Dee Karl: Scott Gordon: The Right Coach I have been holding onto this interview article for weeks now waiting for the right time to release it. As I can see that people are beginning to question, and others are looking for answers, I guess I've hold onto this story long enough.

Thanks Botta... I mean Dee

Good stuff Dee!!! MORE OF THE SAME FROM NOW ON!!! PLEASE!!!

Dee Karl: Scott Gordon: The Right Coach
I have been holding onto this interview article for weeks now waiting for the right time to release it. As I can see that people are beginning to question, and others are looking for answers, I guess I've hold onto this story long enough.
- Dee Karl

the team is young & not really talented... That is not Gordon's fault.


XxNYIxX

The comments on CB's site the last couple of days have been priceless.

the team is young & not really talented... That is not Gordon's fault.

XxNYIxX
- XxNYIxX

Summed up perfectly. No matter who the coach is, or the captain (crazy debate a few weeks ago), this team will fail.
When your 2 best forwards are kids and only a couple of capable support forwards along with 1 capable d-man and 2 back-up goaltenders....how could anyone look at the coach?

I think the ISlanders have the right pieces but need more help offensively obviously. I mean they need a couple of more vets to play along them and coach them to be honest. Our D I dont think is that bad and we finally have a number one line that we have been missing for years.

Summed up perfectly. No matter who the coach is, or the captain (crazy debate a few weeks ago), this team will fail.
When your 2 best forwards are kids and only a couple of capable support forwards along with 1 capable d-man and 2 back-up goaltenders....how could anyone look at the coach?
- Blueshirts16

not sure I agree with that. Best players on this team as of now: Okposo, Tavares, Streit, and pleasant surprise Matt Moulson

Players who will eventually be core members of this team in addition to the above that currently are on the NYI roster: Bailey, Neilsen, Hillen

With the additions next season of Matt Martin, Calvin deHaan, Petrov (2 years)...the future is very bright for this team.

NYI will suck this year, no doubt and I dont think anyone will/should challange that. But with the addition of whoever the Isles pick up in the next draft along with all the other young talent they have, I can see them being a damn good team in 2 more seasons. I believe most analysts on TSN/ESPN have also said the same if you read their blogs.

Also, I dont think you can call Biron and Roloson "backups". They were starters for all their previous teams. Biron is def a #1. Rolo has reached the tail end of his career. I think Biron should be their oficial starter with Rolo as backup. DP hopefully back shortly, hopefully for good.

not sure I agree with that. Best players on this team as of now: Okposo, Tavares, Streit, and pleasant surprise Matt Moulson

Players who will eventually be core members of this team in addition to the above that currently are on the NYI roster: Bailey, Neilsen, Hillen

With the additions next season of Matt Martin, Calvin deHaan, Petrov (2 years)...the future is very bright for this team.

NYI will suck this year, no doubt and I dont think anyone will/should challange that. But with the addition of whoever the Isles pick up in the next draft along with all the other young talent they have, I can see them being a damn good team in 2 more seasons. I believe most analysts on TSN/ESPN have also said the same if you read their blogs.

Also, I dont think you can call Biron and Roloson "backups". They were starters for all their previous teams. Biron is def a #1. Rolo has reached the tail end of his career. I think Biron should be their oficial starter with Rolo as backup. DP hopefully back shortly, hopefully for good.
- NewYawkIslandez

Well I agree with the coach assesment. You cant blame Gordon with this rediculously young team. Ilike Gordon but its unfair to judge him until the after next season. A solid rebuild from the ground up (started last season) should take 3 years until the team reaps some of the rewards from it. I will give Gordon until the end of NEXT seaosn to reserve true judgement. Even if the Isles end up with the #1 pick next year, I still do not think they will be contenders just yet.

Finally, once that Lighthouse gets approved (or the Isles move 10 miles west to Queens), Wang can open his mammoth sized wallet and raise that payroll to what it was during the Yashin/Peca years of the early 2000's.

