I don't dislike the idea of Brisson in that role either. He may have a great deal of insight into what specifically free agents don't seem to like about Long Island.
- Gabe Athaus

I truly believe Snow was laughed at around the league, and Lou wasn’t overly inviting with his rules. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new GM has better luck luring UFAs here

I don't dislike the idea of Brisson in that role either. He may have a great deal of insight into what specifically free agents don't seem to like about Long Island.
- Gabe Athaus

Brisson may be the salesmen type the Islanders have been lacking. Brisson and Darche could be a good team.

I truly believe Snow was laughed at around the league, and Lou wasn’t overly inviting with his rules. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new GM has better luck luring UFAs here
- kindlyrick

The Islanders do not need a Milbury type personality, but they need someone than can relate to today's players and can lay out a vision.

The Islanders do not need a Milbury type personality, but they need someone than can relate to today's players and can lay out a vision.
- ses111

Between 11 years of Milbury, 12 Snow, and 7 Lou Lam (with mostly all of Snows staff), that’s 30 years of not being able to sign a top UFA. That’s one of the problems that needs to be corrected.
Is there anything more disappointing than being an isles fan on July 2nd?

Between 11 years of Milbury, 12 Snow, and 7 Lou Lam (with mostly all of Snows staff), that’s 30 years of not being able to sign a top UFA. That’s one of the problems that needs to be corrected.
Is there anything more disappointing than being an isles fan on July 2nd?
- kindlyrick

I still think the best move for this franchise over the next year or so would be to purge themselves of most/all the underperforming alumni that make up the front office. Obviously new regime will make that determination, but they have to go back and look at the long-term body of work and I can't imagine too many people would be impressed with it. Poor drafting, poor development, some poor roster management decisions (although a lot of those can probably be placed on whoever was GM at the time).

Between 11 years of Milbury, 12 Snow, and 7 Lou Lam (with mostly all of Snows staff), that’s 30 years of not being able to sign a top UFA. That’s one of the problems that needs to be corrected.
Is there anything more disappointing than being an isles fan on July 2nd?
- kindlyrick

Islanders have to do much better during the offseason. This is when you need to improve the team. The team does not need to make constant trades, but they cannot let the roster become stale and they need to make improvements as needed.

I still think the best move for this franchise over the next year or so would be to purge themselves of most/all the underperforming alumni that make up the front office. Obviously new regime will make that determination, but they have to go back and look at the long-term body of work and I can't imagine too many people would be impressed with it. Poor drafting, poor development, some poor roster management decisions (although a lot of those can probably be placed on whoever was GM at the time).
- Gabe Athaus

This is key. No more status quo and all scouts and development people get to stay. Let the head coach also pick his assitants. Islanders need to take an entire new approach.

I still think the best move for this franchise over the next year or so would be to purge themselves of most/all the underperforming alumni that make up the front office. Obviously new regime will make that determination, but they have to go back and look at the long-term body of work and I can't imagine too many people would be impressed with it. Poor drafting, poor development, some poor roster management decisions (although a lot of those can probably be placed on whoever was GM at the time).
- Gabe Athaus

Agreed! It’s funny, they used to reference the isles as being a country club atmosphere. We all thought it was the players, when in reality it was the alumni hirings that were the real “tenured” country club.

Agreed! It’s funny, they used to reference the isles as being a country club atmosphere. We all thought it was the players, when in reality it was the alumni hirings that were the real “tenured” country club.
- kindlyrick

It was the players as well. There is no real leadership among the players Just hearing the players comments after the games and you get that country club vibe.

It was the players as well. There is no real leadership among the players Just hearing the players comments after the games and you get that country club vibe.
- ses111

No doubt the players are guilty as well, but the rosters have been inferior. Hearing Nelson praise the skilled offense on the Avs, when he was the isles skilled offense is the problem.
Like Chief said they gotta go through all the positions of the staff and see who’s not performing which is probably a lot of them.

Rob Blake let go by the Kings.

