THE DIRECT LINE DOWN I-95: Gordon-Capuano
communication essential to player development
UPDATED at 3:30 pm at bottom with news of Swedish HF approval for Robin Figren.
When Jack Capuano watches his players with the Islanders, the Bridgeport head coach becomes a fan.
“It’s fun,” Capuano said this morning. “You see a great kid like Jesse (Joensuu) score his first NHL goal in his first NHL game, and it brings a smile to your face.”
The success of recent AHL call-ups like Joensuu, Jack Hillen, Joe Callahan and Mike Iggulden is in part the result of a seamless line of communication between Capuano and Islanders head coach Scott Gordon. We spoke with Gordon and Capuano to learn how it has worked from Day One:
Scott Gordon: “My first day on the job, I was prepared to share everything with Jack. I wanted him to know everything about the system I was implementing and how it could work with both teams.”
Jack Capuano: “I was looking forward to working with Scott. I had a lot of respect for him from coaching against Providence. At our first meeting, he gave me a bit of a homework assignment. He wanted me to prepare a ‘pre-scout’ report as if I was getting our team in Bridgeport ready to play his team in Providence. I liked that. I think Scott wanted to see how we prepared in Bridgeport. He wanted to see if there were ways we could be in sync to do the best job for the Islanders and Sound Tigers.”
Gordon: “Jack does great work. My only recommendation to him was to learn a video editing program I had in Providence. I thought it would make his life so much easier and it would be an excellent teaching tool for him.”
Capuano: “If you know Scott Gordon, you walk into his office and the guy has three laptops sitting on his desk at the same time. I remember he had a JumpDrive. I was like, ‘What the heck is a JumpDrive’? Now I know. Hey, I’m always open to learning. The editing system he recommended has been a godsend for us.”
Gordon: “As much as I was prepared to share everything with Jack, you have to give him a lot of credit. He took everything to a higher level. During training camp in Moncton, he had his staff videotape all of our Islanders practices.”
Capuano: “My coaches (assistant Pat Bingham and Matt Bertani) and I often had the rookies, so we couldn’t always be at Scott’s practices. I asked [Sound Tigers PR manager] Kimber Auerbach to record as much of Scott’s sessions as possible. If we’re going to be consistent in our approach from Bridgeport to the Island, what better way to learn? I wanted to see Scott’s drills, but more important, how the system is taught through those drills.”
Gordon: “I’ve said it all year to the press: whenever we call up a player from Bridgeport, I never have to worry about him being in condition and understanding ouy system. That’s a credit to Jack, Pat Bingham and Matt Bertani.”
Capuano: “Scott and I talk almost every day, sometimes more than once a day. He knows from being in the AHL that the one thing I can control more than anything else is the conditioning of our players in Bridgeport. I’m fanatical about it, and I don’t just mean on-ice conditioning. We monitor nutrition. I talk to our players about work habits, even sleep habits with the challenging AHL schedule. If you’re not in the best shape, you cannot perform at your best. It doesn’t help to ‘know’ a system if you’re unable to perform it.”
The results are coming in. Capuano’s Sound Tigers and Gordon’s Islanders – with plenty of Capuano’s Sound Tigers – went 5-for-5 this weekend.
“I’m one of their biggest fans,” said Capuano, fresh off three wins in three days. “As much as we’re trying to win every game in Bridgeport, Pat, Matt and I never lose sight of the fact that our job is to develop players for the Islanders. We see Jesse score in his first game, Jack get that goal against the Rangers or Iggy rack up the assists, and there’s a lot of satisfaction in that.”
ETC: After back-to-back games, the Islanders did not practice today. Their charter left Farmingdale for Toronto at 2:30 pm with no news of any roster decisions. With Brendan Witt out of NHL timeout, it’s expected a dman such as Joe Callahan would be returned to Bridgeport. Nate Thompson may also be close to getting off the injured list, which would result in a forward coming back to Jack Capuano.
UPDATED, 3:30 pm - Islanders prospect Robin Figren has been given the green light by the Swedish Hockey Federation to play for the Sound Tigers.
Expect Figren to primarily practice with the team, as he learns the Islanders system and gets into NHL/AHL shape. Unless the Sound Tigers’ depth is tested even more by injuries and recalls, Figren will not see a lot of game action. In fact, the model could be Jesse Joensuu, who only played one game last season for Bridgeport and practiced, practiced, practiced.
