I'll allow this. Is Kevin a bad guy?
- ses111

All sorts of stuff out there about his Action Park Media company being pretty shady and him conducting some questionable business practices.

All sorts of stuff out there about his Action Park Media company being pretty shady and him conducting some questionable business practices.
- Harambe

You are out Kevin. We do not need Spano part II.

You are out Kevin. We do not need Spano part II.
- ses111

I mean if we're talking realistically, Kevin Connolly is not anywhere remotely near the level of wealth you need to buy a professional sports franchise. Maybe he could own a tiny piece of them through some sort of group with a bunch of other people in it, but he's a peasant compared to the kinds of guys that are buying sports teams these days.

I mean if we're talking realistically, Kevin Connolly is not anywhere remotely near the level of wealth you need to buy a professional sports franchise. Maybe he could own a tiny piece of them through some sort of group with a bunch of other people in it, but he's a peasant compared to the kinds of guys that are buying sports teams these days.
- Harambe

No question Kevin would be a very small piece of a large group. I like that he is a big Islander fan at least. I just want ownership that will not wait until the wheels fall off before making moves and I want someone who wants to win. George had many flaws, but he had a passion for winning.

No question Kevin would be a very small piece of a large group. I like that he is a big Islander fan at least. I just want ownership that will not wait until the wheels fall off before making moves and I want someone who wants to win. George had many flaws, but he had a passion for winning.
- ses111

Anyway, we'll see how much fans can trust ownership this offseason.

If they allow Lou to navigate what could be a tricky retooling process then I think they are either misguided or don't really have much interest in the on-ice product.

Letting Lou go (or allowing him to "retire") obviously won't automatically fix anything and carries its own inherent set of risks...but it would at least show fans that they have an interest in the roster and trying to improve it.

Anyway, we'll see how much fans can trust ownership this offseason.

If they allow Lou to navigate what could be a tricky retooling process then I think they are either misguided or don't really have much interest in the on-ice product.

Letting Lou go (or allowing him to "retire") obviously won't automatically fix anything and carries its own inherent set of risks...but it would at least show fans that they have an interest in the roster and trying to improve it.
- Harambe

I think it's time for a GM with a strong scouting background. The Islanders cannot build through UFA's. I said it before. Look to teams like Colorado, Dallas, and Tampa for the next GM. If the Islanders do things right, they could be good for a long time. The Post had something the other day that the Islanders have to avoid a Preds situation where there are the champs of the offseason. I do not think the Islanders can even sign the name players like Stamkos.

We need Kevin Connolly to get together with his rich friends and buy this team.
- ses111

Have him and Ralph Macchio team up. The only problem is that their combined NetWorth is 23 million dollars. Even if you add in Lafontaine it only comes out to 38 million. You are not even sniffing the ice crew for 38 million.

I think it's time for a GM with a strong scouting background. The Islanders cannot build through UFA's. I said it before. Look to teams like Colorado, Dallas, and Tampa for the next GM. If the Islanders do things right, they could be good for a long time. The Post had something the other day that the Islanders have to avoid a Preds situation where there are the champs of the offseason. I do not think the Islanders can even sign the name players like Stamkos.
- ses111

The Islanders cannot build through UFA's.
No, they cannot. But they can invest that money or some of that money in building one of the best scouting staffs in the league. This organization has to draft well. They have to turn some of their controllable weaknesses into strengths.

So, you cannot get that big ticket item now. You draft well and have your scouting staff assist on trades. That is how this team will progress and survive. Ignore this process and you will be left with years of mediocrity. Missing playoffs and first round exits.

The ownership is not afraid to spend money anymore. They just need to apply to the right things. They cannot spend like it is FOMO.

Everyone thought the team was dead when JT walked away. The right moves from coaching to players proved a lot of people wrong. It is unfortunate that several moves and injuries has quailed this team's success, but they need to dig in and make those similar moves again. It can be done. Ownership needs to clean the glass so that they see the whole picture. One that does not have Lou's reflection in it.

There has to be an islander alumnus out there that would be a solid president for the team. One that could pic the next GM. Enough of these Fargin Devils !!!!

Have him and Ralph Macchio team up. The only problem is that their combined NetWorth is 23 million dollars. Even if you add in Lafontaine it only comes out to 38 million. You are not even sniffing the ice crew for 38 million.
- Nfdbulldawg

Yep! I'm glad L&M have not been cheap like past owners. They need to step in now though with the team headed in the wrong direction. The owners should not keep Lou just because he won 3 Cups with the Devils.

The Islanders cannot build through UFA's.
No, they cannot. But they can invest that money or some of that money in building one of the best scouting staffs in the league. This organization has to draft well. They have to turn some of their controllable weaknesses into strengths.

So, you cannot get that big ticket item now. You draft well and have your scouting staff assist on trades. That is how this team will progress and survive. Ignore this process and you will be left with years of mediocrity. Missing playoffs and first round exits.

The ownership is not afraid to spend money anymore. They just need to apply to the right things. They cannot spend like it is FOMO.

