New York Islanders 2017-2018 Season Is A Huge Year for Garth Snow

The New York Islanders enter a season that has so much at stake both on the ice and off it. This is a huge year for the Isles, General Manager, Garth Snow.

New York Islanders, GM, Garth Snow, needs his club to have a big season on the ice. In addition, between now and June 30th, Garth has to lock-up John Tavares to a long-term extension.

The embattled GM’s future is on the line.

Tavares

Tavares does have a good relationship with Garth. That can only help in terms of getting the captain to sign on the dotted line.

It appears the only thing holding Tavares back is the Isles arena situation. Positive news on that front can only make Garth’s life easier in terms of signing Tavares to a new contract.

New York Islanders

Will the uncertainty of Tavares effect the Isles? That is something the organization as a whole will just have to deal with.

A strong October can only benefit everyone in the Islanders organization.

Snow & the Trade Deadline

If Tavares is still unsigned at the trade deadline what impact could that have on Snow? Will it make Garth be an aggressive buyer at the deadline and trade some of the club’s prized future assets? But if Tavares leaves at the end of the season, the Isles will desperately need those future chips.

What if the Isles are on the outside of the playoff picture at the time of the deadline? Tavares aside, the Isles currently have a number of pending unrestricted free agents at season’s end. This list includes Jaroslav Halak, Calvin de Haan, and Josh Bailey among others.

If the right call is for Garth to trade these pending UFA’s who won’t be back, will that severely hurt the Isles chances of signing Tavares?

Come the trade deadline could be some tough calls for Snow.

Garth Stays or Goes?

Many Islander fans have been wishing for the removal of Garth for quite some time. Be careful what you wish for Islander fans.

If ownership replaces Snow after this season it probably will be because of another disappointing year, as well as having Tavares leave the Islanders.

If the Isles have a successful season with youngsters Mathew Barzal, Anthony Beauvilier, Josh Ho-Sang, along with other rookies, expect Garth to stay even if JT goes elsewhere.

Next: Ho-Sang Praises Linemates

There is so much on the line for the Isles it has to give most of the fan base extreme angst. How the domino’s fall will dictate if Garth continues to be the Isles GM or if ownership starts fresh. My advice is keep the faith Islander fans!