The New York Islanders have quietly and methodically going about their business of choosing a coaching replacement for Ted Nolan. Given how Puppet GM Garth Snow and Charles Wang Dang Doodle have managed the team in the past, I'm rather surprised that the Isles have been so patient in their process.According to Greg Logan of Newsday, the Isles are down to three candidates, and should make their decision some time in the next week. Given the nature of the Isles organizational woes, I'm rather surprised that coaches would be so eager to go to a team that could kill their career.
After a painstaking interview process in which he spoke with eight known candidates and contacted a few others, an NHL source indicated Snow has narrowed his list to three finalists. Former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley (pictured), former Toronto coach Paul Maurice and current AHL Providence coach Scott Gordon still are in the running, and Snow is expected to name one as the Isles' next coach early this week.
So, we have two retreads and an unknown (to most of us) coaching prospect. How do the candidates stack up?
1. Bob Hartley - He has the best pedigree, by far, of all the coaches with a lifetime record of 329W 226L 61T 34OTL and a Stanley Cup ring. Hartley took a young Thrashers team to a division title, but was fired after starting last season 0-6.
Hartley is known to be good with young players, but ... 1. his team's are often weak defensively and 2. he has been known to give star players "star" treatment. The Isles may not appreciate double standards.
2. Paul Maurice - I am not terribly fond of Maurice, and his 344W 356L 99T 38OTL record is rather flattering to his poor special teams coaching ability. Yes, he got the Canes to the Cup Finals once, but has only taken a team to the playoffs three times out of the 10 seasons he's been a bench boss. Anyone who watched the Leafs the last two seasons knows what a mess Maurice's teams can be.
Maurice is far too lackadaisical in his coaching, but is known as a great organization man. I could see him getting along very well with Snow and company, and this is what the Isles value.
3. Scott Gordon - The X-Factor in this race, Gordon is a great coaching prospect who should probably get his shot soon.
Per Wikipedia: Gordon, along with his assistant coach Rob Murray, was named to coach the 2008 PlanetUSA AHL All Star team on January 28, 2008 as a result of the Bruins owning the best record in the American Hockey League at the mid-season break. At season's end, Gordon was awarded the 2008 Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award, presented to coach of the year in the American Hockey League.
If the decision were up to me, I'd probably favor Scott Gordon. The Isles are a young team (aren't they always?), and such a team could use a young coach to grow with the team. You know Gordon is used to working with young players and prospects, and doesn't have the "win now" mentality that a veteran coach might bring with him.
If not Gordon, than definitely Hartley. At least Hartley is a winner. Maurice? Bleh.
