GORDON TOP CANDIDATE TO LEAD USA AT WORLDS
May 7: USA-Germany at 75,000-seat stadium
Chris Botta on Twitter
11:15 am: Scott Gordon is the lead candidate to coach Team USA at the World Championships in Germany in May, sources tell Point Blank.
As USA Hockey officials show respect to the NHL schedule and teams mathematically still in the playoff hunt, an official announcement is not expected until the final week of the regular season.
The 46-year-old Islanders coach was an assistant to Ron Wilson at last year’s World Championships in Switzerland and the Olympics in Vancouver.
Although he has yet to be contacted by USA Hockey officials, Islanders forward Kyle Okposo is a strong candidate for a roster spot.
Besides the honor of coaching and playing for their country, Gordon and Okposo could be part of something special. The 2010 IIHF World Championships kick off on May 7 with a game between Germany and the United States before 75,000 fans in a retractable roof soccer stadium in Gelsenkirchen. If the weather cooperates, the game will be played at 8:15 pm with the roof open.
Comments.
61 Responses to GORDON TOP CANDIDATE TO LEAD USA AT WORLDS
May 7: USA-Germany at 75,000-seat stadium
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cgs878 says:
I don’t see how anyone will see the puck in any of the seats in that soccer stadium.
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John says:
Gordon should worry about the 2010-11 season, because that might be his last leading this team.
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Matt S. says:
i heard he will be running against Obama too !
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felix says:
it is a sign of respect for gordon, even if wilso or others declined. proves his system is one that is looked upon favorably, he just needs the horses to get a great result. Arbour or bowman could not get anything more out of the terrifying defense of reese, flood, gervaise, meyer, streit and hillen, and the offensive dynamos of park, sim hunter, and gilles.
damn even i am sureprised we won last night.
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Maydog says:
Great job…Now once he’s done with that, maybe he might want to consider coaching the Islanders too, right?
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battfist says:
Good for Gordon!!!
Good for the Isles.
Good for the USA!
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StevieL says:
Good for Gordon and Kyle! This will make it so much easier for them to now rent motorcycles and bike across Europe and Asia to get to the training camp in China!
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Scott S. from Long Beach says:
Guess we should just hope that nobody interviews him and asks such tough, pressing questions like, “how do you plan on addressing 3rd period issues”. He’s done a great job making the Islanders look foolish – why not just make the whole country look foolish next. Still angry about that!!
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Isles Fanatic says:
One can only hope that other young players will be approached by thir respective countries to play in the worlds…In order to contiue their progress.
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Bryan says:
With all due respect to Germany and their program wouldn’t a game like that be better with more competitive teams?
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Jim Clark says: Will Team USA get a high draft pick if he coaches like he has with the Islanders: 30th and 28th?
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ars9x says:
I think it would be very cool if that happens. a little respect thrown our way never hurts.
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Mark says:
Never got excited about this tournament. If these players were any good, their teams would be in the NHL Playoffs, not some loser tournament overseas…yawn.
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imetbossy says:
FC SHALKE 04 baby!
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Bill says:
Wow. Very little love for Scotty right now. Let the guy get some actual players and see how he does.
I ask anyone to name a worse defense in the NHL than the Isles right now.
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Eastonhockey says:
No disrespect to gordan but his system doesn’t work with low budget parolls which isles allways are. Isles need new coach. We already know how next season will go with this coach n this payroll.
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i seriously need a passport… and cash… cash would be good. sigh. How amazing would it be for him to come away with more hardware for his efforts.
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Kevin says:
The Gordon hate is hilarious.
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german islesfan says:
I say congrats to Gordon and Okposo they will a part of a new world record 76150 is the attendance what i have read last week in german hockey news.We have a bad National team and an bad coach with Uwe Krupp but the organisation from this tournament will typical German 110 percent perfect
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Le Dude says:
Are the world championships open to any American hockey players, same as the Olympics?
Congrats to Gordon. He gets a lot of heat, but if you’re actually at the game you see him constantly coaching his guys. Give him the talent and I bet you’ll have a winner.
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Justin Marques says:
FC Shalke is a great soccer team with a very fortunate situation. The owners are extremely wealthy, and they were kind enough to put forth the money to build such a beautiful, soccer only stadium. Soccer stadiums are the perfect venues for outdoor hockey games, as the seats can surround the ice rink much better than any baseball stadium can. With the opening of the new Red Bulls Soccer Arena in New Jersey, I wish the NHL would look into an outdoor game there. It is a beautiful venue, and the sightlines for a hockey game there would be phenomenal.
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Hey Noooowww!!!! says:
take that Gordon bashers!!!Hellz yeah!!
