Good coaches are important, but I admit I sometimes question the value of the high-priced coach. Like paying top dollar for coach who won a Stanley Cup, but struggles to repeat that magic. Gee, maybe it was the players. And coaches who do poorly sometimes come back and do well. True he's just an assistant but Colliton is doing well with NJ, wouldn't be surprised if someone gives him a chance again now that he's learned from his Blackhawks experience. Honestly it's hard to see worse than Sorensen right now. The players are so down and the culture is just awful. Bedard's confidence is shot, did he win a single faceoff yesterday? Not a rhetorical question, I think he was 0 for 6.
Ideas for 2025-26? Who do we want that is reasonably priced and can instill some culture here? Do we like an AHL/NCAA head coach to make the jump, or do we prefer an NHL assistant coach? I wonder which is better though I don't get offering tons for a popular coach from a lower level (eg David Carle). Sure, maybe hire one, but not for astronomical dollars. Jay Leach maybe given his NHL experience as an assistant?
And for that matter, I guess we need a GM who knows how to find some talent, but I'm less familiar with available GMs. I will say I cannot stand signing older players for "leadership." So overblown. We need TALENTED players.
