[ThePundit]

Don't expect Dominik Hasek and Ted Nolan to rehash old times today. Their relationship hasn't been all that good.

When the two were together with the Buffalo Sabres in 1996-97, Hasek was named the NHL's MVP and top goalie and Nolan was named Coach of the Year. In an interview during the awards ceremony, Hasek said of Nolan, "It would be better for me if he did not return."

"I don't think we have too much to say to each other," Nolan said. "He made a statement that he didn't want to play for me. That's everyone's prerogative."

Nolan said he doesn't know what caused the breakdown in his relationship with Hasek. There were reports that the issues ranged from a difference of opinion regarding Hasek's health during the 1997 playoffs to rumors regarding personal matters.

"To this day, I still don't understand what happened," Nolan said. "His comments came totally out of leftfield. I can't get in everyone's head and know what they're thinking all the time. I learned a long time ago, if you have nothing good to say about a situation, you're better off not saying it."

Nolan even joked about the attention he's paid to Hasek. Said the coach, "I didn't even realize he was playing for Detroit until a couple weeks ago."

Not the first time Nolan, Hasek will face off - Newsday.com
I would love to know what happened. I had heard that Nolan had an affair with Hasek's wife. That's pure rumor and I doubt that it's true but that was the rumor at one point.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Not the first time Nolan, Hasek will face off - Newsday.com
I would love to know what happened. I had heard that Nolan had an affair with Hasek's wife. That's pure rumor and I doubt that it's true but that was the rumor at one point.

That's a cool rumor...can anyone second the rumor?...

[ThePundit]

I'm watching the Islander game last night. And I think it's safe to leave the house and go to the Super Market after 2 periods, the Isles are up 3-0. I get what I have to get and I get in my car and turn on the radio. With a little less than 10 mintues left , the game is 3-3. And then the Isles lose in O/T. This is why the Isles break my heart all the time. Every time I think the Islanders are going to put something together, they pull crap like this.

[ThePundit]

You tell 'em Ted!

Coming off an excruciating 4-3 overtime loss to the Red Wings in which the Islanders blew a 3-0 third-period lead, coach Ted Nolan stopped yesterday's practice midway through and expressed his displeasure.

Nolan stops practice to criticize lack of effort - Newsday.com

[MJHMarc]

Sad, sad game.

[ThePundit]

Whatever Nolan did evidently worked. Playing without Alexi Yashin and Tom Poti, The Isles beat the Thrashers 5-2 at Atlanta. Considering the brutal way they lost the other day, they showed me something about their grit.

[blueandwhite]

this on wikipedia:
The regular season success of the Sabres in 1996-97 was overshadowed by what took place during the playoffs. Tensions between Sabres head coach Ted Nolan and Hašek had been high for most of the season, and after the Ottawa Senators scored on him in game three of the first round of the playoffs, Hašek left the game, which forced backup Steve Shields to step in. Hašek claimed he felt his knee pop, and the team doctor pronounced him day-to-day. Being integral to the Sabres' Cup run, the media speculated that Hašek was not doing his utmost to return from the injury because he was at odds with Nolan. Buffalo News columnist Jim Kelley wrote a column that night that appeared in the following day's newspaper that detailed that day's events, which irked Hašek. After the Senators won game five, Hašek came out of the Sabres' training room and allegedly attacked Kelley, choking him and tearing his shirt. Despite issuing an apology, things went downhill soon afterward. [1]Shields starred as the Sabres rallied to win the series against Ottawa.
Before the next series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the NHL announced that Hašek had been suspended for three games for his altercation with Kelley. Set to return in game four with the team down by three games in the series, Hašek told the Sabres' coaching staff he felt a twinge in his knee and left the ice after the pregame skate. Shields turned in another season-saving performance as Buffalo staved off the almost inevitable sweeping elimination with a win. Again before the fifth game, Hašek declared himself unfit to play and Buffalo lost 6-3, losing the series in five games.
Though General Manager John Muckler was named "Executive of the Year", he was fired for his constant feuding with Nolan. Hašek, who sided with Muckler, stating in an interview during 1997 NHL Awards Ceremony that "it would be better for [him] if [Nolan] did not return". Despite winning the Jack Adams Award as top coach, Nolan did not return the next year. Hašek would again win the Vezina Trophy, and also win the Lester B. Pearson Award along with the Hart Trophy for league MVP. At the time, he, along with Jacques Plante, was the second goalie to ever win the Hart.



hasek's got a big mouth and an arrogance problem. and whoever heard of not rehiring your coach after he wins coach of the year?

[ThePundit]

Good article Blue. I understand the team siding with a star player over a coach. It's happens in all sports. Magic Johnson got Paul Westhead fired. Mark Messier got Roger Nielsen fired.

But what makes no sense to me is why Nolan couldn't get another job for 10 years. It really makes me give some credence to the fact that maybe Nolan did have an affair with Hasek's wife...Or if not that, he must have done something very bad for no team to give him a shot. And I would love to know what that is.

[blueandwhite]

he's always claimed racism because he is native. Comments said, etc.

[ThePundit]

If he really believes that, I think its silly. These GM's will hire dog if they think he's the best candidate.

[blueandwhite]

I remember watching a documentary on Nolan, before the Islanders brought him back, and about everything that happened back in the 90s, where he went after that - he wasn't exceptionally angry or lashing out, but he was convinced it was racism that led to his firing.
I think that's hilarious about the 'hiring a dog', because I agree, but i think he had an exceptionally rough time in Buffalo. I am sure things were said to him, name calling, etc, that he won't forget that leads to him saying, people were racist.