Ex-Islander Coach Simpson Was ‘Devastated’ by Firing

Former New York Islanders Coach Terry Simpson, fired on Dec. 7, said he did not believe General Manager Bill Torrey’s assertion that Torrey did not talk to Al Arbour about returning to the bench until the night before Arbour was named the new coach.

“I’m sure it had to have been discussed,” Simpson said by telephone Wednesday night from his home in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Simpson said he was “shocked and devastated” by his firing because Torrey gave him no hint he was dissatisfied with him.

Torrey responded, saying, “I did not discuss Al taking over at any point in time before that day. Those are the cold, hard facts. I made the decision following the (Dec. 6) game ... “

Simpson indicated he felt vindicated by the club’s 4-10 start under Arbour after going 7-18-2 with Simpson. A junior hockey official and longtime Simpson friend who did not want to be named said, “He didn’t become a dumb coach overnight. That team needs a heart transplant.”

Simpson would not comment on those remarks and blamed injuries for most of the team’s problems.

“During the eight-game losing streak,” he said, “we had six to eight players out with injuries every game. I don’t think we had the depth to overcome that. And we had some players having an off year. I felt I could overcome those problems.”

Simpson said that his firing was “an embarrassment to me and my family” and that while Torrey “indicated to me they might be able to find something for me to do, I didn’t take that as a firm job offer. I still feel I can coach and that’s what I want to do.”

Torrey said he did have “definite things” in mind for Simpson but would not say what they were. Simpson said the team was paying the balance of his season’s salary, estimated at $125,000, and selling his New York home for him.

Torrey said that the club offered Simpson a two-year contract, but that he wound up agreeing on a one-year deal.

“We came lock, stock and barrel,” said Simpson, who sold his home in Prince Albert in 1986 to join the Islanders. He added, “I guess it was a bit of a gamble, but I really felt at the time it was the right thing to do. Maybe I was a little naive, but I wanted to be instrumental in helping rebuild the team. I think in the long run the experience has done me some good.

“Everything that could go wrong did,” Simpson said. “With a young team, you’re going to have dry spells. The Islanders aren’t the only club that’s gone through that this year.” Simpson said he had had no coaching offers since his firing.