Management Claude Julien II Mod Note post 754

[PlayMakers]

Looking at the defense today which apart from Carlo, who has been a great help for this team defensively, was the same yet this year sure we are seeing the occasional D-D passes, but there are cleaner, smoother, and quicker transitions out of their zone...

So this defense is essentially the same, apart from a mobile, 6'5, 23 minute, two way defenseman? Would you say this D would be essentially the same if they had added Colton Parayko over the summer? IMHO, they are better at moving the puck because of Carlo's presence in the top pairing and Colin Miller's maturation. When McQuaid is out there you still see those bad decisions with the puck (but I don't want to pile on McQ because he does other things well and I think he's played well).

In my opinion, I think Heinen is just as good defensively as Nash is...

Can't say I agree there either. Can Heinen be a defensively responsible NHL center right now? Not a chance. And even though Czarnik is playing center right now, the way this team's Dzone coverage works Nash frequently rotates into the C role when they're in their own zone. He also chips in on draws when they're in their own end or if Lil Z is struggling against an opponent. No way Heinen could do those things right now. He's struggling just to find his way as a wing.

I don't disagree that Heinen has talent and that he will eventually be a much better player than Nash, but Marchand wasn't ready the year he went 0for20 games. Playing him 8, 9, 10, 11... 20 games it didn't matter. He wasn't ready. I think that cup of coffee season is a common (and important) step for players. Not everybody steps right in and has immediate success. Marchand couldn't do it. Heinen hasn't made an impact. He was sent down to get his confidence and game back. Maybe he'll arrive later this season, or maybe he'll need another summer of training to get there but he will get there and he will get his chances.

I won't disagree with you there. I've said in the past that I don't think Spooner has much of a future with the Bruins, and I'm not surprised that the Bruins were rumored to be wanting to package him for a top 6 winger. I still believe Spooner is better utilized as a center, but I don't think it will be for a team like Boston long term. I think Claude trusts Czanrik a lot more defensively, and it's a plus that he can play wing.

Personally, I hope they keep Spooner. He can be infuriating at times. CLB's second goal was on him. He lost the puck on the way out of our zone (high slot center position on a breakout), and instead of stopping and battling to get it back he just kept drifting and that gave them numbers and a quick/easy goal. His line scored on the next shift and were great that game so he made up for it but those sloppy/lazy moments drive me crazy. IMO, Czarnik makes more mistakes but he doesn't accept them and drift off into the sunset, he battles to make up for it... At any rate, ever since his first development camp I've been enamored with Spooner's speed, elusiveness and playmaking. I really want to see him mature here.

I think Backes can still get his 18 minutes playing on the 3rd line. Crosby, Malkin, and Kessel still get their 18+min while they all play on different lines. Backes will still get his PP and PK time. It may require shifting him a few times with the top 6 lines, but I do think it's possible.

I don't know, show me a 3rd line C in the league who plays 18mins a night and maybe I'd be more inclined to believe it's workable... The Kessel comparison isn't exactly apples to apples because he plays wing. Kessel can take a long shift or even double shift OV style and play with two different centers.
When you're talking about 3 centers you're talking about one replacing the other each shift. Fwiw, Kessel's center, Nick Bonino, plays 16mins a night.

I think what would make this a much easier decision would be if they had a player at Backes' level/affectivness that could slot in on RW. I think it comes back to wanting to play your best players the most. If moving Backes to 3C decreases his ice time by a minute or two while increasing the ice time of Danton Heinen or Ryan Spooner then that's a negative they have to weigh against the potential positive he'd give the 3rd line.

I like your trade ideas, although one of the reasons I like the idea of trading for a C rather than a RW is that the C can be a LH shot. Hanzal gives them a LH down low option on the PP in that Eriksson role. Backes can do it when the PP is set up on the left side and Hanzal could do it when the PP is overloading the right.

 

[Blowfish]

CSN suggesting Clode could be done.

If Clode takes the fall for this situation, I'll seriously consider jumping ship and following a different team.

