Ted Nolan seems resigned that he's not going to be re-signed any time soon.
Nolan's future as head coach of the Islanders remains muddled, a notion he confirmed in a recent published report. Speaking at a Canadian awards banquet May 2, Nolan said he expects to enter the 2008-09 season as a lame-duck coach and without a contract extension.
"It's a tough situation," Nolan told the Sault Star. "But I've faced a lot of tough situations before. I just want to go into next season, concentrate on fulfilling my contract, do a great job and make sure I get another contract somewhere."
Nolan's use of "somewhere" doesn't sound promising regarding his expectation to coach the Isles beyond this season. He claims the Isles haven't reached out to him about an extension, and he doesn't plan to broach the subject with GM Garth Snow and/or owner Charles Wang.
SEASON HIGHLIGHT There really wasn't much to cheer about aside from a combined 11 wins over the rival Rangers and Devils, including rookie former first-round pick Kyle Okposo's late game-winner for his first NHL goal against Devils superstar Martin Brodeur in New Jersey in March. All of the injuries gave the Isles a chance to assess their future as they head back to the draft lottery this summer. Coach Ted Nolan was pleased what he saw from Okposo, wingers Blake Comeau and Sean Bergenheim and young defensemen Chris Campoli and Bruno Gervais, before the latter two also were bitten by the injury-bug in the second half.
TURNING POINT "I think I just (messed) up my hip." -- Rick DiPietro, to the national TV audience watching the All-Star Game skills competition on Jan. 26. No, that wasn't the only thing "messed" up that night. DiPietro and the Isles had little margin for error to begin with, but his injury and others to follow basically torpedoed any chance of the Isles hanging in the playoff race in the second half. The Isles went 11-16-3 after the break, missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
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Ill admit im not a diehard hockey fan, but the reason is because the Islanders have never really given me any reason to watch. Every season I get excited, watch the first month, and realize that we just dont have the resources and the talent to compete- Its time just put a bunch of money into the organization, build a winner, and regain
Just received email alert that New York Islanders and Coach Ted Nolan part ways due to philisophical differences. Who will the next coach be? and does Snow know what he is doing?
...because it worked out so well when he ran the Rangers. Seriously though, if you guys can get Tortorella, it's an upgrade. But let's be honest. Ted Nolan was not the problem. Signing a mediocre goaltender to a 51 year deal is the problem. Making the backup goalie th General Manager with no experience is the
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