I was trying to remember what our cap situation was when he left, and the few years thereafter. Wouldn't the Isles have had cap problems if they signed JT for $11 MM?
- JohnScammo

It's possible John, but maybe they do not bring in JGP and others? Team like the Islanders almost had no choice in wanting to keep a player like JT. Leafs really did not need him.

I'm not sure that anyone ever truly felt that the Isles would be better without JT, especially when they failed to get any return for his departure. The later part of that statement is a good portion of why he got so much hate. IF the Isles had pulled off a trade and received a few picks and a prospect, I think there may have been a decent chance we had come out the better.
Getting no return at all set this franchise back a good bit. It remains debatable who really deserves the blame for that
- keaner17

Everyone would have understood and applauded JT for asking the Islanders to trade him. JT also could have gotten a chance at the Cup as a deadline pickup.

I'm not sure that anyone ever truly felt that the Isles would be better without JT, especially when they failed to get any return for his departure. The later part of that statement is a good portion of why he got so much hate. IF the Isles had pulled off a trade and received a few picks and a prospect, I think there may have been a decent chance we had come out the better.
Getting no return at all set this franchise back a good bit. It remains debatable who really deserves the blame for that
- keaner17

Agreed. I'd say that, mostly, it's on Snow. I've heard conflicting things about whether or not Tavares requested to not be traded...I think even Staple, who I believe reported that, backtracked at one point (maybe not, I don't really remember). But either way, it's up to Snow to get the player signed or get a return. Instead, he just left a live grenade for his successor.

Saying the islanders have to get younger and faster is an elementary thing. Elementary to everyone besides Lamoriello of course. Brook’s more or less said he had no idea what he was talking about in the first paragraph. Leagues worst PK and most shots allowed by any NHL team this past season also contradicts that.

I don’t dislike Roy. I think he should get a full season but I also don’t understand the heaps of accolades the fanbase is throwing at him either. The team still lacked defense, structure, and finish under him. Pretty much mirrored lamberts tenure this season. More evidence that it’s not a coaching issue but more a personnel issue.
- Cptmjl

IMO Roy appears to be a life form. Known to have a fiery side. Lambert never showed any kind of emotion and times looked extremely lost with this team. Right, wrong or indifferent fans take notice of that. What Roy was able to do was take the team out of a complete tailspin and get them to the dance. If Lambert was still running the show that would not have happened.

Again, IMO, coming from the west, I think ROY has more of a western style of play. Skating, moving the puck, etc...However, I also agree that it is a personnel issue. I am hopefully that with a full summer and training camp you will see more from Roy presence.

I think there will be some changes, guys that fit into Roy's system. Not sure if they will be major or subtle. All depends on what they can move and what kind of room is available.

Sorokin, Dobson, Romanov, Barzal and Horvat are the guys to build around.

If they can add a solid bottom 4 D and the elusive wing for the top line by Free Agency that would be a nice start.

- nyisles7

Agreed. I'd say that, mostly, it's on Snow. I've heard conflicting things about whether or not Tavares requested to not be traded...I think even Staple, who I believe reported that, backtracked at one point (maybe not, I don't really remember). But either way, it's up to Snow to get the player signed or get a return. Instead, he just left a live grenade for his successor.
- UIF

I think Snow very recently suggested that ownership blocked him from moving JT at the time. There were indeed stories at the time saying that JT asked NOT to be traded. Additionally JT made enough comments about wanting to stay, that ownership likely thought there was a glimmer of hope. Either way, it was a massive setback for the isles

I'm not sure if this is a popular or nuclear opinion, but I think it's true that the Leafs made a terrible mistake signing Tavares and also that the Isles could have really used him for some of those earlier runs under Trotz. A bit more skill could have gotten the Isles over the hump, and Tavares certainly would have provided that. Meanwhile, the Leafs had top-end skill to burn and needed some more quality two-way players that round out championship teams, but they had to bargain hunt for that because they tied up too much salary.

Sure, the Islanders could have used JT. Do not think anyone wanted him to go. He could have solidified his own path had he stayed here.

So, we all kind of ended up in a place where Leafs fans have had to pretend that getting Tavares was such a brilliant move and that he's added so much to their team, and Isles fans have had to act like he wouldn't have helped them at all; when in reality both teams would have probably been better off if he just stayed on Long Island.

Personally, I think the Islanders have done better without him, then the Leafs have with him. It would have been better off for Leafs if he remained here. Not sure if the Islanders would have been better off.

