Instant Analysis: The Ted Nolan Saga

Once again, Ted Nolan is back on the 'Best Non-NHL Coaches" List. And it may be likely that he stays on that list for a while.

Upon hearing the news that Ted Nolan and the New York Islanders had 'parted ways', I got the same reaction many people got.

'What?'

I mean, what hasn't he done to make his Islanders a better on-ice product? He's had less talent in past years than anyone could imagine, and has still gotten the best out of his team pretty much night in and night out.

The general consensus is now at this point, 'what does this guy have to do to get himself fired?' Upon reading the reports that discuss the 'philosophical differences' between management (Garth Snow) and coaching (Nolan), you figure the coach is always going to be the one on the wrong side of the bargaining table. That's it. Pointe finale.

Yet, is it his fault that the premier free agent signing for the Islanders, a hockey market with some past history behind it, a pretty stable fan support system and not many excuses as to how anyone should not want to play there, was Mark Streit?

There are more questions than answers at this point for the Islanders organization. It will be hard to compete in the East for them already this year, and if their priority in July is to find a coach, rather than look at player development (which is where organizations should be at this point), the Islanders are a step back.

Which soon could lead us a step closer towards yet another change in the Islanders management. And maybe a complete overhaul as well.