Everyone thought the team was dead when JT walked away. The right moves from coaching to players proved a lot of people wrong. It is unfortunate that several moves and injuries has quailed this team's success, but they need to dig in and make those similar moves again. It can be done. Ownership needs to clean the glass so that they see the whole picture. One that does not have Lou's reflection in it.

There has to be an islander alumnus out there that would be a solid president for the team. One that could pic the next GM. Enough of these Fargin Devils !!!!
- Nfdbulldawg

The excuse the draft is too difficult does not fly. Other teams manage to do a good job drafting and developing players. This team simply does not focus on drafting and scouting.


Money is not the issue with the team. Making smart decisions is the issue.

The team did rebound well from losing JT. It was a huge gift having Barry fall into the team lap and the team took advantage of the shortened seasons to even make the playoffs to go on those runs. If these things did not happen, it's very doubtful those ECF's run even happen.


I'm not sure if the owners can talk to someone like Brent Sutter or even Neil Smith. I would have no issue with Neil being President. We worked for Al and Bill and won a Cup with the Rangers. Let Neil pick the new GM. Neil has been out of the game which is why the GM job would not work. He still probably has a lot of contacts though to pick a new GM. I love that a while back Neil called out Lou's lack of moves.

The Islanders cannot build through UFA's.
No, they cannot. But they can invest that money or some of that money in building one of the best scouting staffs in the league. This organization has to draft well. They have to turn some of their controllable weaknesses into strengths.

So, you cannot get that big ticket item now. You draft well and have your scouting staff assist on trades. That is how this team will progress and survive. Ignore this process and you will be left with years of mediocrity. Missing playoffs and first round exits.

The ownership is not afraid to spend money anymore. They just need to apply to the right things. They cannot spend like it is FOMO.

Everyone thought the team was dead when JT walked away. The right moves from coaching to players proved a lot of people wrong. It is unfortunate that several moves and injuries has quailed this team's success, but they need to dig in and make those similar moves again. It can be done. Ownership needs to clean the glass so that they see the whole picture. One that does not have Lou's reflection in it.

There has to be an islander alumnus out there that would be a solid president for the team. One that could pic the next GM. Enough of these Fargin Devils !!!!
- Nfdbulldawg

No more alumni please. The director of pro scouting is Ken Morrow. The director of amateur scouting is Trent Klatt. The director of player development is Eric Cairns. There are other lesser alumni sprinkled in around the roles beneath those directors. Stop making the Islanders the retirement career for everyone who has ever worn an Isles sweater, because drafting and development is clearly an area where they are lacking.

They need a general manager who can adapt to the modern NHL and properly manage assets. Signing rapidly declining players or bottom 6F/2D players to 7 and 8 year deals when that's clearly not the direction the team needs to go. One who can improve and invest in the scouting/development aspects. Someone who can convince ownership to invest some capital in Bridgeport because they are finishing dead last in the entire AHL with a comically-bad 37pts. The second worst team in the league has 54pts. The young guys who aren't ready for the NHL need a functional minor league organization to learn and grow in and right now they don't have that.

No more alumni please. The director of pro scouting is Ken Morrow. The director of amateur scouting is Trent Klatt. The director of player development is Eric Cairns. There are other lesser alumni sprinkled in around the roles beneath those directors. Stop making the Islanders the retirement career for everyone who has ever worn an Isles sweater, because drafting and development is clearly an area where they are lacking.

They need a general manager who can adapt to the modern NHL and properly manage assets. Signing rapidly declining players or bottom 6F/2D players to 7 and 8 year deals when that's clearly not the direction the team needs to go. One who can improve and invest in the scouting/development aspects. Someone who can convince ownership to invest some capital in Bridgeport because they are finishing dead last in the entire AHL with a comically-bad 37pts. The second worst team in the league has 54pts. The young guys who aren't ready for the NHL need a functional minor league organization to learn and grow in and right now they don't have that.
- Harambe

I hate to burst your bubble by Klatt never played for the Islanders.
https://www.hockeydb.com/...ats/pdisplay.php?pid=2744

I agree with all your other points.

I hate to burst your bubble by Klatt never played for the Islanders.
https://www.hockeydb.com/...ats/pdisplay.php?pid=2744

I agree with all your other points.
- Nfdbulldawg

Huh, I would have bet money that he was. I guess he's just been here so long that I thought he played here as well. The rest of the point remains, anyway.

Huh, I would have bet money that he was. I guess he's just been here so long that I thought he played here as well. The rest of the point remains, anyway.
- Gabe Athaus

Coaches have a very short leash. GM's, players, and scouts get forever.

Dude took more pride in wearing the jersey than most others.

https://x.com/RTaub_/status/1912179376650596521

Dude took more pride in wearing the jersey than most others.

https://x.com/RTaub_/status/1912179376650596521
- UIF

Matt was a very good Islander, and I wish he got to win a Cup.

