Sansided
Eyes On Isles
Editorials

New York Islanders Sober Reflection Over Individual Awards

TORONTO, ONT - JUNE 20: Michael Peca of the New York Islanders accepts the Frank J. Selke Trophy for 'Outstanding Defensive Forward' during the NHL Awards in the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario on June 20, 2002. (Photo by Craig Melvin/Getty Images/NHLI)
TORONTO, ONT - JUNE 20: Michael Peca of the New York Islanders accepts the Frank J. Selke Trophy for 'Outstanding Defensive Forward' during the NHL Awards in the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario on June 20, 2002. (Photo by Craig Melvin/Getty Images/NHLI)
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NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 19: Doug Weight of the New York Islanders handles his first game as head coach against the Dallas Stars at the Barclays Center on January 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jack Adams – Doug Weight

When I originally wrote this in October I was scared that the Isles would regress in 2018-19 if Doug Weight won the Jack Adams award in 2017-18. Turns out you don’t need a Jack Adams to immediately become a bad coach.

After a 24-12-4 run to end the 2016-17 season Doug Weight’s coaching stock was as high as it could ever be. Unless of course he actually took the Islanders into the playoffs that season.

But if Doug Weight could recreate what he did with half a season in 2016-17 over a full season in 2017-18 he’d be a lock for the Jack Adams. Here was my reasoning:

"So now going into his first full season behind the bench if Doug Weight can replicate a similar record he’ll be a shoe in. Think that’s not possible? Let’s do some math. With his record of 24-12-4 over 40 games, the ratio for each is 0.6-0.3-0.1 now aggregate that out over an 82 games schedule and you get a respectable 49-25-8. That’s 104 points."

A 104 point season puts the New York Islanders in second place in this year’s Metropolitan division. Of course, that’s assuming Doug Weight was able to continue the form he had last season. Which he wasn’t.

With a full 82 games played, Weight was able to get 80 points from his team with a 35-37-10 record. And it’s not like he was some sort of passenger on this downward spiral. Doug Weight’s new defensive strategy at the start of the season, and failure to make adjustments when they were needed sunk the Islanders.

Doug Weight might not even last until next season, let alone be up for a Jack Adams award.

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