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IslesNation says:
Leaving my personal feelings aside for Gordon I ask just one question. What has he done to earn this position. Finishing 28th and 30th in two seasons as an NHL head coach. I know the rosters weren’t great, but what is USA hockey basing this confidence in him? Good for Kyle, the kid comes to play every night and never stops working.
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Bronx 56 says:
German beer german food and hockey.A hat trick.
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EAF says:
agree with #23 – Red Bulls Arena is a perfect place for the outdoor hockey game – much better than any baseball stadium.
Shalke arena is just too big – you can’t see the puck from up there. However I don’t think it will be packed in Germany to watch hockey games. This is the football (aka soccer in US) country. -
JT says:
Good luck Gordo (and hopefully KO).
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peter puck says:
in answer to #11 the host team always plays in the first game in an international tournament.
And inanswer to some of the other remarks its obvious the people who run USA hockey know nothing about the game else they would not consider such a lousy coach.
Wait a minute – didn’t the USA just win the silver medal at the Olympics with this lousy coach running the offence?
With a team I might add that was rated 4th or 5th in terms of talent. -
Arbour Day says:
Who cares???? I will be watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This is like coaching an NIT game. No one wants to be there.
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IslesRock says:
Good for Gordon, he has made a few mistakes this year, but which coach in any sport has not. For thoses knocking Gordon, just take a look at the roster he has to work with. All in all, he has done a great job coaching a few talented young kids and 4th line vets.
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Torts? Haha.
Good for Gordon. I hope he learns how to win more consistency with this Olympic and World Tourney experience.
Gordon hasn’t just made a few mistakes. He seems incompetent some games with his on-ice decisions, while seeming knowledgeable others. It’s a consistency factor with both the players and the coach.
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What? Islanders participating in an outdoor hockey game? No way! Just don’t tell Bettman or he’ll bribe the Germans to close the roof, even if the weather’s good.
“I’ll get Sasha Goc into the Hall of Fame! Pinky swear!”
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Bob says:
If Gordon gets it, it will be by default. How many NHL American coaches are not going to be in the playoffs? It obviously won’t be given to him on merit with another bottom 3 finish on the horizon.
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RAMen says:
No offense, but the World Championships is a non-tournament. One could only hope that we never send any players or coaches to this thing ever again.
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LOL .. This team would’nt win an outdoor pickup game in a parking lot against random fans…. !!
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Blizzard says: …Good for Gordo. I am behind this coach, I think he has done a good job with what he was givin. Also that is a cool venue for a hockey game.
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Mark P says:
Not sold on Gordon….but if my math is right, the Isles will have improved by about 15 points this year. WITHOUT signing top Free Agents.
Its hard to mold Clay into Gold. -
Ray's Team says:
Really??? US is lacking that mcuh in the coaching department? hopefully he doesn’t implement his style of play..its only a losing one
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Otter says:
Didn’t the Olympics just end? It’s too soon for this to even be relevant. Especially considering that the vast majority the best players will be unavailable because of the NHL playoffs.
I’m a huge fan of both KO and Gordon but who really will be watching this?
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Tim F. says:
It sure would be ironic if the name of that soccer stadium is “Das Leuchtturm.”
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Spartiarti-RVC says:
gordon is making the best of what is being dealt to him on the isles.
the guys were get better.
you tell me one NHL coach that can get it done with only 2 NHL calibre dman and 4 ahlers on the back line.
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Tony says:
I think Gordo is a good coach; however his behavior as an interviewee leaves A LOT to be desired.
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Gillies for PM says:
All the gordon haters need to read comment # 30. No one notice that the 5th ranked team finished second (an OT break away from GOLD) playing the go-go offense? Did you notice that the How anyone could have watched the Olympics and then question why Gordon is the coach is beyond comprehension.
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LouD says:
This is now the second major tournament, the first being the Olympics, that Gordon has been talked about at the top of the list of coaching candidates. What’s amazing to me is that some of the Islander fans still want him fired. Apparantly he’s good enough to coach some of the best players in the world but not good enough for the lowly New York Islanders. I’m starting to think this Islander gig is beneath Gordo.
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Nobody says:
#18 (Easton) enough with the payroll. If money and UFA signings were all it takes the rangers, leafs, and flyers would not be in the predicament they are… Now and the past ( not many cups to show for the last 46 years between them are there?). And, Phoenix would not be doing so well either. This isn’t fantasy hockey or X box (sure looks like Tampa has talent young and old, and has signed FA as well)…how are they doin??? Winning requires a team with numerous parts. Clearly, we’re not there yet, prob not close, BUT u don’t fix it by throwing money at it, so PLEASE, give the payroll stuff a rest!
