12/18/24
April 07, 2007
NHL Coaches On The Hot Seat (Maybe...): No coach is untouchable. Just ask Claude Julien.
posted by wingnut4life to hockey at 10:00 AM - 14 comments
Bryan Murray, Ottawa Senators Probability of getting the ax: Medium. Bryan Murray's contract shouldn't be extended if the team falls short of, oh, say, a Finals appearance*. Sure, he's been able to get the team over some significant player loss, but (a) it took him half a freaking season to figure it out, and (b) this team, despite Muckler's best efforts, still has a boatload of talent, and Murray can't get that talent to surface consistently. The one factor in Murray's favour is that he doesn't get in Dino Muckler's way. So he'll probably be sticking around. * Deliberate ambiguity!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:28 AM on April 07, 2007
Muckler is the guy who has to go. It's a new NHL and Jonny boy is old school. I say move brian upstairs and bring in keenan.
posted by Kamarsun at 11:36 AM on April 07, 2007
If the Senators let Bryan Murray go, you can bet that Dave Lewis in Boston is doomed. Peter Chiarelli will grab his old coach in a heartbeat, if for no other reason than to wake up Zdeno Chara. Despite Murray's lack of success in the post season, in Boston just getting to the playoffs would be an improvement.
posted by Howard_T at 11:40 AM on April 07, 2007
It's a new NHL and Jonny boy is old school. I say move brian upstairs and bring in keenan. Jesus, and Keenan ain't?
posted by wfrazerjr at 04:26 PM on April 07, 2007
It's a new NHL and Jonny boy is old school. I say move brian upstairs and bring in keenan. Jesus, and Keenan ain't? Jesus is definitely old school. I think Keenan is as well.
posted by tommybiden at 06:06 PM on April 07, 2007
John Tortorella, on the other hand, is a good coach. I just think that he has worn out his welcome in Tampa Bay. I agree whole-heartedly with that statement. I also think Peter Laviolette's job is pretty safe. Management did not get all of the rent-a-players this year like they did last season, and it's not his fault every team brought their A-game against the Champions. Gretzky only goes, if Gretzky wants to go. Out of all of the coaches on that list, Craig MacTavish is probably the most likely to go. There is too big of a difference from last year's run to this years flop. Granted, they were Cinderellas last year, but they didn't even come close this year.
posted by MrFrisby at 11:08 PM on April 07, 2007
Gretzky only goes, if Gretzky wants to go. I agree, sk8r. That's the sad part about the whole thing. Did anyone see the Habs-Leafs game last night? Great hockey, baby!
posted by wingnut4life at 05:35 AM on April 08, 2007
Did anyone see the Habs-Leafs game last night? Great hockey, baby! Leafs and Habs played last night? Was it even televised? Who won?
posted by tommybiden at 07:06 AM on April 08, 2007
posted by wingnut4life at 07:45 AM on April 08, 2007
Sarcasm Alert there wingnut, but it's always good to see in print!
posted by tommybiden at 08:35 AM on April 08, 2007
Great hockey, baby! Crappy goaltending = great hockey? Somebody tell Gary Bettman! There'll be a goalie-games-played cap by next season!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:01 AM on April 09, 2007
Crappy goaltending = great hockey? You know, I think you might be on to something there.
posted by fabulon7 at 07:40 AM on April 09, 2007
Crappy goaltending = great hockey? You know, I think you might be on to something there. Crappy goaltending = exciting hockey, great goaltending = exciting hockey, lots of chances = exciting hockey, clutching and grabbing = boring hockey. Playoff Hockey = Stanley Cup = Exciting Hockey!
posted by tommybiden at 12:34 PM on April 09, 2007
There are a couple of coaches on this list that really jump out at me. Being a Wings fan (really?) and seeing Babcocks name kinda dumbfounded me. I think that he has done a pretty good job keeping this team clicking. Dave Lewis, who is currently floundering in Boston, didn't seem to make a mark when he coached the Wings. He was more of a maintenance man than a coach. I honestly do not think that Lewis is head coach material. John Tortorella, on the other hand, is a good coach. I just think that he has worn out his welcome in Tampa Bay. I think that the players are starting to tune him out. Seeing Gretzky's name on this list tugged at my heart strings. I really wished that he would have stayed in the shadows and not coach. He knows this game inside and out, but I think that he's having a hard time translating his knowledge to his players.