Guide a team to their best record in 5 years in your first full season as a head coach and what's your reward after starting 1-2-1 the follwing year?
A pink slip in your stocking.
That's reality for former coach Denis Savard today after he got "powerplayed" out his coaching job by the new management team in Chicago.
A lot of eyes were raised in hockey circles when 'hawks management hired Scotty Bowman and even more were raised when former Avalanche bench boss Joel Quenneville came on board as a "scout" a few week later. Many thought Savard was on a short leash.
Turns out they were correct.
Quite frankly I think Savard took it up the keister on this one. I think the new 'hawks management had an itchy trigger finger and were just waiting for any kind of excuse to get "their guy" behind the bench.
Quenneville is a proven coach with a winning record so it will be interesting to watch where Chicago goes from here - especially after the 10-game new coach "bump" that every team receives when a new guy is brought in.
Puck-rakers announced today's practice lines and where we may expect Filatov to fit in:
Nash-Umberger-Huselius
Chimera-Brassard-Voracek
Modin-Murray-Filatov
Picard-Novotny-Dorsett
Commodore-Hejda
Tyutin-Klesla
Backman-Russell
Leclaire
Norrena
Those lines make sense to me. I wouldn't mind seeing Modin up there with the kids as a trigger man but he's more of a gind it out type player who looks for open space to get his shots off versus Chimera who is better on the rush which plays to Brassard and Voraceks game -- unfortunately he lacks that finisher's touch (just keep your stick down Chimmer!).
A pink slip in your stocking.
That's reality for former coach Denis Savard today after he got "powerplayed" out his coaching job by the new management team in Chicago.
A lot of eyes were raised in hockey circles when 'hawks management hired Scotty Bowman and even more were raised when former Avalanche bench boss Joel Quenneville came on board as a "scout" a few week later. Many thought Savard was on a short leash.
Turns out they were correct.
Quite frankly I think Savard took it up the keister on this one. I think the new 'hawks management had an itchy trigger finger and were just waiting for any kind of excuse to get "their guy" behind the bench.
Quenneville is a proven coach with a winning record so it will be interesting to watch where Chicago goes from here - especially after the 10-game new coach "bump" that every team receives when a new guy is brought in.
Puck-rakers announced today's practice lines and where we may expect Filatov to fit in:
Nash-Umberger-Huselius
Chimera-Brassard-Voracek
Modin-Murray-Filatov
Picard-Novotny-Dorsett
Commodore-Hejda
Tyutin-Klesla
Backman-Russell
Leclaire
Norrena
Those lines make sense to me. I wouldn't mind seeing Modin up there with the kids as a trigger man but he's more of a gind it out type player who looks for open space to get his shots off versus Chimera who is better on the rush which plays to Brassard and Voraceks game -- unfortunately he lacks that finisher's touch (just keep your stick down Chimmer!).
I'd really like to see Modin get on the board and get it going though. Its obvious he's still shaking off the rust but we need him contributing.
As far as Filatov he's playing with a couple of guys who play the right way and with Modin as the other wing he's got some skill on his line. I look for him to get 8 or so minutes tomorrow with some quality PP time.
The d-lines stay the same. I'm sure they spent quality practice minutes working out the kinks with Leclaire. The Jackets can't afford to give points away due to simple communication errors.
THN gives thanks to early season gifts:
• The NHL’s ongoing infusion of youthful exuberance. When Nikita Filatov, who was recalled by the Blue Jackets Wednesday, makes his debut and Carolina’s Zach Boychuk returns from his wrist injury, it’ll bring the total of 2008 first-rounders who’ve played this season to 11.
• The anticipation that a goal will be scored that equals or surpasses Rick Nash’s extraordinary effort from last campaign…
Fire away - how do you feel about Savard getting the hook?
-LTL
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5 comments:
I think that move by the Blackhawks is complete balogna. But, hey. Better for us right?
He seemed to be a too little lay back as a coach. Even on the pre-game interviews yesterday Savvy seemed to be not at all upset with the start of the season.
I guess the management has to do something to keep up with their playoff hype.
pretty crappy if ya ask me ... the guy got them to the playoffs almost last season... with a team full of unproven players...
quennville is a good coach and will help them for sure...
i cant wait to see the games over the weekend...
i really feel this is our best shot at earning 4 points from the preds... with them missing radulov and thier captain this is a HUGE opportunity for us... if we play the team and not just tootoo we will be ok ...
Seems a bit hasty but there had to be something cooking behind the scenes.
This is not good for the jackets though. Quenville will get those guys organized and they will be playing better defensively as a result.
sorry but not gonna comment on the denis savard firing. wanted to add a note about the practice lines. not sure if i am the only one thinking this, but chimera with brass and voracek?! seriously, jason chimera should not be on a line with those two. chimer is a hell of a skater and works his balls off every game but unfortunately he doesnt have the skill to finish. never has, and from the looks of it this year, never will. brassard and voracek need someone who will be able to threaten with scoring as well as passing to make an effective line. maybe modin? (although he is quickly going the "all swedish and no finish" route too) just thought that was sort of a goofy move in line combos. any other thoughts?
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