Islanders hire John MacLean as assistant, won't bring in Brian Wiseman

The New York Islanders have made an unexpected change to their coaching staff, hiring John MacLean as an assistant. That may raise some eyebrows, after an announcement just a few weeks ago that Lane Lambert’s assistants this season would be Brian Wiseman and Doug Houda. Wiseman, the Islanders say, will not be joining the staff after all.

MacLean spent last season with the San Jose Sharks as part of Bob Boughner’s staff, even stepping in as interim head coach while Boughner dealt with COVID-19 near the beginning of the year. The veteran coach has also spent time with the Arizona Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils over his two decades behind the bench.

It’s in New Jersey where MacLean also made his hay during his playing days, as the sixth overall pick in 1983. He spent parts of 14 seasons with the Devils, playing 934 games and scoring 701 points. That, plus his short time with the New York Rangers, means he’s certainly familiar with the rivalries that he’ll once again be part of on the East Coast.

The team did not give any explanation for why Wiseman is not joining the staff.