Former New York Rangers general manager Neil Smith takes aim at Islanders for offseason moves

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Ryan Hall
August 29, 2024 (8:34)

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Legendary New York general manager Neil Smith who had taken the Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994 expressed his disbelief and strong opinions regarding Lou Lamoriello and the New York Islanders offseason.

Smith was quite blunt as he assessed all the moves that were made throughout the offseason by Lamoriello and feels the Islanders are no further ahead than they were before.

«I don't see this team having improved at all,» Smith said. «I don't think they've moved. I think they're stuck in park to be honest with you.»

Smith was in disbelief after he witnessed the Islanders signing former Rangers forward Anthony declare to a four-year deal worth $14 million. Smith thinks signing declare to that contract was a mistake and told the media that he should have done more research in terms of the players abilities.

«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,» Smith said. «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.»

Smith was the general manager of the Rangers from 1989 through 2000 where he had won the Stanley Cup in 1994. After his time with the Rangers he spent in extremely short time as the general manager of the New York Islanders in 2006 but after butting heads with Islanders owner Charles Wang, Smith chose to quit the organization and joined the Dallas Stars and general manager Doug Armstrong in October of 2006.

Source: The Hockey News

Legendary Rangers General Manager Slams Islanders For Offseason Moves