Coaching Carousel

[ThomasTomasz]

I didn't see a thread for coaching moves, so I figured I would make one. Post up any firings or hirings that you find, and I'll add them to this post.

Lemaire heading back to retirement

NEWARK, N.J. (AP)—Unlike a year ago when he could barely get the words out, New Jersey Devils coach Jacques Lemaire had little trouble announcing his retirement this time.

There was a smile on the face of the 65-year-old Hall of Famer on Sunday as he said he was leaving the coaching ranks for the third and probably the final time.

“I’m going back where I was before,” Lemaire said after going out a winner following a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. “It demands a lot and I want to enjoy life. I want to enjoy the family.”

Devils coach Lemaire going back into retirement - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

DeBoer fired from Panthers

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP)—Peter DeBoer took over as coach of the Florida Panthers three years ago with a sparkling resume from junior hockey, fully expecting that he could bring the downtrodden franchise back to the playoffs.

He was wrong.

The Panthers fired DeBoer on Sunday, one day after the team finished its 10th straight season without a playoff appearance. Florida’s 72 points were worst in the Eastern Conference and the third-fewest in the 30-team NHL.

Panthers coach Peter DeBoer fired after 3 years - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

Clouston fired from Ottawa; Murray still employed

OTTAWA (AP)—The Ottawa Senators fired head coach Cory Clouston and two assistants on Saturday after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Clouston and assistant coaches Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer were fired shortly after Ottawa lost 3-1 to the Bruins in its regular-season finale in Boston.

“Just simply based on performance over the course of the year, we felt that a change was necessary,” Senators general manager Bryan Murray said on the team’s website.

Senators fire Clouston after missing playoffs - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

Richards fired from Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)—The Minnesota Wild fired coach Todd Richards on Monday after the team missed the playoffs in each of his two seasons.

General manager Chuck Fletcher announced the decision a day after the Wild finished in 12th place in the Western Conference at 39-35-8, 11 points out of the final playoff spot. An eight-game losing streak in March sealed their postseason fate.

“He’s naturally disappointed, as was I, and it wasn’t easy,” said Fletcher, whose voice quivered and eyes watered a few times during his news conference at Xcel Energy Center to discuss the firing. “Our relationship goes back a few years, and we’ve been through a lot of good times and good seasons, and this did not end the way either one of us wanted.”

Wild fire coach Todd Richards after 2 seasons - NHL - Yahoo! Sports

 

[killgod]

I've heard DeBoer is one of the leading candidates for Ottawa

 

[Ravin]

DeBoer gets a shit deal from a team that was basically let go of, and fleeced. They got some great prospects, but that didn't do DeBoer any good for his job. If I am him, I even reconsider going to Ottawa unless they are for real about giving him a chance without pulling the plug.

 

[leaffan]

Ron Wilson given vote of confidence for next year and talks of a contract extension.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

DeBoer gets a shit deal from a team that was basically let go of, and fleeced. They got some great prospects, but that didn't do DeBoer any good for his job. If I am him, I even reconsider going to Ottawa unless they are for real about giving him a chance without pulling the plug.

Agreed. I have no idea how Murray just got an extension, yet he's gone through a few coaches since he was given the promotion. The Senators are treading water and need a change from the top down. DeBoer is better off getting an assistant coaching position and biding his time until next season.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

MIAMI (AP)—The Florida Panthers have hired Kevin Dineen to take over as coach, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because Florida hasn’t announced the move. The Panthers say they will introduce their next coach on Wednesday.

Dineen spent parts of 19 seasons in the NHL, scoring 355 goals. His father is former NHL player and coach Bill Dineen, and brothers Gord and Peter also played in the league.

Kevin Dineen has coached the Portland Pirates in the American Hockey League for the last six seasons. He takes over for Peter DeBoer, who was fired April 10, one day after the Panthers finished their 10th straight season without a playoff appearance. Florida’s 72 points were worst in the Eastern Conference and the third-fewest in the 30-team NHL.

“These decisions are always tough to make, but we felt strongly that it was the right time to make a change,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said.

Nearly two months later, Tallon—who has stockpiled draft picks in an effort to turn the Panthers’ fortunes around—found who he thought was the right man for the job.

