Nice to see that Nolan is back

Odd

When he left the Sabres, I always wondered why no other team picked him up. Obviously one of the best coaches around.

A couple years ago, I heard from someone in the business, that Nolan had an argument with someone in the organization (Sather?) and basically took a "dump" on his desk. Again, rumour, rumour, rumour. So, take it for what it is, 3rd (probably 6th) hand information.

I find the above story hard to believe but can anyone else explain why Nolan isn't hired as an NHL coach? The only other reason that I've heard is that Nolan basically gets his GM fired since he really wants to be an NHL GM. So, what GM would hire someone to coach his team when the coach basically wants his job?

RS

Is it just that though risingson?

Don't you think it's something more sinister? Like maybe his ethnicity?

I know I might take some flak for this comment, but; for the same reason there are very few African American coaches in the NFL, could it be the same for the old boys network in hockey? The NFL until very recently started hiring African American coaches...to this day I couldn't believe nobody picked up Shell after the Raiders (even though he had a winning career there).

In his 2 years as head coach - Nolan won the Jack Adams award in 97 and led the Sabers to a 40 win season. I can't imagine that kind of sucess, as well as a solid background in the minors and a decent career as a player and nobody wanted him? Not even as an assistant? Curious.

healer677 said:

Don't you think it's something more sinister? Like maybe his ethnicity?

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...don't think so... well maybe so with the Sabres, but that is not the reason that he is blacklisted from the entire league. I think that it goes much deeper than that.

...he is a coach that does not like to give up any control... he would not accept a role as an assistant. he also will not sell out... he knows that he is one of the greatest coaches available.. he believes that he should be at the helm of control and GM's and owners have to listen to him... that is what makes him unemployable.

...although i do admire him and it feels good to see him and Flynn back together again as they were with the Greyhounds.

Tickered

Buffalo (Muckler) New York (sather?) anyway both men were not in the equation, except Muckler had to make the final decision from a direct order from the Regis Family. "get rid of that son of a bitch" before he sleeps with anymore of the player wives. Thats why he hasnt been around the NHL.

There was a rumour that Nolan did the Dominator's wife & Muckler's daughter.

21pro said:

...don't think so... well maybe so with the Sabres, but that is not the reason that he is blacklisted from the entire league. I think that it goes much deeper than that.

...he is a coach that does not like to give up any control... he would not accept a role as an assistant. he also will not sell out... he knows that he is one of the greatest coaches available.. he believes that he should be at the helm of control and GM's and owners have to listen to him... that is what makes him unemployable.

...although i do admire him and it feels good to see him and Flynn back together again as they were with the Greyhounds.

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Nolan did get blacklisted because his exit in Buffalo was very hostile. Many of his key players (Peca, Hasek) did not like him and he left in very bad terms w/Sabers management who in turn gave bad recommendations to other interested teams.

... don't even go there with the whole sleeping with players' wives thing...

I could write a book on 'who ...supposedly... did who'

but you can't seperate fact from fiction as any of these could be rumours as neither you nor I was there when it happened... again, supposedly..

Don said:

Nolan did get blacklisted because his exit in Buffalo was very hostile. Many of his key players (Peca, Hasek) did not like him and he left in very bad terms w/Sabers management who in turn gave bad recommendations to other interested teams.

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Thats right!! its all coming back now, didnt hasek say he would not play for the sabers if nolan was still the coach? or was i just dreaming?

Nolan has been offered other jobs, ie Tampa BAy, but he didn't want to take those jobs. They were not to his liking. He also didn't want to take AHL or Canadian junior positions, until recently. He burned a lot of bridges, and thought he was above some of these other jobs. I wish him well, i also don't want to hear him complain why he isn't getting any other jobs when he is let go from the Islanders.