Which NHL Coach’s Head Should Roll?
Tweet Posted by Mother Pucker on November 16th, 2008The NHL season is still fairly young, but so far there have been a few firings, and no doubt there will be more to follow before the season is up.
I think Chicago’s firing of Savard was severely premature, but on the other hand, Melrose being booted from Tampa Bay seemed like it took a little longer than expected.
So tonight I’m sitting here pondering which coaches will be next. Dave Tippett in Dallas? Craig MacTavish in Edmonton? Craig Hartsburg in Ottawa? These are the three that instantly come to mind, but who knows if they actually will get tossed any time soon. Random chatter around the poker table last night made it seem like some of these could happen sooner than later… what do you think? Anyone else you want to add in there as a shoe in not to win the Jack Adams? 
I think MacT should be fired but I don’t think Tippet or Hartsburg should. I could see Calgary canning Keenan.
On a different note, I think Ottawa is more likely to shake up the team with a trade before shaking things up with a management change.
MacTavish has underperformed as a head coach for years…why he’s still on the bench for the Oilers is kind of out of my understanding. Yes, he gets them to the playoffs every year, but he has yet to bring back the cup to Edmonton. I’m surprised the fan base there hasn’t asked for his head more boisterously.
Tippett is a good coach – and yes, you can say he hasn’t brought home the cup yet either, but I think the players are still listening to him. That’s a point where I’ll get disagreement from other Stars’ fans. Despite the weak start, the Stars have a very talented team, and the leadership to go all the way this year.
I think Melrose got the axe a bit prematurely, as well. After 16 games, to say the players had stopped listening seems a bit silly. If you’ve lost them after 16 games, you never had them. And that may be the case, but somehow I doubt it as they had a pretty young base.
I can’t think of anyone else I’d add to that list though.
Well there are three strong ones for MacT if you count my vote.
Come on, I know there are more of you that want to pipe up!
I’ve wanted to see Tippett go ever since he got to Dallas. Yes he’s done some good but I think with what or who he has to work with; he consistently under delivers. I’m not using this season as the only measuring stick. I think shaking Dallas up behind the bench is the first step to properly rebuilding.
Mike Keenan
puckpassion, anything to back up your choice for Mike Keenan?
On Keenan – because it’s tradition to fire Mike Keenan?
I say that partly tongue-in-cheek, but not completely, because seriously – why else are you gonna hire him other than to say you got to fire him?
I will go with Hartsburgh getting the axe next.I feel he’s an excellent coach but only at the junior level.He already got the heave-ho in Chicago and Anaheim plus I think Elmer Fudd(Murray) gets his jollies from comming back in to coach this team likes he some kind of messiah.
After tonight I’m sure I’m not the only one that is calling for MacT’s head…
McTavish needs to go quickly. The team isn’t buying into him or his system.
Just watched Hockey Central at Noon, and apparently they are throwing random quotes to the wind by speculating that both MacT and Keenan will be fired on the same day. Can you imagine?