Rob Blake let go by the Kings.
- kindlyrick

- Gabe Athaus

Agreed

Agreed
- kindlyrick

On a serious note, I wonder how much this is going to affect the Isles President/GM search. Don't think it's unfair to say that LA is a more attractive job to potential candidates. Better team, more desirable area, bigger market, more working capital.

Not to mention, Bergevin is currently the senior advisor to the GM there. Wonder if they were worried he'd leave for NYI and, after another 1st round loss to the Oilers, they're going to try to retain him by putting him in Blake's role.

edit: and I believe Brisson lives in the area as well. His son's place of birth is listed as Manhattan Beach, so I'm assuming that is the case.

- Gabe Athaus

Indeed.

On a serious note, I wonder how much this is going to affect the Isles President/GM search. Don't think it's unfair to say that LA is a more attractive job to potential candidates. Better team, more desirable area, bigger market, more working capital.

Not to mention, Bergevin is currently the senior advisor to the GM there. Wonder if they were worried he'd leave for NYI and, after another 1st round loss to the Oilers, they're going to try to retain him by putting him in Blake's role.

edit: and I believe Brisson lives in the area as well
- Gabe Athaus

Yeah that’s certainly plausible. The good news is there are plenty of quality candidates to choose from.
One thing that I’d like to see is 2 different people for President and GM. I believe Lou had too much control and there was nobody checking him. LA for example had Robitaille, Bergevin and Blake…..3 former stars vs 1 Lou

On a serious note, I wonder how much this is going to affect the Isles President/GM search. Don't think it's unfair to say that LA is a more attractive job to potential candidates. Better team, more desirable area, bigger market, more working capital.

Not to mention, Bergevin is currently the senior advisor to the GM there. Wonder if they were worried he'd leave for NYI and, after another 1st round loss to the Oilers, they're going to try to retain him by putting him in Blake's role.

edit: and I believe Brisson lives in the area as well. His son's place of birth is listed as Manhattan Beach, so I'm assuming that is the case.
- Gabe Athaus

Could it come down to guys like Holland or Smith as President? Really may not be a lot of guys with the experience.

Yeah that’s certainly plausible. The good news is there are plenty of quality candidates to choose from.
One thing that I’d like to see is 2 different people for President and GM. I believe Lou had too much control and there was nobody checking him.
- kindlyrick

Unless a slam dunk option was available, I'd rather not have one person running everything.

Could it come down to guys like Holland or Smith as President? Really may not be a lot of guys with the experience.
- ses111

I don't love Ken Holland and I don't think Neil Smith has a chance in hell of being hired by anyone. Holland might be OK, but he'd be far from my first choice.

Could it come down to guys like Holland or Smith as President? Really may not be a lot of guys with the experience.
- ses111

You call Pat Brisson and ask what his number is for salary and you add a million (within reason obviously). He picks the GM (Darche) and they sit down with Roy and come up with a plan regarding the bench staff, the roster (who stays or goes). Brisson hires a new GM and coach for Bridgeport and they collectively revamp the draft table and developement staff.

You call Pat Brisson and ask what his number is for salary and you add a million (within reason obviously). He picks the GM (Darche) and they sit down with Roy and come up with a plan regarding the bench staff, the roster (who stays or goes). Brisson hires a new GM and coach for Bridgeport and they collectively revamp the draft table and developement staff.
- kindlyrick

LA is a tough challenge for the Islanders though.

LA is a tough challenge for the Islanders though.
- ses111

They’re looking for a GM. The isles are looking for a president first I think.

I don't love Ken Holland and I don't think Neil Smith has a chance in hell of being hired by anyone. Holland might be OK, but he'd be far from my first choice.
- Gabe Athaus

I would think the Islanders would be Neil's only option. He may have an in with UBS. I would not mind Neil doing something scouting related with his past. He can also teach how to talk to players and agents.

They’re looking for a GM. The isles are looking for a president first I think.
- kindlyrick

Feels like that's going to give them first crack every GM candidate out there. I have no doubt the Isles are working diligently, but if they take too long to figure out the president position then they may not get their #1 target for GM.

They’re looking for a GM. The isles are looking for a president first I think.
- kindlyrick

I think Collins does not need to make a rush hire. He also cannot take his sweet time though.