Good lord. Some folk here act like Claude is a god. Me. I like Claude
But something isn't right with the core dudes. They need a new voice. Me. Hoping for a fire. And would love to see Roy behind the bench. Bruins have turned too passive for my liking. Plus Claude unwilling to change things up drives me crazy Need some fire. Enough .Blah hockey already.

Enough with Claude. Let's move on.

 

[Pia8988]

Personally, I hope they keep Spooner. He can be infuriating at times. CLB's second goal was on him. He lost the puck on the way out of our zone (high slot center position on a breakout), and instead of stopping and battling to get it back he just kept drifting and that gave them numbers and a quick/easy goal. His line scored on the next shift and were great that game so he made up for it but those sloppy/lazy moments drive me crazy. IMO, Czarnik makes more mistakes but he doesn't accept them and drift off into the sunset, he battles to make up for it... At any rate, ever since his first development camp I've been enamored with Spooner's speed, elusiveness and playmaking. I really want to see him mature here.

If you are referring to the Bruins 1st goal. His line scored, but he wasn't a part of it. Vatrano was still on the ice and got the puck to Krejci who fed Backes. He was a part of the tying goal however.

 

[PlayMakers]

So, I am especially wanting to hear from the major Julien defenders, is he partially responsible for slow starts?

I would say yes, he's partially responsible.

IMO, a coach is mostly responsible for giving the team a plan and then getting the players to believe in that plan and stay on the same page. I think Julien does an exemplary job at this. His players BUY IN. Year in, year out. Year after year, they believe in what he wants to do and play the way he wants them to play. I think the systems the team uses, for most of his time here, have been highly effective. They're statistically one of the better offensive teams in the league more often than not, and consistently one of the better defensive teams. Last year was a tough year where I felt like they were trying to play the game (systems) we're seeing now, but didn't have the personnel to execute it. This year they've been highly effective in terms of shots for/against and possession but translating that to goals has been slow and is concerning. His PK work has been strong, his PP work has been poor, although that second one fluctuates with the mix of personnel he's had.

Beyond that, I don't think a coach is responsible for more than 33% of any of the rest of it.

1/3 is on the GM for providing the players, 1/3 is on the coach for providing the plan and getting the players to buy into his plan and culture, and 1/3 is on the players to be professionals and perform.

 

[PlayMakers]

If you are referring to the Bruins 1st goal. His line scored, but he wasn't a part of it. Vatrano was still on the ice and got the puck to Krejci who fed Backes. He was a part of the tying goal however.

I did see that, yes. At first I wondered if he was getting benched for lack of compete there but that wasn't the case, just a carry over on the shift, like you said.

 

[PlayMakers]

CSN suggesting Clode could be done.

If Clode takes the fall for this situation, I'll seriously consider jumping ship and following a different team.

Just Haggerty being Haggerty.

Kind of like his article on how much Carlo enjoys playing on a pairing with Liles.

 

[DitClapper]

Good lord. Some folk here act like Claude is a god. Me. I like Claude
But something isn't right with the core dudes. They need a new voice. Me. Hoping for a fire. And would love to see Roy behind the bench. Bruins have turned too passive for my liking. Plus Claude unwilling to change things up drives me crazy Need some fire. Enough .Blah hockey already.

Enough with Claude. Let's move on.

Agreed.

 

[Pia8988]

Good lord. Some folk here act like Claude is a god. Me. I like Claude
But something isn't right with the core dudes. They need a new voice. Me. Hoping for a fire. And would love to see Roy behind the bench. Bruins have turned too passive for my liking. Plus Claude unwilling to change things up drives me crazy Need some fire. Enough .Blah hockey already.

Enough with Claude. Let's move on.

Bobby Valentine 2.0

 

[PlayMakers]

CSN suggesting Clode could be done.

If Clode takes the fall for this situation, I'll seriously consider jumping ship and following a different team.

Honestly, with the way people feel about him I sometimes think they should make a change just so people can see how bad things can really get. How quickly we forget the coaching carousel of Ftorek's and Kasper's...

