I'm a little surprised Weight is gone. It seemed he was popular with the players including Tavares. But there is no way around the fact that his system was defense optional.
Lamoriello is being given this much of a role, I thought it was more of a figure head/consultant/advisor he'd be for them.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
Lamoriello is being given this much of a role, I thought it was more of a figure head/consultant/advisor he'd be for them.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
I believe his son works for the Islanders and that will be his successor
Lamoriello is being given this much of a role, I thought it was more of a figure head/consultant/advisor he'd be for them.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
I believe his son works for the Islanders and that will be his successor
he does, but Chris isn't exactly a young up and comer, he's 46 years old. He shouldn't need his father as a mentor any longer.
A lot of rumors he will bring over Hunter from TOR to be GM
I think the owners felt they wanted to move on from Snow and Weight, and they wanted a hockey guy with some credibility to run the search. I expect he will bring in a new coach and groom his son to take over as GM.
Maybe they brought Lou in to try and keep Tavares with the Islanders if there is any way Lou has a unique skill set to do that?
He got Marleau to sign in Toronto when a lot of people said no veteran player wants to play in Toronto while Mike Babcock was coach.
A lot of the early returns that Islanders fans are hopeful about is how universally respected Lou seems to be. Guys in toronto talking about how he built the culture of winning there, Kovalchuk talking about how much he respected Lou, etc. He seems to have a reservoir of credibility built up - which is something the franchise desperately needed since Snow and the new ownership had none. He's also been talking about the fact that ownership told him he would have every resource he needs to build a winner - having him be the one to communicate that to Tavares has seemed to build up some momentum among the beat writers thinking he's more likely to come back now than not (which was not the case prior).
I think this is less about Lou and more about getting rid of Garth. He has had a HUGE leash to run this organization and has 1 loan playoff series win to show for it. You would be severely hard pressed to find executives with less success be in their job for as long as he has been.
And I dont care how old Lou is, this is all about keeping Taveras and resetting the organization for a run the next couple seasons. their goal now is not a long term rebuild, it is officially time for them to put up or shut up and Snow was very obviously falling short.
I feel like, without being an Islanders expert, it will be a long rebuild.
they have no D, one young star with Barzal, and a couple other pieces.
But they need a goalie, 2 - 4 legit D, and 2 - 3 top 6 forwards.
That's not short-term results.
Lee is a UFA after the season. I like him, but he's got to be re-signed or traded.
I was never a huge fan of Boychuck or Leddy as top pair D, but I also never expected those contracts to look so bad so soon.
Tavares is the key to the Islanders short-term future (and long-term future/direction).
And culture of winning my ass. Lou had the easiest #1 pick decision outside of McDavid in years, since probably Tavares and the rest of that "culture of winning" was there before Lou was. Nylander, Marner, Rielly sure make it easy to create a culture of winning. When you're doing it with someone else's draft picks.
I agree completely, our future is going to depend almost soley on Jt staying with the team and i understand why you are being critical or skeptical of Lou.
But the fact of the matter is Garth Snow has largely failed at running this team, this move is way over due. If it turns out JT is gone and we are staring at another long rebuild, i still feel much more confident in Lou putting the pieces in place (Working some of his Russian magic to get Iyla Sorokin over here would be a great start) than i would feel about garth snow signing depth players to long term, over valued contracts for the next 10 years.
you might be selling the roster a bit short, their top 6 was one of the most productive groups in the league last year and we have some young talent on D.
If they are able to somehow land a legitimate top pair D to be "the guy", they wont be far off.
and at least a couple of D, I wouldn't agree that they need 2-3 top 6 forwards. Obviously if Tavares leaves there is a gaping hole in the top 6. But Barzal, Lee, Bailey, Beauvilier and Eberle all played like top 6 guys last year and I see no reason why they couldn't expect similar production going forward. Bailey took a long time to grow into his potential, but has been a quality player the last two seasons. The biggest question mark of that group is Beauvillier as he just hasn't done it long enough, but the potential is there.
Hopefully this is a moot point with Tavares staying on.
Islanders have some decent prospect I like Kiefer Bellows
more than most but he's a forward and Devon Toews went to my alma mater (Quinnipiac) and I like him, but I don't think their prospect list is strong on D ready to contribute now and their NHL D were beyond awful.
but I'm not an Islanders roster expert.
