In fairness Lou inherited a pretty bad situation. One positive about his tenure is that he’s added to this team every year and has attempted to address needs. In the past they sat on their hands and “believed in the room” having the same results. Personally I love having a GM who makes trades and isn’t afraid to sling picks and prospects to bring in talent.
- kindlyrick

Yes. He brought the organization much needed credibility. Let's see what he does, but I'm not sure trading away every draft pick is the way forward. The team is sort of suck in limbo. I'm not sure how any GM can get out of it without getting very lucky.

Yes. He brought the organization much needed credibility. Let's see what he does, but I'm not sure trading away every draft pick is the way forward. The team is sort of suck in limbo. I'm not sure how any GM can get out of it without getting very lucky.
- JimmyP

Islanders have very little room for error the way they are currently built. The goalie and defense can have very few off nights. Sorokin is really going to need to carry the team and when he gives up a couple of tough goals like he did in the playoffs, the team is in trouble. The offense has to be able to help out more. Another issue is the Islanders get very little offense from the D.

Yes. He brought the organization much needed credibility. Let's see what he does, but I'm not sure trading away every draft pick is the way forward. The team is sort of suck in limbo. I'm not sure how any GM can get out of it without getting very lucky.
- JimmyP

Of course trading away every draft pick isn’t the answer. Unfortunately for whatever reason he’s had a tough time signing top UFAs. In order to address needs, he’s not afraid to pull the trigger. Again, he was handed an absolute mess, and I don’t think that’s even recognized. Let us also remember the summer he took over the franchise was delivered a devastating blow with Tavares walking for nothing. Former management was learning on the job, and the prospect pool, as well as the roster itself reflected as much. I give Lou credit for getting rid of some bad contracts, and trading for needs. Not an easy task when your prospect pool was filled with MDC’s, and Keiffer Bellows.

Of course trading away every draft pick isn’t the answer. Unfortunately for whatever reason he’s had a tough time signing top UFAs. In order to address needs, he’s not afraid to pull the trigger. Again, he was handed an absolute mess, and I don’t think that’s even recognized. Let us also remember the summer he took over the franchise was delivered a devastating blow with Tavares walking for nothing. Former management was learning on the job, and the prospect pool, as well as the roster itself reflected as much. I give Lou credit for getting rid of some bad contracts, and trading for needs. Not an easy task when your prospect pool was filled with MDC’s, and Keiffer Bellows.
- kindlyrick

If you look back at teams that are successful over the in the draft. It has to do with the staff analyzing the prospects. When you have a history of not drafting well and the inability to sign top end free agents you are forced to take chances that might not always work out.

The one way out of this is bringing in the scout that have proven records of success. Detroit was a team for years that could draft players valuable in the later rounds as they gave up their 1st and 2nd picks to remaine competitive.

This absolutely one thing this team can control and expand upon. The other component is to draft to your style of play. NJ did the 10 plus years of their success. By drafting and signing players to their system.

Push the college market to add guys to farm system not drafted.

Just another way to stay competitive.

If you look back at teams that are successful over the in the draft. It has to do with the staff analyzing the prospects. When you have a history of not drafting well and the inability to sign top end free agents you are forced to take chances that might not always work out.

The one way out of this is bringing in the scout that have proven records of success. Detroit was a team for years that could draft players valuable in the later rounds as they gave up their 1st and 2nd picks to remaine competitive.

This absolutely one thing this team can control and expand upon. The other component is to draft to your style of play. NJ did the 10 plus years of their success. By drafting and signing players to their system.

Push the college market to add guys to farm system not drafted.

Just another way to stay competitive.
- Nfdbulldawg

Did Lou bring in new scouts or did he just keep most of them? We know he keep the same Bridge coach. The Wings drafted well for years because they had Jimmy D working for them and he built the Islanders dynasty. Lou had to know coming in that Garth did not leave him a lot to work with. This is still very much Garth's roster. We need to stop with the Garth excuse already. It's lazy. I'm sure L & M gave Lou the green light to run the team any way he wanted.

