Attention UFA Shoppers: The Market is Now Open
July 1st, 2007 by murph
No major news to report yet, but NewYorkIslanders.com lets us know that GM Garth Snow and Pro Scouting Director Ken Morrow punched in nice and early to work this morning.
Negotiations with Smyth continue; Snow preparing offers for both top-tier and depth free agents
By 7:00 this morning, Islanders general manager Garth Snow and pro scouting director Ken Morrow were holed up in Snow’s office at the Coliseum, completely prepared for the opening of the free agency market at noon. Also inside the Coliseum is head coach Ted Nolan, while all of Snow’s pro scouts are just a phone call away.
“We’re ready,” said Snow. “We’re ready for every scenario, anything that comes up. We have our depth chart, our list of priorities. No matter what transpires in the first 24 hours or even in the course of the next few weeks, we’re very confident we’ll put the pieces together for a team our fans are going to love.”
The Islanders’ wish list is deep: at least two top-six forwards, a top-four defenseman and depth for both the Islanders and the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. “It’s a big list, no doubt,” said Morrow. “But that will be the case with more than half the teams in the NHL every summer. With the new CBA and earlier free agency, there’s always going to be a lot of roster turnover. The key is to make smart decisions and be patient when it’s necessary. I’m excited about it.”
