CHRIS SEWARD - cseward@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford confirmed today that Paul Maurice would remain as head coach next season and that Ron Francis would return to the front office.
Maurice has a year left on his contract with the Canes. Francis served as assistant general manager before Maurice was named coach in December 2008, replacing Peter Laviolette. Francis then became associate head coach on Maurice's staff while retaining his duties as director of player personnel.
"It's something that had been planned for over the last couple of years," Rutherford said of Francis' move back to assistant GM. "It's really what he wants to do."
Of retaining Maurice, Rutherford said: "I think he has done a very good job of coaching the Hurricanes two out of the last three years. The first year he came back, he did a good job when the team was going in the wrong direction. He did not have as good a year the second year. But I think with the team we had and what we were trying to do this past season he did a very good job."
Rutherford said he wanted former Canes captain Rod Brind'Amour to play a "bigger role" on the team next season. Brind'Amour served as Carolina's director of forwards development in his first year following retirement from the NHL.
Rutherford said several options were being considered for replacing Francis behind the bench but did not mention Brind'Amour as a possibility.
Rutherford called last season disappointing and frustrating, in that the Canes failed to reach the playoffs for the second straight year. But he said it still was successful in that it was a transition year and that several young players received valuable experience.
Rutherford gave Maurice a vote of confidence, saying he did a good job handling the team this past season and in two of past three years. The Canes reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2009 but had a losing record in 2010 and fell one victory short of making the playoffs this past season.
"I think the coaching staff did a very good job with dealing with so many players who hadn't played a full season in the league," Rutherford said.
In assessing the season, Rutherford said: "Very frustrating and disappointing, but when you step back and look at the overall season the Hurricanes have made great strides forward. The key will be can we make that big stride forward next year and get into the 95, 96 points by fixing some of the areas I talked about and re-signing some of the free agents that are key for us."
Rutherford said re-signing forward Erik Cole was a top priority, and noted the Canes hoped to re-sign forward Chad LaRose. Both are due to become unrestricted free agents July 1.
Rutherford said Cole had a special season. He said LaRose did not have a great season but that "the key to Chad LaRose is he is the guy who drives this team. When you come to practices, and there are off-days and things aren't going right, he's the guy who's chattering and getting the guys to get going and leading by example."
Reaching an agreement with defenseman Joni Pitkanen and forward Jussi Jokinen may be more difficult, Rutherford said, adding that it's probable both will test the free-agent market and that it's "a maybe" they'll both be back. He indicated the Canes likely would re-sign either Jokinen or Cory Stillman, but not both.
Pitkanen made $4.5 million last season and could fetch more as a free agent.
"My guess is he will go into free agency and see what's out there," Rutherford said. "We may still have the door open if he doesn't get the kind of contract he's looking for, or we may make a move before that."
Rutherford said majority owner Peter Karmanos is continuing to talk with potential local investors and that "it seems to have picked up more momentum the last couple of months." He said he believed five or six people had made a commitment to buy into the team and would help "take this franchise to another level."
Looking to next season, Rutherford said forward Zac Dalpe was the leading candidate to make the jump from the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) to the Canes' roster. He said Dalpe could play the wing opposite Jeff Skinner on Tuomo Ruutu's line.
With the Canes looking to upgrade their backup goaltender behind Cam Ward, Rutherford said Justin Peters likely would play in Charlotte next season. Peters and Mike Murphy would compete for the No. 1 job with the Checkers.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
Nice assesment
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 14:50 — beer210"but the forwards are very responsible defensively and when they aren't, they lose."
Sound much like the '10-'11 Hurricanes. I saw a few games where they were VERY tough to play against. Back pressure was constant. Too many other games when the defensive was left looking up ice for a little help, or a short outlet pass only to find their center circling around the opponents blue line.
Why the surprised comments?
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 07:03 — ctillWhy the surprised comments? None of this is news.
