Islanders hire AHL Coach of Year Gordon to replace Nolan

Nolan had one season remaining on the deal he signed in 2006, when he and then-GM Neil Smith were hired on the same day. Smith was fired several weeks later and Snow, then the Islanders' backup goalie, took over as GM.

On the day of the dismissal, Nolan and Snow cited philosophical differences as the reason for the split.

Only three NHL teams finished with fewer points than the Islanders last season.

"If you take a close look at what Scott has done with young players at Providence, you don't have that kind of success without patience," Snow said. "He has been a great teacher.

"I just felt he was the best fit for our organization. Just because you're in the NHL doesn't mean you're done developing. Scott has a track record of developing young players."

Gordon, a Massachusetts native who backstopped Boston College to the NCAA Frozen Four as a goalie in 1985, was the first ECHL graduate to play in the NHL. He was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic hockey team.