If you look back at teams that are successful over the in the draft. It has to do with the staff analyzing the prospects. When you have a history of not drafting well and the inability to sign top end free agents you are forced to take chances that might not always work out.

The one way out of this is bringing in the scout that have proven records of success. Detroit was a team for years that could draft players valuable in the later rounds as they gave up their 1st and 2nd picks to remaine competitive.

This absolutely one thing this team can control and expand upon. The other component is to draft to your style of play. NJ did the 10 plus years of their success. By drafting and signing players to their system.

Push the college market to add guys to farm system not drafted.

Just another way to stay competitive.
- Nfdbulldawg

I don’t think it’s brought up enough but the amount of bad drafting during Snows tenure was astonishing. I was guilty of seeing the name drafted and doing a quick read to believe the hype. Unfortunately the percentage of misses far exceeds the “hits”. A small example, but you had Snow drafting Nino top 5 I believe and then flipped him for Clutter whos the 4th line winger. One example of MANY poor asset management decisions.

Unfortunately Lou was handed a bag of suck. I think he’s done as good a job as any could with a roster of middle six forwards, almost zero blue chips (after 12 years of drafting) and a couple bad contracts that were “gifted” to certain players that were good soldiers.

Did Lou bring in new scouts or did he just keep most of them? We know he keep the same Bridge coach. The Wings drafted well for years because they had Jimmy D working for them and he built the Islanders dynasty. Lou had to know coming in that Garth did not leave him a lot to work with. This is still very much Garth's roster. We need to stop with the Garth excuse already. It's lazy. I'm sure L & M gave Lou the green light to run the team any way he wanted.
- ses111

Honestly, it’s not really an excuse. The organization was so mishandled it’s almost laughable. When I heard Okposo admit that Ricky D convinced Wang to hire Snow as GM because he was good at fantasy hockey I almost sh!t myself. I had to rewind to re listen and make sure what I had just heard. Each incompetent move takes a toll, from bad drafting, bad signings, bad asset management….and you’re left with a GM who’s only option to improve is to part with picks.

Honestly, it’s not really an excuse. The organization was so mishandled it’s almost laughable. When I heard Okposo admit that Ricky D convinced Wang to hire Snow as GM because he was good at fantasy hockey I almost sh!t myself. I had to rewind to re listen and make sure what I had just heard. Each incompetent move takes a toll, from bad drafting, bad signings, bad asset management….and you’re left with a GM who’s only option to improve is to part with picks.
- kindlyrick

That was 5 years ago Rick. Lou saw the team go to two ECF and his response was to be bring in old Chara and Parise and the next year he just added Romanov. How are these types of moves going to put the Islanders over the top. This offseason so far, Lou brought back the same team that was bounced in the 1st round. Lou pretty much has no choice to go all in on a scoring wing with this roster. I'm sure Lou could have gone to L&M and told them we need to rebuild after JT left. Lou decided to stick with the current group after hiring Barry and the team went on two long runs. The problem is Lou did not follow it up and make the necessary moves to get the team over the top.

That was 5 years ago Rick. Lou saw the team go to two ECF and his response was to be bring in old Chara and Parise and the next year he just added Romanov. How are these types of moves going to put the Islanders over the top This offseason so far, Lou brought back the same team that was bounced in the 1st round. Lou pretty much has no choice to go all in on a scoring wing with this roster.
- ses111

I think Chara was a last minute signing after missing on Ryan Suter (IMO). Parise was a great pick up. I’m not upset at Lou for having a failed season or two. I’d be upset if he sat on his hands and sold us on his believing in the lockeroom BS. He’s already rid them of Bailey and has been vocal about making hockey trades to improve. I can’t take issue with a guy who’s addressing needs while being limited in his leverage of assets.

