A Ray of Hope on Long Island?

When General Manager Garth Snow was awarded the 1st selection in the 2009 National Hockey League entry draft, London Knight’s John Tavares, it was the inevitable that they were turning the corner under the current ownership group led by Computer Associates CEO Charles Wang. Maybe, just maybe, this was the end of what has been an absolute nightmare for the Islander faithful who have witnessed a lack of direction, on-ice depth, leadership and most importantly, a true foundation.

Welcome to another 82 games for the New York Islanders, only this time, however improbable it might sound, the Islanders actually have necessary pieces to the puzzle to not only compete on a nightly basis, but to build around for right now and the future. This Hockey club might have just 8 wins in the first 23 contests, but for the most part, the first quarter of the season was about establishing a new identity.  I believe that's what they've done under Head Coach Scott Gordon. When GM Garth Snow chose superstar forward John Tavares over Swedish Defensemen Victor Hedman, you couldn’t help but think about the huge voids in the Islanders offense. You couldn’t help but think about which players would skate with Tavares.  I think it’s safe to assume, a large percentage of the Islander fan base were keen on finding out exactly that it would look like at the Nassau County Memorial Coliseum for the first 20 games.  A new beginning, or more of the same false hope?

Long Island, New York...please welcome journeyman Left Winger and Mississauga, Ontario native Matt Moulson, a former 2003 draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and past member of the Los Angeles Kings organization. Moulson signed a one year contract with the Islanders on July 6th, 2009 and as far as I am concerned, has been 2nd best to John Tavares, surpassing a short list of promising talent lead by forward Kyle Okoposo. Moulson’s 10 goals are good enough for the team lead through mid-November. His 18 points are just one shy of Tavares. At this time, it’s safe to assume, Garth Snow has found his first diamond in the rough. The former Cornell University standout has been more then a pleasant surprise for the Islanders. His positive energy on and off the ice, is just an added bonus.  This is how successful teams are formed.

If you look beyond Tavares and Moulson however, it’s safe to argue that Garth Snow isn’t done building the new foundation; in fact, he is still a ways away from doing that. Forwards Kyle Okoposo and Josh Bailey are apparently part of the future, but their combined 10 goals are simply not going to cut it. Veteran forward Richard Park is currently fifth in overall points with 9, and one goal to show for. Again, that’s not going to cut it. No offense to a hard working Richard Park, but when Scott Gordon is relying on a career high 32-point getter over the course of a 16-year career, you have major problems. So far so good though for Park, but it’s not what the doctor ordered; never has been, and never will be.

Knock on wood Islander Faithful, Defensemen Mark Streit is healthy and through 23 games, is fourth on the team in scoring. The highly talented offensive defenseman was brought in as an Unrestricted Free Agent in July of 2008 and has become a quiet leader of the Islanders back end. Yet if I were you, I would ask General Manager Garth Snow where his partner is. When will the Islanders bring in an impact defenseman to compliment Streit? Jack Hillen, Andy Sutton, Brendan Witt, Radek Martinek and Bruno Gervais make up for the rest of the blueline right now, but it’s the same story every year for the majority of this group. They are not good enough on paper, which makes the on ice level of play that much worse. Signing three starting goaltenders (Dipietro, Biron, Roloson) isn't the answer to defensive shortcomings. Bottom line, Garth Snow must bring in a player to compliment Mark Streit.

A foundation is there for the Islanders, and if you have watched a good portion of their games you would agree with me. You would also agree that there are still needed assets in several areas on this squad, and simply dead Weight in others. Garth Snow needs to continue to find diamonds in the rough like Matt Moulson if Charles Wang is not going to give him the go ahead green light to make an impact trade. For the time being however, John Tavares and company will continue with the identity process, and as far as I'm concerned, it really hasn't been too bad so far.

NHL Draft Live Blog

"And with the first pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders select..."

The Future of the New York Islanders: Draft Day

[Editor's Note: Last month, SportsJudge NHL Insider Darren Coslov took an in-depth look back at the futility of the New York Islanders with owner Charles Wang at the helm. Today, he breaks down the upcoming draft and who the Islanders should select with the #1 overall pick.]

Just less than a week from now, the NHL Entry Draft will be underway at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The New York Islanders will return to the war room for the ninth year under current owner Charles Wang, and for the third year under General Manager Garth Snow. There is no better time for the Islanders to find an answer on how to depart the basement of the National Hockey League. There is no better time for Garth Snow to make the right calls and not the wrong ones. There is no better time for Charles Wang to step aside for once, and allow Garth Snow to do just that. This is the Entry Draft the New York Islanders need in order to survive in these tough economic times. Swedish Defenseman Victor Hedman and Canadian superstar John Tavares await their fate, but rest assured one thing, the New York Islanders must draft the right way. General Manager Garth Snow must take the player who will ultimately lead this lowly franchise in the right direction. Islander’s faithful, meet John Tavares.

Since the age of 14, John Tavares has been viewed by many eyes as the next “great one”. In the 2008-09 campaign, the young talented forward from Mississauga, Ontario collected 58 goals and 104 points in 56 games splitting time with the Oshawa Generals and London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Tavares is a player you can build around. For the Islanders, he is a player you can reconstruct around. Garth Snow will need to do just that. John Tavares immediately becomes the #1 center on the Island, but the talent around him, that’s what Garth Snow needs to focus on. Kyle Okoposo, Blake Comeau, Jeff Tambellini, Trent Hunter and Sean Bergenheim are your clear cut choices on the wing. Frans Neilsen and Josh Bailey along with a hopefully healthy veteran Doug Weight will have the opportunity to play behind Tavares, giving the Islanders a glimpse of hope down the middle.

