Blog Box In, Ted Nolan Out on the Island
by Bob Wage on Jul 17, 2008 1:54 AM EDT
11 comments
Those of you who have followed the Canes Country blog for awhile, know that I have been somewhat infatuated with the concept behind the New York Islanders Blog Box since it's inception. I still keep tabs on it from time to time.
After the season ending resignation of it's creator, ex-Director of Media Relations, Chris Botta, there was a question in my mind whether or not the "Box" would be open again next season.
My question has been answered.
Apparently, the Blog Box was such a rousing success that not only will it be continued next season, it will be expanding. The Islanders recently put out a notification with the good news, which also requested that more folk apply for additional blogging opportunities.
It's kind of funny, some of the current blogger's have not updated their blogs in months, while others like B.D. Gallof and the 7th Woman, are very active and are usually a very good read. Good luck to the New Yorkers and keep up the good work!
While the team bloggers have been renewed for another season, Head Coach Ted Nolan was not so lucky. Apparently, he and Garth Snow had "philosophical differences" and Nolan was sent packing with a year still left on his contract.
So what's going on in New York? Was Nolan quoting Plato while Snow preferred Socrates?
The word on the street seems to be that the GM wanted to stock the team with youth, while the coach preferred some more veteran presence. How about a mixture of both, boys?
Now the search is on for a new coach, with ex-Leafs and Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice in the mix. Perhaps Snow can find a coach who sees everything the exact same way that he does? Heaven forbid a coach and GM disagree about anything.
Canes Country has always liked Ted Nolan and we respect him as a coach. He seems to have a bit of an attitude, so it might be tough for him to land another gig right away. But we wish him the best.
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In other brief news around the league, the NHL officially announced that the Winter Classic, Part Two will be held at Wrigley Field on January 1st. The game between the Red Wings and Blackhawks will be televised by NBC, just like the contest in Buffalo was last year.
If this was Bettman's idea, it's the best one that he's come up with since he's been commissioner. Now if the bigwigs can just keep it at one outdoor game per year, everyone should be happy.
But how long before they start calling it, the Gary Bettman Winter Classic?
Now there is a happy thought to end the article with.
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Should be a decent game or better. Minus all the lame merketing it will get. Sorry the NHL advertising campaigns can be terrible at times. Chi town could be a fun team to watch this season. Spankin the Wings with that kind of National exposure would be great for them.
by Hanrahanfan on Jul 17, 2008 9:48 AM EDT reply actions
awwwweee!! Thanks for noticing!!! Off-season? Just like the rest of the Islanders I don’t believe in an off-season. Yep. The Blog Box continues on, even without our fearless leader and creator, Chris Botta (whom I’ll miss considerably and never be able to thank adequately). We are like Frankenstein’s monster run wild. There’s no stopping us now… I think… maybe… until the new guy gets here…Take care Bubba!
by 7th Woman on Jul 17, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions
My Question is when do the Canes Brass go this far and create something similar for our bloggers (specifically you, Bubba). I like the fact that you have been given some level of access (i.e. your great prospect interview series)but I would love to see how far you could go with this space given even greater access!
by wylde4canes on Jul 17, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions
1) The Isles situation is sad. Having watched them since their inception its amazing that this is the same model franchise that everyone else tried to emulate 20-30 years ago.
2) Now they are a model of what NOT to do. Just when their fans thought they had a savior in Charles Wang, they find they have a George Steinbrenner wanna-be. With ‘Charles In Charge’ the team has gone from bad to worse.
3) We’re sure Peter Laviolette is quietly thanking his lucky stars he got the hell out of there. That makes 2 quality coaches that have been banished from the Island by Wang. Who in hell would take the job now? Only someone desperate or masochistic.
4) Its too bad, as they have some very loyal fans who have been treated poorly for going on 15 years now. Sadly for them its probably going to get worse, before better.
by fauxrumors on Jul 17, 2008 10:35 AM EDT reply actions
"Gary Bettman Winter Clasic" come on I think hes a classic
by Hockey Checks on Jul 17, 2008 10:49 AM EDT reply actions
anybody wonder about winter classic games to come? maybe toronto and montreal at the rogers centre.
by salim919 on Jul 17, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions
faux,
I would not lay all the blame at the islanders Feet. Nolan is a guy with baggage all his own. He is a guy known to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder and definitely likes to do things his own way, ownership be damned. It is no accident he was ran out of Buffalo not long after taking the Jack Adams home. You do have to share at least some level of vision with management.
by wylde4canes on Jul 17, 2008 11:24 AM EDT reply actions
Thanks for the mention again. Very kind.
wylde4canes is dead right. I am hearing the same thing. That Nolan’s aversion to authority was his issue in both places, and when things slid to Snow and the youth movement in Charles Wang’s eyes, who was very jaded with the mess that Milbury made and the Smith debacle. Ultimately, it is Wang’s fault for bringing Nolan in himself and placing him originally on the same level as GM. But, that said, any normal coach would have swallowed the time-tested pecking order.
Nolan will take the year off and end back in Moncton where he can do what he wants, go with the older kids, and deal away those he doesn’t like.
by B.D. Gallof on Jul 17, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions
1) wylde: Agreed that Nolan, like all of us has his foibles, but what he brings to his team should be worth the negatives. The teams he’s coached the last 2 season on LI had no business competing, yet they did, and made the playoffs last season with a team that had far less talent than the Canes
2) We’re certain Nolan would have been fine with ‘playing the kids’ and re-building (euphemism for sucking) if he was given a contract extension. We believe he earned it. What really happened in Buffalo a decade ago still is a mystery.
3) If we were a GM we’d have Nolan’s number on speed dial for the next coaching vacancy that will undoubtedly occur in November/December. The man is a good coach.
by fauxrumors on Jul 17, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions
Faux,
Is that an empirical we or do you have a mouse in your pocket! Only joking.
I agree the guy has a knack of drawing blood from a stone, but I personally question any coach who would publicly say his bench lacked talent. How can you get your group to perform when you tell them they don’t have what it takes to win. I believe that is what truly ruined John Grahame, Torts lashing him in the public square. I just guess I am old fashioned in that I think that a GM and a Coach ( or player and coach)should have their dirty laundry behind closed doors. It is the same reason I was pissed at JR during the start of this off season, I disagree with using the media as a weapon against an employee.
Saying that, I see your overall point. I just know I would, at least, take pause before calling him to be my bench boss if I were running a team.
by wylde4canes on Jul 17, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions
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