"The first round of interviews for the Islanders' head-coaching vacancy should be completed by Tuesday, and then, general manager Garth Snow can take the next step toward naming a replacement for Ted Nolan. Former Los Angeles Kings coach Marc Crawford and current Islanders assistant Gerard Gallant are among the final candidates expected to be interviewed over the next three days, according to an NHL source.

Crawford has a previous connection to Snow, who played for him during Crawford's first two seasons as head coach in Vancouver from midway through the 1998-99 season to 1999-2000, Snow's last season with the Canucks. Former Atlanta coach Bob Hartley, who also has interviewed for the job, also coached Snow in the AHL.

Other candidates who have interviewed include former Toronto coach Paul Maurice, former Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella, his former Lightning assistant Mike Sullivan and current AHL coach of the year Scott Gordon. Snow also has spoken with former Colorado coach Joel Quenneville, who indicated he plans to take a year off from the NHL. There might be other candidates whose names have not yet been revealed.

Except for Quenneville, all the other candidates have shown their interest in the Islanders' job. Snow has made it clear that he's seeking a long-term partner willing to focus on developing a contender by playing the young prospects and building through the draft.

No doubt, Crawford, 47, is anxious for a chance to redeem himself after two losing seasons with the Kings. In parts of 11 previous seasons with Quebec/Colorado and Vancouver, he had winning records 10 times."