Ex-Leafs coach to meet with Isles

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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  01:18 PM ET

Technically speaking........if a coach is fired and they still had a year remaining on his contract with his original club. The potential suitors have to ask for his last teams permission to speak with him. IF the ex-team is bitter,they wont let the suitors speak to him. (ala Martin in Florida. He fired Nieuwendyk and teams wanted to speak with him but Martin wouldnt let them till the last day of his contract expired). I think its just a formality in 99% of the cases. The original club wants to get off the hook in paying him for the last year.

I agree though that it is a dumb requirement.

Whoever wants to win,dont apply. Whoever wants a pay-check...come and apply!!!

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

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