Again, just my opinion, the Islanders future hinges on Tavares. If he signs elsewhere I think they go almost full rebuild.
and Boychuk wasn't much better. They were both much better the prior year so I am willing to see if they can rebound this year. The do have some solid young defensemen/prospects in DeHaan, Pulock and Toews. If they re-sign Hickey they will have some solid players, but they do need to find a top defensive pairing. While the D was horrible last year, much of it was exceptionally poor play by the forwards who seemed to not know or care what their defensive assignments were.
Whether Tavares stays or not, they need a goalie desperately. If he stays, they can focus on the D and have the makings of a solid team with what they already have and Bellows and Toews.
obviously it is not ideal and would be a kick in the nuts, but hear me out.
The Isles have a bunch of draft picks/cap room, but they need to use those resources to fix the D and G situations. Anders Lee and Eberle are each FA next year. If they resign Tavares, at least 1 if not both are gone. So keeping Tavares is obviously plan A, but it's not without a future cost of a top 6 forward.
As for plan B - if Tavares leaves, I think that just makes it much more likely they pay up for Kovalchuk to replace some of his production in the short term (he supposedly said he wants to be in the NY area and has the relationship with Lou). They'd also gain the benefit of having the flexibility to resign 1 of Eberle/Lee that they wouldn't have been able to retain otherwise. Or maybe they still let both go and spend the extra money saved this year signing a 2nd line C like Statsny.
so tl:dr, the harder challenge IMO is fixing the D/G situation, which has to happen with or without Tavares. If it's without, I think it will be comparably easier to find replace a good chunk of his production with the $12M chunk of cap room via someone like Kovalchuk, in large part because Barzal already gives them a star center to build around.
to Islanders fans, MTL VP of personnel and scouting believes there are 11 clear cut top players in the upcoming draft.
Obviously all scouts/GM's will differ, but Timmins generally does a good job.
If you accept that to be true, it's relevant obviously because the Islanders have the 11th and 12th pick. The draft never goes as planned, but maybe they package them and move up or stay there and you know if they feel the same one of those 11 will fall to 12. And Timmins even said as much he said we know who is going #1, and have an idea about 2 and 3 in varying orders, after that a lot is up in the air.
My own observations was the top 15 of this draft had the potential to be special, but I'd go with Timmins assessment before mine (LOL).
that the Isles d-men are that bad? Leddy is all of a sudden not good anymore in his 20s? The Isles were giving up 40-50 shots in MOST games last year. I've never seen anything like it. Was last year's d corps really worse than the cap floor bottom 5 finishing teams that we saw so often?
Sure, it's possible that all of these guys stink, but IMO, it's not unreasonable to think that coaching had a lot to do with it and that a substantial improvement in on-ice performance can be achieved simply by hiring an average NHL coach.
Weight and Cappy had zero NHL coaching experience and neither one was really thought of as an "up and comer" around NHL circles. Even hiring one of the competent but flawed NHL veterans could make a big difference.
that the Isles d-men are that bad? Leddy is all of a sudden not good anymore in his 20s? The Isles were giving up 40-50 shots in MOST games last year. I've never seen anything like it. Was last year's d corps really worse than the cap floor bottom 5 finishing teams that we saw so often?
Sure, it's possible that all of these guys stink, but IMO, it's not unreasonable to think that coaching had a lot to do with it and that a substantial improvement in on-ice performance can be achieved simply by hiring an average NHL coach.
Weight and Cappy had zero NHL coaching experience and neither one was really thought of as an "up and comer" around NHL circles. Even hiring one of the competent but flawed NHL veterans could make a big difference.
No that's a good point. I'd definitely include the coaching hire/system as part of what Lou needs to fix with the D and G situation, though obviously that doesn't involve the cap directly or trades. I think Leddy, Pelech, Boychuk and Pulock can certainly be part of the solution. But they need at least 1 more top 4 (ideally top 2) defenseman and as good of a goalie as they can find.
to Islanders fans, MTL VP of personnel and scouting believes there are 11 clear cut top players in the upcoming draft.
Obviously all scouts/GM's will differ, but Timmins generally does a good job.
If you accept that to be true, it's relevant obviously because the Islanders have the 11th and 12th pick. The draft never goes as planned, but maybe they package them and move up or stay there and you know if they feel the same one of those 11 will fall to 12. And Timmins even said as much he said we know who is going #1, and have an idea about 2 and 3 in varying orders, after that a lot is up in the air.
My own observations was the top 15 of this draft had the potential to be special, but I'd go with Timmins assessment before mine (LOL).