What did surprise me? Having become opinionated about which Checkers he wants to keep, JR is willing to trade a Checker or two in order to get the lineup he wants in Raleigh next season. Sounds like Bowman or Boychuk is on the block, possibly some of the Charlotte D's too.
Good observations
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 10:38 — sittler27I'm with you. Not much surprised me. Of course you are going to lock up Sutter. Our lack of a true 4th line center who could win faceoffs and be key on PK hurt us all year. Cole had a career year and he has adopted a strength program on his back and neck that should prolong his career much the same as Gary Roberts. They love the intangibles LaRose brings.
Its hard not to like Stiller's game. He is smart and has great hands. He was never a great skater but he gets to where he needs to be with efficiency. As a veteran prescence for another year at a discount he has value. And he will be a great front office guy.
Jussi is at the age where he needs that breakthrough pay day. That may not happen with the Canes but then again if only an extra 1mil, that may still happen with the Canes .... a long term contract in a place he likes may be attractive. Don't forget we got him after he had bad experiences in both Dallas and Tampa and in a sense he resurrected his career here. But for the money wouldn't we be better off going after a couple of Bergenheim type players. We sure have a lot of talented small forwards.
I don't agree with your comment that Mo prefers clutch and grab. He did that the year before he was fired but he had the least talented team we ever fielded here that year. I remember it well since I left after the 2nd period many a night. But now he favors a system that is responsible in both ends of the ice. Look at what happened to Washington. They couldn't win key games with that all out run and gun and then after they transitioned they started to win.... then they fell back to that run and gun and were eliminated. If you look at all the teams left in the playoffs none have what I could call a premier D, but the forwards are very responsible defensively and when they aren't, they lose.
As for Joni.... tough read. He is a very private guy and never says much or shows much emotion. That lack of emotion on the ice has also alienated a lot of fans. I still think he brings more than many give him credit for. But he is rated one of the top 10 free agents and I wouldn't be surprised if he signs for some surprisingly high dollars.
Like you I was most surprised at some of the comments on the Checkers players while they are still in a playoff battle. Wonder if that had anything to do with the egg they laid last night.
Sounds like...
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 23:04 — robotron2084a lot of the same whining I heard over the summer before the 2005-2006 season.
Why aren't they spending to the cap? How can you expect to win without spending to the cap? How could we let Paul Kariya go somewhere else and not just pay him $7 million per year? I'm not buying season tickets anymore. How can you win with guys like Whitney and Stillman that their current teams threw to the curb? How can this owner not be willing to lose $20 million per season so the GM can spend like those successful Ranger teams of yesteryear - heck, Atlanta was willing and look how it paid off for them! Oh wait... Just because I have a budget and have to be fiscally responsible doesn't mean the owner should be.
So glad to hear once again that the season is already over before we even get to the draft.
News Conference
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 19:56 — hockey101It looks like Joni and Jussi are going to walk. Can't believe he still wants LaRose here. Need to package him and someone else in a deal to get a 4th line center or other d-man. Hopefully next season, the backup goalie we get will play 20+ games. This is one JR has to stay on top of.
With this being Paul's last contract year I look for Jeff Daniels to be here sometime this season or at the beginning of the 2011-12 season.
Even though we failed to make the playoffs this year, everyone has to realize that at the beginning of the season not much was said on us even being in the playoff picture. With thosewho will be back next season this should put us in at the top 6. Everyone has to remember that going through a rebuild takes time. If we can get the right pieces at the draft and through free agency we will make the playoffs next season.
I'm wondering who the top 5 back-up goalies are going to be?
Par for the course really but...
