Eyes On Isles
Fansided

Islanders: Checking in on their coaches of the past decade

By Johnny Berman

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 07: Barry Trotz the head coach of the New York Islanders argues the overtime goal as the Islanders were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 07, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 07: Barry Trotz the head coach of the New York Islanders argues the overtime goal as the Islanders were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 07, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/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) /

Jack Capuano

Term with the Islanders: 2010-17
Record: 227-192-64 (.536)
Playoff appearances: Three

After Gordon was dismissed in the 2010-11 season, Jack Capuano became the interim head coach of the Isles. Capuano had been the head coach of the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

When Capuano first became the Islanders interim head coach, there was no idea how long he would hold this position. Nonetheless, he managed to remain as coach of the Islanders for the next five and a half seasons.

Capuano had an interesting tenure with the Islanders. He was just good enough to keep his job, but never good enough to get the Isles deep into the playoffs.

During his tenure, the Islanders made the playoffs in three seasons but failed to advance past the second round. Still, he may be most fondly remembered for leading the Isles to their first playoff series win in 23 years when the Isles defeated the Florida Panthers in six games in 2016.

Aiming for greater success, however, Snow relieved Capuano of his coaching duties midway through the following season. Capuano had gotten the Islanders off to a 17-17-8 start.

The next season, Capuano became an associate coach of the same team he had previously defeated in the playoffs, the Florida Panthers. Capuano lasted two seasons in Florida and failed to help bring the Panthers back to the playoffs in either season.

Fortunately, Capuano did not have to wait very long for his next coaching opportunity. Prior to the start of this season, he signed a three-year deal to become an associate coach of the Ottawa Senators. With a young and inexperienced team in Ottawa, Capuano will have a tough project on his hands.

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