Thanks Botta... I mean Dee
- kevfitz36

AHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA gold jerry GOLD

Speaking of Islander coaches? http://www.truthandrumour...ficial-spokesman-milbury/ Now it seems the rest of the League is beginning to realizing what we Islander fans have known for years.

not sure I agree with that. Best players on this team as of now: Okposo, Tavares, Streit, and pleasant surprise Matt Moulson

Players who will eventually be core members of this team in addition to the above that currently are on the NYI roster: Bailey, Neilsen, Hillen

With the additions next season of Matt Martin, Calvin deHaan, Petrov (2 years)...the future is very bright for this team.

NYI will suck this year, no doubt and I dont think anyone will/should challange that. But with the addition of whoever the Isles pick up in the next draft along with all the other young talent they have, I can see them being a damn good team in 2 more seasons. I believe most analysts on TSN/ESPN have also said the same if you read their blogs.

Also, I dont think you can call Biron and Roloson "backups". They were starters for all their previous teams. Biron is def a #1 . Rolo has reached the tail end of his career. I think Biron should be their oficial starter with Rolo as backup. DP hopefully back shortly, hopefully for good.
- NewYawkIslandez

That is who I was talking about regarding their top players (Streit, Okposo, & Tavares) with the support guys as Moulson and Park (Solid 4th liner). I'm sorry but Bailey is highly overrated. I'll stand by my thought of building a blueline and going for Schenn there. Bad move then...worse now.

Roloson 40 years old and a career backup....and it is not just because of his age. Roloson has played 60+ games in his NHL career TWICE! He is a backup!
Biron? He has played 60+ games TWICE in his NHL career! Another backup! I thought the signings were very good because these guys can split time...neither are starters!

Whether I am right or you....does it matter who coaches this team from a Wins/Losses perspective????

I'm not really sure what this is about, but TSN's ticker says the Islanders placed Mark Flood on waivers. He's a defenseman down in Bridgeport. I don't know if it's a situation where he needs to be put on waivers before they can recall him or if they are just trying to get rid of him.

Coaching isn't the problem, they are all still boys playing a mans game, but they will be good in a couple of years. Okposo is awesome Tavares will be great and Streit is their best pick up in a long time. They will finish close to last but they should still pick up a couple of guys for the sake of the frachise and their fans. I think that they are already playing better than last year, but they need to learn how to shoot more often and get a guy in front of the net. Hopefully thing turn out better on Long Island

Eh, I've watched the Isles blow countless third period leads of two or more goals over the last season and change with no adjustments or explanations from Gordon, I've seen multiple players request trades after not really buying what Gordon was selling, I've seen poor preparation for specific opponents.

Sure, after reading this and Botta's entry, and thinking about it some, I agree Gordon's not the biggest problem wrt the Islanders, but I'd hardly say he's a strength either.

not sure I agree with that. Best players on this team as of now: Okposo, Tavares, Streit, and pleasant surprise Matt Moulson

Players who will eventually be core members of this team in addition to the above that currently are on the NYI roster: Bailey, Neilsen, Hillen

With the additions next season of Matt Martin, Calvin deHaan, Petrov (2 years)...the future is very bright for this team.

NYI will suck this year, no doubt and I dont think anyone will/should challange that. But with the addition of whoever the Isles pick up in the next draft along with all the other young talent they have, I can see them being a damn good team in 2 more seasons. I believe most analysts on TSN/ESPN have also said the same if you read their blogs.

Also, I dont think you can call Biron and Roloson "backups". They were starters for all their previous teams. Biron is def a #1. Rolo has reached the tail end of his career. I think Biron should be their oficial starter with Rolo as backup. DP hopefully back shortly, hopefully for good.
- NewYawkIslandez

Sometimes I get frustrated that the Isles blow a lot of leads, but it isn't coaching. The Isles don't have any defensemen that move the puck smartly besides Streit consistently. That to me is their biggest problem.

Eh, I've watched the Isles blow countless third period leads of two or more goals over the last season and change with no adjustments or explanations from Gordon, I've seen multiple players request trades after not really buying what Gordon was selling, I've seen poor preparation for specific opponents.

Sure, after reading this and Botta's entry, and thinking about it some, I agree Gordon's not the biggest problem wrt the Islanders, but I'd hardly say he's a strength either.
- UIF

What multiple players? Campoli? Comrie? Not exactly guys that hold much water in my book.

Last year, as bad as the Islanders were, every young player improved greatly besides Tambellini. That to me is good player development and coaching. Gordon had a sick record in the AHL so he knows how to win games.