Here’s our story from last week on Figren.
Comments.
48 Responses to THE DIRECT LINE DOWN I-95: Gordon-Capuano
communication essential to player development
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Ever since the beginning of the season, when everyone was making such a big deal about “the system”, I always seemed to think of Herb Brooks and his ’80 Olympic Team. Now, in no way am I comparing Gordo to Brooksie, I am just saying that Gordo had a system in mind. One that wasn’t used in the NHL. Everyone thought he was nuts. But because of his relentless work ethic, watching tape, being in contact with Capuano, etc. It seems to me that there might be a mad scientist behind Gordo and we, as Isles fans, have and will reap the benefits. Good work CB, great info on the communication lines between the big club and the farm.
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ny711ot says:
snow did sim a favor…he wont play here next year and a good run in the a may get him an nhl camp invite or an ahl contract. In the hopes of preserving the pick…SEND THEM BACK before they win any more..
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UIF says:
Good story, CB. Jury’s still out on Gordon…we’ll see how he does next season when he gets more of his type of players in there. Admittedly without knowing the circumstances behind it all, I don’t like that he seemed to clash with multiple players in his first year. But then there are other players who seem to be very excited about what he’s doing here.
CB, you’ve met the guy. I don’t know if you’d answer a question like this (or if you have already), but what’s your impression of him vs. other coaches you have met. Oh, and where the heck did you find that “nutrition” picture?
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Gordon is going to be an excellent coach. He likes a fast paced system and he will get players to play it and we will be good in 2 yrs.. Lets lose a few in a row bc I want to hear isles fan chanting tavares!!!
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The Mick says:
I’m just glad that everyone seems to have a plan and both coaches are in sync with it.
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Lawrence Teller says:
It is articles like this that make this site invaluable. I just love the insight I get here. I really thought it would take a lot longer to turn this roster over – but Garth and Gordon have done it much quicker than I anticipated. Two things:
I am VERY curious to see how this team does on the road and down the stretch against better competition.
And… should it continue to excel, successful endings of seasons for last place teams often do not translate into successful seasons the following year…
HOWEVER…
There is an undenyable sense of hope in this organization.
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Ron from Forest Hills says:
Another great post! Keep them coming CB!
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mw147 says:
It has been very noticeable that every player who has come up from Bridgeport recently has fit right in and looked comfortable with the way the Islanders play.
Great credit goes to Capuano and his staff. I wonder if he gets a promotion to be one of Gordon’s assistants next year? As I recall, there is room for one more, as Gallant moved to scouting late and was not replaced.
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Rengi says:
It’s good to see that Scott Gordon and Jack Capuano work so close together. It’s beginning to pay off, when you look how good the Soundtigers play and also the Isles of late. Big work both coaches put in to make it work. Kudos to Jack and Scott!
@CB would be interesting what Video Editing software Scott and Jack work with ?
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DavidNYC says:
Sim has one more year of his 3 year contact if I am not mistaken. Unless the Isles plan to buy him out, he will be around next year. Maybe he lost a step missing the entire season last year and Snow thinks some extra games in the AHL playoffs might help? I am very curious what their plan is with Sim.
Capuano and his staff have done a great job. I remember reading that Nolan reached out to him only a handful of times the entire season last year! Coming straight from the AHL, Gordon understood the importance of communicating with our farm team, especially during a rebuild!
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BPort says:
the fact that iggulden, mclean and joensuu all got the nod ahead of smith is an absolute joke. this kid works his butt off every day and has been our best player all season long – we are sending the wrong message here.
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Travelchic59 says:
I feel bad for Jon Sim. He was signed here to be part of a team with Nolan as coach. He got hurt and systems and other things have changed through no fault of his own. I wish him the best of luck whatever road his career takes him. I do wonder what plans the Islanders have for him after this season, as I am sure he won’t be playing for the big club next year. Gotta love the way the kids are playing.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
I think that Joe Callahan has proved himself to be an NHL calibre player. His play over the last several games has been worthy of a longer look. You can never have too many D men and most of ours are on the smaller side. Joe has some bulk and seems not afraid to use it.
Chris, Ever since I siad here that Bergy was a bust, he has played liked a man possessed. I wonder if the players read what is written here. If so, you can take credit for his recent play.
