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New York Islanders Ranking Every Single Coach

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - APRIL 3: Head coach Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils gives instructions during the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Continental Airlines Arena April 3, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - APRIL 3: Head coach Lou Lamoriello of the New Jersey Devils gives instructions during the game against the Ottawa Senators at the Continental Airlines Arena April 3, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 14: Jack Capuano of the New York Islanders gives players instructions in the final minutes of the game against the Florida Panthers at the Barclays Center on March 14, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Islanders defeated the Panthers 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

(3) Jack Capuano

Yes. Jack Capuano makes it third on our list. His .536 win percentage is third best amongst New York Islanders coaches. Say what you will about Jack and his style, but he was still third amongst Isles coaches. Which says all you need to know about the Islanders coaching legacy.

For half of his tenure, Jack Capuano’s teams couldn’t crack the playoffs. His first two seasons with the Islanders they finished fifth in the Metro with 73 and 79 points.

His tactics were often and fairly criticized. Capuano would routinely play aging veterans over promising young players. He played a tough physical style and he was unwavering in his approach. To a fault.

His approach is often cited as the reason that Islanders top-five draft pick Nino Niederreiter asked to be traded years ago.

Jack wasn’t popular but he still made the playoffs three times in the six full years he was with the New York Islanders.

(4) Ted Nolan

Nolan was one of the few New York Islanders coaches that had previous NHL experience. The year before he took over behind the bench for the Isles, he led the Buffalo Sabres to first in the Northeast Division.

In his first season with the Islanders, Nolan brought the team to the playoffs. The Isles finished fourth in the Atlantic Division with 92 points. The Isles faced Nolan’s Sabres and lost in five games. The Isles wouldn’t make it back to the postseason for another six seasons.

Nolan would last two seasons before Garth Snow cut him before bringing in Scott Gordon of the AHL.

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