An Open Letter to Garth Snow

Dear Mr. Snow,

First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on a job well done this spring. Drafting John Tavares was a great move. But, the best move was keeping the move under wraps until June 26th. You generated more interest in the Islanders than I've seen in years.

Now that you have brought us a "face of the franchise" type player, I ask you to please build on that, and keep this team moving in the right direction. 

Last year you signed two significant free agents, Mark Streit and Doug Weight. This year I ask you to double that number. 

With a talent like John Tavares coming in, it is important to surround him and our other young talent with certain players. They are going to need players that they can create with. Players like Mike Cammalleri and the Sedin twins come to mind. 

We all know that Long Island is not going to attract superstars; we have the cap space to (gasp!) overpay for a few solid players. 

When a young phenom like Tavares joins the league, he automatically has a target on his back. Thus, he is going to need a protector.

Gretzky had McSorley. Crosby has had Laraque, Orpik, and Godard.

Tavares needs his protector. 

Players like Donald Brashear, Colton Orr, Brad May, and Andre Roy are available. Please bring one of them to the Island to prevent Tavares from getting beaten into the ice night after night.

Lastly, please bring us a suitable backup goaltender. The Islanders and their fans have a tendency to embrace folk heroes for too long. We don't need to bring back Wade Dubielewicz, we just need someone who will do their job when they are called upon.

There are a few names out there who fit this description. Realistically, Jason LaBarbera or Brian Boucher would be ideal. 

So Mr. Snow, now that the high from the draft is starting to wear off, we are all looking at you. We have suffered enough. Please heed our call, and bring us what we want.

Love,

Islanders Fans.