Now that we've all had a little time to absorb the shock of this whole thing and digest it a bit, there are a few things that have become clear.
- While it's going to down as Snow firing Nolan, it's pretty clear that the feelings that the two couldn't work together were fairly mutual. Nolan hardly sounded broken up about the firing, which suggests that he was ready to move on anyway.
- Snow's alibi that he "realized" the two had differing philosophies is a load of crap. You don't work with someone for two years, then suddenly realize that you don't think the same way. There's something else here, and I think it's their summer ticket push.
- It would seem as though the Islanders are done signing free agents this summer. Long Island was a tough enough draw 24 hours ago. With the second big-time shakeup in two years, it's going to be hard to convince anyone to come here.
- While the Islanders are losing a great coach in Ted Nolan, the real losers are the Islander fans, who must once again deal with their team being the league's laughing stock.
Such is the M.O. of the Islanders. Every time you think they're getting things going, they go ahead and do something that reminds you of exactly why they're an afterthought on Long Island. So, in tomorrow's papers, you'll read ten pages about the MLB All-Star Game and the 900th gushing tribute to Yankee Stadium published in a New York daily this year. But in every paper not called Newsday, Ted Nolan's demise will be buried underneath the stories on the WNBA and horse racing. Sure, that's partially due to hockey's lack of popularity (and baseball's obscene popularity, even when both teams are a combined twelve games over .500), but the Islanders do themselves no favors by conducting business in their style.
So, now what?
Let's pretend for a second that the Islanders aren't going to sign a minor-league coach, even though it's at least a fair shot that they will. Instead, let's take a look at some of the coaches that have NHL coaching experience. (By no means is this a comprehensive list of candidates.) There are a lot of names out there... but are they good coaches? Let's find out.
Bill Barber
Coached the Flyers for one partial season (2000-01) and one full season (2001-02). Won the Adams in 00-01, but lost in the first round in both years. Hasn't coached since being fired in 2002.
- While it's going to down as Snow firing Nolan, it's pretty clear that the feelings that the two couldn't work together were fairly mutual. Nolan hardly sounded broken up about the firing, which suggests that he was ready to move on anyway.
- Snow's alibi that he "realized" the two had differing philosophies is a load of crap. You don't work with someone for two years, then suddenly realize that you don't think the same way. There's something else here, and I think it's their summer ticket push.
- It would seem as though the Islanders are done signing free agents this summer. Long Island was a tough enough draw 24 hours ago. With the second big-time shakeup in two years, it's going to be hard to convince anyone to come here.
- While the Islanders are losing a great coach in Ted Nolan, the real losers are the Islander fans, who must once again deal with their team being the league's laughing stock.
Such is the M.O. of the Islanders. Every time you think they're getting things going, they go ahead and do something that reminds you of exactly why they're an afterthought on Long Island. So, in tomorrow's papers, you'll read ten pages about the MLB All-Star Game and the 900th gushing tribute to Yankee Stadium published in a New York daily this year. But in every paper not called Newsday, Ted Nolan's demise will be buried underneath the stories on the WNBA and horse racing. Sure, that's partially due to hockey's lack of popularity (and baseball's obscene popularity, even when both teams are a combined twelve games over .500), but the Islanders do themselves no favors by conducting business in their style.
So, now what?
Let's pretend for a second that the Islanders aren't going to sign a minor-league coach, even though it's at least a fair shot that they will. Instead, let's take a look at some of the coaches that have NHL coaching experience. (By no means is this a comprehensive list of candidates.) There are a lot of names out there... but are they good coaches? Let's find out.
Bill Barber
Coached the Flyers for one partial season (2000-01) and one full season (2001-02). Won the Adams in 00-01, but lost in the first round in both years. Hasn't coached since being fired in 2002.
Pat Burns
Hasn't coached since 2004 due to cancer, but won hardware at every stop in his career - Adams trophies with Montreal ('89), Toronto ('93), and Boston ('98); Stanley Cup with Devils ('03).