I guess my point is that instead of coming here and constantly asking why Isles fans boo Tavares, Leafs fans should instead also boo him since his decision probably hurt both our chances
- UIF

Regardless of how anyone feels, the guy will probably make the hall of fame.

Agreed. I'd say that, mostly, it's on Snow. I've heard conflicting things about whether or not Tavares requested to not be traded...I think even Staple, who I believe reported that, backtracked at one point (maybe not, I don't really remember). But either way, it's up to Snow to get the player signed or get a return. Instead, he just left a live grenade for his successor.
- UIF

Yup, I understand a GM feeling a certain amount of loyalty towards a player, but it only goes so far. If your franchise player refuses to make a decision about staying with the team, you have to sit him down and explain he either signs an extension or he risks being traded. Snow failed miserably.

I think Snow very recently suggested that ownership blocked him from moving JT at the time. There were indeed stories at the time saying that JT asked NOT to be traded. Additionally JT made enough comments about wanting to stay, that ownership likely thought there was a glimmer of hope. Either way, it was a massive setback for the isles
- keaner17

It was a setback as far as assets go for sure. The team missed out on a good young player, prospect and a #1.

I think Snow very recently suggested that ownership blocked him from moving JT at the time. There were indeed stories at the time saying that JT asked NOT to be traded. Additionally JT made enough comments about wanting to stay, that ownership likely thought there was a glimmer of hope. Either way, it was a massive setback for the isles
- keaner17

I don't believe it. The only way the owners would insist on keeping JT would have been if Snow recommended it.

Yup, I understand a GM feeling a certain amount of loyalty towards a player, but it only goes so far. If your franchise player refuses to make a decision about staying with the team, you have to sit him down and explain he either signs an extension or he risks being traded. Snow failed miserably.
- JohnScammo

100% no question.
Once the deadline came around and JT didn’t sign on the dotted line Snow should have traded his ass for the best deal.

Yup, I understand a GM feeling a certain amount of loyalty towards a player, but it only goes so far. If your franchise player refuses to make a decision about staying with the team, you have to sit him down and explain he either signs an extension or he risks being traded. Snow failed miserably.
- JohnScammo

If what Snow said is true, that Ownership do not want it. Does Ownership sign off on deals??? Or is that a myth? If so than Snow hands were tied.

Score update: Rags 3 and Canes 1 in the 1st.

If what Snow said is true, that Ownership do not want it. Does Ownership sign off on deals??? Or is that a myth? If so than Snow hands were tied.

Score update: Rags 3 and Canes 1 in the 1st.
- Nfdbulldawg

Snow's full of it. The owners rely on their GM for his recommendation.

Agreed. I'd say that, mostly, it's on Snow. I've heard conflicting things about whether or not Tavares requested to not be traded...I think even Staple, who I believe reported that, backtracked at one point (maybe not, I don't really remember). But either way, it's up to Snow to get the player signed or get a return. Instead, he just left a live grenade for his successor.
- UIF

I thought Garth hinted it was ownership that did not want JT traded and I also thought JT did not want to be traded? Conflicting reports for sure.

I thought Garth hinted it was ownership that did not want JT traded and I also thought JT did not want to be traded? Conflicting reports for sure.
- ses111

It shouldn't matter what Tavares said. And I can't speak to what ownership may or may not have said to Snow. I just know that Snow was the GM, responsible for signing and trading players, and if he's pointing fingers at everyone but himself, then he deserves to be unemployed. I say that, by the way, as someone who thinks Snow deserves more credit than he gets for building the team that Trotz found some success with. But on the most important decisions...finding a coach and making a solid decision on your franchise player...he F'ed up.

It shouldn't matter what Tavares said. And I can't speak to what ownership may or may not have said to Snow. I just know that Snow was the GM, responsible for signing and trading players, and if he's pointing fingers at everyone but himself, then he deserves to be unemployed. I say that, by the way, as someone who thinks Snow deserves more credit than he gets for building the team that Trotz found some success with. But on the most important decisions...finding a coach and making a solid decision on your franchise player...he F'ed up.
- UIF

Garth does have to take the blame and even if ownership wanted to keep JT, it was Garth job to tell the owners JT should have been traded instead of risk losing him for nothing.

Wow where the (frank) was that Anderson when we played him?

If what Snow said is true, that Ownership do not want it. Does Ownership sign off on deals??? Or is that a myth? If so than Snow hands were tied.

Score update: Rags 3 and Canes 1 in the 1st.
- Nfdbulldawg

Then Snow should have said then you run the team bye bye.