Sim will be moved at draft day. He will be either bought out or traded as a throw in……SW
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admin says:
story updated at bottom with news of approval from the Swedish hockey federation for Robin Figren to play in Bridgeport – although he likely won’t play much…CB
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bergie20 says:
great news about figren, he needed to get out of the sel. the everybody on the same page approach has definitely helped nyi, b’port, and our prospects. what a difference from prior years.
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Alex O says:
Hmm Sim, sent down…. some “unnamed” Vets telling Newsday about Gordon’s disagreement with Guerin and other Vets….. One Vet in particular has been scratched since the begining and may harbor some recentment towards Gordon. As soon as those things became know per Logan then one Vet gets sent down…. Coincidence? I wish Sim the best but never fit in with the team and may be a year from fully recovering from his injury.
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John says:
LOL, I will give Gordon,Capuano, (and the player) the credit for how the young players have performed better as the season has progressed. Not a blog or a fans posts but I guess you never know.
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Mikey says:
Alex O – I think you are on to something. Guys keep getting injured, but Sim gets sent down after racking up points for a few games. Sounds fishy. Sim was probably the guy who gave the story to Logan re Gordon vs. Vets, and Garth punished him with a stint in the AHL. Anyone notice how Logan has been defending Sim the past week or so?
Great news about Figren. This will be very good for his development. And CB – thanks for an excellent article. Your site is by far the no. 1 place for Isles coverage.
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dack1972 says:
I think Gordon has a strong character and has a system in mind that he wants. I think the clashes(if that’s what u want to call them) are caused by that. Now that the older guys Guerin, Comrie, Weight, Sims are out there’s a huge difference on how the team is developing and playing.
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Alex O, You’re right and it’s so obvious! I love the message our coach is sending and it’s about time the Islanders have someone who is in charge and the players will have to respect. We’ve had new coaches for a while and EVERY TIME a new one comes in some of the veterans bitch and moan about this or that. It undermines the coaches authority and becomes a detriment to the team. The vets who are here before the new coach feel it’s “their” team and they challenge the coach at every turn because of ego clashes. Too many cooks in the kitchen. Now we have one voice who the players follow and if you don’t like it too bad, they’ll move on. Gordon was talking about looking up to Parcells style of coaching in the beginning of the year and I have seen Bills influence pop up on more than one occasion. He also mentioned Belichick and if you watch the post game press conference you would swear he went to “The Belichick school of how to talk to the media WITHOUT TALKING TO THE MEDIA”!
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valentino says:
If Pittsburgh can bury Miro Satan in the minors, there is no reason why anyone should feel bad for john sim. Satan is someone who accomplished a hell of a lot more in the nhl than john sim has yet he finds himself in the same boat. Its a business.
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Moosie says:
Ted Nolan didn’t think it was important.
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thepolishprince says:
Good news about Figren. I’d like to see him come over and get some time with the Tigers and be ready to push for a regular spot with them next year.
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Coach B says:
Joe Callahan deserves to stay. Rather he plays than Pock.
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C.J. says:
In terms of Figren, that’s FANTASTIC news. The team can ilafford to have a key young player stagnate in any organization.
KO is a perfect example.
Glad to see the team react quickly to an issue and communicate externally to resolve it.
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West Coast Fan says:
There’s a truism that when highly productive individuals are first brought into an organization of any type, they are generally considered to be a disruptive influence for the first 6 months of their tenure.
It is only after that period that they begin to become recognized for what they are – insightful, with an innate ability to recognize the need for change, and the strength to implement that change when others would otherwise be only too happy to retain the status quo.
I think Flash has done an exceptional job, and I think we’re pretty lucky to have him at the helm…
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hale says:
to post 13…smith will get his look..they need want to make sure bridgeport makes the playoffs as well…i wouldn’t take it as a negative as the three players you mention work just as hard as trevor and all 4 deserve a look
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JPinVA says:
SW,
There were several of us that disputed your Bergy review. That kid has worked his but off since the Stirling era. He starting to get it, and he’s becoming an NHL player.
Callahan looks like he’s worked his way to #7 on the current depth chart (subject to change greatly in June/July)
In a mover/clearer scheme I see this as the current look for next year.
