11/05/24
June 08, 2004
Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away from both the funeral marchs in Calgary and the celebration of the opening of the Bucs' training camp in Tampa Bay, a small-market team deep in the Ottawa valley hires a coach.
posted by DrJohnEvans to hockey at 09:10 AM - 13 comments
I have no idea what to think about this hiring. My only knowledge of Murray is that he played a large part in building the Red Wings of the 1990s. A General Manager who takes a demotion to coach has got to be passionate about coaching, though. From the sounds of things, Murray is like a more vocal Jacques Martin -- a tactical mind, but he'll make his players earn their ice time. Plus, he's from Shawville, PQ. Has anyone here been to Shawville? Not a pretty place. Murray's worth a shot. None of the other coaching candidates impressed me much anyway. Keith Acton? Please.
posted by Succa at 09:35 AM on June 08, 2004
They didn't waste any time.
posted by insomnyuk at 09:36 AM on June 08, 2004
I still gotta ask...what ever happened to Ted Nolan?
posted by MeatSaber at 09:42 AM on June 08, 2004
After reading up, I think I approve. Murray did the things with the Wings in the early '90s, was in Washington when they were good, and oversaw Anaheim's best season in franchise history. Good things seem to follow him. He seems to have been the best option, too. I was never big on Quenneville—I don't want the Sens to make the playoffs for 25 years in a row and never win a Cup. I didn't want a rookie coach in Acton. Can't say much about Bobby Francis to begin with. Robinson was never an option with Pat Burns' condition. Short of Scotty Bowman, Murray might've been the best we could've done. I'm feeling good about this. Of course, then I remember that there's not gonna be a season next year.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:05 AM on June 08, 2004
I still gotta ask...what ever happened to Ted Nolan? Ted Nolan did the unthinkable: he got into a power struggle with his GM. No GM is going to hire him because of that manuever. Of course, then I remember that there's not gonna be a season next year. And don't forget the Maple Leafs will always be there to crush their playoff hopes if there is a season. /mandatory jab
posted by grum@work at 11:23 AM on June 08, 2004
don't forget the Maple Leafs will always be there to crush their playoff hopes And promptly thereafter the Maple Leafs will crush the playoff hopes of Leaf fans. /I live in the West...
posted by alex_reno at 03:20 PM on June 08, 2004
Ted Nolan did the unthinkable: he got into a power struggle with his GM. Not just any GM, but John Muckler, who is now the Senators GM. Nolan deserves a shot, but it won't be working for Muckler. Bryan Murray has been a good GM but, if my memory serves me correctly, wasn't he the coach of the Capitals for all of their first round playoff exits?
posted by Steve-o at 05:52 PM on June 08, 2004
Robinson was never an option with Pat Burns' condition. Why is this? Also, where is PQ?
posted by billsaysthis at 09:41 PM on June 08, 2004
Province de Québec.
posted by alex_reno at 10:48 PM on June 08, 2004
billsaysthis: The Devils wanted to hang onto Robinson, since the ability of Pat Burns to carry on as head coach next season is still in question.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 07:28 AM on June 09, 2004
Go Devils! But still, what will all this mean come September 16 and the season is cancelled?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:46 PM on June 09, 2004
I think the most important question is: Who's going to play goal? Murray's been handed a team with almost all the ingredients necessary for a Stanley Cup Stew. Coach Schmoach.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:41 PM on June 09, 2004
And hundreds of thousands loyal yet bitter fans sat up, perked up their ears, and said together, "Bryan who?"