Scott Gordon is out as head coach of the Islanders.
Isles’ GM Garth Snow announced today that Gordon was being replaced on an interim basis by Jack Capuano, the head coach of the team’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Gordon will remain with the organization as an advisor to Snow.
Gordon was in his third year as the Isles coach and after getting off to a solid start this season, the Isles are currently in a 10-game losing streak.
“We believe we need a change in direction and, with the majority of the regular season still ahead of us, our goal remains to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs,” Snow said in a statement. “Scott has made tremendous strides with our team the past three seasons and I look forward to continuing our relationship in an advisory capacity.”
Snow wouldn’t say how long Capuano would remain coach, not even committing to keeping him for the rest of the season.
“We’re just concerned about Wednesday,” Snow said.
The Islanders (4-10-3) have been ahead in a game only once during the skid, a 1-0 lead at San Jose on Thursday that ended as a 2-1 loss in a shootout. The Islanders started the season 4-2-1 and created optimism when they briefly rose to the top of the Eastern Conference.
But long-term injuries to key forward Kyle Okposo and top defenseman Mark Streit left the low-budget team without much depth that could sustain a good run.
“It’s not the ideal situation,” Capuano told the AP after running practice Monday. “I have great respect for Scott. We’ve been friends for a long time and I’ve learned a great deal for him. But there was a change, and I’ll make the best of my opportunity.”
The Islanders have scored only 37 goals in 17 games for an average of 2.17 per game. Only the Devils and Panthers have scored fewer.
“The biggest issue with our team right now is offense,” Snow said. “We obviously have a young group of players with a good group of veterans. Our focus right now is to win a game on Wednesday.”
Capuano was 133-100-8-14 with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He joined the Islanders as an assistant coach for the 2005-06 season after serving as general manager of the ECHL’s Pee Dee Pride from 1997-2005.
He is familiar with many of the Islanders’ young players who were with Bridgeport before reaching the NHL and from his work with the team during training camp.
“There is a comfort knowing there doesn’t have to be a feeling-out process with our players,” Snow said.
Gordon replaced Ted Nolan as coach after the Islanders failed to make the playoffs in 2008 after a one-year appearance. They didn’t qualify in either of Gordon’s two seasons behind the bench.
Gordon was the first coaching hire for Snow, who became the team’s general manager the same day he retired from the Islanders as the backup goalie. Gordon had been the coach at AHL Providence for six seasons before joining the Islanders, winning league coach of the year honors in his final season with the Boston Bruins’ affiliate.
“It’s very disappointing,” Snow said. “It’s a situation where Scott is an excellent coach and a good friend. It’s been a great experience to work with him the past three seasons.”
Gordon was an assistant coach on the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team that won a silver medal this year at the Vancouver Games.
With AP