Isles introduce rookie coach Gordon

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

It didn’t come from a reporter and it wasn’t posed by general manager Garth Snow. No, the insightful inquiry was made by wife Jennifer — a ballet instructor.

AHL’s Gordon named Islanders coach

NEW YORK — The New York Islanders hired Scott Gordon, the AHL coach of the year, on Tuesday night to replace dismissed head coach Ted Nolan.

Gordon emerged as the choice of general manager Garth Snow after an extensive search following Nolan’s departure on July 14. He agreed to a multi-year deal with the team.

Ducks ink coach Carlyle to extension

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Randy Carlyle, who coached the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup championship in 2007, signed a two-year extension Wednesday.

Financial terms were not announced.

Gilmour may leave Leafs to be a coach

Doug Gilmour would love to re-invent himself as an NHL coach, but he will most likely need to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs in order to do so.

As reported in Thursday’s Toronto Sun, Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher acknowledged that the right fit for Gilmour may not be in the Blue and White, though the team would try to keep him in some capacity.

Lightning unveil new coach Melrose

TAMPA, Fla. — When the Tampa Bay Lightning called, Barry Melrose was eager to listen.

Out of coaching for 13 years, he missed the passion and competition of the NHL. Countless hours of watching games as a television analyst intensified his desire to return behind the bench, and it didn’t hurt that he’d be able to work with talent like Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Stamkos.

Panthers introduce new coach DeBoer

Peter DeBoer was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Florida Panthers Monday in Sunrise, Fla.

The 40-year-old DeBoer said he was excited about the opportunity.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of guiding this franchise back to the playoffs and to putting a team on the ice that our fans in South Florida can be proud of,” DeBoer was quoted as saying in a statement released by the team.

DeBoer coached the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League the past seven seasons, winning a Memorial Cup in 2003. He was 53-11-0-4 with Kitchener this past season, winning the OHL championship and making it to the final of the Memorial Cup before losing to Spokane. He also coached the Detroit/Plymouth Wahlers and won 539 games overall in the OHL.

Boudreau selected NHL coach of the year

TORONTO — As coaching jobs took Bruce Boudreau through places like Fort Wayne, Muskegon, San Francisco, Mississippi and Lowell, there were many days when he thought he might never get to the NHL.

Wild coach Lemaire returning for ‘08-09

MINNEAPOLIS — Jacques Lemaire has 11 Stanley Cup championship rings, 500 victories as a coach and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL.

Yet despite all he has done as a player, executive and coach, Lemaire still needed a little reassurance from Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough before deciding to return for an eighth season behind the Wild bench.

Quenneville will not return as Avs coach

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche want to play a faster, more attacking brand of hockey, similar to the style that brought them two Stanley Cup titles.

Now, they’re looking for a coach who fits that description.

Fall guy: Maple Leafs fire coach Maurice

TORONTO — The face-lift has begun for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“You’re going to have new management, you’re going to have new coaching, and you’re going to have a number of new players,” interim GM Cliff Fletcher said Wednesday. “This is the start of a new era for the Maple Leafs.”

Fletcher fired head coach Paul Maurice on Wednesday morning, not a total surprise after two years out of the playoffs. The veteran caretaker Fletcher felt it was important for the next GM to start fresh.