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 17:05 — Hockeydad92PK is really just sticking to the play book here. Mo is under contract and it is cheaper to keep her, um him in this case. With this ownership it's about money first, PK has his cup now and everything else is gravy. Maybe he will prove us wrong and this is a grand plan to slide Ron in JR's chair in a couple and make Jeff Daniels the new coach d'jour. With the pending loss of Pitkanen (bad thing really, i know it is hard to see but) and the resign of filler like LaRose we are once again set for a cliffhanger year in a 9th place battle all along. I still will enjoy my cheap seats at the RBC because we can here in NC and I will be entertained by the likes of Staal and young Skinner and maybe Dalpe and Sutter, Cole, Boychuk and McBain because we still have a NHL team in Raleigh. Let's enjoy .500 hockey because we are lucky enough to have it at a pretty reasonable price! In a few years when Mo is gone and Joni has a Norris for some other team and Atlanta and Phoenix and Florida only have center ice we will still have something to watch at the RBC oh or PNC or BB&T center and gripe about!
Par for the course?
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 18:37 — SkylinerNo, Mr. Rutherford's "performance" today was sub-par and equivalent to hoisting the white flag of surrender before the season has begun. His words seemed cast in a 'defeatest' tone.
First, he gives Jussi a slap in the face by declaring his first priority is rehiring Cole. Now that was a real team building remark! Why even make that public?And if that is his priority he has had time since season's end to do just that. Why wait until the 11th hour to adopt a pro-active position? Furthermore, does that not strengthen Cole's bargaining position? That's not managing, it's foolishly showing his whole card!
Dollars to doughnuts both Jussi and Joni walk... Since there was so much interest, he could have gotten something for Joni during the season...but I suspect we'll lose him and get nothing in return. Didn't we learn anything last year when we lost Whitney w/o a return.
Mr. Rutherford is suddenly concerned about burning out Cam Ward and says they will go after a suitable back-up. Well, we have recently had John Graham, Leighton, Manny and now Peters (all paid at the low end) so let's see how much he spends for a back-up. He said the team needs a couple of D-men...that Cam will burn out by 28 if he continues to be called upon to stop 40+ shots a night. The two D-men he says the team needs ( who might well help prevent so many shots on goal) will cost $$$. Let's witness how much he spends for them.
Then he talks about Ron Brind'Amour being a head coach. Really! Is that based on Mr. Brind'Amour's "coaching experience?" What are his remarks, in toto, based on? One might suspect that a warrior like Brind'Amour could be a head coach, but it seems he is setting the stage for something. I also felt his in-passing, brush off (almost dismissive) comment about Joe Corvo was inapporpriate. His remarks did not seem to fit a "state of the team" address.
Like Hockeydad, I am delighjted to have this team, but admit to a tinge of resentment with empty calorie promises of a better tomorrow when the GM then pleading poverty with "We're a budget team." Translated, "We aren't going to spend to put a winning team on ice."
Regterably, I believe our "budget team" team will finish even lower next season than it did this time around, but a losing season will give ownership/management someone to blame..coaches. Ask Peter Laviolette about management loyalty and the blame game. But what the hey, I'm hooked...I'll be there pulling for the team but w/o great expectations. I'd just like to see more of a commitment to hiring a team that can compete.
Bwahahahah!
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 17:48 — Canarse"and Joni has a Norris for some other team" That's the funniest thing I've heard in months! Maybe he'll actually work hard for another team.
Get as serious as the fans here expect you to be.
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 16:58 — ricobanditoWhat a bunch of half-steps and bandages. When is Rutherford going to start treating this like a real team? There is talent there, for now, but they refuse to spend to the salary cap. They were still able to sell season tickets last year because of the ASG, but they can't rest on that any more. Mo seems like a nice guy but a mediocre coach at best. Francis never really wanted to coach in the first place, but JR "encouraged" him to. Better to finally let him focus his talents were he feels he can do the most good. Ultimately, they have to spend for some solid D. Cam is playing great, with a +90% save precentage, but if they can reduce his shot count from around 40 to <30, they will start winning some of those 1 goal games. White, Siedenburg, Johnson, Wallin. Are there any other D-men that were in the playoffs that were former 'Canes?
