Canes fire Laviolette

Rutherford really wants Ron Francis to coach this team. BUt he does not want to throw him to the wolves at this point. So he hires Maurice, someone he is comfortable with and who has a history with the franchise, not to mention with Ronnie Franchise, to be the seat warmer for the rest of this season. Note that Maurice has only been hired through the end of this year. By the beginning of next season, Francis is installed as head coach. Maurice is then perhaps bumped up to the front office.

If things go poorly this season, Maurice serves as somewhat of a scapegoat. Ronnie comes in as the savior. If things turn around and go well this season, Maurice has rejuvenated his reputation and is in line to get a job elsewhere (or stay on with the Canes).

Of course all of this is just silly speculation on my part.

All things considered, I'm still shocked by this move. Not necessarily letting Laviolette go - I think he was gone, and to some degree "lost the room" at the end of last year when he was so dejected after missing the playoffs that he left town without conducting exit interviews with the players. To me his comments, his body language, etc for most of this year has been that of a man who knows he has lost his team and is incredibly frustrated by the way things were going, but lacked the will or desire to fight anymore. From all appearances it would have been a one man battle anyway. Bringing in Rowe as an assistant was a definite shot at Laviolette.

The surprising thing is that they went with Maurice. That just came completely out of left field. I, apparently like a lot of people commenting here, assumed it would be Rowe.

I just hope this move supplies some sort of spark for the team.
As the cliche goes in all sports, you can't fire the players so the coach is the one to take the fall. Now it's up to the players to respond. And I am not one of those people who thinks that it is the coach's job to inspire a strong work ethic or passion in multi-million dollar professional athletes. That is on the players themselves and their pride in their profession.

My best wishes to Coach Laviolette and his family. I'm sure he will not be unemployed for long. One thing I noticed that Rutherford kept saying over and over again - that Coach Laviolette had "done a lot of good things for this organization."
I think that is selling the man short. Peter Laviolette did a lot of GREAT things for this organization, both on and off the ice. He brought us the Stanley Cup. That is the MOST a coach can do for a franchise. And I hope no Canes' fan ever forgets that.

Here's hoping that things will turn around soon for my beloved Hurricanes.

Go Canes!

-m

Two things- I never wanted Laviolette fired. That sentiment changed this season. For the first time since 2004, I've recently gotten sick of watching and going to Canes games. Same results and same luckluster effect. That said, even as I was starting to want him fired, I still wasn't happy at all to see the news.

And THAT said, I can't BELIEVE Rutherford now turns to Paul Maurice. This in my mind is a horrible decision. There are plenty of good coaches out there (Ted Nolan for one) but Rutherford has to chose someone he likes and feels comfortable with. Reminds me of him giving Tanabe and Babchuk "second chances" and we all know how well one of those experiments turned out.

This is a complete joke!! God Rutherford thinks he can sign a bunch of former canes players and coaches and make the team good. Maurice over Lavioletter? Complete joke. At least we'll get a top 5 draft pick.

"Sloppy Seconds"

Sad to see a good coach let go. My question is when do they start holding the players responsible for the way they are playing? Where is the leadership on this team. The coach has a proven system....remember the cup? I really think that some of the players are really responsible for this result...I hope they feel guilty. Do something about the responsibility of the players.

Thanks for the cup Peter...we will miss you.

Your team is playing boring dump and chase hockey and has no evident ability to score more than 2 goals a game.

What do you do?

Bring back the unchallenged master of . . . BORING DUMP AND CHASE HOCKEY AND LOW SCORING.

Sweet.

Fire J.R. - Keep Lavi.

This could be seen for the last couple weeks, that something was going to happen.

First off, good luck to Laviolette in whatever he goes on to do.

Second off, I have a theory as to how Laviolette became a Stanley Cup winning coach, and then fell out of the playoffs. The Lockout.

After the lockout the rules were changed, and those changes suited the Canes roster perfectly. That put them in contention, and they brought in some good players at the deadline to make it all happen. Then the other teams, that had all the size and no speed, got wise. They picked up players and our players left, and it was back to the way it was before the lockout. Hence, not making the playoffs again.

In my opinion, Lavi or MO just were not a great fit for the Canes. They were enough, and it worked for one Cup. But what is needed is a coach with heart and fire that can get these guys back to what they need to do. Win.

I say put Francis on the bench. If anything, he knows how to win.

Ditto to most of what has been said. Lavi was a great coach, a mans coach. Rutherford stocked the team with a few good men and some boys. Not surprised that Lavi was fired, Francis working the powerplay units was a sign from Rutherford that he had lost confidence in the coach. But why take a step back?
Does JR think Maurice has developed into a better coach? Do they still owe Maurice money? Was he willing to work really cheap?
Please don't chant "Mo must go" at the games. Don't blame Paul for taking a job offer. The new chant must be "Rutherford must go".

Ronnie Francis would be a better choice than MO

puts tongue in cheek ... and says ....

Barry Melrose would be a better choice than MO

don't forget that Tortorella is available, too .....

The man needs an evaluation. Ridiculous change!

This team has continued to spiral downward after the cup run. It started with getting rid of Kevin and Craig Adams, then Eric Cole. Eric Staal is not the same player without his roommate and lineman Cole, if rumor is correct and Maruice is comming back, then let,s get Cole back .It takes a long time to build a stanley cup winner, but as we have seen a short time to tear it down. If things don't improve soon I thing a new GM will be the next opition. Good luck to  coach Laviolette in the future, thanx, for the cup and all the hard work.

Is this a possible explanation? I'm being serious.

First, I understand the firing. Lavi - you served the team well and brought us a Cup. We're totally indebted to you.

That said, I can name at least three people JUST WITHIN THE CANES CLUBHOUSE who are better choices than re-hiring Mo.

Jim Rutherford: On Notice.

I agree that this is a sad day for the Hurricanes organization. I understand why they felt they had to make a change and they cannot fire the whole team so Lavi had to go. The players should be ashamed of themselves. JR should be ashamed of himself for not better evaluating the talent and the attitudes of the players and for not bringing in better talent. Can I get my $ back for my season tickets?

Good luck Coach Laviolette. I will always pull for you to succeed.

JR has just lost the whole Caniac Nation with this dumb move.

As Luke said, Washington brought in a minor league coach a couple years ago... Haven't heard much from or about him since he came on board at this level so we'll have to see what happens.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

This has GOT to be a joke, right??

RIGHT????

I have no words...

This organization just became a bigger joke than Sean Avery. Recycling a failed coach? One who completely lost his team and who championed the most boring, non-energetic, non-entertaining hockey I have ever had the misfortune to witness.

Any joy and hope I got when hearing of Laviollette's firing has just been replaced with complete disgust and lack of faith in the management of this team.

Are they trying to enrage fans and get us to bail on the team? Are they looking for an excuse to move the team to Vegas or Hamilton? What else could the explaination?

TSN is reporting that Paul Maurice will be the coach.

Mo. The same Mo the fans had to run out of town in '03. JR has lost his marbles.

Anyway you look at it this is truely a sad day for Hurricanes. Laviolette takes the Fall for the poor performance of the team...even though I do not think all the blame is his, I hope it turns things around. If not this could deepen the spiral. I liked Laviolette and will never forget the excitement of the 2005-2006 season and playoff run to the Cup!!!!

Good luck Coach, Thanks for the incredible memories!!!