11/21/24
December 10, 2003
Caps fire Bruce Cassidy.: The Washington Capitals, limping to the second worst record in the NHL and hemorrhaging money, canned their 38-year old coach today. He'd struggled communicating with his veteran players (an assistant coach had to separate him and defenseman Brendan Witt earlier this year), but the final straw appears to have been ill-advised comments about players being distracted by family matters.
posted by Mookieproof to hockey at 12:33 PM - 4 comments
Not much at all you could do, except for you have a pretty good goalie. Too bad they couldn't unload Jagr, I don't think he has been great for the team morale.
posted by owl at 04:49 PM on December 10, 2003
But Sammy, this guy will surely end up a well-paid scout or assistant for someone else next season, maybe assistant GM if inclined that way, and he's only 38 so plenty of time to learn and grow into a good head coach. Too bad the team, going nowhere anyway this season, couldn't be more patient and attempt to help him over the hump.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:07 PM on December 10, 2003
Well, no matter the cause ... pointing to someone being distracted by their possibly dying wife is pretty damned stupid.
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:06 PM on December 10, 2003
I'd rather be a backup goaltender than a head coach. You can be a career backup. Coaches don't last very long. What could you do with a team like the Capitals? Not much.