The big secret right now is who the Islanders are going to take with the 1st overall pick. TSN.ca is reporting that the Islanders are not completely sold on the Tavares sweepstakes, yet what team IS publicly convinced on a player prior to draft day? Defenseman Victor Hedman is still in play. I find it hard to believe the Islanders are still deciding. I find it harder to believe they would even consider turning their backs on one player who would put them back on the map. Right now, they are hiding in the basement. They are 30th in the league and as their depth chart indicates currently, they could end up right back where they started a year from today. Garth Snow must draft the best player 1st overall.

The entry draft and July 1st beginning of free agency will dictate the direction of the New York Islanders franchise. Unfortunately, there has been zero direction for 9 years. The revolving door for players and coaches at the old Nassau County Coliseum must be removed. GM Garth Snow should, and almost certainly will be, on the hot seat. Moves need to be made throughout the organization from the ice all the way to the front office. However, at what point do you start to question Owner and Governor Charles Wang? This is a question only Islander fans can ask, especially if they turn their backs on John Tavares.

*The 2009 NHL Entry Draft will air live from Montreal this Friday, June 26 at 7pm on Versus.

The Future of the New York Islanders: A Look Back at a Decade of Futility

[Editor's Note: With the Phoenix Coyotes filing for bankruptcy on Tuesday, the next few months will likely be open season on the financially inept cellar-dwellars of the NHL. There have already been rumors of numerous teams relocating to Canada, and the New York Islanders may not be far behind. SportsJudge NHL Insider Darren Coslov takes a look at how the Islanders got in this position in the first place.]

As we approach the conference finals in the National Hockey League, the Bell Centre in Montreal is beginning preparations for the upcoming June Entry Draft. Team scouting departments are putting the finishing touches on what they believe to be their lists of ideal prospects for all 30 franchises. The New York Islanders have a bit more at stake as they work to decide who to take with the 1st overall pick in the draft. Yes that’s right, the Islanders won the rights to draft either Swedish Defensemen Jonathan Hedstrom, or London Knights superstar, John Tavares in the top spot.

The New York Islanders won the draft lottery hands down as matter of fact. Another poor performance off the ice in the summer of 2008 led to another dismal 82 games on Long Island. Their ownership group led by Charles Wang, co-founder of Computer Associates International, has been searching for nine years now on how to properly manage an NHL Franchise. It hasn’t happened yet and unfortunately I don't think it will happen anytime soon.

From the year 2000 until present, it has been a revolving door of coaches, players, and even general managers. But unlike the somewhat successful free-wheeling Rangers, there has never been a right coach. There has never been a right player. There is no depth on the island and certainly no direction.

Of the promising players who have come through Long Island, most have enjoyed successful careers elsewhere. Roberto Luongo is a Canuck and Zdeno Chara is a Bruin. In fact, looking back at how those players found their way to their current home is even more depressing.

To NYI: Trevor Linden
To Van: Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan McCabe, Pick (Jarkko Rutuu)

To NYI: Alexei Yashin
To Ott: Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt, Pick (Jason Spezza)

To NYI: Oleg Kvasha, Mark Parrish
To Florida: Roberto Luongo, Olli Jokinen

To NYI: Roman Hamrlik
To Edm: Eric Brewer, Josh Green, Pick (?)

To NYI: Olli Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron, Pick (Taylor Pyatt)
To LA: Zigmund Palffy, Bryan Smolinski, Marcel Cousineau

To NYI: Janne Niinimaa, 2nd round pick
To Edm: Brad Isbister, Raffi Torres

Can you imagine the Islanders with a starting six that included Roberto Luongo, Jason Spezza, Olli Jokinen, Todd Bertuzzi, Zdeno Chara, and Brian McCabe? Not only did GM Mike Milbury approve of the horrendous shipment of talent to Ottawa, but he followed that up by signing Alexei Yashin to a $99 million contract only to to then buy him out four years before the contract expired. Years later, Garth Snow made an attempt to top Milbury by signing Rick DiPietro to a $115 million dollar contract. DiPietro has struggled with knee and hip injuries throughout his first few years of the contract.

Moves by Mike Milbury all but destroyed the Islanders, but former-goaltender Garth Snow is only making things worse. He traded away the rights to land punishing defensemen Luke Schenn in last years draft, only to grab a questionable offensive threat in Josh Bailey. Bailey joins a growing list of maybes on the Island, while Luke Schenn moves towards becoming one of the most dominant forces on the blueline in the NHL. No matter how you slice or dice it though, the decision making will always start at the very top and end at the very top of the Island: owner and puppeteer Charles Wang.

In a recent Newsday interview, Wang announced his regret on the decision to purchase the organization nine years ago. If he had the chance to do it again, he wouldn’t.

"According to the team's annual audited financial reports that were viewed by a Newsday reporter last month, Wang has spent $208.8 million - an average of $23 million per year - to keep the NHL franchise operating since his purchase. That's after spending $74.2 million to buy the team and assuming $97 million in existing liabilities."

Nine years of failure and lost revenue. Oh what have you done for me Mr. Wang? Only a question an Islanders faithful could ask.

[Be sure to check out "Draft Day", Part 2 of SportsJudge's look at the Future of the New York Islanders.]