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Chris Mc says:
I like Gordo and I’m glad he may get the opportunity.He does care a lot about this Islander team and the players. I was sitting directly behind him and you should have seen him during the Isles PP. He was slamming his back against the boards, throwing his lineup sheet. He coaches with emotion…even if he rarely cracks a smile
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Tony (44): His behavior leaves “a LOT to be desired” because he declined to answer a question one time??? Come on- have you really thought about the dumb questions Rob Carlin asks him? He behaved fine. In fact, I think more coaches should live by the media mantra of walking away rather than reacting without consideratin and saying something they might later regret.
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I refuse to believe my fellow Isles fans are this unreasonable…Gordon has done a very good job working with a bunch of kids who were borderline NHL ready, if that, and has implemented a system that is exciting to watch when executed correctly…Goprdon has been recognized several times in the recent years…He as chosen to be assistant coach for team USA and he was the AHL coach of the year a couple years ago but hes a bum according to many…I admit he doesn’t seem to have much of a personality based on his interviews but WGAS as long as the players develop…Thats why hes here…
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Ajax says:
Gordon himself is borderline NHL ready
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pritchett54 says:
i love the people who think gordon is a terrible coach. Have they looked at our roster the last two years? If God was coaching this team with Jesus and Moses as his assistants, we still would not make the playoffs.
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Travelchic59 says:
#47 Nobody – I’m with you on this one. Even though I believe Easton #18 has a right to his/her opinion, it’s tiresome. Geez, give the payroll thing a break already. Money does not buy championships. As previously stated, the Leaf, Rangers and Flyers are proof of that.
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I think Gordon is an average AT BEST coach that can not coach through 3 FULL periods, he makes bad game choices, poor shootout line up orders, shows little to emotion, makes poor starting goaltender choices, lacks motivational skill and uses a minor league system that does not work at an NHL level.
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Amen #54-i dont know why everyone is bashing the gordon bashers…he has proven nothing…i dont care what quality of players you have on the roster-u need to teach your team how to play a full 60 minutes of hockey..which he has failed in time and time again(all the collapses and meltdowns)..some people are overrating this guy big time
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will c. says:
just got in to columbus an hr ago. 1st row behind coach and team. I am excited to see how he runs the bench! hope they make it worth the 9hr drive!
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JPinVA says:
The chicken or the egg…
Is Gordon not doing enough with the talent he has? Is there not enough talent for even a very good coach not to wind up with a lottery pick?
Maybe the answer is CHICKEN FRIED RICE… a little chicken, a little egg… if not prepared well it can cause serious indigestion.Hey Garth, if you’re up and reading this GO SIGN MATT DONOVAN…NOW! 8 games in the NHL and maybe he’s next year’s Jack Hillen or Andy Mac. He’s 20 in a few weeks so at least you’ll get some AHL depth next year… Quite a performance in a losing effort last night… a contract would be a nice consolation prize.
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Isles Revamped says:
there are a lot of good points brought up by my fellow Islander Fans. #47 Raises a good point that throwing money at free agents is not always the answer. Heck that is one of the things we about the Rags this time of the year. How much money they throw at players and they are only two or three games better then us.
I heard an analysis of the Devils years ago and why they are so successful year in and year out. First they have a system. Second they go find and get players that work in their system. If they do not work they are gone within a year. The Islanders are on the baby steps stage of that thinking. They have a system, they need to get players to fit in there system. Sometimes taking the best available is not always the smart choice. Hence the reason why Garth moves up and down in the draft. Granted we are a long way away but there is progress. At least in the Coaching and On ice product. Look we had meaningful games up to March this year the hopes did not die in December like years past.
Mission acquire forwards that play into Gordo’s system and can score. Revamp the defense. and solidify the goaltending. Offer Biron a two year deal. It give the prospects another year or two in minors. Protects you when Rollie leaves. And if Ricky does not come back.
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Billy-no-not-Jaffe says:
#56….German beer, German food…..German women= a trifecta
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va says:
This is a good opportunity for Gordon but honestly, who cares about this tourney? The tourney is filled with players who did not make the playoffs or are out of the playoffs. The world junior tourney is the more exciting tourney, not this one. This one is filled with sub-pat NHL players.
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Please don’t group me as a “Gordon Basher”. I have nothing against him personally and I respect him as a coach, HOWEVER in MY opinion, I don’t think he his doing a very good job with this team.
I will continue to support the team no matter who the coach is, but I will also continue to have my opinions on the coaching and players, good and bad.
I very much enjoy reading everyones opinions on the team and that is what makes this site great.
Really? What about Ron Wilson or John Tortarella?
Good for Gordon & Okposo, what about Jack Hillen? Does he have a shot of making the team?