Truth & Rumors > NHL

Promo_BaseballChallenge_638x30

Ex-Leafs coach to meet with Isles

Views
305
Comments
-1

Former Toronto coach Paul Maurice has the pole position in the interview process to determine the successor to Ted Nolan as coach of the Islanders. According to an NHL source, Maurice is expected to meet with general manager Garth Snow Monday. The list of confirmed Islanders coaching candidates now numbers seven. Besides Maurice, the list includes former Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella and his assistant, Mike Sullivan, both of whom have received permission from the Lightning to interview. Snow still is waiting for approval to interview former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley and current Providence Bruins coach Scott Gordon in Boston's organization. Former Colorado coach Joel Quenneville is a free agent who requires no approval from his former team. Snow said he also told current Islanders assistant Gerard Gallant, who previously coached Columbus, that he will have a chance to interview for the top job sometime in the next two weeks.

New York Newsday

Paul Maurice, Dave Sandford/Getty Images Paul Maurice, Dave Sandford/Getty Images
July 21, 2008  08:24 AM ET

I don't understand why a team has to give permission to another team to speak with a coach they have fired. Can anyone explain this to me?

July 21, 2008  10:04 AM ET

That is strange. It's like asking someone's [ermission to date his ex


BETMMAN S***S

July 21, 2008  10:14 AM ET

Isn't it because he is still officially under contract and being paid? But I agree it's a weird situation.

July 21, 2008  10:30 AM ET

Does Maurice want to commit career suicide?? Take the money you're making now and take a nice vacation. Come back when a real coaching job opens up. If not, give me the money you're making now and I'll take the vacation.

July 21, 2008  10:51 AM ET

Maurice is a great coach and I'm not sure why the Leafs got rid of him he did pretty well with the group he had in Toronto.

Bad move to go to long island though I hope he doesn't.
Give the job to Heartly I think he's driving a cab around that area anyway !

July 21, 2008  12:03 PM ET

Oilers4ever, it doesn't matter if he's still under contract. The team fired him, so they should have no say in what he does next. They quit him, he didn't quit them. It's stupid. If you don't want a guy to be your coach, you shouldn't prevent him from getting another job.

July 21, 2008  12:11 PM ET

wtnelson, I absolutely agree. And I'm not even sure if what I said is right, which is why I phrased it as a question. But I recall reading about Nolan recently that he will still be paid for this year despite being fired, so I assume that's the case for others also.

July 21, 2008  01:24 PM ET

Thanks for the clarification bgm.

July 21, 2008  01:33 PM ET

Yep! Just as I figured! It comes down to Maurice or Hartley! I thought maybe Hartley has an edge because nobody else in the NHL wants him! Which is just what Little Wang wants!

July 21, 2008  05:39 PM ET

Why would Paul Maurice go from one messed up organization to another? The Isles' got rid of a good coach in Ted Nolan,Paul Maurice won't make them any better.If the Islanders are dead serious about improving,consider hiring Joel Quenneville.

July 21, 2008  10:55 PM ET

If the Islanders are dead serious about improving,consider hiring Joel Quenneville.
TenpinTony | 07/21/08, 05:39 PM

Who said they are?

July 22, 2008  12:14 AM ET

If the Islanders are dead serious about improving,consider hiring Joel Quenneville.
TenpinTony

Wouldn't work with Snow. Quenneville hates young players. I'll say it again: the sole reason that Q and the Avs parted ways was because of the way he used Wojtek Wolski, i.e. healthy scratch half the time.

July 22, 2008  12:14 AM ET

Given the way, reason and manner in which they let excellent coach Nolan depart, anyone who takes that job has to be absolutely desperate. It certainly wouldn't be in Quenneville's interest to take such a position nor anyone else. And then what happens down the line when the new coach dares to have a different opinion. Unpleasant. Either the organization finds a way to make amends with Nolan or why bother. Givern what just happened, why would any reputable person want to work for them at this point.

July 22, 2008  01:24 AM ET

Then Garth Snow himself should coach...the organization is a joke anyway you slice it.You know it is bad when Wade Dubliewicz bolted for Russia.

July 22, 2008  01:37 AM ET

Sure,Quenneville may have issues with young players...but,you cannot deny the fact he is a good coach.He took the Av's into the playoffs this past season,they beat a good Minnesota team,and had it not been for the injuries,could have given the Wings a run for their money.

July 22, 2008  04:08 AM ET

Maurice has a consistent record of leading lousy teams to lousy records. His teams neither overperform nor underperform. He is the ultimate milquetoast coach.

July 22, 2008  04:23 AM ET

Yoda ... get off the fence and tell us what you REALLY think of Maurice :)

July 22, 2008  09:40 AM ET

John Tortorella is the only good option here. He worked with Lecav and St. Louis when they were young.

July 22, 2008  12:12 PM ET

Tort wont work. In order to coach under Wang/Snow you need to be spineless

 
July 22, 2008  03:54 PM ET

If the Isles ever want to make some waves in their division, this would be a bad way to start. Remember this guy was Fired. From the Maple Leafs. That's the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Meeting with fans backfires on Browns owner
    Views
    27711
    Comments
    852
  2. 2
    Ex-Eagle: Cowboys everything wrong about NFL
    Views
    11897
    Comments
    471
  3. 3
    Canseco wants to fight A-Rod
    Views
    39408
    Comments
    203
  4. 4
    Mangini scaring off GM candidates?
    Views
    6495
    Comments
    129
  5. 5
    Gator Bowl eyeing Notre Dame
    Views
    2640
    Comments
    94

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Porkins: F U to Hell, BCS
  2. 2
    RobertMenn: You stole my rake
  3. 3
    Perfectpats
  4. 4
    sign here
  5. 5
    Oso: Yankees win again?

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Rivalries/hated teams
    Views
    415
    Replies
    41
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    CFB Game Day 11/7/2009
    Views
    364
    Replies
    116
  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Sports Illustrated says Pac 10…
    Views
    206
    Replies
    60

Blogs