For their first 20 years, the New York Islanders were managed by Bill Torrey who was one of the best managers in the league in his time and guided the Iles to 4 Stanley Cups.
The last 20 years have been pretty much a disaster in comparison. Mike Millbury literally killed the franchise in the 10 years he managed it. That loud-mouthed bully on NBC and CBC. Over the years Made Mike traded away youngsters Todd Bertuzzi and Bryan McCabe, star scorer Zigmund Palffy, former rookie of the year Bryan Berard, and future stars Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen. Milbury then further surprised the hockey world when he took Rick DiPietro with the first selection in the entry draft, ahead of Dany Heatley and Marian Gaborik. He also picked up Alexei Yashin from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Bill Muckalt, Zdeno Chara and Jason Spezza, then handed Yashin a 10-year contract.
After Milbury step down as general manager to become vice president, the team hired Ted Nolan as coach and Neil Smith as GM, but Smith was fired after a little over a month and replaced him with backup goaltender Garth Snow, who retired to accept the position. After buying out Yashin's ridiculous contract, Snow handed DiPietro a 15-year contract.
But the best is yet to come. According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, the Islanders offered every single pick they own in exchange for Columbus' first pick (2nd overall). That's Nos. 4, 34, 65, 103, 125, 155 and 185, just to move up two spots from 4th to 2nd. Insane if true. Just as crazy was Scott Howson for not accepting the deal.
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