Let me first write I am not the biggest Snow or Wang supporter. I would write SnowJob in reference to Snow and WangJob for Wang. I think both have made many mistakes and moves that I have not agreed with(in fact just down right pissed me off). Some of the first and second round picks I liked and other no so much (from round 3 and out let's all at least admit the draft is VERY unpredictable and I think Snow has done a very good job with those picks). Also this may be the first thread I have ever created, but I just do not understand all the negativity lately? Martin is being used wrong, Okposo may have to go, tired of the dumpster diving, making the wrong pick, handling Nino wrong- etc...
Let's see how the season plays out. I firmly believe (hopeful?) that the 2013-14 season is the real litmus test for Snow's rebuild plan. Strome will be on the Island, Nino if he stops the complaining, should be ready, Nelson could be/should be ready, Donovan, Sundstrom, who know's maybe Persson?. Cizikas and Ullstom should have established themselves somewhat by then. And there are still a handful of prospects behind them that could be ready or should be by 2014-15. Re-builds are not easy/painless or every team would do it, but if done correctly can build a team successfully for a long time. Why do you think teams like Calgary and Toronto(and other) resist a rebuild because most GM's know two things; one- they probably will not have a job when the rebuild comes to fruition as most owners are not patient enough. And two- the fan base will become disenfranchised and attendance will be horrible (also a third is sometimes they do not work or workout as planned and the team can still suck- LOL).
Snow and Wang are in this rebuild for the long haul as they have shown. You can either choose to find some positives or wallow in negativity, either way you should try to find a way to enjoy what we have (Tavares, Hammonic, Moulson, Grabner, etc...)
One last thing about picks and prospects. It is always easier to say so and so should have been picked before a current Islander draft pick. But unless you have scouted, watched and interviewed these kids the draft is very difficult to predict. Team needs vs best available, size vs skill, talent vs character; not easy. And this constant bickering on these boards about bringing up kids to early and not letting them develop vs leaving them on the farm to long and not giving a chance is insane. NOBODY has the perfect formula as every prospect/draft pick is like a snow flake- they are all different.
Anyway if this post is like many others here the naysayers will pull out a sentence I have written and cut up the whole post because of it. I just wish I was a perfect in my life as many of you expect Snow to be.
I think you have echoed here how I feel as well.
There are a lot of things I don't like, and most likely never will about some of the moves that Snow has made. And of course with Wang, it is tough to be supportive when the guy won't open the purse strings.
But at the same time, I can empathize with Wang in the sense that he tried the spend spree and he has gotten flamed royally — with bad choices from the previous GM, bad performances, injuries. And with no ability to earn money in Nassau County, I can understand why the need to be cost conscious. Fans don't like to hear that, and I understand why. I don't like to hear it. But if it were me, and it were my cash on the line, I would want my business to make some money, not lose more by adding payroll, only to have questionable results.
As for Snow — it puzzles me that he is not pulling the trigger on broader trades, but I can also understand that. From the time he came to Long Island, he witnessed first hand as a player how the GM at the time tool what was a stock-pile of talent, and erased it through poor trades and poor decisions.
Still — the team is growing, and though last night was our first really blown game, the team is showing real signs of improvement, and while this may not be a playoff year, they are managing to find ways to grow, and play well.
The pick-ups of Aucoin and Strait have been good thus far.
Boyes has been good.
Carkner is as advertised.
David Ullstrom is playing extremely well, and that is a 5th round pick. A real gem. Hamonic is a late 2nd rounder and a nice add.
I concur that it looks bad to "dumpster dive" but we have come up with some really good players from that scrap heap.
Grabner.
Moulson.
Parenteau.
And credit has to be given where it is due.
I agree that what Snow did with Nino was the RIGHT THING TO DO. In a short camp, and crazy type shortened season, the best place for Nino is right where he is. Bringing him to camp, or Donovan, or Nelson despite their production is pointless. Let them develop properly. Leave Strome alone in Juniors. The last thing we need for an impatient fan base to once again moan and groan about this youngster or that — have them come here, struggle and then complain Snow ruined him again by bringing him along too fast. Snow did the right thing, and Nino needs to take the stick from his butt and relax. We may yet see him this season if injuries occur, but next season, with a proper 3-4 week camp, and normal schedule, and room for Nino to be in the top 6, and perhaps the emergence of Nelson as the second line center... things are going to be just fine.
The next 6-8 months are going to be wild times in Islander Country.
Trades are coming. They have to be. We can't dress all of these guys. If Nelson does join the team as the #2 center, and Strome makes it moving to the wing, along with Nino and that forms the second line, what happens to Boyes if he plays well? Where do some of these other guys go? What happens to Bailey? Neilsen moves to 3rd line with Grabner, OK, but where do Cizikas, Martin and Ullstrom go? Donovan makes the team next season? So does Ness? Perhaps de Haan if healthy... what happens to Streit? What if Hickey and Strait pan out?
Lots of questions....
(that hasn't won two Cups yet)
