New York Hires Scott Gordon as Coach

Submitted by NYI Fan Central on Tue, 08/12/2008 - 18:15

Islanders website: Has Scott Gordon's comments along with General Manager Garth Snow who will formally introduce the new coach of the Islanders Wednesday at a 1pm press conference live on Islanders TV.

"Scott has been one of the top up-and-coming coaches in hockey and with good reason," said Snow. "Through his work in the minor leagues and most recently with Providence over the last eight years, he has gained an impeccable reputation. The entire Islanders organization looks forward to working with Scott."

"Garth has given me an unbelievable opportunity to coach in the NHL with the Islanders,” said Gordon. “From my time coaching in Providence, I’ve seen firsthand the talented young players in this organization. I look at the direction and the vision for this team and see a bright future.”

Newsday: Greg Logan reports the New York Islanders have hired Scott Gordon as their new head coach with more from the general manager.

Newsday also reports it's a multi-year contract.

Newsday: Scott Gordon's coaching record.

NYI Fan Central Comments:
Garth Snow feels he is the right coach for this team at this time and given the prospects in the organization combined with how many things I read out of Boston about how well well regarded he is, how well he has done in Providence for years and how qualified he is combined with a defensive approach, it's hard to disagree.

Scott Gordon does not have a track record of moving as did some of the others but with that comes the question of how he will start with what is a veteran roster combined with the recent lack of success of goaltenders as NHL head coaches. His defensive approach will no doubt be a plus but he may find he has to open up to get any scoring out of his roster.

Scott Gordon also comes without the ring Bob Hartley had for winning a Stanley Cup.

I wanted Bob Hartley over Gordon but it's very tough not to argue with Snow's reasoning here for why he made what many will call a very good choice for a man overdue to be an NHL head coach and highly regarded. This is not a career AHL coach who has moved around and it's not a situation like Steve Stirling where he was in the organization as an instructor and had several roles before the Isles had an affiliate in Bridgeport despite how well Stirling did in his rookie season for New York.

Garth Snow here had to make a call here on who was the best choice for his team at this time, it's tough to disagree.

I also remember the problems in Boston when Peter Chiarelli fired Dave Lewis last summer. Many in Boston's upper management wanted Scott Gordon to be named head coach
(Mike Milbury received an interview if anyone recalls) other speculated Claude Julien was hired because of his ties to the gm but it was the right call for Boston last season and a great hire.

More Later:

A.P : Has a brief update on the Isles hiring Scott Gordon.

Boston Globe: Fluto Shinzawa back on 7/21 in an update on Scott Gordon to the Isles reported Gordon was entering the final year of a two-year contract. The Bruins held an option on a third year.

A little Wikipedia action for those wanting a full overview of Scott Gordon here. along with his profile from the Providence Bruins website here.

Updated 9:00pm:
Boston Globe: Kevin-Paul Dupont has a quick update on Scott Gordon's hiring.

Tsn.ca: Staff report notes in it's story Ben Walter and Andy Hilbert played for Scott Gordon.

Newsday: Greg Logan gives his take on the hiring of Scott Gordon (he preferred Paul Maurice) and refers to folks getting on the Isles the last few years as he did more on the history of the management committee as " fun " for anyone with a keyboard but tells us now the club has a structure like most other teams with the buck stopping with the general manager.

Mr Logan also tells us the only Islander blog in a Newspaper will only have infrequent coverage from here into September as he is heading back on vacation after tomorrow's press conference.

NYI Fan Central Commments:
Steve Zipay blogs on vacation to tell his readers how popular his teams blog is at Newsday and give them stat updates in August while our beatwriter is looking for the exit? I did not know he considered it fun to knock the team from behind the keyboard.

Updated 10:30pm:
Ct Post: Michael Fornabaio in the Sound Tigers blog gives his thoughts on the pick but his paper will not be at Wednesday's press conference.