5 Things Gordon Needs to Change

I am a regular reader of Greg Wyshynski’s blog – Puck Daddy and Greg has been polling various bloggers and media types on 5 things they would change in the NHL. Feeling inspired, I wanted to list 5 things that Scott Gordon needs to change in order to make the Islanders better and/or successful.

Looking back over Ted Nolan’s tenure with the Islanders, some may find it easy to pick apart all his deficiencies. Instead of listing all of the negatives, I will leave them implied in what I feel are areas that Gordon needs to work on in order to help bring the Islanders up from the NHL’s basement in terms of respect and talent.

Who is Scott Gordon exactly?

Going back to last week’s “Grillin’ with Gordon” meet and greet at the Coliseum, Gordon had this to say to some of the various questions asked of him:

“I think it is important that players play the game to win and not to not lose,” said Gordon, when asked by a fan about his coaching philosophy. “It’s important to always stay on the attack and never back on your heels.”

Asked on how he would make the team a contender again:

“Every team has to go into the year thinking that they are going to win the Stanley Cup,” said Gordon. “But there are 29 teams that go in with that thought and don’t get it done, but you have to at least start the year with that being your first goal. You are not going to win every game, but you have to go in thinking that you can. It’s not about the players playing for the coach, it’s about the players playing for each other.”

Scott Gordon in a young coach licking his chops for his chance to prove he can bring his AHL success to the NHL, and he is getting that chance with a team in desperate needs of success in the New York Islanders. He has a history of grooming young players for the NHL and can relate to players on a personal level due to his own path to the NHL. It is this relationship that is key, a coach who has a good player relationship gains the trust and respect of the players – will be able to lead that group of players just about anywhere in any condition, much like a Commanding Officer would be able to do in the military.

Number One

One of the first things Gordon needs to do, is gain the trust of his veteran players. Without the veterans on a coaches side, there is a good chance your entire locker room will be on edge with your decisions. This is a big test for Gordon, because his “veterans” in the AHL have not been just about as old as he is. Guys like Guerin, Sillinger, Witt, Weight and Park will get the team fired up no matter what the night looks like, they will go even further if they believe in the coaches vision.

Number Two

Second on my list to success, Gordon needs to formulate a game plan that plays to the teams strengths and weaknesses. Everyone knows that the Islanders lack the firepower as many of the other teams in the league, especially the division. At the same time, the Islanders cannot continue to sit back and play an all out defensive system for long stretches of the game or even season. Gordon has to utilize players down low, establish passing, look for back door plays and be strong in front of the net. Hopefully, we never see Nolan’s 1-3-1 defensive system again – unless we are in complete shutdown mode.

Number Three

As a former goaltender himself and native New Englander, Gordon needs to reach out to DiPietro and get through to him that it’s great he wants to play in every game, but it’s better for the team and his own health if he plays in fewer games. It’s clear that Nolan did not use the competition between goaltenders to the fullest advantage – and we lost a great goalie in Dubielewicz because of this. The Islanders are a better team when DiPietro is healthy, we need a solid rotational system that Gordon will adhere to.

Number Four

Number four has been a very large pet-peeve of mine over the course of the last 3 seasons. If something is broken, it must be fixed – and quickly. Too many times over the course of the last several seasons has a power play or an even strength play not worked. There was not enough vision, thought or even experimentation attempted (for those on the outside) in this area to change what was not working. Gordon needs to get with his assistants and communicate what is and is not working and build on that. He has already said in some of his interviews that there are teams that pour over tape and shut down areas that teams exploit during games. His coaching style needs to constantly grow and evolve, it shouldn’t remain too much the same as teams will learn how to defeat the system.

Number Five

Number five is likely to be the biggest area that Gordon needs to change. Garth Snow has let his plan be known, there is no question that the Islanders are rebuilding and that he wants our prospects to gain valuable NHL experience. Nolan was hesitant to play the kids in man advantages or dis-advantages, late in the game or even when down too many goals. I think the average ice time for players like Tambellini, Nielsen and Comeau was around 8-9 minutes a game last season. Gordon needs to play the kids in all situations and give them equal ice time. He also needs to get the most out of players such as Tambellini and Bergenheim, groom Okposo and Bailey, and see where other players such as Hillen stand. There have been many teams with a very young roster who have been successful, but they were only successful because the younger players had their chance to play.

Here is a freebie – even though it is technically “Number Six”.

Scott Gordon needs to win over a fan base that is ready to tear apart the Coliseum sans any heavy construction equipment. While this may still benefit Charles Wang (think of all the demolition savings), it places a new coach in a position it takes other coaches years to reach – in the hot seat. If Gordon does well this season and the fans begin to sense a change in tide – I do not see any reason why he cannot win the trust of fans. One thing is for sure, Scott Gordon is here – and we are certainly about to see what he can do with these New York Islanders.