Marc Crawford
A candidate for the coaching job back in '06, he is most famous for winning the Cup with Colorado in '96. Has won just one playoff series since leaving the Avs. Floundered in a rebuilding project in Los Angeles.
Robbie Ftorek
Known mainly for getting canned just before the 2000 playoffs and bouncing around the minor leagues. Is said to be a great developer of young talent. Has won only one playoff series in the NHL, but has never had a losing season either.
Bob Hartley
Has registered more than a point per game in each season as a coach except 03-04. Hasn't won a playoff series since leaving Colorado, where he won a Cup in 00-01. Went to at least the third round in each year with the Avs.
Paul Maurice
The youngest coach on this list by a mile. Aside from Carolina's Finals run in 01-02, has never won a playoff series in the NHL. Is used to chaos from coaching in Toronto for two seasons.
The youngest coach on this list by a mile. Aside from Carolina's Finals run in 01-02, has never won a playoff series in the NHL. Is used to chaos from coaching in Toronto for two seasons.
Joel Quenneville
Has never registered fewer than 87 points in any of his full seasons; however has traditionally had loaded teams to work with. Ability to develop young players is a bit unproven. Has never coached in the East.
Has never registered fewer than 87 points in any of his full seasons; however has traditionally had loaded teams to work with. Ability to develop young players is a bit unproven. Has never coached in the East.
Pat Quinn
The long shot. Has reached the conference finals in three different decades. With the exception of his stint in LA in the late '80s, has only missed the playoffs twice. Advanced age could be a deterrent.
The long shot. Has reached the conference finals in three different decades. With the exception of his stint in LA in the late '80s, has only missed the playoffs twice. Advanced age could be a deterrent.
John Tortorella
Known for winning the Cup in '04 and for trashing his own players in the media. Seems like he'd be a good fit to replace Barry Melrose on ESPN. Coached the Rangers for four games in 2000.
Of these coaches, I'd be fine with Burns, Maurice, Quenneville, or Tortorella; I'd tolerate Barber, Ftorek, or Hartley; I'd hate Crawford or Quinn. There are a ton of other guys out there as well. If I were to venture a guess as to what route Snow and Wang might take, it'd be either a minor-league coach or a forgotten guy like Ftorek who's good with young players. I highly doubt it's going to be a big-ticket coach like Pat Burns. After all, if they're going with youth, they need a guy who's going to be around for a while, and the best bets to stick around are going to be those with something to prove.
Losing Nolan is a tough blow. I'm not sure they can do any better with this group. But maybe Snow can find a diamond in the rough here. Remember, everyone thought the Islanders were crazy when they hired Peter Laviolette, and he didn't do too badly. Unfortunately, as is so often the case with the Islanders, we'll have to wait and see.
Known for winning the Cup in '04 and for trashing his own players in the media. Seems like he'd be a good fit to replace Barry Melrose on ESPN. Coached the Rangers for four games in 2000.
Of these coaches, I'd be fine with Burns, Maurice, Quenneville, or Tortorella; I'd tolerate Barber, Ftorek, or Hartley; I'd hate Crawford or Quinn. There are a ton of other guys out there as well. If I were to venture a guess as to what route Snow and Wang might take, it'd be either a minor-league coach or a forgotten guy like Ftorek who's good with young players. I highly doubt it's going to be a big-ticket coach like Pat Burns. After all, if they're going with youth, they need a guy who's going to be around for a while, and the best bets to stick around are going to be those with something to prove.
Losing Nolan is a tough blow. I'm not sure they can do any better with this group. But maybe Snow can find a diamond in the rough here. Remember, everyone thought the Islanders were crazy when they hired Peter Laviolette, and he didn't do too badly. Unfortunately, as is so often the case with the Islanders, we'll have to wait and see.
What about Brad Shaw?
ReplyDeleteI think Crawford wouldn't be bad, neither would Hartley. Torts would be the best, in my opinion, but it's a longshot.