With Islanders investors Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin ready to "take control of the franchise from current majority Owner Charles Wang this summer," how that transition will affect GM Garth Snow’s decision to revamp or restructure the Islanders’ roster "remains a mystery," according to Alex Raskin of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. It had been 23 years since the Islanders had advanced beyond the first round of the NHL playoffs, so their loss to the Lightning in a five-game, second-round series "has to be considered progress." But a franchise "so accustomed to rebuilding should be looking forward to a little roster maintenance this summer and some continuity next season," as the "prospect of a diminished roster could prove costly for Malkin and Ledecky." Most estimates have the Islanders "with around" $20M in salary-cap space when free agency begins on July 1 (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/11). In N.Y., Allan Kreda writes the Isles "head for summer vacation with more questions than answers." Uncertainty "also exists" for Snow. Special Adviser George McPhee, a longtime member of the Capitals' front office, was brought on this season, and the team’s new owners "could decide change is necessary for a franchise that has captured just one playoff series under Snow." Meanwhile, the team's pending free agents said that there had been "virtually no discussions on new contracts between Snow and their agents during the season." Kreda notes that was "probably related to the coming transfer of majority ownership, which has been in the works for nearly two years" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/11).
