Former NY Islanders GM Neil Smith believes current team is 'stuck in park'

It's been over 18 years since Neil Smith was fired from his position as NY Islanders GM. Today, Smith is a host on the NHL Wraparound Podcast, along with former ESPN producer, Vic Morren.

The duo spent their last episode covering the Metropolitan Division before the start of the 2024-25 season.

It's safe to say that Smith shares the same sentiment surrounding the Islanders as many people across the league.

"I don't see this team having improved at all," said Smith. "I think they're stuck in park to be honest."

Duclair and Tsyplakov are not much?

With much of the team's core locked up to long-term contracts, the Islanders haven't had much room for turnover the past few seasons. Lou Lamoriello has made two major subtractions this summer, opting not to re-sign Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck and two additions, Anthony Duclair and Maxim Tsyplakov.

Duclair is expected to take on a role within the Islanders top-6, but Smith believes the former Quebec Remparts' history as a wanderer across the league should have been a red flag for Lamoriello.

"Duclair was able to get Lou to give him a 4-year deal, which I was stunned at because, as you said at the open of the Islanders segment here, Anthony Duclair is on his ninth team in 11 years," said Smith. "Well, you know what, there's something going on if every time you go to a team they don't re-sign you, they move you on to the next team. I don't know what it is, I don't know the young man, but there's something going on."

While critical of the Islanders and their roster decisions this off-season, Smith still believes the team can contend in the Metro Division.

"The good news for the Islanders Vic; the division's not very good," said Smith. "They could easily be third in the division again, simply because of who we're going to talk about behind them."

Smith's tenure as Islanders GM was short-lived, fired only 40 days after being hired in the summer of 2006. He and owner Charles Wang had conflicting philosophies with Wang ultimately axing Smith.

Smith was drafted by the Islanders in the 13th round of the 1974 NHL Draft, and is the only person to serve as GM of the Islanders and Rangers.