What's the deal with Ted Nolan?

Question

As a Rangers fan, I've always been under the impression that Ted Nolan was a pretty solid coach. Even with less talented teams, the two years the Islanders have had Nolan they have always played the Rangers hard.

Anybody know why it seems like he can't hold onto a job, despite having a relatively solid track record in terms of wins and losses?

Any predictions for where he might end up in the future?

Answer 1

Pretty right on.  He is a good coach but he is outspoken and like to have a say on what players are brought into the team.  So far he has had bad luck with GMs that he has worked for and when it comes down to placing blame, the GM always wins.

I don't think anyone can fault him for the results with the Islanders.  He did pretty well with the team he had.  Hopefully a better team will give him a chance to coach a real contender.

Answer 2

I heard the avs like him and will be talking to him before he got fired they wanted Tortarela but know they want Nolan and they think he can do a better job if hes a avs Coach than when he was in NYI

Answer 3

In Buffalo Nolan was ticked off at Hasek because he was a pretty poor role model for the younger players. He brought it up with GM Muckler numerous times, but was given the brushoff. He thought the problem was serious enough that he went over the GM's head to the higher-ups to see if he could get it resolved, but to no avail. Nolan was coach of the year that year, next year Muckler was gone and Nolan got the rep of being a GM killer. New GM Reiger only offered him a one-year contract, and that was it for Nolan.

On the Island it's the "Party on Wang, Party of Garth" show, so no coach is safe there.

Answer 4

What i've heard is that he's had power struggles with former general managers.  in the past he's blamed poor records on the quality of the players out on the ice and when you start blaming and arguing with the gm, the coach gets fired.  thats why it takes him so long to get jobs after he gets fired, the gm's recognize this tendency.