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New York Islanders Garth Snow Rumored Contract All But Confirmed

By Michel Anderson

ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24: Owner Charles Wang and Garth Snow General Manager of the New York Islanders during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN - JUNE 24: Owner Charles Wang and Garth Snow General Manager of the New York Islanders during day one of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center on June 24, 2011 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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It’s long been rumored that New York Islanders GM Garth Snow received a very generous parting gift from former majority owner Charles Wang. If it hasn’t been confirmed yet, it has been now.

We’ve wondered why in Sam Hill New York Islanders owners haven’t fired Garth Snow yet. By every known evaluator Garth Snow isn’t great at his job. And that’s being polite.

Sure Garth Snow has got the best of Peter Chiarelli a number of times via trade, but that’s can’t be used as a barometer of success. Chiarelli has the best player in play the game right now and still can’t ice a winning team.

Garth isn’t a great drafter which is both a reflection of his own decision-making skills and his abilities to construct a scouting network. Garth isn’t great at developing players either. Which again speaks to his abilities to build a proper coaching staff.

And much like his buddy out in Edmonton Garth can’t build a winner. With only four playoff appearances in his twelve years at the helm of the Islanders.

So why is he still here? Because of a crazy long contract that was given to him by former New York Islanders majority owner Charles Wang.

The Big One

In speaking to NBCSN about the Islanders off-season TSN’s Bob McKenzie let it be known that Garth’s contract was on the…hefty side.

Maybe I missed it but that’s the first time I heard a big name insider confirm Garth’s mega contract
I’m not saying he’s the first to say it. I know that Dave Lozo put it out in the ether a while back on Puck Soup.

But in terms of access and journalistic significance Bob McKenzie is a bigger fish. I love Dave Lozo but if Bob McKenzie says it you have to assume it’s true. It’s about as close to a confirmation as you can get without Garth Snow showing us the contract himself.

We all figured he had one. It made sense after all. This owner was responsible for two of the longest and worst NHL contracts ever. So naturally, he’d give one of the worst GMs a long-term deal. It fits Wang’s M.O.

Next: What To Do With Isles Restricted Free Agents

So what does this mean for the franchise? Probably exactly what you don’t want to hear; Garth Snow for a number of years. Either as the GM or in a Presidential capacity like Ron Francis in Carolina. Wang made sure his buddy wouldn’t have to worry about job security.

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