An Open Letter to Garth Snow

Islander GM Garth Snow recently sent an e-mail to Islander fans who have signed up on the teams web-site discussing the recent changes that have taken place within the team's management committee. The letter is also accessible through the team's website: http://www.newyorkislanders.com/a/gs_openletter.asp

While I do not claim to speak on behalf of all fans, below is my response to Snow, which I will be sending in to him.

Dear Mr. Snow,

I want to thank you for taking the time to respond to the criticism which has been leveled at Charles Wang, yourself, and the rest of the organization in light of the recent changes that have taken place. As a long-time fan, it is nice to see you take the time to speak out and let the fans know your feelings.

As for the fan response, personally, I can understand where fans are coming from for the most part. We are a group that has supported this team for a number of years, most of them lean for the past decade plus. I myself can remember the glory days of the 80's, when the team was the best, or one of the best in the NHL. I remember the lean years, and am thankful that Mr. Wang bought the team, as I feel that had he not, there would no longer be an NHL team on Long Island.

The past several years were a time that saw an enormous amount of change. There were issues with ownership, coaches and players. Mike Milbury was forced to trade away a lot of talent to save money for some owners, trades that to this day haunt the team. Other trades were done in the hopes of a quick improvement. Alas, many did not work out for the Orange & Blue, while the players traded have in many cases gone on to long and prosperous careers. Recent trades for Michael Peca and Alexei Yashin were welcomed by most fans, as the team appeared to be heading away from the spendthrift days, and was trying to put a winning team on the ice. The trades have not worked out the way it was hoped, as you know. The team did make the playoffs, but did not do well once there, for many reasons. Then last season, the team took a step back, as Peca left, Yashin struggled, as did the team for the most part. The fact that the rival team in New York City made the playoffs after a long absence made it a hard season for Islander fans to swallow.

When it was announced that Milbury would be leaving the GM role, fans were happy. While he was a good evaluator of talent when it came to the draft, his trades left something to be desired in many respects. Fans were curious that he was going to still have a role with Mr. Wang, and were concerned he would still have input. When Ted Nolan was hired I would hazard to guess most fans were happy. When Neil Smith was hired, I do not think many shared the same reaction, given his ties to the Rangers. But I think fans were willing to give him a chance.

I for one liked the offseason moves he had made. Brendan Witt is a solid stay at home defenseman, something the team needs. Mike Sillinger is a good pick up as well. The news that Neil was being fired came as a complete shock. Given the past ownership turmoil, it was a matter of "here we go again". Firing a new GM within 40 days of hiring is not a positive sign. It makes it seem that perhaps Charles did not clearly delineate Neil's role when he hired him. I do not know for sure, and frankly, since I was not in the pro-Smith camp, I do not care. What I care about is that the team looks bad, again.

As for personal attacks on you, they are without a doubt wrong. There is no rule that states someone in a management role has to have experience. Personally, I feel that someone who has the education you have, and the experience as a goalie should have no problem as a manager. You know the players on the team, you know what the deficiencies are, and you know the game. I for one wish you luck. I also feel that despite fan's initial reaction, they want the same thing you, Ted, Bryan and Charles want, a winning team on the ice. I hope that is what we see soon.

As for the media reaction, what else is new. For years members of the local media have treated the team poorly. A certain writer for the NY Post in particular. They look on with glee as the team struggles, and are quick to pull out the knives. The same stories about the guys who have been traded away are written. Writers from other cities are taking this as an opportunity to deflect attention from their own problems. For a writer from Boston to write the BS he wrote in light of the issues on his hometown team is laughable. The best part is that most of the stories read the same way. All of them make the same point over and over. It is frankly quite tiring to read. They should try to be a little more original, and stop repeating the same stuff their brethren have already written.

My hope is that the players are reading these stories and taking them to heart. The best way to show these writers they are wrong is to win. I feel that with the young players already on the team like Campoli, Hunter, Di Pietro, Nilsson and others, there is a good nucleus. The veterans like Satan, Yashin, Zhitnik, Witt and Sillinger, and the youngsters pushing for jobs like O'Marra, Bergenheim, Gervais, Comeau and others give hope for a bright future. As for the fans, it is going to take time, but a winning team will win them back. Those of us who stick through it will be even happier.

Again, I wish you success in your new role. There is nothing better than a jam-packed Coliseum during the playoffs. I hope we return to the days where it was called "Fort Neverlose".

Let's Go Islanders.