The New York Islanders fired head coach Jack Capuano on Tuesday and named Doug Weight interim head coach.
NHL Network Insider Elliott Friedman believes that the firing of Capuano goes all the way back to the summer of 2016, when the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed Steven Stamkos.
What does Stamkos have to do with this?
Well, Friedman said that obviously Stamkos is a great player, and the Islanders were making a huge push for him in the offseason, which is true. Insider EJ Hradek said that that's why the Islanders didn't push to re-sign Kyle Okposo until the very end when he signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
Friedman said that Stamkos signing with the Lightning created a 'domino effect' for the Islanders since they had planned on signing Stamkos. When he signed with Tampa Bay, the Islanders' plans went all out the window and this 'domino effect' eventually led to Capuano being relieved of his coaching duties on Tuesday.
Hradek said the re-signing of Casey Czikas also was part of the 'domino effect' for the Islanders.
Friedman also said that Capuano has a chance of becoming the first head coach of NHL's new Las Vegas franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, who will play their debut season in 2017-18. Friedman said that they could be looking for a coach, and Capuano could soon be on their radar.
The Islanders, who advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, are 17-17-8, last in the Eastern Conference. They defeated the Boston Bruins 4-0 on Monday, in what created a state of wonder for many as Capuano was fired the day after a good performance by the team.
Friedman said that Stamkos had plenty of options, like the Islanders. Toronto was a great option, as Hradek added on that Toronto was a well respected organization, but Stamkos chose Tampa Bay, and that shook up the Islanders plans and created the 'domino effect.'
Capuano had a record of 227-191-64 in 482 games. He has coached the Islanders since Nov. 15, 2010, after Scott Gordon was fired. He had served as an assistant coach with the Islanders in 2005-06 and coached Bridgeport, the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, from 2007-08 until he was promoted.
The Islanders had back-to-back 100-point seasons under Capuano in 2014-15 and 2015-16. They defeated the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference First Round last spring for their first Stanley Cup Playoff series win since 1993.
New York Islanders President and General Manager Garth Snow announced today that Jack Capuano has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach. Assistant General Manager Doug Weight has been named Interim Head Coach.
"The New York Islanders would like to thank Jack for his tireless work throughout his seven seasons with the organization as Head Coach," Snow said. "His leadership guided the team to the playoffs in three of the past four years, which included two straight 100-point seasons. He is a great coach and an even better person. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
Capuano ranks second on the Islanders all-time list in both games coached (482) and wins (227), behind legendary Hall of Fame coach, Al Arbour (1,500 coached, 740 wins). With a record of 227-191-64, Capuano was the NHL's fourth-longest tenured coach, behind Claude Julien, Joel Quenneville and Dave Tippett.
"It's an honor to have served this historic franchise and its passionate fans," Capuano said. "I'd like to thank Garth and our ownership group for the opportunity to be the Head Coach of the Islanders. I'd also like to recognize our coaching staff, training staff and players for all of their hard work."
Jack Capuano was named Interim Head Coach on November 15, 2010. The Islanders removed the "interim" label from Capuano's title on April 12, 2011.
Last season, Capuano led the Islanders to their second-consecutive 100-point campaign, as the Islanders reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time during Capuano's tenure. He was selected as an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Capuano first joined the Islanders in 2005-06 as an Assistant Coach. The native of Cranston, RI, was named Head Coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League on April 30, 2007, where he finished with a 133-100-8-14 record in four seasons.
- New York Islanders
"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report
New York Islanders coach Jack Capuano, New Jersey Devils coach John Hynes and Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan were among five assistants named Friday to the staff of Team USA for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Nashville Predators assistant coach Phil Housley Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League coach Scott Gordon, were also named assistants to Team USA coach John Tortorella.
"I'm looking forward to working with our coaching staff in guiding the group of players that are ultimately selected to represent our country in the World Cup," Tortorella, coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, said in a release by USA Hockey. "We have a group of coaches assembled that all bring something different to the table and that is a real positive as we move toward our ultimate goal of winning the tournament."
Hynes, in his first season as an NHL coach, has the Devils contending for their first playoff berth since they reached the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
"We're extremely pleased with the coaching staff we've assembled," said Dean Lombardi, general manager of Team USA and the Los Angeles Kings. "It's a group that not only brings great experience on multiple levels, but is in lock step with where we're going and how we're going to get there."
The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will take place at Air Canada Centre in Toronto from September 17 to October 1.
The New York Islanders fired head coach Jack Capuano on Tuesday and named Doug Weight interim head coach.
