With no practice or game yesterday and no game tonight (or for the next few nights), there's not much new news this morning, so I'd like to open it up to discussion on how to right the S.S. 2007-08 Season before she sinks. Obviously, a coaching change is one option. Look at what Ken Hitchcock has done in Columbus this year, or Ted Nolan on the Island last year. Heck, even what Don Waddell has done so far for Atlanta (this is the only in-season coaching change among the three). Then again, there's what Mike Keenan has done to, err, for Calgary. If you're for change behind the bench, what kind of coach do you think this team needs?
Another option is a shake up in personnel. TSN.ca has a list of players who could be destined to end the season somewhere other than where they started it. Anyone pique your interest?
We all know the bottom line: with 65 games left, the season is still very much salvageable - the Caps are but five points out of eighth place in the East. But can staying the course guide the Caps to the playoffs?
Elsewhere 'Round the Rinks:
The London Free Press takes a quick look at OHL London's forward and Caps 2007 sixth round pick Justin Taylor. Taylor is second on the Knights in goals, third in PIMs, leads them in fights and offered up this beauty of a quote after a 3-2 win over Maine: "I'll sacrifice my face as long as we keep winning." I guess that's what playing for Dale Hunter does for a kid's attitude. Hmm.... Kris Beech is back in the NHL after C'bus recalled him this weekend. I'm sure Ken Hitchcock will just love him.... Our friend Kelly has updated his hockey widget (mac and PC) and it's pretty awesome - you can even check the site feed from this site with it. Thanks, Kelly!... Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all of those who have served this nation and sacrificed so that I can have the opportunity to do meaningless crap like writing this blog. Cheers.
Daily Awards
- Hart: Paul Stastny (2G, including the game-winner, A, +1, 4 SOG, 61% faceoffs won)
- Ross: Paul Stastny (3 points)
- Norris: Scott Hannan (A, +1, 2 SOG, 4 blocked shots)
- Vezina: Nikolai Khabibulin (W, 30 saves on 32 shots against)
- Richard: Paul Stastny (2G)
- Calder: Patrick Kane (G, A, 4 SOG)
- Aiken: Martin Skoula (0 points, 0 SOG, -2)
14 comments:
Staying the curse = bottom of the Eastern Conference. Things will not improve unless there is a shake up with the front office.
Skaters that peaked my interest:
1 Marion Hossa (RW w/ Ovie, i like)
2 Jim Vandermeer (need a TOUGH D-man. We haven't had a someone that opposing forwards fear for some time)
3 Prucha/Svatos (both are a gamble, but worth it in my opinion
4 At what point to the Caps start looking for a new #1 goaltender? Do we really think Varlamov & Neuvirth can cut it?? Brygalov maybe?
Staying the "curse" was unintentional, but seems more than fitting, so I'm keeping it.
1) NS "Staying the curse" was better! LOL
2) We doubt the caps will get a new goalie. Look for them to resign Ollie to a 2 year extension, and hope one of the 2 prospects is ready to back up Ollie in the second of those 2 years
3) Also, with the impending(eventual) AO contract extension we doubt the Caps will be 'adding any salary' during the season.
at this point i would be all for a coaching change. i think Bruce Boudreau if lured away from Hershey would be a good fit. Altho now im rethinking that wondering if yet another minor league coach can get this team to the next level. ooo, i know PAT QUINN! *sarcasm*
In an article (Post?) several years ago, it said Dale Hunter was not interested in leaving his town or team to coach in NHL. And, remember, he also the owner of the team he is coaching now. And Ted isn't ready to sell. :-)
I mentioned this in another thread but it bears repeating if you're nervous about hiring an AHL coach.
The last three Stanley Cup champions have been coached by former AHL coaches; Randy Carlyle, Peter Laviolette and John Tortorella.
@ b.orr4 - The Caps last two coaches (Hanlon and Cassidy) are also AHL head coaching veterans. Can this team risk another Cassidy right now?
JP,
So you're saying just because we made a mistake with Cassidy, we can't hire another AHL coach? There's a world of difference between Boudreau and Cassidy. Cassidy was 37 when he got the Caps job, Boudreau's in his 50's. Cassidy had all of six season coaching in the minors and one in the AHL. Bruce has been a head coach for 15 years with eight years in the AHL where he's averaged over 40 wins a season. Cassidy never won a championship in the minors. Boudreau has won championships in the ECHL and the and the AHL. Cassidy never coached in the Caps minor league system. Bruce has coached the Bears for two seasons. Bruce is ready to coach this team. He's got the experience, he's the right age and he knows the players. Cassidy had none of those advantages. BTW, Hanlon was the right coach for the last couple of years. He's just not the right guy now.
I'm not saying anything - just asking a question.
I don't disagree with your logic at all, but my gut feeling is that there's so much riding on this season that if the team were to make a coaching move, they'd go a little more conservative and either look to a guy who has won at the NHL level or a more European-style coach.
Also, I've always liked Marek Svatos, but he could also be a Pettinger-at-altitude type.
If we could lure away Scotty Bowman from his cushy consulting gig from Detroit, that would be a major coup. One that I think would be much welcomed by the Caps' faithful. It would show a serious commitment to getting over the rebuild.
While the idea of giving the other Bruce a chance because of his Hershey ties to the young players on the squad, makes sense, I don't believe it would carry as much weight with the veterans on the squad. And these are the ones that need to show up every night.
... "but my gut feeling is that there's so much riding on this season that if the team were to make a coaching move, they'd go a little more conservative and either look to a guy who has won at the NHL level or a more European-style coach."
I agree with JP 100% here (except for that "European-style coach" part because I don't know what that means exactly). What we need at this juncture, IF we do make the coaching change, is a serious commitment to taking the next big step back to respectability. This is no time for try-outs or giving someone a chance, no matter how deserving. We need someone with bona fide winning credentials. Who is out there? Anyone?
*gets ready for the lynching* Bob Hartley?
I would like to see someone that can teach some disciple, like what Hitchcock has done in Columbus. Pat Burns comes to mind.
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