Speculation: Forecasting the Head Coaching position for 2013-2014

[punk_o_holic]

Read in an Elliotte Friedman article the other day that JD advised Jarmo to take some time to learn the CBJ environment and then think about making a change in the HC job vs. just doing it right away. JD used this philosophy when considering whether to retain or fire Howson and advised Jarmo to do the same when it comes to Richards (Thought #26).

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2013/02/30-thoughts-hockey-socks-and-safety.html

EF mentions Jacques Martin as a possible replacement; I'm not so sure he's my candidate of choice, but he's an option. I'm sure Ruff will be in the running if he's still on the market when that time comes; he would be my top option.

So this was said before a good coach(is he still considered good?) was available. Do they still think this way, even with Ruff being available? Or do they say screw it and not let this opportunity get away because maybe in the off season, a coach like Ruff might not be available and make a coaching decision now?


Also, in the firing/hiring thread, someone mentioned Brad Shaw who is currently an assistant with the Blues. Have no idea if it was a joke but would he be an option? If he is legit and should have a chance at Head Coach postion, JD/Jarmo would know best because of the Blues days right?

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I wouldn't completely rule out a Richards return.

It's really tough to coach without (m)any top 6 forwards, a very mediocre defensive corps and Sieve Mason in goal. Add an Umgarbage to the situation and Scotty Bowman would have his hands full trying to create lemonade out of the lemons Richards has been dealing with.

I will assume that Richards will be evaluated in the context of what "talent" he has been given. If JK and Richards share a similar coaching philosophy (have no idea if they do), then Richards may be given consideration for continuing as Jackets coach.

I would think that Richards is toast if JK/JD already have someone else in mind whom they feel would be an upgrade/philosophically more compatible than he is.

I feel Richards has done about what could be reasonably expected given the circumstances. This mess known as the CBJ is not his doing. I wouldn't be disappointed if he were to be named coach for next season. In any case, I hope that his NHL coaching career isn't permanently derailed by having been associated with what has been the sorriest excuse of a NHL franchise.

 

[Finnpin]

IMO Jarmo should look for some young talent to the coaching department... coaches that knows the modern hockey, tactics and game styles and not some old farts/old skool coaches who thinks about the game like back in 80's or 90's.

 

[major major]

IMO Jarmo should look for some young talent to the coaching department... coaches that knows the modern hockey, tactics and game styles and not some old farts/old skool coaches who thinks about the game like back in 80's or 90's.

I'm not so sure. I feel like we've been doing the "young coach / modern tactics" thing with Arniel and Richards. And take a look at some of the newly hired veteran coaches who are off to hot starts this year with teams that weren't expected to do well: Therrien in Montreal, Carlyle in Toronto, Boudreau in Anaheim.

We're going to need a coach who can take our young guys to their next level. Galchenyuk, Gallagher and Kadri are among the young guys thriving under these old school coaches. Thats going to be the big thing, regardless of the coach's age. Dallas Eakins (TOR) and Jon Cooper (SYR-TBL) are also getting a lot of credit for developing talent in the AHL.

 

[Finnpin]

Using word "young" is maybe wrong here as there is older coaches who knows their game and tactics but I personally like coaches that knows so called modern hockey.

 

[Needles]

Andy Murray was coaching St. Louis during the rebuild. So my guess is Murray or Ruff.

 

[EDM]

While Richards has not been given a lot to work with, his decisions about who to put on the ice at critical points in the game, particularly the last minute or two where we have a chance to win if we could score, have been abominable.

 

[Viqsi]

While Richards has not been given a lot to work with, his decisions about who to put on the ice at critical points in the game, particularly the last minute or two where we have a chance to win if we could score, have been abominable.

It pains me to agree with this statement, but, yeah. Having Brassard take critical faceoffs in particular sticks in my craw.

Otherwise... I don't know the various candidates out there as well as I ought.

 

[Robert]

I think Richards stays until the end of the season. No sense in making a change right now. I think after Jarmo makes some changes, he will see who is available. I'm not sure about Ruff and certainly do not want Martin.

Here is a bold prediction: Robert will weigh in with a vote for Ruff

Of course I will, just as I would vote for Trotz if he was fired.. Ruff would be the second best coach to Ken Hitchcock that the Blue Jackets ever had.. and he is good with younger players. I'd bet the Jacket players would love having Ruff too..

It was rumored he was on the CBJ short list prior to Hitchock.. Ruff will coach in the NHL again, it's just a matter of where... JD will not listen to the fans, he will do what it takes to win in the NHL not what people on the streets of Columbus think.

