Speculation: Head Coach Hunt 2021

[Jumptheshark]

I disagree. Fans will always point fingers, but the more intelligent one's realize DT and Hollands hands were somewhat tied last year. Next year will be a different story though, as Holland has cap room to make moves, and he will. Next year they have to not only make the playoffs but win a couple of rounds or there could be management changes.

Tippers coaching decisions that last two playoffs are what we have a problem with. It is looking like the game has passed him bye. Coaching in Edmonton is a pressure cooker and like done players, not all coaches are built right to handle it

 

[Jakey53]

Tippers coaching decisions that last two playoffs are what we have a problem with. It is looking like the game has passed him bye. Coaching in Edmonton is a pressure cooker and like done players, not all coaches are built right to handle it

You made the playoffs with no depth. In the playoffs you need depth. Until you get that you won't go far regardless of who your coach is. Holland had his hands tied last year, and I expect he will make many moves this year to add depth. The game has not passed him by for DT or any other older successful coach. That argument is so ridiculous.

 

[XX]

 

[TheLegend]

 

[rt]

Feels early for Leach. He’s REALLY young.

 

[rt]

What if BA goes very young?

Like Jay Leach, young? He's 41 years old. He was a Coyotes draft pick (5th round in 1998) and did four years as a hard-nosed, stay-at-home D for Providence College. He later played pro in the ECHL (including a stop with the Trenton Titans - formerly coached by BA) and the AHL (including a stint with the Providence Bruins - formerly coached by BA), and various cups of coffee with several NHL teams. He's been an assistant coach in the DEL, as well as with the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins (and a stint as interim HC) but more recently has been the head coach of the Providence Bruins for the last four season (playoff caliber all four years with P% of .625, .572, .661 and .680).

Spencer Carbery probably doesn't have near enough experience, either. He's only 39. Had a long NCAA playing career, prior to being an ECHL enforcer for like eight years. Was an ECHL head coach for five years and made the playoffs every time, including a finals appearance. Has had a fantastic start to his AHL head coaching career with three playoff pace seasons with the Hershey Bears (.618, .653, and .742). (of note that he broke into the AHL as an assistant under Jay Leach for Providence).

I doubt he'd go so young as Ryan Warsofsky but who knows? Youngest head coach in the AHL in the last 20 years. Just coached the Chicago Wolves to a first place finish. Had a bunch of ECHL success prior to that. Is only 34 years old.

Those are just a few names of the really early, very young, quite bright up-and-comers. Just in case he wants to go crazy young and pull up from very deep in that coaching well.

From earlier in the thread.

 

[rt]

Just noticed the Leach was actually coached by Armstrong when BA was HC of Trenton in the ECHL. Leach was a big, tough defenseman (like BA himself) during those days playing for BA. BA has mentioned being GM of Trenton during this time (though I haven't seen this officially listed), so it's possible he was responsible for brining Leach in as a player. During Leach's four years playing at Providence College, BA was playing for and then coaching the Providence Bruins.

He's probably too young and too inexperienced to jump right into the NHL as a Head Coach. But I wouldn't be surprised to see this guy brought into the fold in some way or another.

They obviously still talk:
Mark Divver: Rookie head coach Jay Leach has P-Bruins rolling


Leach has no NHL coaching experience. But he did play in 820 professional hockey games, including 70 in the NHL, but primarily he was an AHL player. He's been a head coach in the AHL for four seasons, now. He hasn't had a losing record yet (and I'm calling OTL losses, here, and had playoff pace in all four.

It's an impressive start to his coaching career and he seems like a bright coaching prospect. But it would seem a bit soon to go all the way up to NHL HC.

Again, from earlier.

 

[rt]

Jay Leach is Jim from the Office.

 

[Mosby]

Maybe some of these guys are interviewing as assistants. That would be the next logical step for someone like Leach.

 

[Jakey53]

Maybe some of these guys are interviewing as assistants. That would be the next logical step for someone like Leach.

The HC should have the opportunity to pick his own assistants.

 

[GhostofYotesFan47]

Feels early for Leach. He’s REALLY young.

I like that he's been brought up, I was putting him on my short last last year (for who I wanted). If we hired him, I'd be happy but also realize what a gamble it would be.

 

[rt]

If we’re going with a young coach without a ton of experience he may not have the luxury of unilaterally naming his staff. They may even give him at least one assistant without much input from him. I’m thinking of someone like Jacques Martin. If they hire someone really young like Leach, he’s going to need that. Maybe he has more say over one or another.

 

[cobra427]

If we’re going with a young coach without a ton of experience he may not have the luxury of unilaterally naming his staff. They may even give him at least one assistant without much input from him. I’m thinking of someone like Jacques Martin. If they hire someone really young like Leach, he’s going to need that. Maybe he has more say over one or another.

