Garth Snow's 3/6 Interview On His Team/Trades

Garth Snow did a full audio interview on WFAN590 on Thursday and had a lot to say about his team/trades/deadline.

Video of call/full interview.



Calgary getting nothing for pending UFA, Mike Camallari was not in the article. 

NYIFC Comments: 
What is also not included was Snow calling his penalty killing atrocious after praising his coaches a few months ago. He also said Calvin deHaan's emergence was the reason they did not revisit resigning Andrew MacDonald.

Snow has until June 1st to defer his pick to Buffalo this year or in 2015 it it's a top ten.

All in all he explains why he did what he did.

Bottom line trends change in trade deadlines as quickly as front-loading came along. Many past deadlines first rounder were thrown in for rentals, the trends changed this time.

Another emerging trend seems to be additional compensation for signing a player you acquired at the deadline.

Snow said he accepted the best/only offer, but he had to get more, and failed.
Market or not, that's his job. 

Vanek likely did not help his value (or Snow) with his pre-Olympic struggles or what happened with team Austria off the ice that he was named captain of, however he had 43 points in 47 games with a +4 rating, and improved this teams five on five scoring.

I also wrote about him being too outspoken which many organizations want no part of. He did it in and upon leaving Buffalo, also here after games. 

That line with Tavares/Okposo was one of the best in the NHL for a month after Moulson had one 5/5 goal against Columbus opening night, and one open net assist against Carolina. 

Nothing helped fix this teams issue in losing Mark Streit, then Lubomir Visnovsky. MacDonald/Hamonic were overused/extended, and a forward group small/not physical could not compensate.

And nothing excuses a fan base that again has stayed home since 1989 (unless it's opening night or a playoff game) for failing to support a playoff team last year with an MVP candidate in John Tavares that began with game two against Phoenix in October.

Twenty Nine other fan bases would have filled the seats to see John Tavares after making the playoffs
Not here, never here.
Playoffs or not.

Ed Mangano, Kate Murray,  Al D'Amato, Jay Jacobs, Joe Mondello, Tom Suozzi, and Tom Gulotta are laughing hardest.

New York Should Be In Sell Mode

Nothing I can write here about the likely trades of Thomas Vanek/Andrew MacDonald that was not written since the day Vanek was acquired or it was obvious MacDonald was going to be moved because of his market value which is that of a five million dollar plus player.

The Islander offers to Vanek/MacDonald were likely not front-loaded (which is mandatory for any top UFA) and as we all know virtually all (not Jason Pominville) UFA traded in a walk year do want to test the market.

This may be naive but I actually believe Vanek when he says he may want to sign here in July if traded.

Did I expect some extra kicks from Msg's Newspaper? Absolutely, because the Rangers wanted Vanek, and were heavily rumored for him in October, when the Islanders got him there was over the top criticism.

It's not the Islanders, it's Madison Square Garden's Newspaper who praise the eleven games under five hundred Knicks, who have been to the playoff less than the Islanders since Charles Wang bought the team. 

Vanek's been a better player than Moulson, he's a first line talent, however not a franchise star who can carry a team. Absolutely a very good player.  Despite the struggles on defense, Vanek helped this teams five on five play which Moulson did not do at the end of 2013, or in the first month of 2013-14.

In terms of return, no player (even a young prospect) on an NHL playoff roster is going to be thrilled with going to a non-playoff team unless they are not getting a chance where they are.  Snow will likely get back his first rounder but it will not a higher pick.

Bouchard was frankly a bust from day one of training camp when he obviously was no fit with Tavares. Regin was a low-risk gamble who frankly was never a scorer.

It was a bad summer of gambles for Garth Snow in a weak market.

Yes, it would not shock me if Grabner/Bailey/Visnovsky are on the menu for possible trades.  If a player comparable to Niederreiter is out there you move Clutterbuck immediately.

Unless Nabokov is in the plans moving forward it's time to see Kevin Poulin become the full time starter.

I would like to see the Islanders sign Nabokov for 2014-15. 

Replacements? 
It's been audition time for 2014-15 over several months. Nelson's earlier cameo with Tavares-Okposo, and excellent January scream he should replace Vanek.

At some point Ryan Strome and/or Anders Lee will be recalled. Lee is no kid, he's had a solid season in Bridgeport.

I expect Aaron Ness to be eventually recalled because he looked ok in his early call-up, and a good potential replacement for MacDonald offensively. Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Pullock likely are going to get a long look with Scott Mayfield.

I also expect a healthy Pedan to get a look.

Nothing else to write, the season was realistically over since mid-November.

If Snow is fired by Charles Wang it will be for public relations purposes. (Yashin/DiPietro) It will not be the right move. Doug Weight or even Ken Morrow could be the alternative.

This team works hard every single game for Jack Capuano, the players obviously respect him, and like being part of this organization. Again if a move is made there it's strictly for pr purposes, and a poor one.

Ok, we'll see. 

Win Or Lose New York Must Work In "Some" Prospects

Some prospects does not mean all.

Ryan Strome, Anders Lee, and some rookie defenders have to be managed very carefully in their first professional season. 

Of course the same folks who complained about Niederreiter/Bailey being rushed will be the first demanding Strome/Lee be called up claiming the team will not give them a chance. 

As for the 2013-14 New York Islanders, I wish this was a slump where it's clear things would even out eventually because there is too much talent on this roster.

It's not the case, not even close.

This group collectively is doing their absolute best. They have gotten a lot of unexpected production from different players already which makes the overall record even more troubling.

Still they have had chances to win/earn point(s) in most games. 

The problems go far beyond coaching, or a tendency to play unproductive struggling veterans.

They have been there since preseason.