[bossy4president]

This is truly a classy move on Nolan, the NHL, Snow, and the organization's part. It is going to be a unreal night (Nov. 3rd). Seeing the Isles playing hard to beat Sydney and company for Al's 740th win is going to be sight and a dead lock for next years "top 10 moments". Do I see another banner ceremony to replace the 739 with a 740 in the future? I sure hope so. I don't care if I'm on the moon, I will not miss that game.
Kudos to all that was invovled to make this special night happen.

[ThePundit]

Hall of Fame coach Al Arbour will return to Long Island to coach his 1,500th regular season game with the Islanders on Saturday, November 3 when the team hosts Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Nassau Coliseum at 7:00 pm. The legendary coach celebrates his 75th birthday on November 1.

Earlier this week Arbour accepted an invitation from Ted Nolan to run the team for one last game and reach the milestone of 1,500 games coached with the franchise he led to four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 - 1983. Arbour will sign a one-day contract on Friday, November 2 and lead the team the following night against the Penguins.

"This is an incredible gesture by Ted and the Islanders," Arbour said this morning from his summer home in Ontario. "I am flattered that Ted thought of me and I wouldn't miss this night for the world. I told the team that I do not want any pre-game fanfare. I'm there to coach the game and help Ted and my Islanders try to earn two points against a very tough team."

New York Islanders - News: AL ARBOUR RETURNS TO COACH 1,500th GAME - 07/19/2007

It's a classy gesture. No question. Plus they'll definitely fill up the building. But he's not going to actually coach, right?

[bossy4president]

From what I read, Ted will be on the bench with him, but the raines are all Al's. Ted is basically going to be an assistant coach. Al has made it know and agreed to this whole thing on the fact that he wants no pregame hoopla. He wants it to just be another game and he wants to win it, but to do so he's going to need a whole lot of Ted's help of course. If the Isles do win I'm sure the 739 banner will be replaced, but there will not be a ceremony. They just might have one waiting and raise it at the end of the game if they win. That will be short and sweet. Good for the fans, good for Al, good for the league.

The part that means so much to me, and it's been said on some blog, is that they're doing it against the Penguins. It's a saturday game(afternoon or night game im not sure of), the best team in our league, Crosby.......It's already going to be a sell out game so you know they weren't looking to sell tickets. If they did it just to fill seats I would be pretty pissed. Good work by all involved.

[Isles2279]

I hear something similar....Nolan will be on the bench, but Arbour will coach the game and the practice sessions leading up to the game.