I wouldn't say unilaterally naming his staff but it should be the new head coaches call in who the assistants should be. BA should pick his new assistant GM (running it by ownership), and our new coach should pick his assistants(running it by BA).

 

[Jakey53]

If we’re going with a young coach without a ton of experience he may not have the luxury of unilaterally naming his staff. They may even give him at least one assistant without much input from him. I’m thinking of someone like Jacques Martin. If they hire someone really young like Leach, he’s going to need that. Maybe he has more say over one or another.

HC coaches want to be successful and should pick their own assistants. If BA doesn't trust his hand pick coach to do this, then said coach shouldn't be hired in the first place.

 

[rt]

Jake, no offense, but I don’t think you’ve paid very close attention to how this works. The types of candidates we’re looking at won’t have that luxury. There’s plenty of precedent but I don’t feel like digging for it. I’m just going to tell you with supreme confidence that this is exactly like that discussion about age. You’re on the wrong track on this one, too.

 

[cobra427]

HC coaches want to be successful and should pick their own assistants. If BA doesn't trust his hand pick coach to do this, then said coach shouldn't be hired in the first place.

Totally agree, BA should be in the process but HC has final say. Just like the roster, BA has final say but HC is in on the decisions.

 

[Jamieh]

In most cases with newer HC's its very common for GM to have some Asst/Associate coaches in places while leaving at least one opening for HC to bring "his guy" in.

 

[XX]

It would be hard to pass on Lambert if the NYI make the final or win it all. It would be hard to top an interview with a guy who just walked the walk. Easy sell to ownership and the fans. Not 'fair' to the other candidates but it is what it is.

Seattle is waiting to generate leverage for Brind'Amour.
Gallant is still being paid by Vegas, and is the belle of the ball, so he can wait too. His asking price is supposedly high.

So what do the Rangers and Buffalo do?

 

[Coyotedroppings]

If BA has any intention of picking assistants, he’d better be VERY upfront with that and provide The “Who’s”.
Need to be cohesive behind the bench - this is a complete no brainer.

 

[Jakey53]

Jake, no offense, but I don’t think you’ve paid very close attention to how this works. The types of candidates we’re looking at won’t have that luxury. There’s plenty of precedent but I don’t feel like digging for it. I’m just going to tell you with supreme confidence that this is exactly like that discussion about age. You’re on the wrong track on this one, too.

In most cases with newer HC's its very common for GM to have some Asst/Associate coaches in places while leaving at least one opening for HC to bring "his guy" in.

IF the GM wants to select one of the assistants, I would think the new HC would have to know who that person is and would also agree to such coach, or the whole thing could blow up in short time. We have an inexperienced GM hiring an inexperienced NHL coach. Does anybody see a problem with this? It's bad enough that an experienced GM picks a rookie coach, but when you have both feeling their way, you may have a disaster waiting to happen. We have been there and done that. I will give BA a pass because in my books he should be GM of the year for getting rid of Stepan and RT.

 

[Jamieh]

IF the GM wants to select one of the assistants, I would think the new HC would have to know who that person is and would also agree to such coach, or the whole thing could blow up in short time. We have an inexperienced GM hiring an inexperienced NHL coach. Does anybody see a problem with this? It's bad enough that an experienced GM picks a rookie coach, but when you have both feeling their way, you may have a disaster waiting to happen. We have been there and done that. I will give BA a pass because in my books he should be GM of the year for getting rid of Stepan and RT.

Almost every team that changes coaches keep some assistants that the gm wants. Pretty much no one gives the coach autonomy.

 

[rt]

The big, name, big-money coaches with a ton of reputation capital usually name their staff. First timers get less say in the process. It's standard.

 

[Canis Latrans]

I could also see a young head coach not being as familiar with the other best up and coming specialty coaches that could be on the staff. Say the candidate is a defense and PK guy; does he know who would round out his PP well, or should he just rope in his buddy as Armstrong himself did when he coached in the minors?

I would think being up front about what your weakness is in identifying an assistant for an area is better than tanking your future prospects because you hired some one incapable of shoring up your weakness and now the GM knows it was your poor decision alone.

I can easily see Armstrong stepping in to help out in finding the right assistants. You can't expect a less experienced guy to know the whole field and be fully apprised of the latest coaching innovations. No candidate is perfect, and it should be a team effort.

 

[Mosby]

My guess is Rangers go with Gallant. His Vegas money runs out in a couple weeks.

Seattle is waiting to see if they can get Brind’Amour but after he re-signs in Carolina they will hire Tocchet.

Buffalo will probably just keep Granato.

 

[Mosby]

It’s also interesting that we have already given second interviews to both Van Ryn and Nelson. How do you determine who gets a second interview when you haven’t even talked to all of your reported candidates? Maybe one of those first two guys is close and the second interview involves ownership.