Post by Rayven on Jun 2, 2006 16:19:54 GMT -5
Sound Tigers coaches released by Islanders
The New York Islanders had a June 1 deadline to exercise options on their contracts, making them casualties of the team's ongoing general manager search. Baseggio got the news in a morning meeting with Bridgeport team president Howard Saffan. "We're proud of what we did this year. I'm proud of what I've done the past five years," Baseggio said. "I'll let that do my talking."
But Saffan said the move was made to give the coaches "flexibility" while waiting out the Islanders' ongoing general manager search. He said the Islanders' candidates have all asked to pick their own coaching staffs. "It's no reflection on them, and that's the hardest thing to get across," said Saffan, adding it's conceivable the new GM could hire this staff back. "You and I both know they did an outstanding job." When Yale came calling in April, Baseggio turned down his alma mater's advances, saying he couldn't go after that job while preparing his team for the playoffs.
"I guess I was optimistic they'd pick up the option and I'd continue to be coach here," Baseggio said Thursday. "Dave, Pat and Lane are tremendous human beings," Saffan said. "It's thoroughly a move out of friendship and respect, respect for three men who've done an outstanding job."
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Sad, cuz they all did a great job, but with no GM in place, they just let these guys contacts expire. Shame.
The New York Islanders had a June 1 deadline to exercise options on their contracts, making them casualties of the team's ongoing general manager search. Baseggio got the news in a morning meeting with Bridgeport team president Howard Saffan. "We're proud of what we did this year. I'm proud of what I've done the past five years," Baseggio said. "I'll let that do my talking."
But Saffan said the move was made to give the coaches "flexibility" while waiting out the Islanders' ongoing general manager search. He said the Islanders' candidates have all asked to pick their own coaching staffs. "It's no reflection on them, and that's the hardest thing to get across," said Saffan, adding it's conceivable the new GM could hire this staff back. "You and I both know they did an outstanding job." When Yale came calling in April, Baseggio turned down his alma mater's advances, saying he couldn't go after that job while preparing his team for the playoffs.
"I guess I was optimistic they'd pick up the option and I'd continue to be coach here," Baseggio said Thursday. "Dave, Pat and Lane are tremendous human beings," Saffan said. "It's thoroughly a move out of friendship and respect, respect for three men who've done an outstanding job."
*************************
Sad, cuz they all did a great job, but with no GM in place, they just let these guys contacts expire. Shame.
