Question - Longest Rebuild to Reach Playoff

[Schaefer48]

Can anyone refresh my memory on the longest rebuild to ever take place where
a team has missed the playoffs and gone for how many years without making a post season birth.

Let keep the timeline to the last 25 years.

It was funny that the first year we had missed the playoffs after the Ted Nolan, I started a thread on the length of time that would be needed. It was funny that the majority had between 2 to 3years before returning.

Its now 5years and still a chance it may reaching 6, does this management group really want to suck what ever is left of an Islander fan. It really looks like they
do not want to compete.

Toronto I believe is 7 going on 8

 

[HyeDray]

Can anyone refresh my memory on the longest rebuild to ever take place where
a team has missed the playoffs and gone for how many years without making a post season birth.

Let keep the timeline to the last 25 years.

It was funny that the first year we had missed the playoffs after the Ted Nolan, I started a thread on the length of time that would be needed. It was funny that the majority had between 2 to 3years before returning.

Its now 5years and still a chance it may reaching 6, does this management group really want to suck what ever is left of an Islander fan. It really looks like they
do not want to compete.

Toronto I believe is 7 going on 8

FLORIDA PANTHERS
10 seasons from 2000-01 to 2010-11. This obviously does not include the lock-out season.

Not giving any passes, but Snow took over a franchise devoid of any talent or skill — lets be real.
And I know that we still suck — and it could have perhaps been sped up with some smart trades, and Snow does seem a bit gun-shy on dealing, but there is also the lack of stability over the last 5-6 seasons with arena issues, and it makes no sense to acquire players who wont re-sign here.

I am playing devils advocate, and hoping that this offseason with Brooklyn in our pocket, things will really begin to operate a little more like a real hockey team.

And, I would add — the franchise's talent base is top 10 in the league. There a lot of very skilled players now, and we no longer have any Milbury BS in the way (DiPietro) and so again — as this talent develops and comes in (Nino, Nelson, de Haan, Donovan, Sundstrom, Lee, Strome, Reinhardt, Persson...) things should begin to tick up.

Last but most importantly — we need a head coach.

 

[blitzkriegs]

Can anyone refresh my memory on the longest rebuild to ever take place where
a team has missed the playoffs and gone for how many years without making a post season birth.

Let keep the timeline to the last 25 years.

It was funny that the first year we had missed the playoffs after the Ted Nolan, I started a thread on the length of time that would be needed. It was funny that the majority had between 2 to 3years before returning.

Its now 5years and still a chance it may reaching 6, does this management group really want to suck what ever is left of an Islander fan. It really looks like they
do not want to compete.

Toronto I believe is 7 going on 8

The rebuild is cover fire to go with the lowest cost option payroll during this time.

If you really wanted to rebuild, then you would Increase your scouting costs/staff and not run a skeleton crew.

 

[seabass45]

Can anyone refresh my memory on the longest rebuild to ever take place where
a team has missed the playoffs and gone for how many years without making a post season birth.

Let keep the timeline to the last 25 years.

It was funny that the first year we had missed the playoffs after the Ted Nolan, I started a thread on the length of time that would be needed. It was funny that the majority had between 2 to 3years before returning.

Its now 5years and still a chance it may reaching 6, does this management group really want to suck what ever is left of an Islander fan. It really looks like they
do not want to compete.

Toronto I believe is 7 going on 8

Columbus had gone 7 before finally making it and promptly got bumped in a sweep.

That 2008 Isles team was weird. Most important was that DP was still healthy and seemingly entering his prime, the defense was alright, and we definitely needed some upgrades up front. No way we were going anywhere without an elite player or three... we got one.

 

[HyeDray]

Wanted to add something — because this is important...

I agree that a full on rebuild is in part a benefit to the owner, and helps ease the financial drain on the him, because the franchise is DOA within the Nassau County structure. That begins to changes as the franchise shifts into Brooklyn, and while I don't know the details of it, the deal has to dramatically increase the opportunity for the owner (for now Charles Wang, tomorrow, someone else) to make some money.

Going back for a moment to 2006-07, and 2007-08 — the teams farm had a grand some of zero NHL talent. Milbury had either traded away most of the talent he drafted in the 1990s, and left the next GM — whom ever he was — with very little.