Streit(1)/Gervais(5)
Marty(4)/Witt(3)
Hillen(6)/Sutton(2)(can’t forget him)In the off-season Gervais could move up to the (4) mover if Marty is part of a deal to upgrade that low first rounder to a medium first rounder. that puts Sutton with Streit again, and Hillen/callahan are the 12min pairing going into training camp.
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coral springs isle fan says:
Promoting Capuano to the NHL as an assistant would be a nice gesture but why take a sucessful tandem and put them behind the same bench? Capuano is more valuable coaching at Bridgeport then he would be as an Islanders assistant.
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Pat says:
I always admired the NJD for their “Albany/NJ Shuttle” and how the players would step right in and know the system. Kudos to Snow, Gordon and Jack C. for getting this right. Its (Bridgeport) critical to the future of this team – and I hope they have a great playoff run – and I will be rooting for Bridegport to WIN ( as opposed to the parent team for the rest of the 2008-09 season) lol !!!!
Pat
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What happened to Freddy Meyer? I think he has one more deal left on his contract and I really liked the way he played this year when healthy.
I think Jackman is a favorite of Gordon’s. He was given a chance by Gordon and the guy works his tail off night in and night out. He is always around the net and he has become a valuable penalty killer as well. If he works just as hard in the offseason this year as he did last year he should make the team and could be a great 4th line player who in my opinion can score in double digits as he develops more touch around the net. He is also the closest thing we have to a tough guy at the moment.
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We should be clear that Capuano may be on some folk’s radar as coaches get their walking papers around the league.
This is all on Snow and Gordon to shape these kids into winners. As wonderful as this weekend has been, that hasn’t happened yet.
Snow still needs to have a good June/July and Gordon needs to deal with the fact that just like every other team in the NHL his apple cart is gonna be shaken every year. This “system” hasn’t proven it can work for even 60 minutes, nevermind 82 games. But it has progressively improved, and that is all we can ask right now. -
miketee says:
Hard to believe that there is so much focus on the demotion of Jon Sim and the discontent of veteran players that are no longer here.
Does anyone really think that potential free agents will shy away from playing here because of the “shabby” treatment of a 4th liner or because the team made a conscious effort to give bigger minutes to their young talent at the expense of veterans, many of whom would likely not be back next season?
If that is the case, so be it. Free agents were not knocking down our doors prior to these management “misdeeds” so I’m hard pressed to be too concerned about driving away other prospective UFAs.
I’m perfectly content to let Gordon and the rest of the coaching staff work on player development geared to preparing them for Gordon’s system rather than let the inmates run the asylum. I suspect that UFAs that have the skill set to succeed in the system would have an interest in playing here provided the dollars are right and the environment is favorable. I’ve got to believe this is part of reason why Mark Streit decided to sign on.
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When Mark Streit signed on, there was a different head coach…CB
http://www.islanderspointblank.com/category/comment-guidelines/
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NYI FAN says:
post#10: Would love to know what editing software is being used for hockey. Another poster praised the way our AHL system is mirroring the Devs/R.Rats; that is a very good sign that we are on our way, we’ve been jerked around for so many years, it is nice to think we are FINALLY moving in the right direction. I had company at the new house this past weekend & my know-nothing ranger friend had to throw it in my face that we are firmly in last place. And, thanks to CB & PB, I let go a several minute rant about how we are in this new system, etc. It just about shut that AHole up for the rest of the day. (For those interested, I sold my E. Meadow house last year because of the Lighthouse project. Even before it was proposed, I felt that it was getting too conjested in my East Meadow digs, the Lighthouse was the icing on the cake.) Sorry for the rant, I just wanted people that love the Isles know there are true local (LI)fans that did not want to see the Lighthouse built. Please do not waste your time flaming me here, I do not live near there anymore, I am out of the equation.
LETS GO ISLANDERS! -
Joe says:
I just read somewhere that Joel Rechlicz is making the trip, is that true CB? I sure hope so, they are playing a couple tough teams coming up.
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Jerky says:
When do the AHL playoffs begin? Is it during the end of the NHL regular season and therefore we will see certain players on the current roster sent down for the playoff experience (KO, Comeau, Callahan, etc)? If so, that may result in a losing streak at the end of the season (not to bring back in the previous thread but think it’s a relevant point to note).