The Panthers won only eight of 33 games following the All-Star break, around the time Tallon essentially decided to become a seller instead of a buyer. Florida made eight trades in February alone, loading up with draft picks and future prospects by shipping away players such as Michael Frolik(notes), Cory Stillman(notes), Bryan McCabe(notes), Chris Higgins(notes), Dennis Wideman(notes) and Radek Dvorak(notes).

Dineen went 266-155-59 with the AHL team in Portland, the best mark of any coach in that club’s history.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ai5AlAKYfH.wsNBAkemZXOB7vLYF?slug=ap-pantherscoach

 

[leaffan]

Was reading tweets that Muller was looking into Ottawa.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

DETROIT (AP)—Detroit Red Wings assistant Paul MacLean has been hired as the new coach of the Ottawa Senators.

Two people familiar with the decision confirmed the move on Monday, speaking with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it had not been formally announced by the Senators. The hire was first reported by ESPN.com.

The Senators fired head coach Cory Clouston and two assistants in April after the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

MacLean has spent the past five years as an assistant in Detroit, helping the team win the championship in 2008. He and Red Wings coach Mike Babcock also worked together for two years in Anaheim, taking the Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals.

MacLean spent 11 seasons in the NHL, playing in 719 games for Winnipeg, Detroit and St. Louis from 1980-91. He finished with 324 goals and 349 assists.

Prior to the joining the Anaheim coaching staff in 2002, the Antigonish, Nova Scotia native was head coach of the Quad City Mallards of the United Hockey League. He also spent time coaching minor league teams in Kansas City and Peoria, Illinois, and has been both an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes and a scout for the St. Louis Blues.

In Ottawa, MacLean will be working for general manager Bryan Murray, his old boss in Anaheim. Murray, who recently received a three-year contract extension, has fired three coaches since he left the job himself to become GM after helping the Senators reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2007.

Ottawa made the playoffs in 2009-10, but finished last season near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 32-40-10 record.

With the season going nowhere, Murray dealt away veterans Mike Fisher(notes), Alex Kovalev(notes), Chris Kelly(notes), Chris Campoli(notes) and Jarkko Ruutu(notes) before the trade deadline.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AjC982o8PLrO3r452e2WmDt7vLYF?slug=ap-senators-coach

 

[ThomasTomasz]

EDMONTON — Craig MacTavish hasn’t landed the Minnesota Wild head coaching job yet, but several sources say he was in St. Paul, Minn., last week touring the Xcel Energy Center, which maybe a tipoff that he’s the leading candidate.

The former Edmonton Oilers coach was interviewed early in the process by Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher and may also have had a second formal sit-down to talk about Minnesota’s Northwest Division rival.

While MacTavish, whose brother Ian works for 3M in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area, isn’t talking to the media, he has made no secret that he wants to return to coaching after leaving the Oilers in 2009.

MacTavish earned his master’s degree in business from Queen’s University in the interim and was an integral part of TSN’s television hockey coverage the past two years as a studio commentator. He hasn’t been working with the network since the Stanley Cup final started because of all the coaching conjecture.

MacTavish has also interviewed for the Ottawa Senators coaching job, although sources feel Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Paul MacLean, who has a long history with Senators GM Bryan Murray, is the leading candidate to replace Cory Clouston.

MacTavish is in the running for the job in Minnesota with former Columbus Blue Jackets/Dallas Stars/Philadelphia Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock, who is also very anxious to resume his coaching career after 1,041 games. Former Montreal Canadiens/Pittsburgh Penguins coach Michel Therrien is also vying for the Wild job.

Hitchcock and MacTavish worked together when the world hockey championship was held in Quebec City and Halifax in 2008.

It’s not known if Hitchcock and Therrien, who coached Pittsburgh when Fletcher worked there, will be getting second interviews for the job as well.

There was some speculation that the Wild would announce Todd Richards’ replacement just before the NHL draft in St. Paul June 24-25 for maximum fan and media exposure. But now it looks like they could named their new head coach sometime this week, possibly as soon as the Stanley Cup final ends.

MacTavish, who turns 53 in August, is certainly conversant with the Wild organization. He was behind the Oilers bench for about 50 games against the division rival.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=edmjour-ca-4935009

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I'd be alright with MacT. Mike Yeo did some great things with a shitty Aeroes team but I think Fletcher is weary to sign a "rookie" since Richards failed hard.