Go back beyond the OP's 25 year scope.

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHLs most storied franchises — as original 6 — went to the playoffs only twice in 17 seasons and 5 times total in 20 NHL seasons from 1966-67 to 1985-86. We are in that universe. The Islanders have been to the plays 4 times in the last 17 seasons.

What was the big change for Detroit that allowed them to build an NHL powerhouse? 1983 they drafted Stevie Y. Now they made the playoffs the following year. But it was a different playoff structure then it is today. And it still to them 14 years before building around Stevie Y, they got the pieces they needed to win it all. And it was not until 1989 that a big influx of their talent came in — Lidstrom, Federov and Konstantinov. In the next few drafts came some of their other guys.

My point is — those Wings fans must have felt like crap during most of that 20 year span.

When you have poor ownership, arena difficulties, the community is against you — it is not easy.

And then to have a wacky owner that makes bizarre choices — it compounds the problems.

Still — we have our Stevie Y in Tavares. And we have some other guys who can play in Moulson, Neilsen, and perhaps one or two more. The bulk of the guys Snow has drafted are just not hear yet. The tale will be told in 3-4 more seasons.

Can the guys he drafted develop and be NHL pros? some believe yes, other believe no.

I believe Nino, Nelson and Strome all have the potential to be impact players. Reinhardt has all the tools. Donovan looks like a solid second pair defender, and so does de Haan if he can stay healthy.

Can Anders Lee bring his college ability to the NHL and make an impact?
Are either Poulin or Nilsson #1 material?
Are Sundstrom and Perrson NHL quality of depth guys?

Time will tell....

 

[Marlo Stanfield]

Feel like the Isles team of 10/11 and 11/12 could've been milesssssssssssss more competitive with a better head coach. Development of some players may have been better as well. All of which in turn, would've helped with the rebuild.

 

[MJF]

Wanted to add something — because this is important...

I agree that a full on rebuild is in part a benefit to the owner, and helps ease the financial drain on the him, because the franchise is DOA within the Nassau County structure. That begins to changes as the franchise shifts into Brooklyn, and while I don't know the details of it, the deal has to dramatically increase the opportunity for the owner (for now Charles Wang, tomorrow, someone else) to make some money.

Going back for a moment to 2006-07, and 2007-08 — the teams farm had a grand some of zero NHL talent. Milbury had either traded away most of the talent he drafted in the 1990s, and left the next GM — whom ever he was — with very little.

Go back beyond the OP's 25 year scope.

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHLs most storied franchises — as original 6 — went to the playoffs only twice in 17 seasons and 5 times total in 20 NHL seasons from 1966-67 to 1985-86. We are in that universe. The Islanders have been to the plays 4 times in the last 17 seasons.

What was the big change for Detroit that allowed them to build an NHL powerhouse? 1983 they drafted Stevie Y. Now they made the playoffs the following year. But it was a different playoff structure then it is today. And it still to them 14 years before building around Stevie Y, they got the pieces they needed to win it all. And it was not until 1989 that a big influx of their talent came in — Lidstrom, Federov and Konstantinov. In the next few drafts came some of their other guys.

My point is — those Wings fans must have felt like crap during most of that 20 year span.

When you have poor ownership, arena difficulties, the community is against you — it is not easy.

And then to have a wacky owner that makes bizarre choices — it compounds the problems.

Still — we have our Stevie Y in Tavares. And we have some other guys who can play in Moulson, Neilsen, and perhaps one or two more. The bulk of the guys Snow has drafted are just not hear yet. The tale will be told in 3-4 more seasons.

Can the guys he drafted develop and be NHL pros? some believe yes, other believe no.

I believe Nino, Nelson and Strome all have the potential to be impact players. Reinhardt has all the tools. Donovan looks like a solid second pair defender, and so does de Haan if he can stay healthy.

Can Anders Lee bring his college ability to the NHL and make an impact?
Are either Poulin or Nilsson #1 material?
Are Sundstrom and Perrson NHL quality of depth guys?

Time will tell....

You left out the most important part of the Red Wings turnaround. Mike Illitch bought the Wings in 1982 from Bruce Norris, and the first person he hired was GM Jimmy Devellano.

