Quietly Classy?

Anybody who knows me knows that my New York City pro hockey team is the Rangers. And after yesterday's post, you probably expect me to extoll the virtues of Madison Square Garden and all who toil in it. Don't hold your breath. I learned a long time ago that the organization and the team on the ice are two different things. And anybody who read the full page article in today's Daily News knows the Rangers organization still leaves a lot to be desired. They got a reputation for being "classy" when Mark Messier was Captain but that's largely halo affect. No, if there's any organization in town that deserves to be called classy it's the New York Islanders.

I hear you. I hear you saying, "What about the Yashin and DiPietro contracts?", "What about firing Neil Smith?", "What about the Captain Highliner logo?", the Islanders are nuts! Well, I admit it looks that way on the surface and certainly you could have made a case for it when "Mad Mike" Milbury was around, but look a little closer.

In the current salary cap league, long term contracts make a lot more sense. Just ask Bryan Murray up in Ottawa if he wishes Jason Spezza was on that kind of deal. Yep, there's the risk of a player getting injured but it can still be cheaper than paying big money only to lose him to free agency. It makes particular sense with a goalie, when you see the records of franchise keepers like Brodeur or Kolzig. Don't you think Lou Lamerillo wouldn't like to be paying Marty something comparable to what he was making in 1995? I still wouldn't have given Yashin that kind of deal but that has more to do with his playoff performance and record for renegotiating contracts than the deal being wrong in principle.

I also don't blame Charles Wang for firing Neil Smith. Wang had the benefit of history on his side and saw that Smith has a history of clashing with strong coaches. And if it was a case of Smith or Nolan then Nolan was his guy. Who can blame him with sticking with the man who got his team in to the playoffs in his first year back after a 12 year absence? Besides, let's give it up for Garth Snow, who's done a heckuva job as a rookie GM. Landing Ryan Smyth was a great deal (even if he couldn't keep him) and landing Billy Guerin was equally smart. Want any more proof of Snow's intelligence? He didn't re-sign Tom Poti. Even the Rangers fans have got to give him credit for that one.

As for the "Fishsticks" logo, at least they had the sense to retire it after one year. I'm looking at you Calgary in your 3rd jerseys.

If you want to see what the Isles organization is doing right, check out their website. Blogs with actual interesting content. A PR staff unafraid to take on the New York media. A plan that would turn the Coliseum from it's current sorry state in to THE center for hockey in lower New York State. And a sense that they care about their fans and aren't just chasing corporate season tickets.

So yeah, since the first time since the Bossy glory days, I think people should start calling the Islanders "classy". I applaud their efforts. But I also know in my heart of hearts that one fact will never change in Nassau County ...

"Potvin Sucks!"