Point Blank
Chris Botta shares his thoughts and a few updates on the GM search
Good Morning, Islanders Country.
The following is from Chris Botta, former VP of Media Relations for the Islanders and founder of Islanders Point Blank.
When the Islanders make the announcement in May, who do I want the #Isles to announce as their President of Hockey Operations and GM?
I can’t say, and I’ll tell you why.
You and I aren’t part of it. We’re not in the interviews.
It could, but it does not have to be any of the usual suspects mentioned at the top of every insider’s column. It has to be the people who win the process.
After the Garth Snow era under Charles Wang was hamstrung by a limited budget and the Lou Lamoriello era was limited by the glorious but self-protective “Louness” of it all, the Islanders have a chance to adopt a progressive and dynamic front office.
I want the people who blow away the owners over a series of meetings. I want people with vision, clear and smart ideas, energy, and passion. I want people who walk in the door knowing the contracts, cap situation, depth chart, and Bridgeport fiasco, and tell me what they’re going to do about all of it.
Who are some of the coaches and scouts you’d be looking to bring in as we overhaul this thing? If you don’t have ideas or don’t want to share them because they consider them copyrighted brilliance, that’s cool. You can wait for one of the other teams to have these job openings.
I don’t care how old or young you are. But I don’t want a guy who thinks winning Cups two decades ago is enough. It can’t be I’m Just Ken. What is your plan for the New York Islanders? If you want to have a real discussion and lay out your long-term plan, and if you’re interested in serving as a hockey ops president and true mentor alongside a major young talent, let’s talk. If not, work for Pegula. (Nothing but respect for Mr. Holland; he is successful, revered in the industry as much as Lamoriello, and a true gentleman.)
3 Things I’m Hearing
George McPhee is not in the mix. He makes big money for a strong franchise in a state with no income tax and loves where he is professionally and personally. Can’t blame him for not interviewing.
Patrick Roy is not going to be the next general manager of the Islanders. Still can’t rule out him staying in another role.
If Jeff Gordon talks substantively with John Collins at all, it would only be for a position that makes him the No. 1 decision-maker with autonomy.
Within reason, I can actually deal with it if you stumbled with your last team. That’s why you’re available, Jarmo. Tell me what you’ve learned, former Huntington resident Bergy (oh, to be young again), and tell me why you’re better for it. This is a humbling business that, at times, can make some very smart, dedicated, and previously successful people, including some great pals of mine! — look stupid.
I don’t even care if this would be your first major hockey ops job. You can be part of a two or three-person leadership team. But you’d better walk in with a plan and a detailed presentation proving why you’re the right person for this job. What is your vision for the AHL team and prospect development? Prepare for it like the opportunity of a lifetime - because it is one.
There’s a way the Islanders’ owners mess this up. This would be by falling into the NHL culture trap of hiring friends, friends of friends, guys with fake reputations, and guys who only look smart in their clothes and glasses.
I have reason to believe Collins will proceed appropriately. He’s a talented and thoughtful man, and too much is at stake. After so many people theorized, “Malkin doesn’t care,” Malkin showed that he did, and the owners stood up and made their bold move last week. They can’t replace a legend with a fart.
Take your time. Don’t hire someone just because well-meaning NHL people, other teams, insiders, agents, and especially heads of agencies told you to. All of them have personal reasons for making their recommendations. Give a fair chance to everyone who reached out to you last week with sincere interest in these rare opportunities. Ask all the tough questions.
If Collins, Ledecky, and Malkin do this the right way, then their selections get the same runway of 3-5 years to sink or swim like almost every GM-type gets in the NHL, and you won’t hear much, or anything, from me.
The owners have earned some benefit of the doubt. They’re wildly successful people. I typed this on my phone in my kitchen.
Sign Here
The “Save the Islanders Radio Broadcast” petition online now has over 3,000 signatures, as fans hope the organization will reconsider its decision to drop Chris King and Greg Picker in favor of a TV simulcast, which has been widely reported as a modest cost-cutting measure. Newsday media columnist Neil Best summarized a lot of the fans’ thoughts and feelings on Friday.
🎥 ISLES REWIND: On April 28, 1993, the Islanders eliminated the Washington Capitals in six games, winning the Patrick Division Semifinals with a 5–3 victory in Game 6 at the Nassau Coliseum. With the win, the Islanders advanced to face the two-time defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the next round.
Late in the third period, after Pierre Turgeon scored an insurance goal to seal the game, Capitals forward Dale Hunter infamously delivered a vicious cheap hit from behind, injuring Turgeon and forcing him to miss six games of the Pens series. As a result, Hunter was suspended for 21 games by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, one of the longest suspensions in league history at the time.
🎧 Hockey Night in New York: The Lou Lamoriello era has officially come to an end, priming us for an even more interesting summer than initially thought. Sean & Stefen will conduct an autopsy on the Islanders failed season, cover the end of the Lou era, the search for a new GM, how it affects the team, and lots lots more including the Islanders needs for the summer. E.J. Hradek of NHL Network will join the conversation for an action-packed edition of HNiNY!
🔗 Mathieu Darche should be considered the front-runner for the NY Islanders' General Manager position by Mike Stahurksi, Eyes on Isles “There is little doubt that the Tampa Bay Lightning have been the most successful team in the NHL over the last six seasons. Two Stanley Cup triumphs and another trip back in which they lost, the Lightning have been the only thing standing between the NY Islanders and their own trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. While Julien BriseBois is the mastermind behind the operation, Mathieu Darche is his right-hand man.”
🔗 Report: Islanders Goalie Jakub Skarek Linked To HIFK Amid Uncertain Future by Stefen Rosner, The Hockey News “New York Islanders depth goaltender Jakub Skarek seems unlikely to remain with the organization. According to SPORTTI.com, HIFK of the Finnish Elite League has an interest in the 25-year-old netminder. Drafted in the third round (No. 72) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Skarek never really developed into the reliable option the organization hoped for.”
And we leave you with this…some of the imagery from the annual “Paint the Ice” event.
You can see the team’s official gallery HERE
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