New York Islanders Garth Snow’s New Job

The New York Islanders may have their escape plan for current GM Garth Snow. If not, I would like to suggest one.

There are some things about this situation which we know. Some we think we know. And some we just think. Let’s go through them, shall we New York Islanders fans?.

Garth Snow has been the General Manager of the New York Islanders for more than a decade. We know that. And we know that their success during the regular season and playoffs have both been excruciatingly limited.

We know from a recent Arthur Staple article in Newsday that the rumored long-term extension was given to Snow in Wang’s waning days actually exists. Though Staple seemed unsure of the length, and never mentioned a dollar amount.

We know that new owners Ledecky and Malkin have been talking to many potential front office candidates. But we only think we know that the reason is to replace or become the boss of, Garth Snow.

New York Islanders

What We Think We Know

We think we know that the owners forced Capuano out, that they generally respect Snow, and had a hand in retaining Doug Weight as coach.

During this long GM tenure, we have heard many times that Garth Snow is highly respected around the league for the way he has rebuilt the team infrastructure and pipeline. Though you may disagree, I think this is true. I think Snow is an innovative, straight-shooting, out of the box thinker, who has earned plenty of respect for surviving putrid circumstances with dignity.

No success. But a certain amount of dignity.

He seems to have so many of the characteristics of a successful NHL GM, absent one. Talent evaluation. I think he is in the wrong job.

I would suggest that if you have a guy with a business degree, with a ten-year history of contracts and operations, and an insider’s knowledge of the needs of an NHL franchise AND you’re stuck paying that guy for the better part of the next decade, use him.

Next: Unsolicited Advice For The Isles

One day soon I would like here Jon Ledecky say “Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to the new Garth Snow who will now be managing and overseeing the construction of our new state of the art arena complex in Belmont Park/Citi Field/Pilgrim State/Mitchell Field/the parking lot of a Waldbaums on Jericho Turnpike”

Despite what you screamed at your TV while not watching Jaro Halak and Ryan Pulock, Garth Snow isn’t a moron. And he isn’t a highly successful NHL GM. Maybe what he is, is the next Brett Yormark. Cause god knows New York needs another one of those.