The best Islander beat guy (Staple) thinks that 1 of the firsts will get traded and the chances of a trade up aren't super high. He's generally conservative in his predictions and he thinks Lou is going to be making 3 or 4 significant moves not counting resigning Tavares.
However, if Lou goes into the season with the same D group and does nothing to hedge against the fact they have regressed he (or his son(s)) won't have jobs for long.
alarming, but it was also the quality of shots they were giving up.
A lot of times, and I can only imagine it was the system, instead of throwing the puck up the boards to get it out, they would send it up the middle. Inevitably, what seemed like 50% of the time it would get picked off in front of the net and put in for an easy goal.
If Cronin leaves I think you'll see a huge improvement with the D, even if they don't bring anyone in. I do agree another top pair D man is needed though.
How important system + players fitting the system is. Let's face it...they don't have what most would call A+ defensemen.. but they sure as hell played like it
The Islanders have contacted the Capitals about the availability of pending RFA Goalie Philipp Grubauer. The Capitals likely don't have the cap room to keep Grubauer and they recently signed 2015 1st round pick G Samsonov to an entry level deal.
The Islanders have contacted the Capitals about the availability of pending RFA Goalie Philipp Grubauer. The Capitals likely don't have the cap room to keep Grubauer and they recently signed 2015 1st round pick G Samsonov to an entry level deal.
Carolina has also expressed interest.
One of Grubauer or Holtby will be on the move. Before the playoffs started I thought holtby would be the odd man out. Can't really see that now with how he's played
Larry Brooks
@NYP_Brooksie
22s22 seconds ago
Snow and Weight dismissed by Islanders...Lamoriello will take over as GM and begin coaching search...Wonder if Trotz would have interest.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
I believe his son works for the Islanders and that will be his successor
Quote:
Lamoriello is being given this much of a role, I thought it was more of a figure head/consultant/advisor he'd be for them.
Not to be insensitive, though I know it is, he's 75 years old, and not that a 75 year old should be put out to pasture, the sad reality is you just don't know if they're going to be around in 5 years to see their plan execute.
I believe his son works for the Islanders and that will be his successor
he does, but Chris isn't exactly a young up and comer, he's 46 years old. He shouldn't need his father as a mentor any longer.
Maybe they brought Lou in to try and keep Tavares with the Islanders if there is any way Lou has a unique skill set to do that?
He got Marleau to sign in Toronto when a lot of people said no veteran player wants to play in Toronto while Mike Babcock was coach.
Maybe they brought Lou in to try and keep Tavares with the Islanders if there is any way Lou has a unique skill set to do that?
He got Marleau to sign in Toronto when a lot of people said no veteran player wants to play in Toronto while Mike Babcock was coach.
A lot of the early returns that Islanders fans are hopeful about is how universally respected Lou seems to be. Guys in toronto talking about how he built the culture of winning there, Kovalchuk talking about how much he respected Lou, etc. He seems to have a reservoir of credibility built up - which is something the franchise desperately needed since Snow and the new ownership had none. He's also been talking about the fact that ownership told him he would have every resource he needs to build a winner - having him be the one to communicate that to Tavares has seemed to build up some momentum among the beat writers thinking he's more likely to come back now than not (which was not the case prior).
And I dont care how old Lou is, this is all about keeping Taveras and resetting the organization for a run the next couple seasons. their goal now is not a long term rebuild, it is officially time for them to put up or shut up and Snow was very obviously falling short.
they have no D, one young star with Barzal, and a couple other pieces.
But they need a goalie, 2 - 4 legit D, and 2 - 3 top 6 forwards.
That's not short-term results.
Lee is a UFA after the season. I like him, but he's got to be re-signed or traded.
I was never a huge fan of Boychuck or Leddy as top pair D, but I also never expected those contracts to look so bad so soon.
Tavares is the key to the Islanders short-term future (and long-term future/direction).
And culture of winning my ass. Lou had the easiest #1 pick decision outside of McDavid in years, since probably Tavares and the rest of that "culture of winning" was there before Lou was. Nylander, Marner, Rielly sure make it easy to create a culture of winning. When you're doing it with someone else's draft picks.
But the fact of the matter is Garth Snow has largely failed at running this team, this move is way over due. If it turns out JT is gone and we are staring at another long rebuild, i still feel much more confident in Lou putting the pieces in place (Working some of his Russian magic to get Iyla Sorokin over here would be a great start) than i would feel about garth snow signing depth players to long term, over valued contracts for the next 10 years.
If they are able to somehow land a legitimate top pair D to be "the guy", they wont be far off.