It's not as bad as you think!!!
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 16:54 — lightningbobHaving moved from Florida and being a Tampa fan-there are a couple obvious problems with the team. Coaching is not the real issue as I see it. It's a lack of consistancy on defense and poor decisions by younger players. With a couple strong defensemen the team would look better overnight. My god-as bad as Tampa was a season ago-and still with a 41 year old goalie-improvements at the blue line made all the difference. Then the forwards can actually play their game-and Ward doesn't feel like the duck in a shooting gallery. Went to a couple games last season and will be going to many more in the upcoming season. The Canes should be real contenders if management will spend a little money in the off-season.
Go Canes....
Lack of intensity
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 15:43 — jonl355I'm a STH and only missed 2 games last season. My major gripe about the team is the clear lack of intensity at certain times. We would get a hot team in the RBC and run over them then loose to Florida in a lack-luster effort. Or play great in the 2nd and 3rd, after giving up 2 in the 1st. We didn't seem to come out of the locker room with a take-no-prisoners attitude in our own stadium. Want to get 100 points in a season? Win more at home! I suspect it has a lot to do with the coach, but also with the team leaders as well.
CrunchyGranola
Season Tix..
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:46 — PowderedToastManI'm glad I didn't renew my tix for last season.....won't even look at the possibility this year.
You and me both...
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 15:29 — nchurricanesI had a buddy that wanted to see about moving his seats last year, but they bought their old seats too, just in case. I ended up buying 11 games from him sort of as my own pick-your-plan kinda thing.
Afterwards, my girlfriend and I debated using our tax refunds to get season tix next year (I had them from 2001-2009 but got mad when the team made season ticket holders their sales force making them buy extra games and dropped my seats). We were waiting to see the direction of the team before making that decision. Decision made!
Thanks for saving me money guys. I'll get Center Ice and buy a few games on CL and save a bunch of money!
It's your checkbook
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 15:25 — sittler27It's your checkbook so you have the rgiht to make whatever decision you want. Season tickets are a major commitment and once you sign up you're stuck.
But do you just cheer for the collective sweater? Isn't hockey so much more than that? Don't you like the sport enough to want to see the other team even when your team isn't doing well? Every team goes through up and downs and rebuilding. Are you suggesting its only worthwhile to go when they are winning? Good thing not everyone feels that way or else Edmonton and Toronto would have lost their teams long ago.
It's your checkbook
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 16:39 — louis12580I agree with you about the commitment needed to attend the games. I grew up in northern New York State (Plattsburgh) and once a year got to go to see a Canadiens game at the original and post-olympics Forum. Only way one could get tickets was by having someone on the "inside" at the ticket office. It's a different culture here due to the number of people who are college fans and who only root for the sweater of their team and against the other teams' sweater. Duke fan hates ANYTHING Carolina and visa-versa. State fan likewise, although Carolina fan doesn't hate State as much as Duke. Because of the number of relocated people from all over the north-east (Buffalo, Philadelphia/Jersey, and Pittsburgh) the Canes compete with not only the college fan but the transplants as well for their own fan base. Those cities/areas are professional sports fans from birth, not college. All that said, it is imperative to put a winning team out there on a more consistent basis. It's either feast (conference finals) or famine (one year in followed by 2-3 years out). Fans want to see a larger financial commitment to the product. Right or wrong, that's how many now feel. I will continue to keep my season ticket because of my love for the team and it's players and for my love of the sport. Oh, and to make a crying sound every time Sidney opens his mouth. I do hope he does come back, because love him or hate him he's a special talent.
Excellent thoughts!
Thu, 05/19/2011 - 12:04 — Caniac5I agree with you! I am a transplant but from further south. I hated hockey growing up because we did not have it anywhere near me. Once I moved here, I went to one Hurricanes game and was hooked! I play hockey myself now, in a beer league, but it's the best sport ever!
