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The Coaching Merry-go-Round |
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Written by patrickhoffman
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Thursday, May 15 2008 |
Another week, another NHL coaching casualty as Doug Wilson, general manager of the San Jose Sharks, fired Ron Wilson, the team’s head coach.
For Wilson, it was a long time coming as his team underachieved during the last three seasons. In those three campaigns, the Sharks failed to get past the second round despite stellar regular season records.
However, it was apparent that the Sharks’ brash was tired of being a successful regular season team and is instead, looking for someone that can get them to the next level and where management believes they should be every season: in the Stanley Cup finals.
Wilson wasn’t the only bench boss who was canned after the regular season as Paul Maurice of the Toronto Maple Leafs was also let go by his organization.
In three season with the Leafs, Maurice did everything he could but get into the playoffs and if you’re not able to get your team in the playoffs in this business, you’re going to lose your job.
Joel Quenneville is another coach who will not be coaching the team he was with this season as he was let go by his hockey club, the Colorado Avalanche.
Quenneville had a 131-92-23 record with the Avs but was just 2-2 in playoff series.
These three join a growing list of coaches who are looking for homes next season. More than likely, some of the other head coaches that will be available include John Tortorella of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Don Waddell of the Atlanta Thrashers and Bryan Murray of the Ottawa Senators. Quite a list of spots to fill going into the 2008-09 NHL season.
Here is what I think could happen:
· John Tortorella becomes head coach of the Ottawa Senators and Bryan Murray stays on as the team’s GM. Torterella is a guy who is not afraid to yell at his players and put them in their place, something that the Ottawa Senators need if they want to make things right next season.
· Paul Maurice returns to the Southeast division to coach the Atlanta Thrashers. Maurice would not have as much pressure as he did in Toronto as the Thrashers, who have only made the playoffs once in their nine year history, are still looking to become a more consistent hockey club.
· There are all these rumors that Barry “the Mullet” Melrose will return to the NHL coaching ranks. If such a thing were to happen, don’t be surprised if you see him behind the Lightning bench next season. Tampa Bay has never been a traditional hockey market so why not do something to prove that point and hire Melrose?
· Alain Vigneault will remain the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. For the past two weeks, new GM Mike Gillis has been having pow-wow sessions with the bench boss trying to figure out why the team didn’t make the playoffs this season. The answer? Not Vigneault. Look to the team’s lack of scoring as the main reason why the Canucks could not get to the postseason tournament.
· I think that the San Jose Sharks should consider Quenneville for their vacant coaching position. This is a guy who knows the Western Conference inside and out and is someone that the Sharks would enjoy playing for.
What do you folks think will happen?
Patrick Hoffman
NHL Special Contributor
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