Islanders fire head coach Capuano

The New York Islanders have relieved head coach Jack Capuano of his duties and appointed Doug Weight as interim head coach, the team announced Tuesday.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow thanked Capuano for his contributions to the organization via the team's official website:

The New York Islanders would like to thank Jack for his tireless work throughout his seven seasons with the organization as Head Coach. His leadership guided the team to the playoffs in three of the past four years, which included two straight 100-point seasons. He is a great coach and an even better person. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.

Appointed head coach after serving as the interim boss for most of the 2010-11 season, Capuano was the fourth-longest tenured head coach at the time of his dismissal Tuesday.

He won 227 games in seven seasons behind the Islanders' bench, second only to franchise legend Al Arbour.

Capuano led the Islanders to their first postseason series victory in 23 years last spring. However, the team has shown significant regression this season after consecutive 100-point campaigns, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with 17 wins from 42 games.

Capuano had these parting words:

It's an honor to have served this historic franchise and its passionate fans. I'd like to thank Garth and our ownership group for the opportunity to be the Head Coach of the Islanders. I'd also like to recognize our coaching staff, training staff and players for all of their hard work.

Snow explained in a conference call that Capuano, who had no term remaining on his deal, was not going to be extended an offer to remain at his post. He said the timing of the move will allow the Islanders to get a head start on their search for a replacement.

With new ownership, it's expected that the entire organization - including Snow - will come under scrutiny.