My opinion on Gordon is still up in the air. Sure no wins in the first 6 will make anyone question the coach. I also think the attention to the word "overspeed" makes you wonder a bit. Is it possible to have "overspeed" with a slow team? Perhaps, the system is a common system and they should just call it something else or better yet, not call it anything. I think the immediate problem with the team has been 1) no scoring other than the top line (Bergie, Bailey, Shremp, 1 point each) 2) defense is slow, small and plain not that good (have you seen Witt this year?) and 3) goaltending has not been all that good (THUS FAR, average at best) On the positive side, they (Gordon too) have handled the start of Tavares perfectly. Not just because he has points, but they let him play his game, give him real good minutes and at the same time down play his importance (you keep hearing he is not the savior, just another piece of the puzzle, that's what they should say) We need some production from the other guys. Gordon just needs more time and a better team and then we can judge his "overspeed" system.

Thanks Botta... I mean Dee
- kevfitz36

Hmmmm.. I'm not quite sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult... I have to think about that.

However, I do respect his work and am endebted to him for the opportunity he gave me.

We also have the curse of sharing the same damn birthday.

Hmmmm.. I'm not quite sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult... I have to think about that.

However, I do respect his work and am endebted to him for the opportunity he gave me.

We also have the curse of sharing the same damn birthday.
- Dee Karl

Just poking fun at the fact that about 10 minutes before you put your post up, Botta put up a post about Gordon too.

What multiple players? Campoli? Comrie? Not exactly guys that hold much water in my book.

Last year, as bad as the Islanders were, every young player improved greatly besides Tambellini. That to me is good player development and coaching. Gordon had a sick record in the AHL so he knows how to win games.
- Isles316

Don't forget Guerin. With additional complaints, although not an outright trade request, from Witt. I know, those probably don't count either. We have a habit of putting all the blame on the player/coach/GM who leaves when things like this happen. And maybe that's really the case. But when everyone said Guerin's too old and slow to be in Scott Gordon's overspeed system...and now they say Pittsburgh plays the same system...well, Guerin doesn't seem to be too old to skate in Pitt's system.

Again, probably not all Gordon, I agree - a lot has to do with the players on the ice and the skill level. But I'm still not exactly blown over by Scott Gordon, and I wonder how many more of our "old, slow vets" who we used to cheer like crazy two yeas ago would re-find their game on another team. I don't consider coaching a strength of this organization, even if I don't see it as the biggest weakness. Like just about everything else Islanders these days, it's another point of mediocrity.

It's hard to coach a team that has so many that are just getting their feet wet and so many that have had years to develop bad habits.

Besides, there is never a team that overwhelmingly approves of a single coach. You will always have those that complain about ice-time or how they are being used. Coaching is a difficult, often thankless job.

I have a some quotes from Snow on his confidence in Gordon, but I can't use them as of yet.

And Brendan Witt at his horrible +/- should do well to stay quiet. Because personally, I'd like him to be sitting with me in the press box for a few games -- simply to keep him off the ice.

It's hard to coach a team that has so many that are just getting their feet wet and so many that have had years to develop bad habits.

Besides, there is never a team that overwhelmingly approves of a single coach. You will always have those that complain about ice-time or how they are being used. Coaching is a difficult, often thankless job.

I have a some quotes from Snow on his confidence in Gordon, but I can't use them as of yet.

And Brendan Witt at his horrible +/- should do well to stay quiet. Because personally, I'd like him to be sitting with me in the press box for a few games -- simply to keep him off the ice.
- Dee Karl

I hear you, and don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying...but Brendan Witt is sort of what I'm talking about...we used to call him "warrior" and "Braveheart," etc. Now he's a piece of garbage who shouldn't speak up.

Heck, Witt's comments were nothing that I haven't heard countless other people say:

“There’s a lot of odd-man rushes. But that’s the way he wants us to play, and until he decides he wants to change that, we’re going to play that way.”

Note: there are STILL a lot of odd-man rushes.

“My opinions I’ve shared with Scott is that there’s times in the game when we shouldn’t play the system. You don’t see any other teams in the NHL playing this way for a straight 60 minutes. It’s a very hard system. It’s like telling a sprinter to keep running at that pace for 60 minutes.”