That's not to say there isn't someone out there who could do a good job, I'm sure there is... Fwiw, I'd take Quenneville over Julien if he was available (I liked him going back to his STL days). Ditto for Babcock, but honestly those guys are just Julien with different packaging.

But what are the realistic odds we're going to get the next Quenneville? I mean, he has to be out there, but at the same time, look at all the coaches who have been hired/fired during Julien's time here in Boston....

Cameron, Torchetti, Dineen, Capuano, Hartley, Johnston, Richards, Roy, Yeo, Berube, Eakins, Horacheck, MacLean, Nelson, Nolan, Muller, Noel, Oates, Tortorella, Rolston, Krueger, Sacco, Arniel, Cunneyworth, Martin, Laviolette, Murray, Payne, Renney, Stevens, Wilson, Clouston, Crawford, Gordon, Ramsay, Anderson, Murray, Tocchet, Carslyle, Carbonneau, Gainey, Granato, Boudreau, Gretzky, Hartsburg, Keenan, Vigneault, MacTavish, Melrose, Savard, Therrien, Hanlon, Murray, Paddock, Bednar, Desjardins, DeBoer, Gallant, Hynes, Peters, Maurice, Waddell.

This is just these last 9 years. How many of them are better coaches? Hell, how many of them still have jobs? Meanwhile, Julien is 12 wins shy of being in the Top20 ALL-TIME.

 

[Absurdity]

So this defense is essentially the same, apart from a mobile, 6'5, 23 minute, two way defenseman? Would you say this D would be essentially the same if they had added Colton Parayko over the summer? IMHO, they are better at moving the puck because of Carlo's presence in the top pairing and Colin Miller's maturation. When McQuaid is out there you still see those bad decisions with the puck (but I don't want to pile on McQ because he does other things well and I think he's played well).

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here. Carlo has made a difference as I stated. I agree about Colin Miller. I can't find my post where I talked about how his style of play is what the Bruins needed last season which included talk about trading for Shattenkirk, because he can carry the puck, and why Colin can provide exactly what Shattenkirk did at the time without the offense while not having to pay an arm and a leg for that kind of skill set. His style of play is certainly beneficial for the Bruins right now. McQuaid still makes those passes and makes bad decisions because he can't carry the puck out himself. I agree that he does other things well too.

Can't say I agree there either. Can Heinen be a defensively responsible NHL center right now? Not a chance. And even though Czarnik is playing center right now, the way this team's Dzone coverage works Nash frequently rotates into the C role when they're in their own zone. He also chips in on draws when they're in their own end or if Lil Z is struggling against an opponent. No way Heinen could do those things right now. He's struggling just to find his way as a wing.

I don't disagree that Heinen has talent and that he will eventually be a much better player than Nash, but Marchand wasn't ready the year he went 0for20 games. Playing him 8, 9, 10, 11... 20 games it didn't matter. He wasn't ready. I think that cup of coffee season is a common (and important) step for players. Not everybody steps right in and has immediate success. Marchand couldn't do it. Heinen hasn't made an impact. He was sent down to get his confidence and game back. Maybe he'll arrive later this season, or maybe he'll need another summer of training to get there but he will get there and he will get his chances.

At the time of my mention of Heinen, the Bruins had injuries at forward, Vatrano & Pastrnak, and fans were not pleased with the talent provided to Claude, Schallers etc., playing in the top 6 etc. That was why I brought up someone like Heinen who did play in the Bruins top 6 for those 7 or so games, but when he was called up he was scratched. However with a healthy roster, and Heinen trying to find his game in Providence, unless it's on the 4th line, I'm not sure if he will get a crack in the top 9 unless someone is injured. Even then, it may look like someone like DeBrusk will get the call-up before him. In my opinion, that's also fair assessment on Heinen now and in the future.

Personally, I hope they keep Spooner. He can be infuriating at times. CLB's second goal was on him. He lost the puck on the way out of our zone (high slot center position on a breakout), and instead of stopping and battling to get it back he just kept drifting and that gave them numbers and a quick/easy goal. His line scored on the next shift and were great that game so he made up for it but those sloppy/lazy moments drive me crazy. IMO, Czarnik makes more mistakes but he doesn't accept them and drift off into the sunset, he battles to make up for it... At any rate, ever since his first development camp I've been enamored with Spooner's speed, elusiveness and playmaking. I really want to see him mature here.

Spooner definitely has talent, and I agree with everything you say here. However, looking at prospects that may make the jump next season, and the potential holes the need to be filled at forward this season, I think he's the most likely player on the roster to get traded (for Hanzal etc.)

I don't know, show me a 3rd line C in the league who plays 18mins a night and maybe I'd be more inclined to believe it's workable... The Kessel comparison isn't exactly apples to apples because he plays wing. Kessel can take a long shift or even double shift OV style and play with two different centers.
When you're talking about 3 centers you're talking about one replacing the other each shift. Fwiw, Kessel's center, Nick Bonino, plays 16mins a night.

I think what would make this a much easier decision would be if they had a player at Backes' level/affectivness that could slot in on RW. I think it comes back to wanting to play your best players the most. If moving Backes to 3C decreases his ice time by a minute or two while increasing the ice time of Danton Heinen or Ryan Spooner then that's a negative they have to weigh against the potential positive he'd give the 3rd line.

I like your trade ideas, although one of the reasons I like the idea of trading for a C rather than a RW is that the C can be a LH shot. Hanzal gives them a LH down low option on the PP in that Eriksson role. Backes can do it when the PP is set up on the left side and Hanzal could do it when the PP is overloading the right.

I was going to reply to your post in the PGT where you talked about the Krejci line, and in my opinion, that was their best showing all season. In my opinion, they carried the team and started the Bruins' comeback. If that line keeps up their play like they did against Columbus, then I am perfectly fine with having Krejci & Backes on the same line. In my opinion, the Bruins as a whole are inconsistent and are underachieving, so it would be nice if the Krejci line continues to build off that game against Columbus. Hopefully Bergy can get out of his funk as well.

 

[chizzler]

So this defense is essentially the same, apart from a mobile, 6'5, 23 minute, two way defenseman? Would you say this D would be essentially the same if they had added Colton Parayko over the summer? IMHO, they are better at moving the puck because of Carlo's presence in the top pairing and Colin Miller's maturation. When McQuaid is out there you still see those bad decisions with the puck (but I don't want to pile on McQ because he does other things well and I think he's played well).


Can't say I agree there either. Can Heinen be a defensively responsible NHL center right now? Not a chance. And even though Czarnik is playing center right now, the way this team's Dzone coverage works Nash frequently rotates into the C role when they're in their own zone. He also chips in on draws when they're in their own end or if Lil Z is struggling against an opponent. No way Heinen could do those things right now. He's struggling just to find his way as a wing.

I don't disagree that Heinen has talent and that he will eventually be a much better player than Nash, but Marchand wasn't ready the year he went 0for20 games. Playing him 8, 9, 10, 11... 20 games it didn't matter. He wasn't ready. I think that cup of coffee season is a common (and important) step for players. Not everybody steps right in and has immediate success. Marchand couldn't do it. Heinen hasn't made an impact. He was sent down to get his confidence and game back. Maybe he'll arrive later this season, or maybe he'll need another summer of training to get there but he will get there and he will get his chances.



Personally, I hope they keep Spooner. He can be infuriating at times. CLB's second goal was on him. He lost the puck on the way out of our zone (high slot center position on a breakout), and instead of stopping and battling to get it back he just kept drifting and that gave them numbers and a quick/easy goal. His line scored on the next shift and were great that game so he made up for it but those sloppy/lazy moments drive me crazy. IMO, Czarnik makes more mistakes but he doesn't accept them and drift off into the sunset, he battles to make up for it... At any rate, ever since his first development camp I've been enamored with Spooner's speed, elusiveness and playmaking. I really want to see him mature here.



I don't know, show me a 3rd line C in the league who plays 18mins a night and maybe I'd be more inclined to believe it's workable... The Kessel comparison isn't exactly apples to apples because he plays wing. Kessel can take a long shift or even double shift OV style and play with two different centers.
When you're talking about 3 centers you're talking about one replacing the other each shift. Fwiw, Kessel's center, Nick Bonino, plays 16mins a night.

I think what would make this a much easier decision would be if they had a player at Backes' level/affectivness that could slot in on RW. I think it comes back to wanting to play your best players the most. If moving Backes to 3C decreases his ice time by a minute or two while increasing the ice time of Danton Heinen or Ryan Spooner then that's a negative they have to weigh against the potential positive he'd give the 3rd line.

I like your trade ideas, although one of the reasons I like the idea of trading for a C rather than a RW is that the C can be a LH shot. Hanzal gives them a LH down low option on the PP in that Eriksson role. Backes can do it when the PP is set up on the left side and Hanzal could do it when the PP is overloading the right.

Like the post exept for the last part on centers. I think part of the problem is they have to many centers and players playing out of position. Too many centers. Backes is playing wing but he is better at center. I would make him the 3rd line center.

Krejci
Bergeron
Backes
You can pick the 4th ( I know who I would put there)

 

[Spanky185]

Honestly, with the way people feel about him I sometimes think they should make a change just so people can see how bad things can really get. How quickly we forget the coaching carousel of Ftorek's and Kasper's...

That's not to say there isn't someone out there who could do a good job, I'm sure there is... Fwiw, I'd take Quenneville over Julien if he was available (I liked him going back to his STL days). Ditto for Babcock, but honestly those guys are just Julien with different packaging.

But what are the realistic odds we're going to get the next Quenneville? I mean, he has to be out there, but at the same time, look at all the coaches who have been hired/fired during Julien's time here in Boston....

Cameron, Torchetti, Dineen, Capuano, Hartley, Johnston, Richards, Roy, Yeo, Berube, Eakins, Horacheck, MacLean, Nelson, Nolan, Muller, Noel, Oates, Tortorella, Rolston, Krueger, Sacco, Arniel, Cunneyworth, Martin, Laviolette, Murray, Payne, Renney, Stevens, Wilson, Clouston, Crawford, Gordon, Ramsay, Anderson, Murray, Tocchet, Carslyle, Carbonneau, Gainey, Granato, Boudreau, Gretzky, Hartsburg, Keenan, Vigneault, MacTavish, Melrose, Savard, Therrien, Hanlon, Murray, Paddock, Bednar, Desjardins, DeBoer, Gallant, Hynes, Peters, Maurice, Waddell.

This is just these last 9 years. How many of them are better coaches? Hell, how many of them still have jobs? Meanwhile, Julien is 12 wins shy of being in the Top20 ALL-TIME.

Being a good coach doesn't make someone the right coach. I was quite happy when the New York Giants parted ways with Tom Coughlin, not because I disliked him, but because it was time for a new voice from the sidelines. That's how I feel about the Bruins and CJ too.

In all of American pro sports only Bill Bellichick has earned coach for life.

 

[TheBigBadB]

Literally any coach has the potential to be great. As long as he gets the players to buy into what he is preaching and players execute.

Problem is I think the players eventually figure out the coach and can get into a comfortable spot. I think the core of this team knows that no matter how bad they play Julien is going right back to them with the same lines and same playing time. So I think the comfort level is too cozy. Only players that are playing harder are the rookies as they are still fighting to remain in the line up. The rest? Not sure. Right now Rask has to play superhuman for them to have a chance at winning. If he loses focus and goes through a tough spell this team is done. Can't rely on one guy to continually to post sub 2 goal against numbers because you can't produce at the other end.

 

[LucicIsABeast]

Maybe Julien's system just doesn't fit in with the current group of players anymore? From the cup teams, there are really only 3 forwards who have carried over in Bergeron, Marchand, and Krejci.

 

[SerenityRick]

Maybe Julien's system just doesn't fit in with the current group of players anymore? From the cup teams, there are really only 3 forwards who have carried over in Bergeron, Marchand, and Krejci.

I don't think so.. They're getting a lot of chances and a lot of shots it's just that there is no finish.

Coaching can only take you so far and getting shots on net is pretty much where it ends.. at that point I feel like it's on the players (and ultimately the GM to acquire the right players) to actually put it in the net

I do worry Claude will be the scapegoat though. As Playmaker basically said, be careful what you wish for. I feel like the rest of what's left in Chara's tank and prime Bergeron will be wasted trying to learn a new system at this point

 

[chizzler]

I don't think so.. They're getting a lot of chances and a lot of shots it's just that there is no finish.

Coaching can only take you so far and getting shots on net is pretty much where it ends.. at that point I feel like it's on the players (and ultimately the GM to acquire the right players) to actually put it in the net
I do worry Claude will be the scapegoat though. As Playmaker basically said, be careful what you wish for. I feel like the rest of what's left in Chara's tank and prime Bergeron will be wasted trying to learn a new system at this point

I do think there is some complacency. I would bring Bergeron down a line if he's not not bouncing back from what ever. He's bringing down Marchand right now. Either sit him to heal or bring him down. Same with Krejci earlier. ( Had best game of the year last game)

 

[BruinDust]

Keep the coach.

Waive the zero-zone binkies immediately (Nash, Hayes, Acciari, Kevan Miller, Khudobin).

 

[Brucentric*]

I do think there is some complacency. I would bring Bergeron down a line if he's not not bouncing back from what ever. He's bringing down Marchand right now. Either sit him to heal or bring him down. Same with Krejci earlier. ( Had best game of the year last game)

I agree, Krejci was tremendous last game all over the ice flying. That said, i have watched Bergie very closely and i can not seem to see any proof of an injury. Plus his shots are not down, Tough to explain or blame on world cup hangover. Has not hurt Crosby.

 

[TMac21]

I'm of two minds on this one: For one, Julien is one of the best assets the Bruins organization has at this point, however every coach has an expiry date and I'm wondering if Juliens has come and its time for a fresh voice, especially with the influx of youth coming up.

 

[JAD]

I don't think so.. They're getting a lot of chances and a lot of shots it's just that there is no finish.

Coaching can only take you so far and getting shots on net is pretty much where it ends.. at that point I feel like it's on the players (and ultimately the GM to acquire the right players) to actually put it in the net

I do worry Claude will be the scapegoat though. As Playmaker basically said, be careful what you wish for. I feel like the rest of what's left in Chara's tank and prime Bergeron will be wasted trying to learn a new system at this point

Yeah the Bruins carry the play and generate a number of shots, but that can be deceiving. Most times Boston's shots are one timers from various places on the ice. 40 one timers in a game and the goalie is going to stop the majority of them, especially if he has a clear line of sight. Bruins need to create rebound chances where they get second and third shots. The Bruins for the most part just haven't been doing that. Krejci scored his goal the other night on a rebound. They need to do more of that rather than shoot, fall back, cycle, shoot, repeat. Too much perimeter play and trying to set up the one time shot; not enough jamming and crashing the net. With this group of players, especially the 3rd and 4th lines, they can't play fancy, they need to go to the net and force the dirty goal. But of course doing that creates the possibility of be caught up ice. So something has to give.

 

[chizzler]

Yeah the Bruins carry the play and generate a number of shots, but that can be deceiving. Most times Boston's shots are one timers from various places on the ice. 40 one timers in a game and the goalie is going to stop the majority of them, especially if he has a clear line of sight. Bruins need to create rebound chances where they get second and third shots. The Bruins for the most part just haven't been doing that. Krejci scored his goal the other night on a rebound. They need to do more of that rather than shoot, fall back, cycle, shoot, repeat. Too much perimeter play and trying to set up the one time shot; not enough jamming and crashing the net. With this group of players, especially the 3rd and 4th lines, they can't play fancy, they need to go to the net and force the dirty goal. But of course doing that creates the possibility of be caught up ice. So something has to give.

How about letting your defenseman take slap shot when available instead if the lazy writer. Hoping for a deflection in all offensive chances is nauseating. Poor Carlo is doing it now. He wasn't at the beginning. How about telling both Chara and C Miller to take the slap shot every time you have the opportunit; they only have one of the hardest shots in the league.

