Comments on: Storm Clouds Converge

By: pepper

pepper — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 01:49:39 +0000

I don’t believe that Hanlon will be fired unless we lose another 9 of 11, unfortunately. But, assuming he is dismissed, it would be very interesting to see who chooses Atlanta over Washington, or vice versa (assuming that both teams interview the same candidates and each gives one an offer, which is certainly possible).

By: Strikeman

Strikeman — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:12:04 +0000

pucksandbooks – I agree with your old man, I been saying the same thing the past 2 seasons.
Every year OV doest get to show his skill in the playoffs is a waste of his talent. Who knows what the future holds.

By: TG

TG — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:04:22 +0000

If they do indeed fire Hanlon, I almost hope that San Jose gave Ron Wilson the boot first and he can come back here. I don’t know if he’d be the right fit, but he’s had success with all kinds of teams during his career. Plus, those that were most chafing under his rule before (Jagr, Oates) are gone. I think he’d be a good fit here.
Or, do you scoop up Hershey’s coach? Give one of your assistants the chance? Trade players and waste another year of Ovechkin?

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:53:39 +0000

Fire hanlon already. Really need to send a message that losing isn’t okay anymore. We aren’t concerned about “playing hard” every night. We have to do the things that will make us win and that requires an attitude change by the leadership (easiest way to do this is a coaching change). Unfortunately, Hanlon is a good coach and is likeable so he’ll probably get every chance to turn the ship around.

By: usiel

usiel — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:04:59 +0000

Unless this team gets on a roll fairly soon I think it would be pretty much certain Hanlon will be fired.

By: Gmann

Gmann — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:47:16 +0000

It seems to this fan that the players are tuning out Hanlon’s messages. When that happens, coaches get fired.

By: pepper

pepper — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:34:05 +0000

That’s the biggest concern I have – the “healthy stretch of non-losing” required.
It has taken at least 92 pts to claim the 8th seed in the East the past two seasons. So, reasonably assuming that would be required again, we have to earn 81 points in the remaining 67 games. That’s about 35 wins and 11 more points from OTL/SOL. Which means 35-21-11 the rest of the way.
Did any of us think at the start of the season that this team could win just over half of its games and get a point out of 2 of every 3 games?That’s a seriously successful pace. (And we have no data to assess our shootout abilities this season.)
They could go on a tear and right the balance, and then bob and weave the rest of way, hovering around the 8th spot. But only a major shakeup, I think, will spark such a surge . . .

By: maruk

maruk — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:33:52 +0000

If you decide to march to the gates, B.Orr4, who would be your knight in shining armor?

By: B.ORR4

B.ORR4 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:23:11 +0000

Firing Hanlon may not be fair, particularly in light of the injuries, but it may be necessary to salvage this season. If you want an example of what changing a coach can do, look no further that last night’s opponent. 0-6 to start the season, 6-3 since they fired Hartley. And Waddell isn’t even a real coach. If they somehow beat Ottawa, or at least come out of there with a point and then come home and beat Tampa I’ll back off. But if they get thumped by the Senators and then lose to Tampa, I’m leading the march to the castle gates.

By: ADR

ADR — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:39:52 +0000

I don’t know if it is time to move Hanlon or not. I think not. In the words of one great manager from another sport: “You are never as good as you look when you are winning and never as bad as you look when you are losing.” – Earl Weaver