Personally, I would love to keep my season tickets too but finanically, it's impossible! (I have a kid headed to college this year!). So, I will try to pick games I can attend and go then instead. But I go to see the action and great players. Why I do cheer for my hurricanes, it is great to see the other teams too.
And yes! While I dislike Crosby and Ovie, if they were here, I would cheer them on! So, it's fun to dislike until we get them! Staal, Cole, Skinner, Ward....all of them are my team and I would like to keep them all but, it is a business and life goes on.
GO CANES!!!!
Keep thinking that way
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 15:53 — SubwayScoundrelKeep thinking that way !! While you are at it, watch the news this week as Atlanta moves to Winnipeg. A bunch of ATL fans who got mad for no real reason and they lost/will lose their team. Canes Season ticket holder here for 11 years and will be until I die.
I have real reasons to get mad, but hockey in Raleigh is not one of them. I am thankful everyday the NHL is here and don't take it for granted.
I have to laugh
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 09:41 — nchurricanesAtlanta fans got mad for no real reason? Been in existence since 1999 and made the playoffs exactly ONCE. Remember what happened? They finished the 3 seed (won the Southeast) and got swept by the Rangers. Sorry, but you can't go a decade without sniffing a single playoff win, only making the field once, in a non-traditional market and expect to keep your fans happy. Especially in a place like Atlanta with so many other ways to spend your entertainment dollar.
When a sports organization is willing to stew in mediocrity, the only recourse fans have is not to give as much monetary support. It's not being "fair weather," it's protesting a lack of proper direction by management. I don't stop following the team when they lose. It drives me crazy. I buy Center Ice. I have NHL Network. I drive to Washington and Atlanta to see the Canes play in those cities. I've been to Charlotte thrice this playoffs to see the Checkers. I have a slingbox specifically for when I am somewhere that doesn't have FSCarolinas. What would you suggest fans do when management goes against the prevailing public sentiment? Boo? Make signs? Call radio shows? Those things have never worked with this particular franchise.
I lived in Atlanta during
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 12:45 — ctillI lived in Atlanta during the Flames years. They made the playoffs 6 out of 8 seasons.. very good for a start-up team. The Flames relocated anyway, but that was attributable to many factors... a bad building, inability to get on TV in the pre-cable days, a sweet deal (with commitment for a decent arena) from Calgary, etc. Plus the migration of northerners into metro Atlanta was not yet in full swing.
Consistent poor play has hurt the Thrashers. A downtown arena hasn't helped, either. It's a long way from Phillips to the outlying suburbs where most of the relocating Yankees since 1980 have settled.
Within your rights...
Wed, 05/18/2011 - 10:09 — robotron2084You are well within your rights to react however you feel appropriate. No question there. The only "caution" is that the team has a right to react as well, and it's been shown plenty of times in all sports that if an area isn't willing to support the team with ticket sales and corporate backing, there are other places that will.
I realize it's a chicken and egg problem. Fans don't want to pay for bad teams and bad teams can't get better players without increased revenue. That is especially true for hockey and moreso this market. There isn't a big pot of money here either from great tv deals (like the NFL) or advertising & merchandising (ala the Yankees). It's not even like we're the Royals - they have money available through revenue sharing, etc and blatently choose not to spend it. Now there's something fans have a right to get upset about. The revenue stream here is largely driven by ticket sales. I wish there was an easy answer for both sides. Spending more isn't a guarantee - ask the Rangers how much money they spent for decades achieving their one Stanley Cup, then ask how well that worked in Toronto. But those teams have massively deep pockets and could easily absorb the cost. This team cannot. Yes, there's the old saying that you have to spend money to make money. But lost in that adage is the number of business that actually go bust when that doesn't work.
So for now, I'm like a few others. I'll continue to buy my season tickets and go to the games for as long as there's an NHL team in my backyard. I'll reserve Center Ice for if and when that is no longer the case.
Keep thinking that way.
