Jack Capuano Pre-Game Presser — 11/29/13

November 7, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders forward

(12) reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Center. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 1-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Jack Capuano‘s pre-game presser didn’t address the Calvin de Haan–Matt Donovan swap, but the Isles coach made the decision, nevertheless, of scratching the recent defensive addition, citing a need for him to transition properly from a short hiatus down in Bridgeport.

Of particular interest, however, was Capuano’s decision to sit Josh Bailey for this evening’s contest. He cited that it wasn’t so much of a “wake-up call” for Bailey, but rather the self-imposed tension the young forward is putting on himself.

Capuano goes on to say:

"I don’t talk too much about our meetings with players, but I’ll tell you this: the [Bailey-Capuano] conversation we spent together yesterday was good with him. And I don’t know if it’s so much of a wake-up call, but just a player to me that puts so much pressure on himself just has to relax a little and just play the game."

The Isles coach wouldn’t give out his official lineup for this evening, but suffice to say that this is as much of a shakeup as one is going to get at this juncture. Whether or not it’s the blend needed to get the Islanders back on track is a bit far-fetched and/or deluded a notion.

But from a singular standpoint, the move to stabilize Josh Bailey is a good one in as much as a coach, more than an other individual aside from the player himself, knows when it’s time to exhale and rethink and retool one’s game philosophy.

If a Josh Bailey is holding onto his stick a bit more tightly than is needed, and if a coach senses that to be the overriding factor for said player’s lack of success, then sitting him out a game or two or even three (something Capuano didn’t rule out) is what’s needed for the betterment of all.

But the explanation as to the Donovan-de Haan swap remains unanswered and apparently will remain so until further notice.

–RD (@rdnhl)