A season later and we're still blowing third period leads with all who watch the games acknowledging that this team looks completely gassed late in games.

Any adjustments from the coach? Nope. He just tells the media that he doesn't have good players (must make the guys in the lockerroom feel great).

Even early in games, it seems recognition and coverage in the defensive zone are extremely suspect. I don't know why. Maybe it's lack of preparation. Other teams' star players are able to sneak into scoring areas completey unrecognized and unchallenged. The Isles used to be really good about shadowing star players with a guy like Witt (remember the fits he used to give Jagr) and making them really earn their goals. Now it's like they play zones and don't make any adjustments regardless of who's on the ice for the other team.

I don't want to necessarily turn this into Nolan vs. Gordon...so please forgive this comparison, but Nolan didn't exactly have Lidstrom and Lecavalier on his roster either, but he played to players' strengths and got the most out of a bunch of journeymen, turning one energy player into a 40-goal scorer.

That was when coaching was a strength, imo. With Gordon, yes, better players would make a WORLD of difference - I'm not disputing that one bit. But let's not start fooling ourselves thinking this guy is going to be winning the Jack Adams anytime soon.

I hear you, and don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying...but Brendan Witt is sort of what I'm talking about...we used to call him "warrior" and "Braveheart," etc. Now he's a piece of garbage who shouldn't speak up.

Heck, Witt's comments were nothing that I haven't heard countless other people say:

“There’s a lot of odd-man rushes. But that’s the way he wants us to play, and until he decides he wants to change that, we’re going to play that way.”
Note: there are STILL a lot of odd-man rushes.

“My opinions I’ve shared with Scott is that there’s times in the game when we shouldn’t play the system. You don’t see any other teams in the NHL playing this way for a straight 60 minutes. It’s a very hard system. It’s like telling a sprinter to keep running at that pace for 60 minutes.”

A season later and we're still blowing third period leads with all who watch the games acknowledging that this team looks completely gassed late in games.

Any adjustments from the coach? Nope. He just tells the media that he doesn't have good players (must make the guys in the lockerroom feel great).

Even early in games, it seems recognition and coverage in the defensive zone are extremely suspect. I don't know why. Maybe it's lack of preparation. Other teams' star players are able to sneak into scoring areas completey unrecognized and unchallenged. The Isles used to be really good about shadowing star players with a guy like Witt (remember the fits he used to give Jagr) and making them really earn their goals. Now it's like they play zones and don't make any adjustments regardless of who's on the ice for the other team.

I don't want to necessarily turn this into Nolan vs. Gordon...so please forgive this comparison, but Nolan didn't exactly have Lidstrom and Lecavalier on his roster either, but he played to players' strengths and got the most out of a bunch of journeymen, turning one energy player into a 40-goal scorer.

That was when coaching was a strength, imo. With Gordon, yes, better players would make a WORLD of difference - I'm not disputing that one bit. But let's not start fooling ourselves thinking this guy is going to be winning the Jack Adams anytime soon.
- UIF

Witt is just pissed that he can't hack it in the new NHL. The guy sucks! Not for nothing, if the Icelanders had d-men that could skate and move the puck as well as forwards who understood their half of the ice, there would not be as many odd man rushes. Also, let's be honest, the forwards on this club are not a very good 'puck possession' group.

Witt is just pissed that he can't hack it in the new NHL. The guy sucks! Not for nothing, if the Icelanders had d-men that could skate and move the puck as well as forwards who understood their half of the ice, there would not be as many odd man rushes. Also, let's be honest, the forwards on this club are not a very good 'puck possession' group.
- Blueshirts16

Again, I agree...but the fact is they don't have those players. Maybe forcing a group of career stay at home defensemen like Witt, Sutton and Martinek to pinch below the circles isn't exactly the best strategy to avoid those odd-man rushes. Guys like Okposo and Streit should obviously have more of a free reign to take those chances. Just a few adjustments to accommodate some players on the current roster is what I’m saying. I could be wrong here, but I doubt Washington expects John Erskine to play the same game that Mike Green does. Both players have their role, but they don’t both fit into the same round hole, and trying to force Erskine to play Green’s game could be just as comical as watching Witt try and do it.