Immediately there was a difference in the way the Red Wings conducted business.

Good ownership makes a difference. The Islanders don't have that.

 

[A Pointed Stick]

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHLs most storied franchises — as original 6 — went to the playoffs only twice in 17 seasons and 5 times total in 20 NHL seasons from 1966-67 to 1985-86. We are in that universe. The Islanders have been to the plays 4 times in the last 17 seasons.

What was the big change for Detroit that allowed them to build an NHL powerhouse? 1983 they drafted Stevie Y. Now they made the playoffs the following year. But it was a different playoff structure then it is today. And it still to them 14 years before building around Stevie Y, they got the pieces they needed to win it all. And it was not until 1989 that a big influx of their talent came in — Lidstrom, Federov and Konstantinov. In the next few drafts came some of their other guys.

My point is — those Wings fans must have felt like crap during most of that 20 year span.

When you have poor ownership, arena difficulties, the community is against you — it is not easy.

And then to have a wacky owner that makes bizarre choices — it compounds the problems.

Still — we have our Stevie Y in Tavares...

The first year with Yzerman they started to retool the roster by adding Ivan Balderev, then in his Sophomore year added Ron Duguay & Brad Park.

It is also worth mentioning that they had Kelly Kisio, Ogrodnick, and Larson who were excellent players. Everyone always makes it out like they had nobody prior to Stevie Y, and that's just not true.

The thing is they added three solid vets to help the kids with Balderev, Duguay, and Park. They didn't just do nothing like Wang.

IMO, our build is much closer to Ottawa's from their opening day onward. Kids plus crap, then wait forever for the core to gel.

 

[OlTimeHockey]

Wanted to add something — because this is important...

I agree that a full on rebuild is in part a benefit to the owner, and helps ease the financial drain on the him, because the franchise is DOA within the Nassau County structure. That begins to changes as the franchise shifts into Brooklyn, and while I don't know the details of it, the deal has to dramatically increase the opportunity for the owner (for now Charles Wang, tomorrow, someone else) to make some money.

Going back for a moment to 2006-07, and 2007-08 — the teams farm had a grand some of zero NHL talent. Milbury had either traded away most of the talent he drafted in the 1990s, and left the next GM — whom ever he was — with very little.

Go back beyond the OP's 25 year scope.

The Detroit Red Wings, one of the NHLs most storied franchises — as original 6 — went to the playoffs only twice in 17 seasons and 5 times total in 20 NHL seasons from 1966-67 to 1985-86. We are in that universe. The Islanders have been to the plays 4 times in the last 17 seasons.

What was the big change for Detroit that allowed them to build an NHL powerhouse? 1983 they drafted Stevie Y. Now they made the playoffs the following year. But it was a different playoff structure then it is today. And it still to them 14 years before building around Stevie Y, they got the pieces they needed to win it all. And it was not until 1989 that a big influx of their talent came in — Lidstrom, Federov and Konstantinov. In the next few drafts came some of their other guys.

My point is — those Wings fans must have felt like crap during most of that 20 year span.

When you have poor ownership, arena difficulties, the community is against you — it is not easy.

And then to have a wacky owner that makes bizarre choices — it compounds the problems.

Still — we have our Stevie Y in Tavares. And we have some other guys who can play in Moulson, Neilsen, and perhaps one or two more. The bulk of the guys Snow has drafted are just not hear yet. The tale will be told in 3-4 more seasons.

Can the guys he drafted develop and be NHL pros? some believe yes, other believe no.

I believe Nino, Nelson and Strome all have the potential to be impact players. Reinhardt has all the tools. Donovan looks like a solid second pair defender, and so does de Haan if he can stay healthy.

Can Anders Lee bring his college ability to the NHL and make an impact?
Are either Poulin or Nilsson #1 material?
Are Sundstrom and Perrson NHL quality of depth guys?

Time will tell....

Look at what the owner said, did and how he acted.

Look at Jimmy D, Kenny Holland, Jim Nill, the players developed into the team philosophy and brought in to maintain the DRW success.

Look at their attitude every year since 1983. They went after success, built, floundered, regrouped, drafted, traded, added budget to scouting while losing money, they never quit.

