Report: Smith out as Islanders GM

[IE]

strange happenings..




(Ticker) - Barely a month after taking the job, Neil Smith apparently is no longer the general manager of the New York Islanders.

TSN of Canada is reporting Tuesday that Smith is out as the team's GM.

It is unclear whether Smith quit or was fired, the report said. The Islanders named Smith their GM on June 8, the same day they hired coach Ted Nolan.

Smith, who was the New York Rangers' GM from 1989-2000 and assembled the team that ended their 54-year Stanley Cup championship drought in 1994, had returned to the team by which he was drafted. He first served as a scout with the Isles and owns a Stanley Cup ring from the 1981-82 season before taking a job as scout with the Detroit Red Wings.

Smith had replaced Mike Milbury, who stated in January he would step down once a suitable successor was found. He assumed a position as vice president of Islanders owner Charles Wang's sports properties.

 

[spartan]

Garth Snow is the new G.M. He has retired, a week short of his 37th birthday. That is shocking to say the least but I'm looking forward to see him at his new job. He joins lafontaine, trottier & morrow as former isles to work for the team.

 

[spartan]

Just heard today that lafontaine just resigned, what the hell is going on with this dam team. :shrug:

 

[IE]

LaFontaine is out, too
BY MARK HERRMANN
Newsday Staff Writer

July 19, 2006

The upheaval that dislodged Neil Smith and brought in Garth Snow as Islanders general manager didn't end with that stunning switch. Pat LaFontaine, the popular former player for the team and Hall of Famer, stepped down as senior adviser last night.

A person familiar with the Islanders situation last night confirmed reports that LaFontaine had decided to leave the job on Charles Wang's unconventional team board. The person, who works in the hockey industry, said LaFontaine had wanted only to be an adviser on hockey personnel matters and felt "awkward" about the way the changes were made.LaFontaine wanted to quell rumors that his friend, coach Ted Nolan, had a hand in the Smith ouster. "It was all between Neil and Charles," the source said.

LaFontaine does not want to abandon Nolan and told Wang last night that he will be willing to help the club in whatever way Nolan might need. LaFontaine made it clear that he will help Wang's many charitable endeavors.

But LaFontaine had advised Wang to take 48 hours before making any final decision about Smith. He then suggested that the owner let the dust settle and not name a replacement today, the source said. After Wang ignored both bits of advice, LaFontaine "decided this was not the right time and place for him," the person said.