It's not a bad haul UIF in a short amount of time and certainly better than the UFA's Garth and Lou signed. It's frustrating because the team has a new building which we were told was a major stumbling block and we are still limping along. I just think we need a Young GM that can connect with today's players and agents and understands today's game better.
- ses111

I would like to see a young mind have a shot at it. The bottom line is that drafting and trades will need to be the strong points of this team. After years being considered a misfit organization.

It's not a bad haul UIF in a short amount of time and certainly better than the UFA's Garth and Lou signed. It's frustrating because the team has a new building which we were told was a major stumbling block and we are still limping along. I just think we need a Young GM that can connect with today's players and agents and understands today's game better.
- ses111

I would like to see a young mind have a shot at it. The bottom line is that drafting and trades will need to be the strong points of this team. After years being considered a misfit organization.

I would like to see a young mind have a shot at it. The bottom line is that drafting and trades will need to be the strong points of this team. After years being considered a misfit organization.
- Nfdbulldawg

If you cannot sign quality UFA's, you better draft and trade well. If you build up your team well and show to be a legit contender, it may be easier for the Islanders to sign UFA's that can put them over the top.

UIF, are some of Lou's rules old school? Yes. Do I agree with everything he does? No. What I truly have an issue with is a writer or blogger turning this into a race issue. They are trying to take a non-issue and turning it into something that it is not. Why??? Because it is the middle of summer, and they need their work to draw some attention.

I cannot go to work in shorts and a t-shirt. I cannot wear flip flops. But the women in the office can wear shorts and flip flops. Where is the DEI in that? You have dudes that think they are girls and girls thinking they are dudes. So, you can no longer have a boys or girls toilet.

Again, life is tough, buy a helmet. To me this is a non-story that's gaining unnecessary attention.
- Nfdbulldawg

Oh yeah, definitely agree on the bold. But, to your point, getting you all riled up and engaging with that crap is what they're after, so just don't give it to them.

If Duclaire ever comes out and says, "Somehow I didn't know about this rule and this goes against my cultural beliefs," then I'll concern myself with that theory. Until then, it's just noise.

It's not a bad haul UIF in a short amount of time and certainly better than the UFA's Garth and Lou signed. It's frustrating because the team has a new building which we were told was a major stumbling block and we are still limping along. I just think we need a Young GM that can connect with today's players and agents and understands today's game better.
- ses111

Not a bad haul at all, but I think the quantity in such a short time is more impressive than the quality. Again, a few pretty good players and a few middling ones, but no premier NHL talent, which has always been the problem. Smith didn't crack that code any more than Snow or Lou has on that...the 2006-07 team followed a pretty familiar path: They rallied around a coach and a tight defensive system, the whole was greater than the sum of the parts, and they mucked and grinded their way into the playoffs as a bubble team.

I agree with you that the Isles might very well benefit from a new direction that is maybe willing to sacrifice a season or two to build a stronger, younger team. But I wouldn't expect a new GM to instantly have better luck bringing in top talent than anyone now or previously...for whatever the reason may be.

Not a bad haul at all, but I think the quantity in such a short time is more impressive than the quality. Again, a few pretty good players and a few middling ones, but no premier NHL talent, which has always been the problem. Smith didn't crack that code any more than Snow or Lou has on that...the 2006-07 team followed a pretty familiar path: They rallied around a coach and a tight defensive system, the whole was greater than the sum of the parts, and they mucked and grinded their way into the playoffs as a bubble team.

I agree with you that the Isles might very well benefit from a new direction that is maybe willing to sacrifice a season or two to build a stronger, younger team. But I wouldn't expect a new GM to instantly have better luck bringing in top talent than anyone now or previously...for whatever the reason may be.
- UIF

I'm not even sure what high end UFA's were even available. Neil never got a chance to really put his stamp on the team. I think he could have worked very well with the Islanders and not having the pressure to sign every top name like when he was Ranger GM. 2006 is way in the past and I should not even mention. I promise no more mention of Neil after this. I just use Neil as an example of an Islander GM having some success signing UFA's without a new building or the team coming off an ECF trip.

I just do not see the Islanders being a train wreck if they trade Nelson and Palms when they still have Bo, Barzal, Dobson, and Sorokin. I'm seriously concerned Lou is going to want to bring them back. They should have been traded this offseason for 2025 picks and replaced with players on one-year deals if none of the Bridge players are ready. It's tough because the Islanders did not take advantage of having JT and I do not want the same thing with Barzal. The longer the team delays the re-tool, the worse it will be.

Not a bad haul at all, but I think the quantity in such a short time is more impressive than the quality. Again, a few pretty good players and a few middling ones, but no premier NHL talent, which has always been the problem. Smith didn't crack that code any more than Snow or Lou has on that...the 2006-07 team followed a pretty familiar path: They rallied around a coach and a tight defensive system, the whole was greater than the sum of the parts, and they mucked and grinded their way into the playoffs as a bubble team.

