The Nolan Debate - Should He Stay Or Should He Go?
April 9th, 2008 by Tom
Newsday does a nice job today laying out the reasons for and against keeping Coach Ted Nolan. Thanks to my brother for pointing it out.
I’m all for keeping the guy. There aren’t enough genuinely good coaches in the NHL and the Isles are fortunate to have one manning their bench every night. I have issues with his strategy sometimes and the way he handles certain players but you can’t say one bad thing about how he prepares his team and has them willing to give their all no matter how bad the deck is stacked against them.
The Isles need some stability. There have been far too many coaches since the Dynasty days. To get an idea, here are some of the names: Terry Simpson, Lorne Henning, Mike Milbury, Rick Bowness, Bill Stewart, Butch Goring, Peter Laviolette, Steve Stirling, and Brad Shaw. It would be nice to have a guy stick around a while. I thought Laviolette was going to be that guy but management didn’t see it that way and he was gone after just two seasons.
They also need a coach the players can believe in and I think Nolan fits that bill. He’s a proven winner who gets a lot out of a little.
So, I say the Isles should keep Nolan and give him a contract extension. He’s a good coach and on a team with so many question marks, why get rid of one of the few sure things?
NYIsles1 Says
The only debate is Greg Logan created this entire thing a few weeks ago to stir something up and the fans bought right into it.
Nolan did not hire an agent or make any demands, he did not even create the issue of a contract extension, Greg Logan did.
He said he did not have a meeting about a new contract because he was asked. That’s in effect all that happened.
You read Snow’s, Wang and Nolan’s quotes vs Logan’s speculation you can see right through this garbage.
Meanwhile it’s funny the same media always claiming they do too many unconventional things want to give the coach more tenure than the gm?
What’s wrong with both having the same amount of time left on their contracts and waiting to see what happens next season?
A lot of coaches and gm’s go into a final year of a contract. Wang extended Laviolette and fired him anyway so why is this even an issue. If the coach is a problem he will be out, same for the gm.
Apr 10th, 2008 at 7:16 am
fauxrumors Says
1) Of course Wang wants ‘to play the kids’ they cost MUCH less! It would be foolish to fire Nolan. Even MORE foolish to let him hang around as a lame duck.
2) Where on earth did this ‘Nolan can’t coach kids’ nonsense start? Where was he coaching (successfully) before the Island? Yes, in major Canadian junior, where they are ALL kids! LOL
3) If the isles indeed have a plan they are acting upon, and are not just reacting to their dismal season the part of the ‘plan’ needs to be having their house in order. That includes stability before the season starts. So either extend Nolan (correct move) or fire him right now! (stupid move) The in between option is even more stupid!
4) If they do that, it will be just another reason for potential free agents (other than desperate mercenaries) to sign with the Isles. The Island will continue to be a joke around the NHL. sad
Apr 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am
fauxrumors Says
By the way that first response was NOT from Fauxrumors, but an imposter.
Apr 10th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Tom Says
Yeah. We didn’t think that sounded like you guys. We axed it.
Apr 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
fauxrumors Says
Thanks! Hopefully it doesn’t become a habit.
Apr 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm