Can Igor Larionov be a head coach in the NHL?

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

I don't see why not.

Can't remember his name, but Montreal a while ago was considering a Russian to be their coach as he knew French, but didn't know English.

I'd be pretty ecstatic if the Habs brought him over as an assistant coach, but I imagine other teams would bring him over as a head coach.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

He would make an amazing assistant coach for a teams PP.

 

[Section 104]

62 seems a little old to debut but in 2016 the Atlanta Braves gave 60 year old Brian Snitker his first major league manager job and he has been highly successful with it. So Larionov might not be a bad idea for somebody willing to try it. I would not criticize any team that hired him.

 

[WarriorofTime]

I don't see why not. He's probably the most "North Americanized" of the Soviet-trained era Russians and speaks good english.

Just old and has done all his coaching/management stuff post playing career in Russia, so he's not particularly likely.

 

[Siludin]

Canucks have Gonchar as assistant coach - don't see why it can't work

 

[DamonDRW]

By the way, Larionov was called “the Professor” because he wore glasses off the ice, not because of some “cerebral” plays he made. I don’t think it would be a stretch to say he probably had the least hockey smarts out of everyone in the Green Unit.

He probably was the smartest on that line as he didn't have raw talent (size, speed, etc) and still was the best Soviet center of his era. Certain players use their brains to compensate for that.

 

[Bounces R Way]

If complete morons like Geoff Ward, Glen Gulutzan, Brad Larsen, Bob Boughner, and Travis Green can be NHL HCs I don't see any reason Larionov can't.

 

[pandro]

He probably was the smartest on that line as he didn't have raw talent (size, speed, etc) and still was the best Soviet center of his era. Certain players use their brains to compensate for that.

Neither Makarov, nor Krutov were any bigger. Heavier, maybe (in regards to Krutov).
As for the best Soviet center, I don’t think Larionov was any better than Bykov, especially if you consider their respective line mates.

 

[Albatros]

As for the best Soviet center, I don’t think Larionov was any better than Bykov, especially if you consider their respective line mates.

Their common years at CSKA (1982 to 1989):

Larionov 134+174=308 (in 288 gp, 1.07 ppg)
Bykov 126+122=248 (in 287 gp, 0.86 ppg)

 

[pandro]

Their common years at CSKA (1982 to 1989):

Larionov 134+174=308 (in 288 gp, 1.07 ppg)
Bykov 126+122=248 (in 287 gp, 0.86 ppg)

Larionov's linemates over the same time period:
Makarov 182 g + 235 a = 417 p in 289 gp (1,44 ppg)
Krutov 188 g + 156 a = 344 p in 280 gp (1,23 ppg)
On defense:
Fetisov 93 g + 124 a = 217 p in 255 gp (0,85 ppg)
Kasatonov 77 g + 121 a = 198 p in 287 gp (0,69 ppg)

Bykov's most consistent partners were Khomutov and Stelnov with Kamensky and Gusarov later on:
Khomutov 136 g + 102 a = 238 p in 283 gp (0,84 ppg)
Kamensky 72 g + 47 a = 119 p in 168 gp (0,71 ppg)
Stelnov 12 g + 23 a = 35 p in 266 gp (0,13 ppg)
Gusarov 18 g + 20 a = 38 p in 195 gp (0,19 ppg)

The quality of their linemates is incomparable, really.

 

[Albatros]

I don't think anyone argues Larionov was better than Makarov. Bykov had one season in his entire Soviet career scoring more than what young Larionov did already in Voskresensk with Vladimir Shchurenko and Vladimir Lavrentyev. In points per game he never matched that.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I don't think anyone argues Larionov was better than Makarov.

As a player Makarov was better of course. But it's not about playing but coaching.

And Larionov scored 18 points in 14 playoff games at age 33 and outscored Makarov who was almost 36.

 

[PaulD]

Succeeds at just about everything he sets out to accomplish. I would bet on him to be a good coach in the NHL.

 

[PaulD]

Yet in many other leagues or sports there are tons of highly successful foreign coaches who don't often even speak the local language that great.

The NHL just happens to be run by people who don't want to open the door to competition for their jobs.

If Therrien could get hired 3 separate times to coach in the NHL....and coach for years ha!! Then of course Larionov could.

 

[DamonDRW]

Neither Makarov, nor Krutov were any bigger. Heavier, maybe (in regards to Krutov).
As for the best Soviet center, I don’t think Larionov was any better than Bykov, especially if you consider their respective line mates.

Makarov was extremely fast and shifty while Krutov was noticeably heavier and also faster. These things you can't train after a certain level. Still Larionov complemented them extremely well.

Bykov was quite close to Larionov, I agree. However, this is rather a compliment for Bykov.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Hard for non North Americans to coach in the NHL.

A huge part of coaching is connecting with the culture, across various generations and understanding the nuance of how to motivate and effectively communicate.

In other words, you have to be part of the old boys club in the NHL. Then you’re set for life.

 

[Coffey]

Maybe, if his english is better than Malkin's.

 

[Geezer WC]

I think there's only one GM Igor would bother to call back. I don't see Yzerman making any calls of that nature for a couple of years or more.

 

[BagHead]

I'd love to see the Wild nab him as their coach after Evason. Larionov was one of my favorite players, and he seems to do everything he sets his mind to well. The Wild need that sort of excellence. I also don't understand why people are saying he's too old? That may matter if he were playing, but he's coaching, a position where experience is one of the primary advantages.

Unrelated, maybe he can bring Firstov back with him.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Larionov moved to Russia because he wanted to try to become a coach. NA teams weren't eager to give him the job, so he found opportunities in Russia. Now he's a headcoach in the KHL, not that bad actually. And people say his team plays the most interesting hockey in the league. If Torpedo had at least top10 budget it would be a contender for sure. Alas it's the 4th poorest team in the KHL.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

TIL Olli Jokinen is coaching, has a sweet beard and is not in the NHL. I feel like Jokinen in the NHL as a coach could produce even better memes than as a player.

 

[Kipper933]

Mutually parted ways with his KHL team.

I'm just randomly speculating but the Flyers have been growing their Russian contingent in recent years and have a head coach opening.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Hard for non North Americans to coach in the NHL.

A huge part of coaching is connecting with the culture, across various generations and understanding the nuance of how to motivate and effectively communicate.

even knowing this guy was able to successfully live and perform in that culture himself?

 

[DRW895]

He doesn`t deserve to be coach in KHL, even in lower leagues

 

[mattihp]

TIL Olli Jokinen is coaching, has a sweet beard and is not in the NHL. I feel like Jokinen in the NHL as a coach could produce even better memes than as a player.

His track record with young players is insane. His time with Iron Mike taught him both things he should do and NOT do with young players.