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Stanley Cup-winning ex-GM Neil Smith gives 'honest' opinion on New York Islanders' offseason moves
Former NHL GM Neil Smith has shared his opinion on the New York Islanders' offseason moves. Smith, who built the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers, thinks the Islanders are stagnant despite expectations of improvements.
On the "NHL Wraparound Podcast," Smith said:
“I don’t see this team having improved at all. I don’t think they’ve moved. I think they’re stuck in park, to be honest with you.”
He pointed out that their biggest move was signing forward Anthony Duclair to a four-year, $14 million contract. Smith questioned the decision, saying:
“Duclair was able to get Lou to give him a four-year deal, which I was stunned at because, as you said at the open of the Islanders segment here, Anthony Duclair is on his ninth team in 11 years.
“Well, you know what, there’s something going on if every time you go to a team they don’t re-sign you, they move you on to the next team. I don’t know what it is, I don’t know the young man, but there’s something going on.”
Despite his concerns, Smith acknowledged that Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is known for being conservative in the offseason. He also suggested the Islanders might still finish third in their division, partly because the division isn't very strong. They will also have Patrick Roy serving his first full season as head coach, so the team hopes to improve.
The New York Islanders have made the playoffs recently and are in a similar situation (only less severe) as the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Anthony Duclair is on a four-year deal with the New York Islanders and will don No. 11 jersey
Anthony Duclair's jersey number with the New York Islanders has been set. He will wear No. 11.
Duclair will be the first Islander to wear No. 11 since Zach Parise, who had it for two seasons. Other Islanders who wore No. 11 include Tanner Fritz, Shane Prince, Lubomir Visnovsky and Darius Kasparaitis.
Duclair signed a four-year deal with the Islanders worth $3.5 million annually on July 1. Last season, he played for the San Jose Sharks and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He previously wore No. 10 with the Florida Panthers. However, he will switch to No. 11 because Simon Holmstrom currently has No. 10.
Duclair has also worn No. 63 and No. 91 in his 10-year NHL career. No. 63 was his rookie number, and the Islanders have retired No. 91 in honor of Butch Goring.
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