Lou Will Not Return

[Zee]

How old are you Carlton?  You don't remember Ken Morrow on the Isles?

Nah, I was not alive during his NHL playing career.

That explains it.  I still remember how much I despised that Islander team.  They were so damn good and used to just man handle the Leafs those years they were winning cups.  It's funny to think of now since the team has been a joke for so long but they were actually the most feared team in the league for 4-5 years.

 

[Kin]

Also, this is weird and nobody is really talking about it:

Probably because it's not that unusual.

 

[Frank E]

I wonder if they go full-rebuild...again?

Like, I wonder what Lou's mandate is here.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Also, this is weird and nobody is really talking about it:

Probably because it's not that unusual.

It's not? I knew his son was with the team but I didn't think it was for that high up of a position. I can't think of any other NHL team that had a father-son, or any other family combination, as the top-two people on the management ladder. Is it common in other sports?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I wonder if they go full-rebuild...again?

Like, I wonder what Lou's mandate is here.

Gotta think that depends entirely on what Tavares decides.

 

[Zee]

I wonder if they go full-rebuild...again?

Like, I wonder what Lou's mandate is here.

Gotta think that depends entirely on what Tavares decides.

I was thinking the same thing.  It Tavares stays, no rebuild, if he goes, full rebuild ahead!

 

[mr grieves]

I wonder if they go full-rebuild...again?

Like, I wonder what Lou's mandate is here.

As others said, I think it depends on what Tavares decides.

But I think Plan A has to be keep Tavares and try to build around him. I don't know anything about the Islanders' management, but, if they were savvy enough to go the rebuild route, wouldn't they also be savvy enough to jump on the trend of grabbing a new exec or AGM who's done it? I guess there are plenty of execs who can trade pieces for futures (he did that with the Leafs), but Lou's main value add is, I think, his (supposed) gravitas. And I'm finding it hard to think of why that'd be so appealing other than to keep Tavares in the fold and lure other players who can help them now.

 

[Frank E]

I wonder if they go full-rebuild...again?

Like, I wonder what Lou's mandate is here.

As others said, I think it depends on what Tavares decides.

But I think Plan A has to be keep Tavares and try to build around him. I don't know anything about the Islanders' management, but, if they were savvy enough to go the rebuild route, wouldn't they also be savvy enough to jump on the trend of grabbing a new exec or AGM who's done it? I guess there are plenty of execs who can trade pieces for futures (he did that with the Leafs), but Lou's main value add is, I think, his (supposed) gravitas. And I'm finding it hard to think of why that'd be so appealing other than to keep Tavares in the fold and lure other players who can help them now.

Since they're moving into a new building in the near future (a couple of years away, right?), it might make sense to tear it down and rebuild, and enter into the building with a young exciting team. 

I'm not sure that signing Tavares leads to that...and honestly, I don't think they're going anywhere with the talent base they've got right now...but then again, I thought Vegas looked awful on paper.

 

[bustaheims]

but then again, I thought Vegas looked awful on paper.

but, the Islanders looked terrible on the ice, so, you might be on to something this time.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

but then again, I thought Vegas looked awful on paper.

but, the Islanders looked terrible on the ice, so, you might be on to something this time.

Their forwards are pretty good (assuming Tavares returns). A coach who can reign in the defence a little bit and a goalie who can stop a puck would make a world of difference there. Not cup contenders or anything but at least in the conversation for playoffs.

 

[Frank E]

but then again, I thought Vegas looked awful on paper.

but, the Islanders looked terrible on the ice, so, you might be on to something this time.

Their forwards are pretty good (assuming Tavares returns). A coach who can reign in the defence a little bit and a goalie who can stop a puck would make a world of difference there. Not cup contenders or anything but at least in the conversation for playoffs.

Not sure you want to go into a new building (and back to a fanbase) with a team like that though.

I doubt they want to let 8 years of Tavares just walk away, but I'm just wondering if they already know that this is a likely reality, and need a guy to navigate a quick tear down like he did in Toronto.

 

[caver]

and is Lou the guy to rebuild a franchise ?  or do the savvy trading to make a team a contender ? 

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/DamoSpin/status/1004065910364110848

Assuming this opens up a spot for Keefe on the Leafs' coaching staff, I'd be fine with it.

 

[Highlander]

https://twitter.com/DamoSpin/status/1004065910364110848

Assuming this opens up a spot for Keefe on the Leafs' coaching staff, I'd be fine with it.

As long as Lou doesn't poach Keefe

 

[herman]

Oh no, please don?t take DJ Smith who has been in charge of our crazy PK minutes distribution and Polak playing top 4 minutes regularly.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Oh no, please don?t take DJ Smith who has been in charge of our crazy PK minutes distribution and Polak playing top 4 minutes regularly.

You KNOW it'll be all-Holl, all-the-time if Keefe takes over there.

 

[herman]

Oh no, please don?t take DJ Smith who has been in charge of our crazy PK minutes distribution and Polak playing top 4 minutes regularly.

You KNOW it'll be all-Holl, all-the-time if Keefe takes over there.

And Marincinnnnnnnnnnnnnn (if we move Zaitsev)

 

[ZBBM]

Snow lasted a lot longer in that job than most people thought he would.

 

[AvroArrow]

Snow lasted a lot longer in that job than most people thought he would.

He also lasted a lot longer than he really should have.

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/DamoSpin/status/1004065910364110848

Assuming this opens up a spot for Keefe on the Leafs' coaching staff, I'd be fine with it.

As long as Lou doesn't poach Keefe

Unless you think Babcock is getting fired within the next 2-3 years it'll be pretty hard to keep Keefe.