17 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

The New York Islanders have scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon when they are expected to announce Neil Smith as their new general manager and Ted Nolan as head coach, TSN has learned.

LINK

I always thought Ted Nolan was a very good coach who got black balled. And it's good to know Neil Smith won't be making lame comments on Versus (OLN) come next season

[GLOVESAVE35]

The New York Islanders have scheduled a news conference for Thursday afternoon when they are expected to announce Neil Smith as their new general manager and Ted Nolan as head coach, TSN has learned.

LINK

I always thought Ted Nolan was a very good coach who got black balled. And it's good to know Neil Smith won't be making lame comments on Versus (OLN) come next season

I'm glad for Nolan - he deserves another chance in the NHL. As for Smith, I wouldn't rule out any lame comments he may make on Versus - hopefully no one will interview him so he won't have the opportunity.

[duckfan78]

Nice job Islanders by hiring Nolan and getting Smith off T.V.

[Reb]

That's great news for Nolan.
But I wonder what this will mean for Dan Bylsma. Will he still have a job as an assistant with the Islanders or will he be in the market for a new position.

[THE Mighty Duck Man 84]

i dont seem to remember what happened to Ted Nolan ... about the "black balling" ... can someone refresh my memory?

[Baltic Gal]

No more Neil Smith on TV!! Oh happy day!!

That's great news for Nolan. 
But I wonder what this will mean for Dan Bylsma.  Will he still have a job as an assistant with the Islanders or will he be in the market for a new position. 

Maybe Nolan will do what Laviolette did when he was hired by the Canes, keep the staff that was there already. Assistant coaches McCarthy and Daniels were kept by Lavi when he became head coach. As he said at the time, he needed their help in getting to know the team. Maybe Nolan will do the same with Bylsma.

[Dark Knight]

i dont seem to remember what happened to Ted Nolan ... about the "black balling" ... can someone refresh my memory?

A couple of povs...
LINK
LINK

[German Rocket #7]

Damn, when I read Nolan and Smith hired by NYI I thought of Owen Nolan and D.J. Smith....

[BritDuck]

Damn, when I read Nolan and Smith hired by NYI I thought of Owen Nolan and D.J. Smith....

I have to admit, my first thought was Owen Nolan too!! Good ole Irish lad who should feel free to come back to play in the UK anytime he likes!

[Just Duckie]

Good for Ted Nolan. He got a rough deal with the NHL the last time around and deserves a second chance.

[MrsBevo]

Nice to Ted Nolan in the NHL again. About time someone gave him another chance. It will be interesting to see how he does with the Islanders.

[Dark Knight]

Will anyone ever hire again?

[Dark Knight]

Here's a picture of Charles Wang flanked by his two new employees...

The Islanders also announced that Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine has been named Senior Advisor to the Owner. LaFontaine played for Nolan in Buffalo.

According to another report (LINK), they can thank Pat for the recommendations.

[Baltic Gal]

The two had formed a bond and Nolan's decision to remove LaFontaine from the lineup after he had been cleared to play, was a part of the friction between him and then Sabres general manager John Muckler.

LaFontaine has always said that he will be forever greateful to Nolan for not playing him when he wasn't 100%. He said he would "run through a wall" for Nolan. It's nice to see that he wasn't just blowing hot air, that he really was greatful and he didn't forget.

[DropThePuck]

[DropThePuck]

Nolan called his eight years away from the NHL "the best years of my life" but said he never shook his yearning to coach again.

"I would have run down here for the opportunity," he said. "I'm really excited about coaching again in the NHL and being part of this organization. Sometimes if you miss something you pretend you don't. I just tried to close it off and pretend it wasn't there any more. But down deep I missed it."

<link>

[GLOVESAVE35]

[Dark Knight]

Aren't those the same shoes Smith wore while broadcasting for OLN?