Pokecheque wrote:
Chris18 wrote:
Just read an article about Isles-Flyers trades that are helping the Isles now and in the future. Mark Streit went to the Flyers in exchange for the pick that became Devon Toews.
Andrew MacDonald was sent to the Flyers for a prospect (who never made it), a 2nd & a 3rd. The 2nd would become part of the trade to land Boychuk and the 3rd would turn into Ilya Sorokin.
So Snow wasn't a total moron, as much as everyone likes to bag on him. Including me.
Naw, he was never a total moron. I was always impressed at how well he ran things despite severe budget restrictions and the mess his predecessors had left him. For a guy who had literally never spent significant time in any sort of front office role, a guy who literally went straight from on the ice to the GM's chair, he was astonishingly good. Problem was, he could only get them so far. That, and he continually made the one mistake that ultimately dooms a GM--he never got the right coach.
I want to say Josh Bailey was one of his first draft picks as GM. Am I wrong? That guy took a LONG time to develop, but he definitely panned out.
Snow became GM on July 18, 2006 (thanks Wikipedia!) and Bailey was drafted in 2008 (I did know that one), so that was Snow's 2nd draft. Bailey took so long to develop because the Isles sucked so badly they rushed him to the NHL. He should have been allowed time to develop and gain confidence but instead was thrown into the NHL at 18 and played on some awful Isles teams. Lots of Isles fans hate him because they think all 1st round picks should be 30 goal scorers. Bailey's never had 20. He's a playmaker and also didn't last at center. Currently the Isles have too many playmakers and not enough finishers, so even though Bailey's vision has been recognized by some fans, he still isn't what they want and is always the first name to come up in trade suggestions (as if fans have any say in them
).
As for never hiring the right coach, fully agreed there! Snow had Nolan in place by Smith when he was hired, and Nolan was pretty good. Snow fired Nolan in favor of Scott Gordon, fired him for Jack Capuano, fired him for Doug Weight. So yeah, his coaching selections sucked. Even the assistant coaches weren't good during those times. But one big thing Isles fans blame Snow for is not being able to get Tavares to sign before hitting UFA status, and Lou had already hired Trotz, so bringing in a big name coach didn't help keep the big UFA fish. Which is fine now, considering the Isles are already headed to cap hell without an $11 million/year contract on their books. Some also blame Lou being brought in to replace Snow at the 11th hour for Tavares leaving, but I don't really see how bringing in a HoF GM & coach could drive away a UFA.
Snow's best ability was finding a few gems on the NHL waiver wire. That got old as Wang opened his wallet but Snow kept trying waiver acquisitions.
More importantly- Game 2 today at 3!