I agree with you that the Isles might very well benefit from a new direction that is maybe willing to sacrifice a season or two to build a stronger, younger team. But I wouldn't expect a new GM to instantly have better luck bringing in top talent than anyone now or previously...for whatever the reason may be.
- UIF

In fairness Neil Smith wasn’t really in the seat long enough to judge his success or lack thereof. Didn’t he step down after the Dipietro contract?

In fairness Neil Smith wasn’t really in the seat long enough to judge his success or lack thereof. Didn’t he step down after the Dipietro contract?
- kindlyrick

I think it was something like 44 days.

In fairness Neil Smith wasn’t really in the seat long enough to judge his success or lack thereof. Didn’t he step down after the Dipietro contract?
- kindlyrick

I'm not judging Neil Smith

I'm responding to the suggestion that, in his short time here, he was able to bring in higher quality FAs that GMs after him haven't been able to match. I think he got an impressive amount done; who knows what he would have done if he wasn't fired so quickly. But, strictly on the issue of quality, is Brendan Witt, who was probably the best FA Smith signed, head and shoulders above, say, Mark Streit?

The point is that the issue the Isles have attracting top-tier FAs seems to go deeper than only who the GM is.

I'm not judging Neil Smith

I'm responding to the suggestion that, in his short time here, he was able to bring in higher quality FAs that GMs after him haven't been able to match. I think he got an impressive amount done; who knows what he would have done if he wasn't fired so quickly. But, strictly on the issue of quality, is Brendan Witt, who was probably the best FA Smith signed, head and shoulders above, say, Mark Streit?

The point is that the issue the Isles have attracting top-tier FAs seems to go deeper than only who the GM is.
- UIF

I just had to post this. This is so bizarre to find this after our discussions.


https://www.msn.com/en-us...ff7b6fa208c8508d621&ei=21

I just had to post this. This is so bizarre to find this after our discussions.


https://www.msn.com/en-us...ff7b6fa208c8508d621&ei=21
- ses111

Big brother is always watching.

Big brother is always watching.

- Nfdbulldawg

I guess so.

The comments about Lou living off the two ECF's and about Duclair moving so much were fair.

I just had to post this. This is so bizarre to find this after our discussions.


https://www.msn.com/en-us...ff7b6fa208c8508d621&ei=21
- ses111

Amazing.

I think it was something like 44 days.
- Nfdbulldawg

Crazy. I believe Neil Smith brought in Sillinger, who ended up being a great islander.

Amazing.
- UIF

I was a little scared when I saw this.

Crazy. I believe Neil Smith brought in Sillinger, who ended up being a great islander.
- kindlyrick

I liked Sillinger.

I liked Sillinger.
- ses111

Great player….he did it all.

Great player….he did it all.
- kindlyrick

Poti was a useful signing that year as well. He had 44 points that year.

I liked Sillinger.
- ses111

I had a Sillinger Isles jersey. That line with Hilbert and Hunter...you look at the individual players and disregard them, but together they were murder on other teams' scoring lines and they could turn the puck back the other way effectively, too. They pretty much summed up that "Nolan-type player" people used to talk about.

I had a Sillinger Isles jersey. That line with Hilbert and Hunter...you look at the individual players and disregard them, but together they were murder on other teams' scoring lines and they could turn the puck back the other way effectively, too. They pretty much summed up that "Nolan-type player" people used to talk about.
- UIF

Sillinger was a good player. He was not flashy. but very solid. Witt seemed to be a Nolan type as well.

Sillinger was a good player. He was not flashy. but very solid. Witt seemed to be a Nolan type as well.
- ses111

Yeah, he was perfect for Nolan's style, and then his game fell off a cliff when Gordon came in with that "overspeed" theory and all of a sudden Witt was expected to be Paul Coffey

Yeah, he was perfect for Nolan's style, and then his game fell off a cliff when Gordon came in with that "overspeed" theory and all of a sudden Witt was expected to be Paul Coffey
- UIF

Ugh, I tried to block that out!

Yeah, he was perfect for Nolan's style, and then his game fell off a cliff when Gordon came in with that "overspeed" theory and all of a sudden Witt was expected to be Paul Coffey
- UIF

The decisions this team has made over the years are mind boggling. I'm all for more offense, but not every player is going to be able to play an offensive game. You need a good mix. The mix has been off for this team for years.

Sillinger was a good player. He was not flashy. but very solid. Witt seemed to be a Nolan type as well.
- ses111

Nolan liked anyone who ate pucks and finished checks.
Sillinger was a great leader and always left it out there. Snows first move was to try and add the ultimate Sillinger in Ryan Smyth….but sadly, like the pattern of UFA’s, he didn’t wanna stay.
I think Smith has a point regarding Lou’s roster not moving the needle. I would love to see a fresh look from the front office. From president on down

Nolan liked anyone who ate pucks and finished checks.
Sillinger was a great leader and always left it out there. Snows first move was to try and add the ultimate Sillinger in Ryan Smyth….but sadly, like the pattern of UFA’s, he didn’t wanna stay.
I think Smith has a point regarding Lou’s roster not moving the needle. I would love to see a fresh look from the front office. From president on down
- kindlyrick

No question he has a point. Many of us have been saying the same things for years. You cannot make minor type moves in the offseason when the team is not good enough. Other teams will be constantly improving.