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Richards is likely done, be it this offseason or next when his contract expires. I don't see him being retained after his current contract.

The team has played better. And contrary to my points earlier last offseason about my worry that no one externally was interviewed or even called, it makes much more sense to go in the Richards direction if your expecting front office changes.

I have liked whats come out of his mouth this season, he seems to understand the situation a lot better than Arniel did and I can see him landing on his feet as an assistant or an AHL head man somewhere. The W-L loss record is still discouraging, but I think, when you couple it with whats happened, he's seen as the guy thats plugging up the dyke right now, much like Howson was when he was hired.

That said, he'll be a victim of circumstance, despite the opinion that I have that he's not anywhere close to being an upper echelon coach. Unlike Hitch and Arniel, He won't be fired/ not resigned for the team's record....

 

[alphafox]

Maybe we could bring Marc Crawford to the Island of misfit toys?

 

[cbjfaninmo]

Of course I will, just as I would vote for Trotz if he was fired.. Ruff would be the second best coach to Ken Hitchcock that the Blue Jackets ever had.. and he is good with younger players. I'd bet the Jacket players would love having Ruff too..

It was rumored he was on the CBJ short list prior to Hitchock.. Ruff will coach in the NHL again, it's just a matter of where... JD will not listen to the fans, he will do what it takes to win in the NHL not what people on the streets of Columbus think.

I did not know if Ruff was good with young players or not. I agree with you, JD (and Jarmo) are going to do what it takes to win. It's going to continue to be fun to watch how this all plays out.

 

[Nordique]

Two guys I would like to get a look at the job:

Ted Nolan
Craig Hartsburg

 

[Skraut]

Anybody but Jacques Martin please.

I'm not Jacques Martin

 

[KeithBWhittington]

I wouldn't completely rule out a Richards return.

It's really tough to coach without (m)any top 6 forwards, a very mediocre defensive corps and Sieve Mason in goal. Add an Umgarbage to the situation and Scotty Bowman would have his hands full trying to create lemonade out of the lemons Richards has been dealing with.

I will assume that Richards will be evaluated in the context of what "talent" he has been given. If JK and Richards share a similar coaching philosophy (have no idea if they do), then Richards may be given consideration for continuing as Jackets coach.

I would think that Richards is toast if JK/JD already have someone else in mind whom they feel would be an upgrade/philosophically more compatible than he is.

I feel Richards has done about what could be reasonably expected given the circumstances. This mess known as the CBJ is not his doing. I wouldn't be disappointed if he were to be named coach for next season. In any case, I hope that his NHL coaching career isn't permanently derailed by having been associated with what has been the sorriest excuse of a NHL franchise.

I don't think the team's W-L record will be the deciding factor in any decision to replace him. Don't get caught up in the stats as the reason. Organizational changes and getting "your own guys" will likely be the deciding factor. I think thats why this seems so strange to a lot of us. The last time a coach was fired because of "office politics" around here was Dave King. I expect it to be more civilized than petty like it was rumored to be with King, but its likely to be the reason.

Gallant, Hitch, Arniel... all were fired for the performance on the ice.

 

[Viqsi]

I'm not Jacques Martin

 

[Robert]

Two guys I would like to get a look at the job:

Ted Nolan
Craig Hartsburg

Nolan made the playoffs in both Buffalo and Long Island but he has fallen off the map... not sure what he did or what his problem is but he doesn't seem to be on anyone’s radar.. That said, it would be fun to see what he could do with this group...

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I don't think the team's W-L record will be the deciding factor in any decision to replace him. Don't get caught up in the stats as the reason. Organizational changes and getting "your own guys" will likely be the deciding factor. I think thats why this seems so strange to a lot of us. The last time a coach was fired because of "office politics" around here was Dave King. I expect it to be more civilized than petty like it was rumored to be with King, but its likely to be the reason.

Gallant, Hitch, Arniel... all were fired for the performance on the ice.

Agreed on all points. I would think Richards has a very good chance of being released for the reasons you stated.

The only things upon which I can fault him is the overuse of Umberger, Brassard and Mason. He may have an "out" on these as he may have gotten pressure/mandates from upper management.

However, if he continues to overuse these guys in the helps of "building their confidence", then he's shoveling the dirt on his own grave. Jacques Martin wouldn't give up the ghost of Gomez in Montreal and-in my estimation-that played a considerable role in the record which led to his release. For Richard's and the team's sake, I hope Mason and Umberger are nailed to the bench or given the high view of the game (press box) and Brassard is used in accordance to his performance.

