we are still in better shape than the other team from NY. Find a real goalie this year and a stud Defenseman and I think this team competes. This of course is all about Tavares re-signing.
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:-)
There may be 12 of us but we are still in better shape than the other team from NY. Find a real goalie this year and a stud Defenseman and I think this team competes. This of course is all about Tavares re-signing.
Honestly, the Rangers tanked last year and you still barely finished ahead of us. If you think you are a "real" goalie and a "stud" defenseman away from competing, you live in a different world. Not to mention, how are you going to afford said "stud" defenseman and "real" goalie (which wont even come close to doing it for you) when you now have to pay Tavarres, a guy you can't win with. I know, it was Capuano, then it was Snow and Weight, and pretty soon we will be hearing that its Lamoriello. You have won one playoff series in 25 years. Islander fans make me laugh. I hope the Isles resign Tavares. You couldn't win anything with him at a cheaper salary, nothing to make me think you will be anymore successful with him at a much steeper salary.
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In comment 13971014 Victor in CT said:
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:-)
There may be 12 of us but we are still in better shape than the other team from NY. Find a real goalie this year and a stud Defenseman and I think this team competes. This of course is all about Tavares re-signing.
Honestly, the Rangers tanked last year and you still barely finished ahead of us. If you think you are a "real" goalie and a "stud" defenseman away from competing, you live in a different world. Not to mention, how are you going to afford said "stud" defenseman and "real" goalie (which wont even come close to doing it for you) when you now have to pay Tavarres, a guy you can't win with. I know, it was Capuano, then it was Snow and Weight, and pretty soon we will be hearing that its Lamoriello. You have won one playoff series in 25 years. Islander fans make me laugh. I hope the Isles resign Tavares. You couldn't win anything with him at a cheaper salary, nothing to make me think you will be anymore successful with him at a much steeper salary.
Pure class. Yes the organization is not run well. We get it. Whom would you take on your roster over Barzal and Tavares? Just curious as to the justification for the arrogance. The Rangers are an old organization with a lot of history. Being a perennial powerhouse isn't one of them. The rivalry is gift, but trying to understand the entitlement with Rangers fans, is something i struggle with. Do Islander fans regularly give you guys crap, and its par for the course?
Nobody on this thread suggested the Islanders were a "great" team. Which of these two franchises is in better shape is a silly discussion since neither is in great shape.
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In comment 13971014 Victor in CT said:
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:-)
There may be 12 of us but we are still in better shape than the other team from NY. Find a real goalie this year and a stud Defenseman and I think this team competes. This of course is all about Tavares re-signing.
Honestly, the Rangers tanked last year and you still barely finished ahead of us. If you think you are a "real" goalie and a "stud" defenseman away from competing, you live in a different world. Not to mention, how are you going to afford said "stud" defenseman and "real" goalie (which wont even come close to doing it for you) when you now have to pay Tavarres, a guy you can't win with. I know, it was Capuano, then it was Snow and Weight, and pretty soon we will be hearing that its Lamoriello. You have won one playoff series in 25 years. Islander fans make me laugh. I hope the Isles resign Tavares. You couldn't win anything with him at a cheaper salary, nothing to make me think you will be anymore successful with him at a much steeper salary.
They were the 8th best offense in the NHL last year, so shoring up the defense and adding a good goaltender won't make them competitive?
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"better" shape than the "other team" in NY. I didn't say a word on this thread. But, just having Tavares and Barzal doesn't mean you are in better shape than anyone. In fact, as I said, doubling down on this supposedly great team you have that hasn't made the playoffs the last two years and has one won playoff series against a pathetic Florida team in 25 years is not the team I would want to say is in better shape than anyone, even if you have the two best offensive players in NY.
Nobody on this thread suggested the Islanders were a "great" team. Which of these two franchises is in better shape is a silly discussion since neither is in great shape.
Not really. The Rangers mortgaged their future trying to win a cup with Lundqvist in his prime, and rightfully so. It was the right decision. However, the cupboard is bare for them at the moment.
agree
In comment 13971318 BrettNYG10 said:
The goaltending is a much harder problem to solve. This can be a playoff team for sure with what they have now on offense (with Tavares back), but a first round series win seems to be the limit.
The goaltending is a much harder problem to solve. This can be a playoff team for sure with what they have now on offense (with Tavares back), but a first round series win seems to be the limit.