Lou Lamoriello will assume the role of general manager effective immediately and will begin the process of hiring a new head coach now that the New York Islanders officially remove both Garth Snow and Doug Weight.
New York Islanders fans, this tweet is for you, something many of us have been waiting to read for several years now.#Isles News: Garth Snow and Doug Weight have been relieved of their duties. Lou Lamoriello will assume the responsibilities of General Manager and begin the process to find a new Head Coach.
Details: https://t.co/bm5cKNtak8 pic.twitter.com/Lj96EK6PWP
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 5, 2018
When Lou Lamoriello assumed the role of President of Hockey Operations, the speculation turned straight to Garth Snow and Doug Weight, and what their fate would be. Despite reports that both should expect to remain employed, it appears there were other plans in store.
For the Islanders as a franchise, this is the day marks the beginning of a new era.
Gone are the days of approaching the trade deadline with no plans to upgrade, as are the low-ball acquisitions to give the impression moves are being made. Gone are the excuses made season after season as to why the Isles are outside looking in either via regular-season elimination or a disappointing first-round exit.
According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA sports, Garth Snow’s contract had four years remaining, which has been assumedly bought out.
It’s hard not to recall the peak of fan frustration with the former executives, which boiled to a point where not one but two billboards rose in different parts of Brooklyn demanding the firing of the former GM.
Garth Snow was hired by the Islanders in 2006 just three weeks after being on the Isles roster as the backup goaltender. In his nearly 12 years as General Manager, the Islanders qualified for the playoffs four times, three in the Tavares era, and won one playoff round in 2016.
Doug Weight had just completed his first full season as head coach after replacing Jack Capuano on January 17, and hired all-new assistants for the 2017-18 season (yes, they’re gone, too). In both 2016-17 and 2017-18, the Islanders missed the playoffs.
Ladies and gentlemen, Isles fans everywhere, the evaluation is completed. Accountability finally rears its head in the Islanders front office, as Lou Lamoriello will be holding a conference call at 4:30 p.m.
Jon Ledecky, Scott Malkin and Lou Lamoriello have ushered in a new era in Islanders history.
