New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight exhibited his vision for the future with the Luke Richardson and Scott Gomez hirings.
What does the hiring of Luke Richardson and Scott Gomez to the coaching staff mean?
Although we’ve discussed these moves ad nauseam, this is something that needs to be addressed. While we routinely evaluate moves from a narrow scope, it’s important to occasionally look at the big picture.
When Doug Weight took over for Jack Capuano midway through the 2016-17 season, he inherited a team lacking an identity. He’s made it his mission to give the team one.
Gomez, 37, spent sixteen seasons literally skating around people. He was a prolific skater, akin to the Islanders’ Shane Prince and Nick Leddy. The Isles weren’t known as a particularly speedy team; Weight evidently hopes that this will change.
Richardson, 48, spent most of twenty-one seasons terrorizing opponents and incurring penalties. After losing Matt Martin last offseason, the Isles lost their reputation as the league’s hardest hitting team. Weight evidently hopes that will change.
Most importantly, Weight has stocked his staff with NHL veterans.
Said Weight, “I need the feeling that when I say something or when I delegate, I am 100 percent [confident] in … their professionalism, their preparation, that we’re together, we’re a team. That’s how I have to prepare for a game, so I know that’s what I’m going to need.”
NOTES
David Quenneville was selected in the final round of the 2016 NHL Draft, but he’s been extended a bonafide offer that if accepted, will land him in either Bridgeport (AHL) or Worcester (ECHL). What’s a bonafide offer? It’s just a two-way, minimum salary, ELS deal, as defined by CBA Article 8.6(d). The brother of Devils forward John Quenneville (also, the second cousin of Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville), David has a nice shot and makes his own shooting lanes, both of which helped him notch 59 points in 49 WHL games last season.
#Isles Transaction: David Quenneville has been extended a bonafide offer: https://t.co/MXxTAm4Tb4
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 1, 2017
The 1982-83 Islanders have been named the seventh greatest team in NHL history, fans of the league’s thirty teams voted. Two of the franchise’s three other Cup-winning teams are still in the race for the greatest club ever — to be announced in the coming weeks. Impassioned Islanders fans were quick to take to social media in protest.
The 1982-83 #Isles were voted the No. 7 Greatest @NHL Team. ?? https://t.co/CJHUMgyLI6
Look out for top 3 greatest teams announced soon! pic.twitter.com/jhxLhgbxgH
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 1, 2017
