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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
 Posted - 02/03/2010 : 7:30:08 PM
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The Columbus Blue Jackets fired head coach Ken Hitchcock today. Former ECHL Dayton Bombers, IHL Kalamazoo Wings and AHL Milwaukee Admirals head coach Claude Noel was named interim head coach.
Don't be surprised if former Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish is be behind the Blue Jackets bench in 2010-11.
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elvis77
(Loves To Post!)
1435 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2010 : 12:36:40 AM
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Anyone who follows the CBJ shouldn't see this as a surprise. In fact many CBJ fans are asking themselves why the change took so long.
When Hitchcock was brought in, he was exactly what the team needed; bringing them structure and direction. However, Hitchcock has a history of not trusting young players and being extremely rigid in his coaching philosophy rather than coaching to the skill and players he has in the room. Comments from former players from both Dallas and and Phillie are both along the lines of as the teams became younger and there was less of a buffer between Hitchcock and the young players eventually leading to Hitchcock "losing the room." For a small market team that doesn't have the luxury of signing high dollar free agents and therefore must build the team through drafting and developing players and signing them to long term deals early, have a coach that doesn't trust or relate to young players is a huge issue.
Also, there is a issue of Hitchcock's coaching style which is based exclusively on the nuetral zone trap, which many argue has lost it's effectiveness in the post lockout NHL with the new rules which limit the obstruction. There are teams that still employ it but not as an exclusive system.
MacTavish is definitely a candidate that would be at the top of the list given his Edmonton connection to CBJ GM Scott Howson, who was the Assistant GM in Edmonton before joining Columbus. However, an established NHL coach could prove to be too pricey for a team that has documented financial issues and still owes Hitchcock a chunk of change, provided he doesn't get a job elsewhere.
Another option could be Kevin Dineen, who is currently coaching the the Portland Pirates. As an AHL coach he could relate to the younger players better and could be a less expensive option for the club. Not to mention he has a connection to the club as a former Jacket player. Although he is more a fan favorite than anything at this point.
Personally, I think that Claude Noel could get a look as well provided he coaches the team to a decent record down the stretch. Reports out of Columbus over the past few weeks were that he was serving as liaison between Hitchcock and the younger players indicating he works well with the young talent.
Regardless of who takes the helm in Columbus, he should be able to relate to young players and be able to communcate well with Howson. |
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hrc666
(Loves To Post!)
1363 Posts |
Posted - 02/04/2010 : 01:51:45 AM
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I'm surprised that Hitchcock failed in Columbus. It's the first blotch on an otherwise stellar resume. I guess it just goes to show that you can't win 'em all.
Claude Noel was a former coach of both the ECHL Dayton Bombers and Toledo Storm. It's great to see yet another ECHL coach move on to the NHL. He's paid his dues and it would be great to see him have success in Columbus.
MacTavish was the last NHLer to not wear a helmet if I'm not mistaken.
He's also served time for vehicular homicide. |
"The only way David Desharnais will see an NHL game is if he buys a ticket".
--donnie hockey
"David Desharnais will be invisible during 5 on 5 hockey. IN THE AHL"
--donnie hockey
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2010 : 12:21:03 PM
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With the success that Washington (Bruce Boudreau) and Ottawa (Cory Clouston) have had under first-time NHL head coaches, and the strides Minnesota (Todd Richards) and Florida (Peter Deboer) are making, the Blue Jackets should look at someone like Elvis mentioned, Kevin Dineen.
Claude Noel is a defensive-minded coach, and if he can get the players to buy in over the final 30-plus games of the season, he could end up having the interim tag removed. He was a successful head coach in the AHL, original IHL and ECHL.
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Donnie Hockey
(Loves To Post!)
USA
1514 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2010 : 12:32:20 PM
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| Kevin Dineen is now the lead candidate, with former Dayton Bombers head coach Jim Playfair also in the running. Craig MacTavish is no longer in the mix (wants more $$$ than the Blue Jackets want to pay their next head coach). |
www.twitter.com/donhelbig |
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