Ted Nolan Is Out of a Job

Of all of the NHL coaches who we could consider on the Hot Seat, Ted Nolan wasn't one I expected to be fired any day soon. The Isles seemed to love the guy enough to bring him out of his blacklisted exile, and he was a key component of their five-headed management strategy.

So, I was rather shocked to see that Ted Nolan is no longer employed by the Isles. The team made the announcement this morning on their official website.

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow announced today that Ted Nolan will not return next season as the team's head coach. Nolan had one season remaining on his contract.

"Ted has helped us achieve some success over the last two seasons, however it has become clear that we have philosophical differences and have decided together to part ways," said Snow. "Since last season and continuing into the summer, I have realized we do not share the same philosophies. I would like to thank Ted for his two years with the team and wish him the best.

Nolan was the darling of the NHL after leading his rag-tag bunch to a 40-30-12 record in 2006-07, and a rare playoff birth. Last season wasn't so good, however, as the Isles fell to 35-38-9 record.

It's a shame that Nolan is taking the fall for Garth Snow's poor management moves, but it's not as if Nolan is completely blameless.

Yes, the Isles don't have a great roster, but how can you explain the exceptionally poor performances from scoring threats such as Miro Satan, Mike Comrie, and Bill Guerin? The Isles Power Play finished 29th and their PK was also in the bottom half of the league.

In the end, Nolan simply didn't have his troops playing hard enough or tight enough, and Snow put together a roster full of defensive liabilities. As is almost always the case, the coach takes the fall.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-19-2008 @ 8:49PM

NYCGoalie said...

So they make the playoffs in his first year and are just 3 games under .500 the next year, with a team much worse than he had the year previous. And somehow this is Ted's fault?? Not to mention he's got a great record against the Rangers.

I agree that the coach takes the fall for management faults. It's a shame really. I thought Ted did a good job and many fans liked him behind the bench.

Why I'm still an Islanders fan is beyond me. At this point, please, sell the team and move them to either Seattle (my first choice) or Kansas City. End this mysery of mine and quite mocking me and my loyalty to a once proud sports franchise.

7-15-2008 @ 3:20PM

peter said...

You just said exactly what i wanted to say. I am tired of my loyalty to a team who's management clearly has no priority to please their followers. It's not fun to be an islander fan anymore. I love hockey too much to get so much misery year after year.

7-14-2008 @ 2:29PM

Jes Golbez said...

3 games under .500?

Remember, that third column is Overtime LOSSES.

In reality, the Isles were 12 games under .500

I wonder why anyone is still an Isles fan, quite frankly :)

7-14-2008 @ 4:39PM

Scotty Hockey said...

You guys had better watch out for Schultzy, he may not take this too well.

And I have to disagree with you Jes, I do think the Isles played exceptionally hard. They had the most man-games lost due to injury and yet were competitive most every night.

You ask, "can you explain the exceptionally poor performances from scoring threats such as Miro Satan, Mike Comrie, and Bill Guerin?" Yes, yes I can. The three of them aren't scoring threats. Guerin hasn't been one for several years, Comrie is as flighty as his girlfriend and Satan has been there just collecting a pay check. None of the three were even B-level scorers before the lockout and now they are just bodies filling jerseys to keep the Isles at the cap floor ...

For all of the talk about Nolan not liking to play the kids, he gave them ice time and made them dangerous upset threats down the stretch last season. He will be sorely missed by the five fans the Isles still have left.

7-19-2008 @ 11:18PM

brooklynite said...

This is a bad decision in that Ted Nolan got the best out of these players. Now Garth Snow and everyone else will see what happens when you field a team with no talent, you lose and lose often.

7-15-2008 @ 12:39PM

Omega said...

As an Isles fan I kinda agree with the decision. Even though most of the guys were hurt, a good coach can work with what he has. I saw the list of potential candidates for the position and I think what Long Island needs is John Torterella. He coachs with fire and someone needs to light a fire to get whats left of the team going.

7-16-2008 @ 3:22PM

Mike Mac said...

Maybe they should bring back Al Arbor or Bryan Trotteir as their head coach?

7-18-2008 @ 8:37AM

Semi Pro said...

Hey ,I'm a Bruins fan.. However I always loved the style and game plan of Teddy's. I think it's clear to all that the cast of charectors is lacking. I don't believe the Isles really wanted to spend any $$ to put together a contender. Another sign of team unhappiness in hockey is players out with sprains and back issues.. Big union tactic to get off a team