Nolan Out as Islanders’ Coach
July 14th, 2008 by murph
Cue the circus music. Charles Wang’s Three Ring (rink?) Circus is back in town. Citing “philosophical differences” Ted Nolan has left the Islanders.
Added Nolan: “While I am disappointed I will not be coaching the Islanders next season, there have been philosophical differences and we’ve agreed it’s a good time for me to move on. I want to thank the Islanders organization for giving me a chance to coach in the NHL again. I have tremendous respect for what the team is trying to do and I wish them well.”
You’ve got to be kidding me? Let’s recap…Isles hire coach Ted Nolan, former Coach of the Year, the move is generally applauded. Isles hire GM Garth Snow, former backup goalie, the move is ridiculed across the league and especially the hockey blogosphere. Just another punchline to the league’s biggest joke - Spano, Fishsticks, ice girls, sumo goalies, and backup goalies running the team. So when there are philosophical differences, who would YOU keep?
Dear Coach Nolan, Thanks for trying. You gave it your best with the players you had and overachieved in 2006/07. Last year, the team started down that same path until injuries took their toll. It certainly wasn’t your fault. I have the utmost respect for you and have a feeling it won’t be as long as last time before some NHL team starts calling you.
JR Says
SO FURIOUS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. NOLAN WAS THE ONLY THING KEEPING ME ONBOARD AS AN ISLANDER FAN ON THE WEST COAST. GO SHARKS.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
murph Says
I feel your pain. Might have you pick me up a Thorton jersey soon….
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
cman2 Says
I respect what Nolan does on the ice but it seems his problems always stem from off ice situations where there any here with the ownership or Garth Snow…In Buffalo he tried to undermine the Gm was the same done here
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Tom Says
Unbelievable. What a joke. The team just can’t get out of its own way. Murph hit the nail right on the head. This is a franchise that has so soiled its reputation with a litany of laughable or headscratching moves that force its fanbase to go back to the early 80s for any real sense of pride. that’s about 25 years ago.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Phoodawg Says
I think Rick Dipietro is behind this move. H e’s very close to Garth and hasn’t gotten along with Ted since the begining. I have to side with Ted on this one. Rick is not a franchise goalie. Franchise goalies are few and far between. Roy, Brodeur, Richter, Dryden. Those are franchise goalies. This team is once again a mess. Its almost like they ask themselves whats the best thing we’ve got going for us, and then they ruin it. I’m buying an Ovechkin Jersey tonight. This is ludicrous.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Tom Says
They run this team like it’s a minor league club.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
matt Says
garth snow was a lousy goalie, and is a worse gm Nolan tried, but once again Wang listened to the wrong guy.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
matt Says
It wont be long before wang firesells the team, and garth snow is cleaning toilets.
Jul 14th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
matt Says
just think another 13 years of a goalie who breaks down every year and needs surgery, a backup goaltender who couldnt stop a beachball as our gm, an owner who never saw a hockey game until 5 years ago, and narrowly escaped indictment, two thirds of bridgeport on the roster, $10.00 to park, a rink that college hockey would be embarressed to play in,no interest buy marquis players. Where do I GET MY SEASON TICKETS?
Jul 14th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Swampus Says
Look for all my Islanders gear on Ebay soon ’cause I give up!!!! After 30 years ( only a few of them good) I’m sick and tired of this horribly run team. If I have to see one more “Bring back the guys from the ’80’s night” I’m gonna hurl. I’d rather have the team move than keep being embarassed like this. Grrrrrrrr! (Now I gotta find a new team to root for)
Jul 15th, 2008 at 9:43 am
whitecastlerock Says
I am pretty stunned that Nolan was given the boot over these philosophical differences. The team just stinks. Ted did his best with so many castoffs. Not sure how many jerseys they can retire to keep anyone interested in this mess. Not since Dale Hunter ruined Pierre Turgeon have the Isles been a real contender. Dipietro is always hurt and is very erratic. The team really wants the fans to think he is the franchise goalie. Sorry, he isn’t. Roy, Brodeur, Hasek-those are some money goalies-Dipietro belongs in the ECHL. Actually the Isles belong in the ECHL
Jul 15th, 2008 at 10:26 am
murph Says
” Tom Says
They run this team like it’s a minor league club.”
Have you seen our roster lately? We ARE a minor league club.
Jul 15th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Tom Says
So true.
Jul 16th, 2008 at 9:32 am
matt Says
wang + snow = LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSERS
Jul 17th, 2008 at 1:02 pm