New York Islanders: Lamoriello Contract Not Renewed; John Collins Searching for Next GM

[periferal]

I still actually appreciated the balls on him for this. I mean, they had the pieces in place to go on a run there.

There is a fine line between "balls" and "stupidity." Jarmo had a franchise that had never won a single playoff series, was not coming close to a Cup that year, and was going to lose 3 of their 5 best players in free agency.

He essentially had 3 "Brock Nelson situations" on his hands on a 7th seeded team and decided to go "all in."

I fail to see that as "balls."

Keep that guy FAR FAR away from this franchise.

 

[Throttle]

I thought it was because nobody wanted Gudbranson and Johnny demanded a package deal. They had to sign that bum to get Johnny.

That’s a storyline. That summer there were limited teams with cap space to take him on w/o other moves, then there were teams that had to make moves to open the space. He wanted out of Canada and wanted to play closer to home.

No one really wanted to pay the price to move out the assets to open up the space for him - my guess is GMs thought he was talented, but was somewhat dependent on his line mates to excel. Teams didn’t think that was worth the risk for his cap hit. CLB had the space w/o clearing anyone out. They thought it was a win for them.

In the end, his performance in CLB was underwhelming and the summer of his passing there was lots of talk of the Johnny problem - they paid him top tier money and he ain’t earning it, the team was still foundering.

 

[Throttle]

This wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. This is the same GM who once Panarin/Bob decided to leave he went all in acquiring Duchene right? I think that was his only major mistake because he could have gotten a ton of assets for Planarian/Bob instead of losing in round 2.

All the guys are going to have warts and have to do things based on their team, market, and situation.

Having a hardline in negotiations is an adaptable strategy, ie he can learn from that. On the other hand, it shows a person that may be outside their core skillset (talent evaluation) and not knowing the outcome of their actions in areas where they are not strong.

He should really go become an assistant GM for a more storied franchise. I would be more than fine of him becoming head of scouting - he might view that as a backward move though.

Also, Don Waddell - a veteran GM that’s worked under some trying conditions for years (ATL and CAR) has gone in there and cleaned up the mess and moved the team culturally down the line.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

There is a fine line between "balls" and "stupidity." Jarmo had a franchise that had never won a single playoff series, was not coming close to a Cup that year, and was going to lose 3 of their 5 best players in free agency.

He essentially had 3 "Brock Nelson situations" on his hands on a 7th seeded team and decided to go "all in."

I fail to see that as "balls."

Keep that guy FAR FAR away from this franchise.

I would normally agree wholeheartedly.

Alas, I've heard the story that ownership stepped in and told him that the market realities in Columbus are such that they can't possibly know when they'll be anywhere close to that point again, so he needs to go for it now and then deal with the ashes and shambles later.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Isles firing the long-time equipment manager, Leni DiCostanzo and strength and conditioning coach, Derrek Douglas. Both been with NYI over 15 years.

And demoting team massage therapist Jim Miccio to the Bridge. He had been with NYI for over 24 (!!) years.

Continues the theme of clearing out the old boys club even further.

 

[doublechili]

Isles firing the long-time equipment manager, Leni DiCostanzo and strength and conditioning coach, Derrek Douglas. Both been with NYI over 15 years.

And demoting team massage therapist Jim Miccio to the Bridge. He had been with NYI for over 24 (!!) years.

Continues the theme of clearing out the old boys club even further.

My "like" was for the generic concept of housecleaning. Just making it clear I have nothing against Leni, Derrek and Jim.

 

[doublechili]

I would normally agree wholeheartedly.

Alas, I've heard the story that ownership stepped in and told him that the market realities in Columbus are such that they can't possibly know when they'll be anywhere close to that point again, so he needs to go for it now and then deal with the ashes and shambles later.

That's pretty important context.

There's always risk. Jim Benning was kind of a tire fire as GM of VAN. He was hired as a hotshot AGM with a Cup-winning team (BOS). New blood isn't always good blood. Darche might be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or, trading for Tanner Jeannot could have been his idea.

End of the day, we have to hope our owners pick the right person (or team of people).

 

[leeroggy]

I think too many owners/team presidents are either limited and/or afraid to take chances in their vision for their teams. How else can you explain how often average/poor GMs and coaches get 2nd or 3rd jobs?

I also think this leads these owners/presidents to confuse experience with success. Because how someone could hire Jarmo Kekäläinen over Mathieu Darche right now is beyond the beyond.

I think the answer to that is pretty simple. How many 'young tigers' actually pan out at their first go-round with a Cup? I didn't go back to research this yet, but in the last 30 years, how many first-time GM's have a Cup versus those who are on their 2nd/3rd GM job?

Let's not forget that Dubas was THE boy-wonder and now he's on his 2nd job.

Big money owners are probably more comfortable with someone who has the experience more than we are here. Failure is sometimes the best teacher for long-term success.

Ranger fans are ready to launch Drury into an active volcano as a first-timer.

As I'm searching online, it's hard to find a site that even lists Cups by GM.

Also, should point out that for Kekalainen, how do you factor having to build in Columbus vs getting a shot in Boston or Montreal?

I think an owner is looking for a vision that they are comfortable with more than a track record, since so many factors not in the team's control can derail a Cup run. Whether a fresh face, or a retread, it's still about designing a strategy and part of that is having the owner comfortable with what the strategy is. These are still businesses, that just happen to be aligned with a sport, instead of a chain of stores or a software product, etc., and the owner needs to be sold on that too, not just how you draft or trade and that is also where experience can trump the 'hot thing'.

 

[YearlyLottery]

I would normally agree wholeheartedly.

Alas, I've heard the story that ownership stepped in and told him that the market realities in Columbus are such that they can't possibly know when they'll be anywhere close to that point again, so he needs to go for it now and then deal with the ashes and shambles later.

This would change my viewpoint 100%

 

[periferal]

Isles firing the long-time equipment manager, Leni DiCostanzo and strength and conditioning coach, Derrek Douglas. Both been with NYI over 15 years.

And demoting team massage therapist Jim Miccio to the Bridge. He had been with NYI for over 24 (!!) years.

Continues the theme of clearing out the old boys club even further.

Where did you even see this?

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Where did you even see this?

Dippin' Dots vendor at UBS Arena has his hear to the ground for me

In all seriousness, it was "drive4five" Instagram account, and they credited Ethan Sears

 

[PK Cronin]

Where did you even see this?

 

[periferal]

I would normally agree wholeheartedly.

Alas, I've heard the story that ownership stepped in and told him that the market realities in Columbus are such that they can't possibly know when they'll be anywhere close to that point again, so he needs to go for it now and then deal with the ashes and shambles later.

I did not see that anywhere. Of course any owner is going to ultimately get his way, so if Jarmo's hand was forced that's a different story.

That said you just mentioned you "heard the story" of ownership stepping in. Do you have a link/source/article confirming it?

Even if Jarmo's hand was forced....Doesn't explain a way the rest of his tenure there.

 

[periferal]

Isles firing the long-time equipment manager, Leni DiCostanzo and strength and conditioning coach, Derrek Douglas. Both been with NYI over 15 years.

And demoting team massage therapist Jim Miccio to the Bridge. He had been with NYI for over 24 (!!) years.

Continues the theme of clearing out the old boys club even further.

Wow. Isles aren't just changing their President/GM - They are gutting their entire organization. With respect to anyone who is losing their job I hope they land on their feet. However most of these moves are probably necessary. This franchise has gotten so stale and tolerated mediocre. Not good enough. Standards are being raised and even long-time employees will be on their toes.

In the end they still have to get all the hirings right. A change from Louville was necessary, but if it isn't change for the better then we're just wasting more time.

 

[Strummergas]

I approve of this massage.

Hopefully there will be a happy ending.

 

[MJF]

Hopefully there will be a happy ending.

I love a happy ending.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Happy to see more revitalizing of the personell. I am not saying that they sucked necessarily, but fresh faces is always good when you are rebooting, rebuilding, retool or whatever "re" word the Isles are doing (I can think of at least one more )

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

Wow. Isles aren't just changing their President/GM - They are gutting their entire organization. With respect to anyone who is losing their job I hope they land on their feet. However most of these moves are probably necessary. This franchise has gotten so stale and tolerated mediocre. Not good enough. Standards are being raised and even long-time employees will be on their toes.

In the end they still have to get all the hirings right. A change from Louville was necessary, but if it isn't change for the better then we're just wasting more time.

DOIE: Department of Islander Efficiency

 

[Islanders4Cups]

Yeah change can also be painful. With an incoming front office it will become real when some of the players we want to be there don’t want to be there anymore if rebuild is on the docket. Hopefully Barzal, Horvat, Romanov, Holmstrom, Dobson, Sorokin want to stay.

 

[Chapin Landvogt]

Yeah change can also be painful. With an incoming front office it will become real when some of the players we want to be there don’t want to be there anymore if rebuild is on the docket. Hopefully Barzal, Horvat, Romanov, Holmstrom, Dobson, Sorokin want to stay.

If you're keeping these guys (our core), then it ain't a rebuild.

I don't think whoever comes in is going to take the tear-it-down-n-start-from-scratch approach.

They'll know that there are ways to be in the playoffs already next season while building the prospect bin and cutting off some of the fat.

 

[GM4Hire]

I kind of find myself on the side of a GM who is looking for a 2nd kick at the can because as many allude to here, is that you learn from your early mistakes and become more knowledgeable and hopefully better.

The only type that I would chance on the first go around, would be a player agent who wants to find himself on the other side. Reason for this, is I think they know what talent is and probably know how to handle other agents when it comes to negotiations.

 

[Islanders4Cups]

If you're keeping these guys (our core), then it ain't a rebuild.

That is my hope, yes

 

[MJF]

If you're keeping these guys (our core), then it ain't a rebuild.

I don't think whoever comes in is going to take the tear-it-down-n-start-from-scratch approach.

They'll know that there are ways to be in the playoffs already next season while building the prospect bin and cutting off some of the fat.

If we keep them all then this team will be as disjointed as the teams Lou gave us. A core of over 30s on the back 9 of their careers by the time we’re ready to compete with our home growns.

 

[doublechili]

If you're keeping these guys (our core), then it ain't a rebuild.

I don't think whoever comes in is going to take the tear-it-down-n-start-from-scratch approach.

They'll know that there are ways to be in the playoffs already next season while building the prospect bin and cutting off some of the fat.

Also, Malkin/Collins are going to be interviewing people asking them what their vision is. I would assume that tear-it-down versus tinker is going to come up.

 

[WangMustGo]

That is my hope, yes

Do you think this team can win a cup with those guys as the core?