Well, between Hitchcock and Therrien, I would probably pick those two over MacTavish. But you are right on Fletcher- no way does he sign another rookie or even a coach on his second go-round. He's looking for someone who has experience.

 

[Ravin]

Hitchcock might have a heart attack. Therrien can be a dick to players, and that was an underline reason he was fired from the Penguins because guys lile Talbot didn't like him and a few others were not going to resign with the Pens if he was coach.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Sources tell TSN that Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff informed head coach Craig Ramsay that he intends on interviewing other candidates for the job.

Ramsay, contacted on Sunday by the Winnipeg organization, has also agreed to an interview as part of the process.

Although Winnipeg is considering other options, Ramsay has not been terminated.

Ramsay has been in limbo since the franchise was sold to True North Sports and Entertainment on May 31.

Team president Don Waddell has said he will not accompany the team to Winnipeg while general manager Rick Dudley was informed that he would not be retained in the same position with True North.

Winnipeg has also terminated director of amateur scouting and player development, Dan Marr.

Several members of the Thrashers support staff have already been told they will not have positions with the Winnipeg franchise, including head equipment manager Bobby Stewart, who spent 12 years with the Thrashers and 26 years with the Flames organization in Atlanta and Calgary.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=368740

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has begun the interviewing process in the search for a head coach.

Sources say NHL on TSN panelist Craig MacTavish is expected to meet with Cheveldayoff either Wednesday or Thursday and is considered a strong candidate for the job.

It's unclear as to how many names are on Winnipeg's short list, however, Manitoba Moose head coach Claude Noel and Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland are also believed to be high on the list.

Noel is employed by the Vancouver Canucks and sources say the Canucks would like his fate determined by next week, in the event he is promoted to the NHL, and Vancouver has to hire his AHL replacement.

Existing coach Craig Ramsay also remains in the mix and will be interviewed for the position.

In the meantime, True North is also hoping to announce the name of Winnipeg's team before the draft.

The NHL's board of governors is meeting in New York on Tuesday and will approve the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers and the relocation of the team to Winnipeg.

Unveiling the team name could take place shortly after Tuesday's meeting, however because of the uncertainty of the logo and sweater design, Winnipeg will use a generic NHL sweater when making its first selection, 7th overall at the Entry Draft.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369037

 

[ThomasTomasz]

DALLAS (AP)—The Dallas Stars have agreed to hire Glen Gulutzan as their next coach.

A person with knowledge of the talks tells The Associated Press that the deal is pending contract details being worked out. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club had not announced the hiring.

Gulutzan has coached the club’s top minor-league affiliate the last two seasons, reaching the finals in 2010 and the playoffs again this past season.

The 39-year-old Gulutzan replaces Marc Crawford, who was fired after Dallas missed making the playoffs by losing its last game of the regular season. They had 95 points, the most by a team that missed the playoffs, and have a foundation of young players to build around—several of them coached by Gulutzan in the minors.

Crawford, who won a Stanley Cup with Colorado, was the first coach hire by general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. For his second hiring, Nieuwendyk is going for a 39-year-old with no NHL coaching experience.

Before joining the Texas Stars, Gulutzan was coach and general manager of the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL from 2003-09. His teams won consecutive division titles, reaching the league finals in 2008 and the conference finals in 2009.

The Stars also interviewed Ken Hitchcock, the coach of their 1999 Stanley Cup champion club; Montreal assistant Kirk Muller, who was on the 2000 Dallas team that went to the Cup finals; and Nashville assistant coach Peter Horachek.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Amct6TtqNLwL9Nz50hY_9fx7vLYF?slug=ap-stars-gulutzan

 

[ThomasTomasz]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—The Minnesota Wild have made Mike Yeo their new head coach, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.

The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hire. The Wild called a Friday news conference at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, their home arena.

Twin Cities radio station KFAN-AM first reported Yeo’s hire.

Yeo will be the third coach in club history, replacing Todd Richards. He led the Wild’s top farm club in Houston to the American Hockey League finals this season, his only year as coach of the Aeros. Richards was fired after two years without a playoff appearance.

The 37-year-old Yeo spent five seasons as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, helping them win the Stanley Cup championship in 2009. He has never been an NHL head coach, like Richards, but his NHL experience was more significant than his predecessor.

