Coaches on the Hot Seat
Mar 7, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Jack Capuano
Raise your hand if you were aware that out of all the Metropolitian Division teams, “Cappy” was the longest-tenured one?
Trust me, as a fan of the team, it’s amazing that it’s true. About to enter his fifth season behind the bench for the Islanders, Capuano has seen his teams finish once in a playoff position (eight seed, 2012/13) and three other times last in the division. Granted, Capuano hasn’t had much talent to work with, especially on the blue line or in net, but talent alone shouldn’t be the reason why the Islanders finished last or second to last in win percentage three of the past four years when leading after two periods. Talented enough to get the lead, but not talented enough to close the deal? To me it screams “coaching.”
For the first time in his coaching career, Capuano is now faced with heightened expectations for the club in its last season at the Nassau Coliseum before it moves into hipster-paradise, also known as Brooklyn. General Manager Garth Snow finally spent some money this summer bringing in Jaroslav Halak, Nikolai Kulemin, and Mikhail Grabovski to fortify the forward group and goaltending situation. With top defensive prospect Griffin Reinhart also expected to break camp with the club, it’s time the organization sets the bar high and demands excellence from its coaching staff. And that “excellence” should go beyond beautifully-coiffed hair.
One final tidbit about Capunao: the Islanders have combined for nine wins in November during his tenure (he was named coach on November 15, 2010 to be fair). Count that though…nine wins in two-and-a-half months’ worth of Novembers. If the team displays the same tendency this year, Capuano won’t make it to Thanksgiving with the Isles.
Hot Seat O’Meter: 6 out of 10 he doesn’t last the season.