Gordon enters season in final year of contract

In his first two seasons as Islanders coach, Scott Gordon became intimately acquainted with the pressure and demands of the job.

Now he is heading into the final year of his contract without an extension, but Gordon vows to approach this season just like any other.

"You can only do your best, and if that's not good enough, so be it," he said. "You can't second-guess yourself."

Owner Charles Wang told Newsday this week that this season will play a pivotal role in Gordon's future with the team, and that general manager Garth Snow will make the call.

"Every contract has a last year," Wang said. "We have to see what the season holds. We like Scott. Ultimately, it's Garth's decision."

Asked if he believes he has the support of the organization, Gordon replied: "I've never heard anything to the contrary."

Since he was hired to replace Ted Nolan in the summer of 2008, it's been an uphill battle for Gordon, who was quickly saddled with some serious setbacks in his first season.

The team lost franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro to injury and was forced to rely on unproven netminders Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis for the majority of the season. The team was decimated by injuries - a league-leading 583 man-games lost - and finished last in the overall standings.

"There was so much I couldn't measure because it wasn't a full deck," Gordon said.

Last season, however, the team made significant strides. Although the Islanders missed the playoffs and finished in 26th place, they remained competitive for most of the season.

John Tavares had an impressive 24-goal rookie campaign, 40-year-old veteran Dwayne Roloson bolstered the team's goaltending, Matt Moulson had a breakout season and young defensemen Andrew MacDonald and Jack Hillen stepped up to fill the holes in a depleted defense.

"We had the opportunity to compete every night," Gordon said.

Given last season's progress and the addition of three experienced defensemen (James Wisniewski, Mark Eaton, Milan Jurcina) in the offseason, Gordon has every reason to believe the team will continue to move forward this season.

"I really believe everyone in this room - trainers, coaching staff and players - knows where we are going and how we are going to play," Gordon said. "Everyone else can say we are not good enough, that we didn't land that high-priced free agent, that we only spent to the cap floor, but to us that doesn't mean anything."

Notes & quotes: Kyle Okposo had the day off because of a sore shoulder and did not skate Friday. Five others also were given the day off to rest.