That was 5 years ago Rick. Lou saw the team go to two ECF and his response was to be bring in old Chara and Parise and the next year he just added Romanov. How are these types of moves going to put the Islanders over the top. This offseason so far, Lou brought back the same team that was bounced in the 1st round. Lou pretty much has no choice to go all in on a scoring wing with this roster. I'm sure Lou could have gone to L&M and told them we need to rebuild after JT left. Lou decided to stick with the current group after hiring Barry and the team went on two long runs. The problem is Lou did not follow it up and make the necessary moves to get the team over the top.
- ses111

There is no GM who ever managed a team would be able to convince new ownership to rebuild after they spent billions on buying the team and building a brand new arena. I don’t think the lack of rebuild is on Lou. No way ownership didn’t want their return on investment. It’s always about the $

There is no GM who ever managed a team would be able to convince new ownership to rebuild after they spent billions on buying the team and building a brand new arena. I don’t think the lack of rebuild is on Lou. No way ownership didn’t want their return on investment. It’s always about the $
- kindlyrick

It does not have to take 10 years to rebuild. The Rangers rebuild did not take years. As I already mentioned, the problem is Lou did not go all in after the two ECF trips. Most people have problems with the Bo move because it did not happen two years earlier. Lou is doubling down on an older and slowly team with little skill.

It does not have to take 10 years to rebuild. The Rangers rebuild did not take years. As I already mentioned, the problem is Lou did not go all in after the two ECF trips. Most people have problems with the Bo move because it did not happen two years earlier. Lou is doubling down on an older and slowly team with little skill.
- ses111

I don’t buy into the older and slower thing. Parise and Palmieri were good additions to this team. I’ll take ECF trips back to back years, then 12 years of never winning a round (except one time). I’m not gonna convince you to see this my way, and you’re entitled to your opinion. I do however think Lou has done a good job with the hand he was dealt.
The only issue I will take is the coaching staff coming back after going 0-22 on the PP in the playoffs. Although, some of that is on the players and if I’m being honest, maybe Matt Barzal isn’t as good as he’s marketed to be. You can’t stick handle through entire teams in the NHL and we saw a lot of that from 13

It does not have to take 10 years to rebuild. The Rangers rebuild did not take years. As I already mentioned, the problem is Lou did not go all in after the two ECF trips. Most people have problems with the Bo move because it did not happen two years earlier. Lou is doubling down on an older and slowly team with little skill.
- ses111

The reason a team like the Rangers can rebuild in 3 years is they are able to sign big name UFAs without giving up any assets. They then flip those assets for picks, hence their quick rebuild. The isles cannot add those assets via free agency. Thus far the only way to improve has been through trades which Lou has done and extended said players. Snow gave up a first etc for 2 months of Vanek and he walked. There’s no comparison.

I don’t buy into the older and slower thing. Parise and Palmieri were good additions to this team. I’ll take ECF trips back to back years, then 12 years of never winning a round (except one time). I’m not gonna convince you to see this my way, and you’re entitled to your opinion. I do however think Lou has done a good job with the hand he was dealt.
The only issue I will take is the coaching staff coming back after going 0-22 on the PP in the playoffs. Although, some of that is on the players and if I’m being honest, maybe Matt Barzal isn’t as good as he’s marketed to be. You can’t stick handle through entire teams in the NHL and we saw a lot of that from 13
- kindlyrick

The Islanders cannot live off those two ECF trips forever. It does not help them in 2023. If you think the PP is just on the coaches when the PP struggled even with a Half of fame coach, I do not know what to tell you. I also do not know what to tell you if you think this team is not old and slow. The PP is a personnel issue and not a coaching issue. Before Bo, who was the shooter Barzal was going to pass to that would get a lot of PP goals?

The reason a team like the Rangers can rebuild in 3 years is they are able to sign big name UFAs without giving up any assets. They then flip those assets for picks, hence their quick rebuild. The isles cannot add those assets via free agency. Thus far the only way to improve has been through trades which Lou has done and extended said players. Snow gave up a first etc for 2 months of Vanek and he walked. There’s no comparison.
- kindlyrick

If I'm not mistaken, the Rangers took a break in signing top UFA's when they were rebuilding. You are obsessed in bringing up Garth constantly.

