So Long Ted
In a remarkable turn of events this off season, the New York Islanders and Ted Nolan have decided to part ways. It's interesting and classy that the Isles have adapted the "part ways" philosophy, which allows Nolan to keep some dignity after being removed before his current contract expired. It is also interesting that for the second time in Nolan's coaching career, he has lost a job after crashing heads with his own team's GM.
Ted Nolan did something remarkable in his first year on Long Island--he took a team that was supposed to finish near last in the NHL and led them to a playoff berth. Even though the 2007 playoff run was largely due in part to collapses by Montreal and Toronto, Nolan kept his team close enough to steal the 8th seed if and when Montreal and Toronto faltered. However, the 2007-2008 season was a different story.
The Islanders were strangely inconsistent over the past season. There were times when us fans believed the Isles were capable of beating some of the best teams in the NHL, yet there were plenty more when we believed the Isles couldn't beat the Albany River Rats. Long before injuries claimed the seasons of Mike Silinger and Rick DiPietro, the Isles often disappeared throughout the season. Who can forget the 8-1 shellacking by the Maple Leafs in the first few weeks of the season? Who can forget a power play that failed to adjust over the course of a season after every team in the league sat and waited for Marc-Andre Bergeron's blast from the point? Who can forget all the "rookie mistakes" from all the rookies that led to benchings while similar play from veterans went unpunished? I sure cannot.
It was no secret that Ted Nolan preferred his veterans over his younger players. And it's not all that strange that he did. But when those players failed to perform, the Isles organization clearly felt that it was time to give the Tambellinis, Bergenheims, and Comeaus more of a shot than Nolan had previously given them. And since it appears that Nolan still refused to buy into that philosophy, Garth Snow undoubtedly made the right decision in letting Ted Nolan walk.
Where does this leave the Isles? With one man: John Tortorella. At least that's my pick for the Isles next head coach. Everyone loved to talk about what a good motivator Ted Nolan is, so why not replace him with a coach who is perhaps even more well known for his ability to motivate his players. Tortorella is definitely not the players' coach that Nolan was, but I think that's the right fit for this team. The Isles need a tougher voice in the locker room--someone who will discipline the younger players at such an early juncture in their careers and someone who will not let lackadaisical play from the veterans slip under the radar.
Party on Garth.
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9 comments:
I have been waiting for this day since Nolan decided to bench Alexei Yashin and promote Randy Robitaille in the first round of the playoffs after Yashins play all season was a major reason for the Islanders making the playoffs and for Jason Blakes 40 goal season. I have bashed Nolan many times already on this site for that move. The Blake Yashin combo was pretty much unstoppable all year. Then Nolan decided to break them up in the playoffs. It was definitely the dumbest move i have ever seen a coach make.(Nolan gave up on the Islanders season just to win a personal battle with Yashin.) Nolan's biggest problem was it was his way or the high way. He wouldn't give players chances. He benched MAB when the Islanders needed his shot on the Power play. He wouldn't give the "kid line" Power play minutes when his veterans weren't getting the job done. Nolan definitely played favorites which cant be done in the NHL. (The Best players need to be on the Ice) Nolan was praised for being a great motivational coach but more importantly he couldn't make the right "Hockey" decisions.
From Wallace Matthew's Newsday article:
"I can't blame Nolan, because I've never heard of a coach in the NHL who wanted to play with young guys," one GM told me. "Coaches in the NHL are judged by wins and losses. You really expect a guy with one year left on his contract to be happy losing while developing players for his successor?"
And that's the problem. We need a coach who is on pace with this team's long term goals.
I defended Nolan for long time, but what went on after the season ended was uncalled for on both sides. You can't have your coach and GM taking shots at each other in the press. The fact he wasn't fired immediately kind of surprised me. I think Snow had to do a lot of talking to get Wang to finally let go of Nolan.
As far as replacements go, other than the well know (Tortarella, Hartley, Crawford, Maurice). I'd like to see them talk to Joel Quennville, Mike Sullivan, Kevin Dineen, Brad McCrimmon, Randy Cunneyworth and Jeff Jackson.
The pieces to Nolan's firing puzzle were finally all put together (like we all didn't see this coming). While Ted did some good things with his 2 years here on the island, he also showed many signs of why he was out of hockey for 9 years.
Restricted Free Agents Update:
Tambellini has signed a 2 year deal for 1.175. He took less money to have a one-way contract.
Walter and Colliton both accepted their qualifying offers. Bruno and Frans declined their offers but are still negotiating deals. The same can be said about Bergenheim, but if he cannot come to terms with the team he will go to arbitration.
I agree with you Skinkdew they definitely shouldn't have taken shots at each other publicly. Did anyone read the Daily Rant in Newsday today? "In light of the Ted Nolan firing,calling the Islanders a Mickey Mouse organization is an insult to Mickey Mouse." Very sad but true. Hopefully one day we will see this organization return to the glory days. Firing Nolan was a very small step in that direction.
Also, tonight Justin and myself played roller hockey against former Islander and current Flyer Aaron Asham. Justin made some spectacular saves including a breakaway which he flat out robbed Asham. Asham had 2 goals against Justin tonight. Which is the same amount of goals he scored January 27th 2007 with the Islanders against All Star goaltender Ryan Miller.
Well, I won the Cup pool and I predicted that Ted would be fired months ago. Two for two.
Nolan did this to himself and has no one else to blame...Bill
Maurice, Hartley, who else is going to be interviewed? I'm not sure why this process is taking as long as it is, but hopefully Garth can get this all straightened out before training camp.
People have been knocking Tortorella's firey attitude, saying that such a persona would be detrimental to the development of the Isles' younger players. I'm not sure I buy that. I'm not sure that there's something wrong with teaching these kids that it's not acceptable to take nights off or shifts off.
i think it'll be hartley
or maurice
maybe quenneville
possibly steve sterling redux?
Supposedly Maurice, Hartley, Tortorella, Quennville, Mike Sullivan, Scott Gordon and Gallant are going to be interviewed.
It's only been 9 days.
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