New York Islanders GM Talks To Fans

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow visited fans to answer some questions about this past season and the upcoming season.

I had the pleasure to ask some questions to New York Islanders GM Garth Snow, and I also had the pleasure to hear what other Islanders fans had to ask and say to the GM during a Q & A at the Long Island Booster Club.

The Q & A started off where Snow made some introductory statements about how he loves the event, and he thanked the fans for supporting the team and him through the season. After thanking the fans for coming, he immediately said: ” I can’t answer any questions about KO, Frans Neilson, and Matt Martin.”

After thanking the fans for coming, he immediately said: ” I can’t answer any questions about KO, Frans Neilson, and Matt Martin.” Snow wasn’t going to give out information willy-nilly.

The first question from the Islanders contingent was: “What do you give yourself and the team a grade for the season?” Snow responded ” For the team, I thought we achieved the goals we had set out. I’m sure the players would feel better if we went further in the playoffs than we did.”

Remember when coach Capuano called out our players at the end of the season for lack of character? Snow’s answer is fairly stock when it comes to GM-fan interactions, but it provides a hint of dissatisfaction and competitive hunger that the team desperately needs, to move to the next level.

Pressures of the Offseason

I was fortunate enough to ask the second question to Snow about what pressures does he feel during the trade deadline?

In response, he said ” It’s not pressure. You try to have to prepare yourself for different scenarios that may come across your desk. It’s not pressured it’s more of anticipation. At the end of the day, you don’t have total control.  It takes two managers to make a deal, and you don’t have complete control.”

As the event went on, Snow answered questions dealing with the goalie situation that the Islanders might have this upcoming season. He also answered fans questions about everybody’s favorite topic: the Barclays Center and how the ice affected the players.

Snow answered the ice questions saying once players told him that the ice wasn’t good, they were able to fix it. He mentioned the fact that the players spoke out and said that the ice wasn’t up to their standards was an excellent example of how the players, coaching staff and managing staff communicate with each other.

By the end of the event, Snow answered everyone’s questions, but the one question on every fan’s mind is who is going to stay on the Islanders?

Next: GM Snow Must Make Trades to Improve Team

Snow made sure to let everyone know that he wouldn’t take questions on the subject, but it didn’t make the elephant in the room go away. The takeaway of the event was simply how open Snow was with every question the fans had.

The takeaway of the event was simply how open Snow was with every question the fans had. The Islanders fans and organization are one big family. Having the GM come out so soon after the season to sit and answer questions proves just that.