Islanders Roundtable: Is Capuano Right for the Job?

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Mar 15, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano (rear) reacts on the bench against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt O’Leary

Frankly Jack Capuano is a mediocre coach. There’s no way to sugarcoat it, although the Islanders have made the playoffs in back to back years now and three of the last four with Capuano. Garth Snow seems to believe in him and it doesn’t seem like he is going anywhere.

Everyone wants Capuano out the door but the question is who replaces him? Is there suddenly an elite coach available that the Islanders could go after? The issue is that although Capuano isn’t great there’s not a proven NHL caliber coach ready to take over the gig.

The Islanders are stuck in no-mans land as Capuano is mediocre and you could actually argue he is mishandling the young prospects like Ryan Strome, Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal. If a Mike Babcock or Bruce Boudreau were available this is a complete no brainer. You make the switch.

But the Islanders are going to stick with their guy. The Islanders can risk it and hire an unproven coach to team that is playoff ready, but that wouldn’t be the smart thing to do.

They will be forced to stick with Capuano through this year at least and then in the summer when coaches are fired reassess the situation.

Ultimately the Islanders do have to replace Capuano if they want to be a championship level team, it’s just a matter of who and when that person is available. For now, it’s more shuffled lines and prospects in the press box.