The friction was not fiction.

The Islanders officially confirmed the rumblings of discord in their front office that emerged late last season -- and continued a decade-long trend with their latest summertime dose of hard-to-believe news -- when GM Garth Snow announced on July 14 that coach Ted Nolan will not return for the 2008-09 season.

Nolan, who was out of the NHL for nearly a decade after losing a power struggle with then-Buffalo GM John Muckler, had been rejected by Snow and owner Charles Wang in his request for a contract extension near the end of last season, in which the Isles succumbed to various injuries and failed to make the playoffs after a surprise run to the postseason the previous year in Nolan's first season behind the bench.

Citing "philosophical differences" over Snow's desire to infuse more prospects into the Islanders' regular lineup, the sides described the breakup as a "mutual agreement." But Nolan will be paid for the final year of his contract, which is said to be worth roughly $600,000 per year.

"My strong belief never subsided that the philosophical divide was too much to bear," Snow said. "It has been a difficult decision for me because of Charles Wang's decision to give Ted the opportunity to coach again in the NHL. I understand there could be some criticism for waiting, and if there is it falls on me."

Declining to specify candidates, Snow claimed more than a dozen people almost immediately expressed interest in the position. Former NHL coaches Bob Hartley, Paul Maurice, John Tortorella and Joel Quenneville reportedly are on the list of those Snow hopes to interview.

"Communication is key, along with the ability to provide structure to the team, to be able to discipline players and to hold players accountable," Snow told Newsday. "I'll look for a coach who has integrity, an inspirational, motivational, knowledgeable coach. Those are the ingredients I feel a great coach has. I look forward to the process of finding our next head coach."

Isles legend Bryan Trottier, a former coach of the New York Rangers and currently the Isles' director of player development, told Newsday he is not presently interested in returning behind the bench.

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