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Perhaps the old dogs / new tricks cliche works for hockey too … In the begining of the season when the Isles roster was more than 60% vets it seemed like the Isles were struggling with the system in a BIG WAY… At the same time the BPSTs were having their way with the rest of the AHL utilizing that same system … it caused many of us … including myself to question the system saying “It’s a good system for the minors, but not the NHL” … however seeing the Isles transform more to the kids … and the system tweaked just a bit the Isles … especially the kids have been playing pretty good hockey (over .500) .. maybe there is something to this system afterall?? Thoughts CB?
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NYIsles5 says:
Ran in to Garth Snow yesterday @ Ft. Myers airport. He was going to the GM’s meetings in Naples, Fl. I must say, by far, one of THE nicests people I ever came accross.
We spoke for about 15-20 minutes about the team and a few non hockey things. I told him they have to stop winning games so we can get Tavaras and he laughed. He said he planned on trading down twice again but since I wasn’t amused he said he was kidding.
Definately a great and down to earth real guy. -
Good news about Figren … he’ll get some great coaching and he’ll have a head start for rookie camp next year. When Joensuu came over last year I asked Jaffe if he thought we’d see Joensuu get some action in the AHL … Jaffs told me more likely Joensuu will be undergoing lots of conditioning and might be lucky to see a game or two before the season ended … he reminded me that the BPST’s were trying to get into the playoffs. Now this year with Sim down and Comeau and Okposo going down after the NHL reg season … I doubt there will be much room for Figren in the BPST lineup.
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If Figren can develop quickly, it would be safe to say the 2006 Draft was one of their best. Okposo, Jenusuu,Rhett, Macdonalk and Figren. Not bad at all. Just how much further back in the rebuilding process would the Isles be if they had another terrible draft?
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Nova Scotia Isles Fan says:
@ #41 lol “since I wasn’t amused…” hehehehe
Brings up an interesting question. Once you take the #1 out of the equation (‘cuz NO ONE would be stupid enought to trade that, right Garth? ……. Garth?), what kinds of deals might or should we be looking at with that extra #1 and that trio of #2s? Volume might be nice, but if we could package them in some way to get an extra top ten pick?
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mike says:
Was wondering if anyone knows if the Isles could make a deal with Tampa and/or Atlanta right now that would go something like this: Isles trade away the pick they got from Ottawa for the “right” to swap 1st picks with either team. Thus, Atlanta and Tampa, which both are behind the Isles right now in the drive for the 1st overall pick, likely would end up getting the Ottawa pick from the Isles for nothing, since the Isles are last in the league, and it appears that they will stay last. However, if the Isles pass the team that it trades with, the Isles would have the right to swap #1′s with that team. Thus, the Isles wouldn’t have to worry about the kids winning too many games. I think this deal would be great for the Isles and great for Tampa. Atlanta would likely turn it down.
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mike, you are totally smoking something that is making your head numb! We just need to see where the chips fall with that number one pick. Even if we are last in the league, their is still no guarantee we get Taveres. We would be guaranteed Hedman at least.
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Isles sent JJ and Callahan down, dont know why they kept Pock up but oh well.
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CB, Allthough Streit signed on when Nolan was still the coach, I agree with Miketee’s post in a sense. You can’t let the veteran players dictate how you are going to run YOUR team. Complaints should always go up on any team, business or sports. You never complain to people who are considered to be your underlings. If certain players were comlaining to the media or to the younger players on the team, instead of keeping it in-house, than I want those players gone and so should every Isles fan. That is a HUGE sign of an immature person and a weak leader or teammate. A strong leader or teammate talks to the person he has a problem with about the problem and doesn’t make it a matter of public record. The media usually get too involved with veteran players. The players are fun to talk to and even invite media members out for dinner and beers. They develop friendships and when the **** hits the fan is it any wonder they side with the player nine times out of ten?
It is definitely hard for Jon Sim to find himself in Bridgeport, as we all know he is an NHL caliber player. I hope the fact that Snow has buried a veteran in the minors does not negatively influence any free-agents more than they are already influenced. As for the relationship between Gordon and Capuano, I feel that it is essential for it to be this way. They have a great tandem, and it is obvious that Capuano is a tremendous coach for Bridgeport. A big thank you goes out to him for doing the work he does. Imagine how excited he must be to have Okposo and Comeau in the line-up come playoff time.