Yeo played four seasons of junior hockey in Canada and five seasons with the Aeros in the minor leagues before a career-ending knee injury. The native of North Bay, Ontario, was an assistant for six seasons with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before making the jump to the Penguins in 2005.

Jacques Lemaire was the Wild’s only coach from their inception in the fall of 2000 until he resigned in April 2009. Under Richards, the Wild were often undermanned, with injuries piling up and a lack of top prospects who were contributing, and they had an eight-game losing streak last March and finished in 12th place in the Western Conference.

The Wild went 39-35-8, 11 points out of the final playoff spot. The 44-year-old Richards went 77-71-16 in his two seasons.

The Wild have made the playoffs three times in their 10-year history: 2003, ’07 and ’08. They’ve passed the first round once.

They are still one of the most strongly supported teams in the league, but for the first time in their existence did not sell out every game this season.

General manager Chuck Fletcher—hired in May 2009—said after firing Richards that fan frustration with the continued mediocrity didn’t fuel the change.

“My job is to put a winning hockey team on the ice and build a team that ultimately gets to where we all want to get to,” Fletcher said. “When we do that, the season tickets will follow. This was not a reactionary move.”

Andrew Brunette(notes), John Madden(notes) and Antti Miettinen(notes)—three of the top 10 scorers this season—lead the list of unrestricted free agents, and the roster is sure to turn over. With little room under the salary cap, trades could be coming.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-wild-coach

 

[Ravin]

Mac-T back to the TSN Panel. Shut out of every job so far.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Mac-T back to the TSN Panel. Shut out of every job so far.

What is weird is that the two hires this week- Dallas and the Wild- have hired coaches without experience while those with experience have been shut out of jobs. I wonder why that is, because Ken Hitchcock interviewed for both, and was shut out as well.

 

[Ravin]

What is weird is that the two hires this week- Dallas and the Wild- have hired coaches without experience while those with experience have been shut out of jobs. I wonder why that is, because Ken Hitchcock interviewed for both, and was shut out as well.

Ken Hitchcock I'd never hired. He did a terrible job in Columbus, and I have this feeling his attitude fucked the team hard. I just don't see him being the go to guy to turn a team around right now.

Mac-T, honestly, I don't think he becomes a head coach if it wasn't in Edmonton, his old stomping grounds. I'm not 100% on him either.

Plus, teams are now seeing the benefit of hiring coaches from within their own group. By bringing a guy up from the AHL, you basically know what you are getting since you have had an eye on him anyway. It is a growing trend in the NHL to appoint the AHL coach to the NHL job, and I for one like the idea, rather then, as you so named this thread, a carousel of coaches going back and forth.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Ken Hitchcock I'd never hired. He did a terrible job in Columbus, and I have this feeling his attitude fucked the team hard. I just don't see him being the go to guy to turn a team around right now.

Mac-T, honestly, I don't think he becomes a head coach if it wasn't in Edmonton, his old stomping grounds. I'm not 100% on him either.

Plus, teams are now seeing the benefit of hiring coaches from within their own group. By bringing a guy up from the AHL, you basically know what you are getting since you have had an eye on him anyway. It is a growing trend in the NHL to appoint the AHL coach to the NHL job, and I for one like the idea, rather then, as you so named this thread, a carousel of coaches going back and forth.

I see that point, as the Capitals promoted Bruce Boudreau because he had experience with about half of the roster coaching them in the AHL.

However, what happens when their message becomes stale? You either keep them on or fire them. If you promote internally again, you likely don't have the AHL coach who spent time with a majority of the players, losing that advantage.

I also like the benefit of going outside of the organization when things are going badly to see what an outsider thinks and what they can do to correct the problem.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

The final coach in the history of the Atlanta Thrashers will not be the first coach of the new Winnipeg franchise.

Craig Ramsay was informed on Monday that he will not be retained by new general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. Former Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish, who interviewed for the position with Winnipeg, has also been told he will not be selected.

In Ramsay's only season behind the bench in Atlanta he compiled a 34-36-12 record as the Thrashers missed the playoffs.

Prior to that, Ramsay also spent single seasons behind the bench in Philadelphia where he lead the Flyers to the playoffs and in Buffalo where he was a mid-season replacement for Scotty Bowman.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369529