New York Islanders Name Doug Weight Head Coach

It didn’t take long for the New York Islanders to appoint the man they wanted behind the bench. Just three days after the end of the season, Doug Weight is given the reigns.

After three days since the New York Islanders ended the season on a six-game winning streak the Islanders named interim head coach Doug Weight the permanent coach going forward.

Weight took over from his assistant position under predecessor Jack Capuano who was let go after six years behind the bench and the team toiling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

After being appointed the interim coach in the middle of January Doug Weight took the Islanders from the bottom of the standings to the cusp of the playoffs with a 24-12-4 record.

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Appointing Doug Weight seemed like an easy decision for the Isles. The players clearly responded to Weight throwing win-after-win together. Even going 5-3-1 on a franchise record nine-game road trip at the end of February.

Now with Doug Weight in place, the questions now turn to the President and General Manager positions within the organization.

With a clear failure to progress after last season’s first playoff series win in 23 years Garth Snow’s eleven years as GM comes into question. Appointing Doug Weight as head coach might just signal that Garth Snow is here to stay.

Generally, NHL teams let the GM appoint his own coach. Doing the opposite isn’t the norm. With that being said, the Toronto Maple Leafs appointed Mike Babcock as their head coach before putting Lou Lamoriello in the GM’s chair. So anything’s possible.

Next: Charles Wang's Interesting Parting Gift for Garth Snow

It remains to be seen what the Isles will do with upper-management, but appointing Doug Weight was the right and easy decision for the franchise to make. It only get’s harder from here.