 

[Nanabijou]

I don't think the team's W-L record will be the deciding factor in any decision to replace him. Don't get caught up in the stats as the reason. Organizational changes and getting "your own guys" will likely be the deciding factor. I think thats why this seems so strange to a lot of us. The last time a coach was fired because of "office politics" around here was Dave King. I expect it to be more civilized than petty like it was rumored to be with King, but its likely to be the reason.

Gallant, Hitch, Arniel... all were fired for the performance on the ice.

I see more parallels of Richards with Noel. Richards has gotten more time to prove himself as head coach of the CBJ, but in the end he will also be jettisoned for the sake of having a clean slate and starting fresh.

 

[Fred Glover]

It isn't gonna matter who the coach is if the team doesn't get more players. Not even Al Arbour, Scott Bowman in their prime will not change the fortunes of this team. This team needs talent, talent, and more talent. I am more concerned with getting more talent than who the coach will be, because unless the talent level improves, it won't matter who the coach is

 

[KeithBWhittington]

I see more parallels of Richards with Noel. Richards has gotten more time to prove himself as head coach of the CBJ, but in the end he will also be jettisoned for the sake of having a clean slate and starting fresh.

Very good point about Noel. The one point I could argue with it though is at least we've had a sampling size of Richards as an NHL head coach previously. And the fact that Noel never had the "Interim tag" taken off.

Todd Richards will land on his feet somewhere when this is all said and done though. Might be his last go around as an NHL head coach, but I can easily seem him being a "lifer" like our two current assistant coaches, Hartsburg and Acton.

 

[Roadman]

Porty and Arace brought up an interesting name during the pod cast, Brad Larsen. I have wondered why his name had not yet popped up.

They said he is very well thought of as an up and coming young coach and he certainly has done an excellent job in SPR. They then mused that Richards might be a place holder for this and next year, and then Larsen could be in a position to step up. Not unreasonable speculation.

Question for discussion, how much seasoning do you think Brad Larsen needs before he could step behind the CBJ Bench? Are the "Dispatch Boys" out to lunch or is it a possible scenario?

 

[KeithBWhittington]

Porty and Arace brought up an interesting name during the pod cast, Brad Larsen. I have wondered why his name had not yet popped up.

They said he is very well thought of as an up and coming young coach and he certainly has done an excellent job in SPR. They then mused that Richards might be a place holder for this and next year, and then Larsen could be in a position to step up. Not unreasonable speculation.

Question for discussion, how much seasoning do you think Brad Larsen needs before he could step behind the CBJ Bench? Are the "Dispatch Boys" out to lunch or is it a possible scenario?

They are out to lunch in my opinion. Larsen has a veteran team that came back, along with some stellar play by new arrivals Erixon and JAM and McBackup. It seems like more a Scott Howson type move.

This is all not to say that Larsen isn't a good coach, but I'd let someone else take the gamble if they want to hire him away if the CBJ have no interest yet.

Arniel was/is a whale of a coach at the AHL level.... Some schemes and personalities just don't work at the next level.

In Jarmo I trust, but I'd expect he'd pull a guy out of Europe or even an NHL retread that he's much more familiar with before he promotes Larsen.

 

[Halfboard]

It isn't gonna matter who the coach is if the team doesn't get more players. Not even Al Arbour, Scott Bowman in their prime will not change the fortunes of this team. This team needs talent, talent, and more talent. I am more concerned with getting more talent than who the coach will be, because unless the talent level improves, it won't matter who the coach is

This, times a zillion..................

 

[TBJF]

It isn't gonna matter who the coach is if the team doesn't get more players. Not even Al Arbour, Scott Bowman in their prime will not change the fortunes of this team. This team needs talent, talent, and more talent. I am more concerned with getting more talent than who the coach will be, because unless the talent level improves, it won't matter who the coach is

I'm in about 92.4% agreement. Players win games, no doubt about that.

But I look at how poorly the Jackets have done at developing players, and putting them into positions to be successful, and I have to think coaching is at least a part of that problem. If JD and JK think our youngsters are not progressing under Richards, that may help make the case for replacing him. Personally, I dunno, Moore seems to be progressing and several of the young d-men show real promise. But the youngsters up front still look like youngsters. Except maybe Dorsett.

For me, the bottom line is, I think I trust JD and JK to Do The Right Thing. Neither is a savior, but they both have the kind of experience and track record I want in my leadership team. Until they give me reason not to, I will trust their leadership.*



*Yeah, I know, I said basically the same thing about GMSH, too . . . .