Eyes On Isles
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New York Islanders Podcast: Searching for a New Coach

By Michel Anderson

LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 07: Head coach Brent Sutter of Team Canada handles bench duties during the game against Team Finland during the 2013 USA Hockey Junior Evaluation Camp at the Lake Placid Olympic Center on August 7, 2013 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 07: Head coach Brent Sutter of Team Canada handles bench duties during the game against Team Finland during the 2013 USA Hockey Junior Evaluation Camp at the Lake Placid Olympic Center on August 7, 2013 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders are the only NHL team without a coach. What are Lou Lamoriello’s options? Does he go for experience? A novice or how about someone he’s already worked with?

Co-Expert Matt O’Leary and I tried to split New York Islanders President and GM Lou Lamoriello’s options into three categories. Coaches with NHL experience. Coaches that have Lou experience. And coaches with no NHL experience.

The three categories just helped us understand what was out there for Lou. With Barry Trotz likely gone, Lou likely doesn’t go with a coach who has NHL experience. The market seems to be filled with guys who don’t trust youth.

But then again, does Lou go with a coach who has no NHL experience? He’s trying to convince John Tavares can compete for a cup. He’s got to show him a new hand, and bringing in an AHL coach is a very Isles move to make.

Lou’s already brought in guys he’s already familiar with. Perhaps he continues that trend and brings in former New York Islanders captain and former New Jersey Devils Head Coach Brent Sutter. He’s coached at the NHL level, he’s coached for Lou, and he’s coached youth with Canada;’s Junior team.

What Else Do We Talk About?

We spend a large amount of time talking about the New York Islanders search for a coach. But we also talk about other Isles related news:

  • What would it take for the New York Islanders to acquire Philipp Grubauer from the Washington Capitals? A first-round pick? Less? The Isles need a starter, he wants to be a starter and the Caps don’t have space to keep him. It’s the perfect fit. And Lou’s done this before, and it’s worked splendidly.
  • What can the Islanders learn from the Washington Capitals? How about don’t go and acquire core pieces (like Andrew Ladd) in free agency? It just doesn’t work.
  • The Islanders have a ton of money to make moves in the offseason. What do they do with it? Tavares is first…then what?

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