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 18:36 — ncsurveygirlAgreed!! Like you, I feel so lucky to live here and be able to watch hockey!! I will certainly gripe about how the Canes are playing and think Mo must go, but at the end of the day I'm glad I can drive 15 minutes, watch some hockey, and support my team!
keep thinking that way
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 16:50 — punkinCompletely agree. Every team will have poor or lackluster seasons. Look at the Leafs, but every game is sold out every year. Hockey in Raleigh is what winter is all about - plus the specter of spring playoffs! Would I like to see Mo go - sure, and this time for good. But let's let the young guns grow into their roles and see what they can do. We need to keep this team in Raleigh, and hockey fans need to support them - win or lose. If that were the case, then the RBC center would be empty during college basketball season.
I held off waiting to see
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 15:03 — RonMexicoI held off waiting to see what would happen. JR made my decision not to renew that much easier today!
OK. Thanks for clearin that up.
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 15:31 — jonl355I guess we'll see you back at games when they have won enough to be in "fair weather"
CrunchyGranola
Keeping the same coach who
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:44 — PowderedToastManKeeping the same coach who can't get it done....it's like telling free agents, "Hey, don't come here-- you won't get paid much and we're OK with status quo and not making the playoffs!"
How Rutherford has a job is anyone's guess!?!?!
So apparently Chad LaRose
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:42 — RonMexicoSo apparently Chad LaRose doesn't have to score much, he simply has to chatter and keep everyone's spirits up and he keeps his job. I guess his job description isn't being a winger but rather a court jester. If only Jussi Jokinen chattered more and scored less he might have a future with this team. This organization is settling in to Islanders/Panthers "miss the playoffs for an extended period" territory. As for these mysterious "local investors" that continue to be mentioned with no real action being taken, I think that's code for "a year has gone by and we still don't have anyone interested."
Yeah the "priority" of Cole/LaRose over Jokinen????
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 19:48 — hellfishYeah the "priority" of signing Cole over Jokinen is a JOKE ,Cole's best yrs have been contract years ,and Jokinen is the one of the best players on the roster i'd say behind Staal and Skinner and when he's out of the line-up it's deffinately noticable...I could care less about LaRose or Cole ,fan faves are not needed here ,but real scoring hockey players who can play in all situations are...Jokinen should have priority over ANY UFA on the team period...being Staal's best friend or making silly commercials like LaRose is the last thing JR should worry about...Keeping key players should be and it ain't Cole or Rosey whose 3rd period penalty's ,and -21! killed the Canes last year...sheesh the reasoning here or lack there of!..there is NO arguement here either...none so don't go there!
What I heard...
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:34 — Caniac51). Mo has one more year on his contract but only having 2 or 3 good years, one with a veteran team and one with a young team, he is being evaluated. If he has a bad year, hopefully within 20-25 games, then fire him and hand it over to the Asst Coach. (Which is what JR was eluding to when he said he has someone picked to be Asst Head Coach.)
2). We need a solid backup goalie. I think Peters would be a solid backup goalie if he had the opportunity to play more. Sending him back down to the AHL is not the right move. Peters has proven himself there, now he just needs more playing time. I think he would be a wall if given the chance.
3). Pitkanen will probably try free agency. GOOD!!! I hope someone does pick him up and we aren't stuck with him. Now, that being said, I have looked at all the teams and the only people that are UFA are the guys in their 30's or those few guys in their 20's with very low points. We may be jumping from the pot to the fire if not careful.
4). Francis in the front office is the best move I see!! Nothing against RF but he did a great job in the office. You don't fix what is not broken and him being there is a perfect match.
So, it will be interesting to see what JR will do. I can see pro's and con's in all situations but I would give Mo 25 games top to make it work or move on.
GO CANES!!!
Agree with #2
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 20:36 — girlshockeydadI agree with your #2, Caniac5. I think Peters wasn't given enough chances.
