New York Islanders: Garth Snow and Doug Weight Relieved of Duties

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: General manager Garth Snow of the New York Islanders talks on the phone during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 24: General manager Garth Snow of the New York Islanders talks on the phone during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

After a long season for the New York Islanders, in which Islanders fans purchased a billboard calling for the removal of Garth Snow, both he and head coach Doug Weight have been relieved of their duties.

The New York Islanders have announced that both general manager Garth Snow and head coach Doug Weight have been removed from their respective roles. This is a huge move for the Islanders in a franchise-altering offseason where captain John Tavares still needs a contract.

Both Snow and Weight will remain in the Islanders organization, in as of yet unannounced roles. Lou Lamoriello, brought in to be the head of hockey operations, will take over GM duties. He’s already begun searching for the next head coach of the historic Islanders organization.

What Does This Mean?

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This could mean several things. One, that perhaps Tavares thought of Weight and Snow as obstacles to the Islanders winning, obstacles he wanted to go. If so, this could mean the likelihood of Tavares signing with the Islanders has risen exponentially.

Second, it could mean that ownership did actually listen to the fans and that the billboard worked. If so, perhaps the relationship between the organization and its fans can improve before the opening of the new stadium.

Third, it could just mean that the ownership wanted Snow gone, realizing that he wasn’t doing his job properly. He still has a reportedly long contract worth a lot of money, which is why he’s being kept in the organization. Snow will likely take on a lesser role, potentially as a scout.

It could be any of these factors or none of them. Still, the news that Lamoriello is taking over is sure to be a relief to some suffering New York Islanders fans, and it could be a step in the right direction for the organization.

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If Tavares does now re-sign, this was likely a move that helped set that up. The Islanders needed change and Lamoriello acted fast. All of it will be for naught if the Isles don’t either re-sign Tavares or start heading in a different direction.