NHL

ISLES HIGH ON OKPOSO

Josh Bailey had just left the ice for the first time as an Islander and was watching TV in the locker room on Monday when he and several teammates saw the news about Ted Nolan’s firing.

“It was definitely a quick introduction into the business side of things,” Bailey said yesterday. “It was kind of an odd thing.”

Nolan and general manager Garth Snow cited “philosophical differences” as the reason for the split, meaning Snow is going full speed ahead with his youth movement. Two of the centerpieces of the movement are at Iceworks in Syosset this week for the team’s mini-camp for its younger players.

Kyle Okposo is the Isles’ highly touted prospect that made his debut last season, and Bailey was their first-round pick this year, after they traded down twice, from fifth to ninth overall.

After announcing Nolan’s departure, Snow mentioned Okposo as a player he wanted to build around.

“It’s nice to hear, but it doesn’t make any difference what the brass says,” Okposo said. “I still have to play well to get my shot.”

If he doesn’t, the Isles likely will be in for a long season, regardless of who becomes the next coach.

“I think we can do big things here, and obviously, I want to be a part of that,” Okposo said. “You do pay attention to all the stuff that goes on [with free agency] and who goes where, but I can’t worry about that. I have too much to do to get myself ready to play well at this level. I still have a lot to prove. No matter what anyone else thinks of me, if I don’t perform on the ice, it’s not going to matter.”

Bailey is in a similar position, especially after the Islanders bypassed more heralded players to select him.

“There’s going to be pressure on me regardless of what anyone says,” Bailey said. “More pressure isn’t always a bad thing. Some guys thrive with that and hopefully I’m one of them.”

For Snow’s sake, he’d better be right.

dan.martin@nypost.com