Keeping Maurice is a Disastrous Decision
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:31 — awesomecardsWe were the healthiest team in the NHL last season - by a wide margin. The team underperformed. Badly.
Maurice teams make the same mistake year after year. They don't understand that the games in December and January count just as much as the ones in March and April.
Rutherford will regret this decision when he has to bring in Jeff Daniels in mid-season. He should have done it now.
Hartford Whalers
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:29 — richpungThis team is fast becoming the Hartford Whalers all over again. The owner and GM seem completely satisfied with mediocrity. Anything less than the playoffs in the NHL is failure. But they won't spend the money to compete and instead staff two lines with minor leaguers. Next they will complain the fans don't support them and they are moving out of town.
It will be a shame if they sign LaRose or Stillman and let Jokinen go in the free agent market. Who will replace his numbers? None of the guys they put on the ice this year can match that production. I really don't care about leadership at practice. LaRose is the new Kevin Adams, a very fine 4th line forward and should be paid accordingly.
LaRose is better than that
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:37 — awesomecardsI agree on the mediocrity front. Maurice seems to set his sight on eighth place every year.
LaRose is a significantly better player than Kevyn Adams. Adams scored 59 goals in his entire career, and only managed 10+ goals twice. LaRose has had double digit goals for the last four seasons, and 64 goals in a career that has plenty of years left.
.
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 14:38 — awesomecards.
6th Lowest Active Winning %
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 13:10 — nchurricanesAccording to Hockey-Reference.com, Mo has the 6th WORST active winning percentage in the NHL. I'll post the guys BELOW him for you:
Joe Sacco (2 years, Colorado), Scott Arniel (1 year, Columbus), Peter DeBoer (3 years, Florida), Jack Capuano (65 GAMES, NY Islanders), and Craig Ramsey (3 years, one full season with Atlanta ).
So, Mo, with his more than 1,000 games coached, has the worst record of any coach with more than three full years experience IN THE NHL. And he gets a vote of confidence. I, for one, have none given those numbers.
I think we should expect more from our organization than that.
I disagree on Maurice.
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 12:53 — sftwareguyHe wasn't given a team early on that could win, regardless. Too many really young guys and no defense. Unlike previous years, you couldn't fault their effort most nights, just their experience and talent levels. For example, we played Boston almost even, but just didn't quite have it to win.
As the season went on, we did see a lot of improvement. Skinner blossumed, Cole returned to pre-2006 and the others came along. We still had a lot of problems and the 1 point losses kept us out of the playoffs, but by the end of the season I think you can see a core group of young guys that will make a difference.
From this point on though, the weight of the team will fall on Maurice and he needs to mold and motivate the team as good coaches should do. If he doesn't, well his last year on his contract will be his last year with the team.
There's Always an Excuse for Him
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 13:33 — WAStoutI wish I had that kind of job protection.
So-and-so was injured, they wouldn't play my crappy system, they are responsible for the PP, I took a puck to the face and couldn't play in the NHL and after one year of coaching a Junior team I qualify for an NHL Head Coaching job....whatever....
I'm starting to get the feeling this org does not care about winning anymore...PK got his Cup...it's become a good-ole-boy club.
Time to vent our frustration at the ticket office...
Chip please tell me you
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 12:36 — WAStoutChip please tell me you simply heard JR wrong....
A vote of confidence? Good job? Come on!
He's had a shot with a veteran team and a younger team. Failed in both cases.
At least JR didn't extend him...he'll (hopefully) be gone by December by his own ability anyway.
Worse Than That...
Tue, 05/17/2011 - 12:50 — nchurricanesIt's worse than the past two seasons. The last time Mo took a team he coached for an entire season to the playoffs was 01-02. A DECADE ago. Yes, he helped turn the team around 3 years ago, but otherwise, he's been out of the playoffs yearly since 01-02.
I wonder how anyone can have confidence in THAT.