If back in July 2006, you were told Garth Snow would still be the Islanders general manager at the end of 2017, you would probably think he would be the man to lead the Isles revival, bringing another dynasty to Long Island.
But in his 11 seasons in the captain’s chair, his team went to the playoffs a few times and won one series – last season against the Panthers. Executives have gotten fired with better resumes than Show, but he right now, he is the second longest tenured GM in New York after Brian Cashman.
So, he must be living some sort of charmed life. Heck, even the Hail Mary pass he tossed in January by firing Jack Capuano almost worked.
Almost.
Now, though, it’s official. The Islanders have been eliminated from the playoffs and while the team goes to the golf course on Monday, new owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin have a decision to make. Do they keep Snow and coach Doug Weight or do they bring in a new regime to lead the Isles?
Look, there are arguments that go both ways. Weight has been tremendous after replacing Capuano on Jan. 18, going 23-12-4 after the team was in dead last in the East. That alone should allow the interim term to be taken off his title and get at least a full season.
But frankly if you are changing the general manager, the coach will probably go as well.
Snow has grown into the job over the years. Going directly from backup goalie to general manger is just as difficult becoming president after being just a real estate developer. Mistakes were made early on, but at the same time he did some savvy moves.
That said, it’s probably time for a change. This is a results business and even though he never had the resources the Rangers had, Snow’s results still have been very mediocre. This season, he kept Capuano two months too long and it was too little too late.
Plus, Snow has given out some poor contracts over the last few seasons. Andrew Ladd’s contract will come back to bite them and even contracts of Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy are not the most team friendly. And let’s not get into that three goalie situation.
Then there is the John Taveras situation. The Isles captain will be a free agent after next season and if the owners want to talk extension, then they should have their long-term GM in place, because if they know No. 91 may leave, then it may be time to trade him.
Right now, the Isles are at a crossroads. There are so many changes going on in the organization that Ledecky and Malkin should bring their own people in to run the hockey operation. Remember, this is a team that could be homeless in a few seasons and possibly looking to get an arena built. It’s much easier to do that with a successful team than a mediocre one, especially in this market.
All of this means it’s time for a change. Snow has done his best with what he had, but it’s now time for a new voice to come in and run this franchise.
Ledecky and Malkin should do the deed early this week and begin their search to put their stamp on the franchise.
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