For years the New York Islanders have been the doormat of the Eastern Conference. The team that everyone looked down to and said "at least we're not as bad as the Islanders". However there's been a slow rebuild going on in Long Island, unnoticed by many around the league, and now for the first time since 2007 they've clinched a playoff berth. The question is, how did they get there?
Credit must be given first and foremost to GM Garth Snow and his shrewd eye for spotting talent. At the time of his appointment he was known more for his gigantic goalie equipment than for his potential as an NHL executive. Despite budgetary constraints, a terrible old building and a half crazy owner throwing away money, Snow's body of work can't be considered anything but a success.
First to consider is his draft record. MVP candidate John Tavares (1st overall 2009) was a freebie no doubt, but he and his staff have made some other astute picks. Travis Hamonic (53rd overall 2007) has turned into a quality shutdown defenseman who has been able to occasionally contribute on offense. Josh Bailey (9th overall in 2008) has stepped up to take the second line center spot and has potted 11 goals this year. Added to that are up and coming blue-chippers Calvin DeHaan, Ryan Strome, and Griffin Reinhart, all of whom could be impact players at the NHL level once they arrive.
What's even more impressive though is how Snow has been able to take other team's garbage and turn it into gold via the waiver wire. Michael Grabner was traded by the Canucks to Florida and subsequently waived by the Panthers. Snow picked him up and he's become a integral part of their offence, netting 70 goals in 105 games and providing a more dynamic element to the Isles attack with his speed and shot. In 2011 goalie Evgeni Nabokov was signed by the Red Wings, but had to go through waivers before he could join the team. Snow saw an oppotuniry to upgrade his goaltending and claimed him. Nabokov balked at first, refusing to report to the Islanders and was suspended for the rest of the season. However he had a change of heart over the summer, no doubt after some conversations with Snow, and has been a key ingredient towards their playoff push. Keith Aucoin, Brian Strait and Thomas Hickey are also players that other teams gave up on, but have played key roles for the Isles this season.
Now you could say that Snow was fortunate to get all these players, by virtue of being so low in the league and therefore ranked so high in order of waiver claim. However a little luck, an eye for talent, and the knowledge of what his team's weaknesses are is what has allowed these moves to become successful. The real genius behind these pickups isn't just that they're contributing this year, but also that they've plugged holes in the lineup and given the Islanders impressive stable of young players more time to develop in the minors. It may have taken Snow a while to get things going, but finally, after years of futility, he's taken them back to where they want to be: they playoffs.
Thanks for reading, I always appreciate your support and welcome your comments here at WAAP.
As always, here's your gif of the night. I'm not quite sure what Marc-Andre Fleury is doing here, but it seems to be working:
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