Hopefully this is a moot point with Tavares staying on.
but I'm not an Islanders roster expert.
Again, just my opinion, the Islanders future hinges on Tavares. If he signs elsewhere I think they go almost full rebuild.
Whether Tavares stays or not, they need a goalie desperately. If he stays, they can focus on the D and have the makings of a solid team with what they already have and Bellows and Toews.
The Isles have a bunch of draft picks/cap room, but they need to use those resources to fix the D and G situations. Anders Lee and Eberle are each FA next year. If they resign Tavares, at least 1 if not both are gone. So keeping Tavares is obviously plan A, but it's not without a future cost of a top 6 forward.
As for plan B - if Tavares leaves, I think that just makes it much more likely they pay up for Kovalchuk to replace some of his production in the short term (he supposedly said he wants to be in the NY area and has the relationship with Lou). They'd also gain the benefit of having the flexibility to resign 1 of Eberle/Lee that they wouldn't have been able to retain otherwise. Or maybe they still let both go and spend the extra money saved this year signing a 2nd line C like Statsny.
so tl:dr, the harder challenge IMO is fixing the D/G situation, which has to happen with or without Tavares. If it's without, I think it will be comparably easier to find replace a good chunk of his production with the $12M chunk of cap room via someone like Kovalchuk, in large part because Barzal already gives them a star center to build around.
Obviously all scouts/GM's will differ, but Timmins generally does a good job.
If you accept that to be true, it's relevant obviously because the Islanders have the 11th and 12th pick. The draft never goes as planned, but maybe they package them and move up or stay there and you know if they feel the same one of those 11 will fall to 12. And Timmins even said as much he said we know who is going #1, and have an idea about 2 and 3 in varying orders, after that a lot is up in the air.
My own observations was the top 15 of this draft had the potential to be special, but I'd go with Timmins assessment before mine (LOL).
Sure, it's possible that all of these guys stink, but IMO, it's not unreasonable to think that coaching had a lot to do with it and that a substantial improvement in on-ice performance can be achieved simply by hiring an average NHL coach.
Weight and Cappy had zero NHL coaching experience and neither one was really thought of as an "up and comer" around NHL circles. Even hiring one of the competent but flawed NHL veterans could make a big difference.
Sure, it's possible that all of these guys stink, but IMO, it's not unreasonable to think that coaching had a lot to do with it and that a substantial improvement in on-ice performance can be achieved simply by hiring an average NHL coach.
Weight and Cappy had zero NHL coaching experience and neither one was really thought of as an "up and comer" around NHL circles. Even hiring one of the competent but flawed NHL veterans could make a big difference.
No that's a good point. I'd definitely include the coaching hire/system as part of what Lou needs to fix with the D and G situation, though obviously that doesn't involve the cap directly or trades. I think Leddy, Pelech, Boychuk and Pulock can certainly be part of the solution. But they need at least 1 more top 4 (ideally top 2) defenseman and as good of a goalie as they can find.
Obviously all scouts/GM's will differ, but Timmins generally does a good job.
If you accept that to be true, it's relevant obviously because the Islanders have the 11th and 12th pick. The draft never goes as planned, but maybe they package them and move up or stay there and you know if they feel the same one of those 11 will fall to 12. And Timmins even said as much he said we know who is going #1, and have an idea about 2 and 3 in varying orders, after that a lot is up in the air.
My own observations was the top 15 of this draft had the potential to be special, but I'd go with Timmins assessment before mine (LOL).
The best Islander beat guy (Staple) thinks that 1 of the firsts will get traded and the chances of a trade up aren't super high. He's generally conservative in his predictions and he thinks Lou is going to be making 3 or 4 significant moves not counting resigning Tavares.
However, if Lou goes into the season with the same D group and does nothing to hedge against the fact they have regressed he (or his son(s)) won't have jobs for long.
A lot of times, and I can only imagine it was the system, instead of throwing the puck up the boards to get it out, they would send it up the middle. Inevitably, what seemed like 50% of the time it would get picked off in front of the net and put in for an easy goal.
If Cronin leaves I think you'll see a huge improvement with the D, even if they don't bring anyone in. I do agree another top pair D man is needed though.
THIS^^^^^^
Not for HC but there are rumors that he will come there as an assistant.
Carolina has also expressed interest.
Carolina has also expressed interest.
One of Grubauer or Holtby will be on the move. Before the playoffs started I thought holtby would be the odd man out. Can't really see that now with how he's played