No more alumni please. The director of pro scouting is Ken Morrow. The director of amateur scouting is Trent Klatt. The director of player development is Eric Cairns. There are other lesser alumni sprinkled in around the roles beneath those directors. Stop making the Islanders the retirement career for everyone who has ever worn an Isles sweater, because drafting and development is clearly an area where they are lacking.

They need a general manager who can adapt to the modern NHL and properly manage assets. Signing rapidly declining players or bottom 6F/2D players to 7 and 8 year deals when that's clearly not the direction the team needs to go. One who can improve and invest in the scouting/development aspects. Someone who can convince ownership to invest some capital in Bridgeport because they are finishing dead last in the entire AHL with a comically-bad 37pts. The second worst team in the league has 54pts. The young guys who aren't ready for the NHL need a functional minor league organization to learn and grow in and right now they don't have that.
- Harambe

That’s a great way of phrasing it…..the alumni hires. Whether or not Klatt was an islander, the director of amateur scouting has failed. Half the staff are former devils or islanders. It’s great until it’s not. Chris Lam leading Bridgeport as both GM and assistant GM (with no experience other than being Lou’s son) has you in the bottom of the league. It’s a minor league version of Garth Snow. Zero resume with zero experience.

My hope is Lou see’s the handwriting on the wall and bows out gracefully allowing ownership to change course while honoring Lou’s past.

That’s a great way of phrasing it…..the alumni hires. Whether or not Klatt was an islander, the director of amateur scouting has failed. Half the staff are former devils or islanders. It’s great until it’s not. Chris Lam leading Bridgeport as both GM and assistant GM (with no experience other than being Lou’s son) has you in the bottom of the league. It’s a minor league version of Garth Snow. Zero resume with zero experience.

My hope is Lou see’s the handwriting on the wall and bows out gracefully allowing ownership to change course while honoring Lou’s past.
- kindlyrick

In some way I won't kill Chris Lamoriello for Bridgeport. Not entirely, anyway. He can only play the players his dad signs/drafts for the most part. But point remains, the entire organization needs to be put under a microscope and evaluated. I whiffed on thinking Klatt played here at some point, but lots of guys have had their jobs for a long time with a lot of inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, you see team's like Dallas and Tampa (among others) constantly unearthing stud players late in the 1st round and even in the later rounds. Probably not a shocker that they have two of the most consistent-good AHL teams where these guys can go to develop before being thrown to the wolves in the NHL.

In some way I won't kill Chris Lamoriello for Bridgeport. Not entirely, anyway. He can only play the players his dad signs/drafts for the most part. But point remains, the entire organization needs to be put under a microscope and evaluated. I whiffed on thinking Klatt played here at some point, but lots of guys have had their jobs for a long time with a lot of inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, you see team's like Dallas and Tampa (among others) constantly unearthing stud players late in the 1st round and even in the later rounds. Probably not a shocker that they have two of the most consistent-good AHL teams where these guys can go to develop before being thrown to the wolves in the NHL.
- Gabe Athaus

You mean teams can manage to find good players in the draft? Dallas and Tampa are teams I mentioned in terms of hiring a new GM. Someone wake up L&M.



This entire team is still living off Barry's coaching and the two ECF's.

In some way I won't kill Chris Lamoriello for Bridgeport. Not entirely, anyway. He can only play the players his dad signs/drafts for the most part. But point remains, the entire organization needs to be put under a microscope and evaluated. I whiffed on thinking Klatt played here at some point, but lots of guys have had their jobs for a long time with a lot of inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, you see team's like Dallas and Tampa (among others) constantly unearthing stud players late in the 1st round and even in the later rounds. Probably not a shocker that they have two of the most consistent-good AHL teams where these guys can go to develop before being thrown to the wolves in the NHL.
- Gabe Athaus

Whatever Chris Lamoriello is, it isn’t a winner.
The farm has always been middle of the road bad. But not record breaking bad. He’s commandeered that farm team for years as assistant and head GM and they’ve never been last place by 20 pts bad. That’s inexcusable

In some way I won't kill Chris Lamoriello for Bridgeport. Not entirely, anyway. He can only play the players his dad signs/drafts for the most part. But point remains, the entire organization needs to be put under a microscope and evaluated. I whiffed on thinking Klatt played here at some point, but lots of guys have had their jobs for a long time with a lot of inconsistencies.

Meanwhile, you see team's like Dallas and Tampa (among others) constantly unearthing stud players late in the 1st round and even in the later rounds. Probably not a shocker that they have two of the most consistent-good AHL teams where these guys can go to develop before being thrown to the wolves in the NHL.
- Gabe Athaus

Yeah Chris lameriello has no business within the organization. Let’s just move on from this. Lou had a little run with us. It’s over along with his tenure or I’ll say it should be over. We don’t need his son running anything. Clean the slate.

Tonight's game anyone?

Tonight's game anyone?
- Nfdbulldawg

Found it

I guess everyone gave up.

I guess everyone gave up.
- Nfdbulldawg

I refuse to subscribe to espn.