The Islanders fired coach Scott Gordon Monday.
I only ask one question: What difference is this going to make?
Does Jack Capuano have a magic wand that is going to heal the Islanders injury problems?
Is he going to make Rick DiPietro regain the ability to stop a puck?
Is he going to make the Islanders a puck moving goal scoring sensation?
I can give you those answers right now. No, no and no.
This may have been the most pointless firing in the history of the NHL. If the Islanders are going to go somewhere this season its not because Scott Gordon failed the team and Jack Capuano is the answer.
There is no coach short of some Al Arbour - Scotty Bowman - Dick Irvin - Toe Blake mashed together super coach that can by himself make players score more goals, play better between the pipes and play better defense.
Scott Gordon did nothing wrong except maybe set a record for coaching a team with the most man games lost to injury during his tenure.
I am so sick and tired of people saying injuries can't be used as an excuse for poor play.
When you lose 3 of your best defenseman - news flash - its going to effect your defense.
When you lose your top winger - news flash - its going to effect your offense.
When Josh Bailey and Blake Comeau suffer injuries and come back and play half the game they did then before they got hurt - news flash its going to effect your play.
When Rick DiPietro has two hip operations and three knee surgeries - news flash - its going to effect your play.
Get the point? Injuries are a part of the game this is true and as long as players get hurt their absence will effect whatever team they play for negatively.
It would serve me great pleasure for Scott Gordon to leave the Islanders with his dignity in tact and become the next Peter Laviolette.
I like Scott Gordon and I think he will be a successful coach in this league if given another opportunity. The only problem for him is it looks like he is taking the token "assistant to Garth Snow" job.
What happens if the negative trend continues and the Islanders finish at or near the bottom of the NHL again? Does Garth Snow come out un-scathed or does he follow Gordon to the unemployment line?
This reeks of desperation. This stinks of placing blame. There is no one at fault except fate and if there is some sort of evil injury fairy cursing the Islanders.
Two weeks ago the Islanders were 4-1-2 and playing excellent hockey. Now they are at the bottom of the league and looking really bad doing it.
If Scott Gordon is going to be fired for this, then if Jack Capuano does not turn the season around and the team make a run at the playoffs then Garth Snow should be fired also.
Add coaching uncertainty to the list of reasons top free agents will not consider the Islanders as a destination.
If the Islanders bomb out and Capuano joins Gordon as a "special assistant" within the organization then that creates a coaching search at the end of the season. Another black eye on the team where free agents are concerned.
This firing was pointless unless the Islanders are over .500 by new years and if that does not happen Garth Snow should follow Gordon out the door.
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