Ilitch would not have it.


Do you think Wang would do the same? Wang needs YES MEN. Ilitch only requests they get the best and do their best.

I don't think you can compare these two owners without hallucinogens.

And as pointed stick correctly points out:

Stevey Y got help brought in. Crosby got help brought in. LOTS OF HELP. Lindros?

We're looking at what Kovalchuk got in Atlanta. What Yashin got. We're not building to win. We're maintaining a minimal cap presence to avoid penalty.

You give us a top GM, make the effort to hire the best staff and create a culture bent on success for team and fans and we resemble the former lot.

Bill Torrey must be shaking his head whenever he sees the Islanders on TV.

 

[Uncle Lou]

Imagine if we still had lavoulette/Nolan....I believe this team would be much better

 

[HyeDray]

Look at what the owner said, did and how he acted.

Look at Jimmy D, Kenny Holland, Jim Nill, the players developed into the team philosophy and brought in to maintain the DRW success.

Look at their attitude every year since 1983. They went after success, built, floundered, regrouped, drafted, traded, added budget to scouting while losing money, they never quit.

Ilitch would not have it.


Do you think Wang would do the same? Wang needs YES MEN. Ilitch only requests they get the best and do their best.

I don't think you can compare these two owners without hallucinogens.

And as pointed stick correctly points out:

Stevey Y got help brought in. Crosby got help brought in. LOTS OF HELP. Lindros?

We're looking at what Kovalchuk got in Atlanta. What Yashin got. We're not building to win. We're maintaining a minimal cap presence to avoid penalty.

You give us a top GM, make the effort to hire the best staff and create a culture bent on success for team and fans and we resemble the former lot.

Bill Torrey must be shaking his head whenever he sees the Islanders on TV.

Just to clarify. I am NOT comparing Illich to Wang. I think Wang is a HUGE issue. My comparison was that if you have had really bad management and drafting for a long stretch of time (Milbury error) it is not a flip of the switch to become a winner.

I can't agree more that we have had a bad owner who has made bad decisions with the cash he was willing to spend.

The $64 million dollar question — with a new arena deal in place, a growing list of young talent coming — can the Isles begin acting like a pro franchise, or will the BS continue?

 

[MJF]

Just to clarify. I am NOT comparing Illich to Wang. I think Wang is a HUGE issue. My comparison was that if you have had really bad management and drafting for a long stretch of time (Milbury error) it is not a flip of the switch to become a winner.

I can't agree more that we have had a bad owner who has made bad decisions with the cash he was willing to spend.

The $64 million dollar question — with a new arena deal in place, a growing list of young talent coming — can the Isles begin acting like a pro franchise, or will the BS continue?

Do you think that Wang will suddenly become a competent owner because of a new arena and an infusion of revenue, like flipping on a light switch? I don't have any faith that he will.

Sadly, it took Bill Wirtz passing away to help the Blackhawks turn around.

 

[periferal]

You left out the most important part of the Red Wings turnaround. Mike Illitch bought the Wings in 1982 from Bruce Norris, and the first person he hired was GM Jimmy Devellano.

Immediately there was a difference in the way the Red Wings conducted business.

Good ownership makes a difference. The Islanders don't have that.

Thank you. I wish all Isles fans would get on this page.


OWNERSHIP IS EVERYTHING.


...And we have the worst owner in sports. Need more proof? Just read this...


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/sports/hockey/02wirtz.html

 

[periferal]

The $64 million dollar question — with a new arena deal in place, a growing list of young talent coming — can the Isles begin acting like a pro franchise, or will the BS continue?

Does your cheating girlfriend ever stop? Do greedy businessmen stop becoming greedy? Do inept workers all of a sudden get their act together?

People don't really change. Wang's BS won't stop...And that's why we'll never win the Cup with him as owner. We're the Red Wings before Illich and the Blackhawks before Rocky Wirtz.

 

[MJF]

Does your cheating girlfriend ever stop? Do greedy businessmen stop becoming greedy? Do inept workers all of a sudden get their act together?

People don't really change. Wang's BS won't stop...And that's why we'll never win the Cup with him as owner. We're the Red Wings before Illich and the Blackhawks before Rocky Wirtz.

This. ^