 

[Fenian24]

Keep the coach.

Waive the zero-zone binkies immediately (Nash, Hayes, Acciari, Kevan Miller, Khudobin).

I agree but what would Claude do if you waived Nash one of his favorites, who has taken over the Chris Kelly role (anybody miss Kelly now?)

This team is a classic tweener, not enough top end talent to contend not enough great prospects for a pure rebuild (also an owner demanding the playoffs hurts if you want to rebuild). Is it the coaches fault? Some is but in no way is it all Claude.

If the fire Claude crowd thinks that the "kids" are going to come in and be offensive dynamos they are sadly mistaken. While Claude may not be very good at adapting during games (actually I think he sucks at it) his vaunted system is keeping this team afloat. Dumping Julien won't save this team or make them go into rebuild mode, all it will do is make them worse.

I like Gerard Gallant and his availability is the only reason I would consider letting Julien go, I wouldn't do it for anyone in house (which is what I would expect to happen so JJ doesn't have to pay multiple coaches) or Roy or a newer unproven coach.

From 1990 to 2007 this is what the Bruins coaches looked like: Mike Milbury, Rick Bowness, Brian Sutter , Steve Kasper, Pat Burns, Mike Keenan, Robbie Ftorek, Mike O'Connell, Mike Sullivan, Dave Lewis.

Some good, some bad, some who will never coach again outside of their kids mites team. Firing Julien to shake things up isn't a good idea, find another way to send a message, an under performing veteran maybe finding a new home?

 

[JCRO]

I'm of two minds on this one: For one, Julien is one of the best assets the Bruins organization has at this point, however every coach has an expiry date and I'm wondering if Juliens has come and its time for a fresh voice, especially with the influx of youth coming up.

Well said. I feel that I am in this campaign as well. I dont really want to see Julien moved as he really is a great coach and is a proven winner.. But maybe a new voice is the underlying factor that is needed after almost 10 years.

Theres still part of me that wants to argue however that he doesnt have the pieces he needs to succeed. And thats not his fault.

My thoughts are all over the place on this one. Idk anymore

 

[Gee Wally]

Keep the coach.

Waive the zero-zone binkies immediately (Nash, Hayes, Acciari, Kevan Miller, Khudobin).

I agree.

Matter of fact if/when Claude does go if Im the new guy coming in I insist this is a condition of employment.

 

[BruinDust]

I agree but what would Claude do if you waived Nash one of his favorites, who has taken over the Chris Kelly role (anybody miss Kelly now?)

This team is a classic tweener, not enough top end talent to contend not enough great prospects for a pure rebuild (also an owner demanding the playoffs hurts if you want to rebuild). Is it the coaches fault? Some is but in no way is it all Claude.

If the fire Claude crowd thinks that the "kids" are going to come in and be offensive dynamos they are sadly mistaken. While Claude may not be very good at adapting during games (actually I think he sucks at it) his vaunted system is keeping this team afloat. Dumping Julien won't save this team or make them go into rebuild mode, all it will do is make them worse.

I like Gerard Gallant and his availability is the only reason I would consider letting Julien go, I wouldn't do it for anyone in house (which is what I would expect to happen so JJ doesn't have to pay multiple coaches) or Roy or a newer unproven coach.

From 1990 to 2007 this is what the Bruins coaches looked like: Mike Milbury, Rick Bowness, Brian Sutter , Steve Kasper, Pat Burns, Mike Keenan, Robbie Ftorek, Mike O'Connell, Mike Sullivan, Dave Lewis.

Some good, some bad, some who will never coach again outside of their kids mites team. Firing Julien to shake things up isn't a good idea, find another way to send a message, an under performing veteran maybe finding a new home?

I'd suggest finding several underperforming veterans new homes.

In Providence.

That's how you send the message.

And honestly, if Claude can't coach a winning hockey team without his Kelly->Kemppainen->Nash generating near zero offense as an NHL forward, if removing a guy on pace with 2 goals is a problem, then perhaps it is time for Claude to go.