If I'm not mistaken, the Rangers took a break in signing top UFA's went the were rebuilding. You are obsessed in bringing up Garth constantly.
- ses111

I wouldn’t call it obsessed…..I’d call it pointing out why the isles are where they are from over a decade of ineptitude. It’s not an easy fix.

The rangers/Drury were blessed with a first overall pick jumping up from the 9th spot I think. They also signed Barclay Goodrow after coming off a cup, Panarin and a litany of others via free agency to fill roles. Sprinkle in Pat Kane and Tarasenko and the rangers on paper had a playoff team, mostly from UFA signings and good drafting both of which have been absent from the isles organization since early 2000’s

The Islanders cannot live off those two ECF trips forever. It does not help them in 2023. If you think the PP is just on the coaches when the PP struggled even with a Half of fame coach, I do not know what to tell you. I also do not know what to tell you if you think this team is not old and slow. The PP is a personnel issue and not a coaching issue. Before Bo, who was the shooter Barzal was going to pass to that would get a lot of PP goals?
- ses111

The PP was a problem and Lou made a move to improve it. Barzal stickhandling through the entire team unsuccessfully isn’t the answer either. Let’s see what Lou does before the season before we thumb our nose at the ECF back to back as if it wasn’t amazing to be a part of since 1993

The PP was a problem and Lou made a move to improve it. Barzal stickhandling through the entire team unsuccessfully isn’t the answer either. Let’s see what Lou does before the season before we thumb our nose at the ECF back to back as if it wasn’t amazing to be a part of since 1993
- kindlyrick

The two ECF were great and so were the 4 cups. Does not help in 2023. We need to be honest and admit the two ECF most likely do not happen without a pause due to covid. The Islanders were struggling even with Barry before the pause and the playoffs were not looking good.

The two ECF were great and so were the 4 cups. Does not help in 2023. We need to be honest and admit the two ECF most likely do not happen without a pause due to covid. The Islanders were struggling even with Barry before the pause and the playoffs were not looking good.
- ses111

We can agree to disagree. I personally think Lou has done a good job with the bag of suck he was handed. He’s made moves every year to try and improve. It’s not an exact science obviously, but being a fan of this team for decades it’s nice to see a GM address needs and not gas light the fan base with complacency under the auspices of believing in a failed room and doubling down on failed room.

We can agree to disagree. I personally think Lou has done a good job with the bag of suck he was handed. He’s made moves every year to try and improve. It’s not an exact science obviously, but being a fan of this team for decades it’s nice to see a GM address needs and not gas light the fan base with complacency under the auspices of believing in a failed room and doubling down on failed room.
- kindlyrick

It's all good Rick. We all have different opinions. Does not make one person right or wrong. The results will speak for themselves.

It's all good Rick. We all have different opinions. Does not make one person right or wrong. The results will speak for themselves.
- ses111

Absolutely……I think we see a trade, and I think it will be one to address the PP.

Sidenote : the isles currently have the best goalie tandem they’ve ever had!

Absolutely……I think we see a trade, and I think it will be one to address the PP.

Sidenote : the isles currently have the best goalie tandem they’ve ever had! in the league
- kindlyrick

Fixed

Absolutely……I think we see a trade, and I think it will be one to address the PP.

Sidenote : the isles currently have the best goalie tandem they’ve ever had!
- kindlyrick

Billy and Chico were pretty darn good.

Billy and Chico were pretty darn good.
- ses111

No doubt, I’m just juiced about having that caliber of goaltending. It’s almost as good as the 3 goalie rotation with Christopher Gibson….lol

No doubt, I’m just juiced about having that caliber of goaltending. It’s almost as good as the 3 goalie rotation with Christopher Gibson….lol
- kindlyrick

Needs more JF Berube