Speculation: Head Coach Hunt 2021

[Bonsai Tree]

Re: Tocchet in Seattle

Vegas promised the fans a cup contender right out of the gate. If Seattle hires Tocchet I think it's proof they're planning a more indirect path to the cup.

I don’t recall that promise. Do you have a link? Asking due to a memory malfunction.

 

[rt]

I don’t recall that promise. Do you have a link? Asking due to a memory malfunction.

IIRC on the last Spittin Chiclets, McKenna shared a story wherein Bill Foley told Fleury on expansion day that they’d have playoffs in three years and a Cup in five. Fleury’s response was “Why wait?”. After the season, Fleury and Foley recalled this and Foley told Fleury he would retire a Golden Knight.

 

[GhostofYotesFan47]

IIRC on the last Spittin Chiclets, McKenna shared a story wherein Bill Foley told Fleury on expansion day that they’d have playoffs in three years and a Cup in five. Fleury’s response was “Why wait?”. After the season, Fleury and Foley recalled this and Foley told Fleury he would retire a Golden Knight.

That's pretty cool actually. I'm jealous.

 

[rt]

There are a bunch of great articles about Benoit Groulx. I'll post the links but they're paywalled. I'm going to just add the quotes from players and staff about him, here. I won't be copying large parts of the actual article. Only direct quotes from individuals. I should be good from a policy perspective:

Some from Tampa Bay Lightning Championship GM Julien BriseBois:

BriseBois has said for years that Groulx would make a great NHL coach — “he’s literally a hockey genius”

Whether or not Groulx’s first NHL gig comes next season — it’s just a matter of time.

“There’s no doubt,” BriseBois told The Athletic. “His knowledge of the game, of players and how to get the most out of them. How he manages the game behind the bench, the exertion level and quality he demands from players in practice. He’s going to get the most out of them.”
BriseBois thought the Crunch needed a more demanding coach to get the most out of their prospect pool.

“I knew Ben would be able to do that,” BriseBois said.

“He has an incredible hockey mind,” BriseBois said. “He understands the game — how you win games, how you lose games. He understands players. He’s very demanding because he believes in these players, that they have more potential than they think sometimes. That’s why he never takes his foot off the gas. He knows the players can handle it.”

Some from former players:

When Gourde joined Groulx in Syracuse, he had bounced around from the AHL and ECHL in two different organizations. He started as a fourth-line winger with the Crunch, but Groulx decided to give him more freedom by moving him to the middle.

“He gave me confidence to play center,” Gourde said. “I wasn’t much of a center before and he trusted me. It brought my game to the next level. I needed that. I was able to utilize my speed that way, kind of gave me a push. He’s the coach that gets the best out of you every single night. He’s looking for the best version of you every single night.”

But Gourde, playing mostly left wing, wasn’t the energizing waterbug you see today.

“I used to find myself a lot at a standstill along the wall,” Gourde said.
But due to injuries, Groulx moved Gourde to center. And Gourde took off, taking advantage of the space up the middle.

“From that moment, my game really stepped up,” Gourde said. “As a center, I’m always moving.

And now, as a winger, I’m able to use that speed, too.”
Gourde, who set a Lightning rookie record with 25 goals this season, is at wing because Cirelli has excelled as a first-year pro. Cirelli, called up March 1, is a key cog on the penalty kill, with his two-way play quickly earning trust from Tampa Bay coaches.

“(Groulx) just pushed and pushed you to be a complete player,” Cirelli said. “He wants you to be your best.”

Before Cirelli started garnering Selke Trophy attention, he got his first pro experience with Groulx.
“He really helped me get to the position I am today,” Cirelli said. “He just pushed you and pushed you to be a complete player. He wants you to be your best.”

Colton, who has been a revelation for the Lightning this year, had trouble finishing a 25-second shift his first year as a pro due to his stamina. His skating also wasn’t adequate. It was eye-opening, but Groulx got Colton through it.

“As a coach and a person, he gets the most out of you,” Colton said. “The last two years pro, he made me into a different player that I didn’t know I could be. He forced me to play a different way.”

Now Groulx is no softie. Ask any Crunch player about him, and the first word out of his mouth is either “demanding” or “tough.” It makes sense, as Groulx says his late father, Gilles, was also a demanding coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “I think I got my hockey sense from him,” he says.

Defenseman Jake Dotchin said Groulx taught him how to get his shots through from the point.

Defenseman Slater Koekkoek derived confidence from Groulx believing in him during last year’s Calder Cup playoffs, putting him in a meaty role.

All of them believe Groulx has what it takes to be an NHL coach. So does Cory Conacher, who played for Cooper and Groulx in the AHL.

“The way he’s taken young guys and brings them along,” Koekkoek said. “I don’t think many people gave Syracuse much of a chance going into the year, and look what he did with a bunch of young guys. Who knows what he can do with a group of guys in the NHL?”

Lightning notes: Tampa's five keys to a Game 2 semifinal win, Ben Groulx talks with Coyotes

'Hockey genius,' Syracuse Crunch coach Benoit Groulx talks psychology while watching a Lightning game

Why AHL Syracuse coach Benoit Groulx could be an NHL coaching candidate

 

[rt]

100% of our hopes hang on very young pros, all 25 or younger. Many are guys who got rushed, had set backs, didn't cook long enough, plateaued early, or weren't developed properly.

It seems to me that when I'm reading all of these quotes from guys in the same age group that are now getting it done on the best hockey team on the planet, I start to think maybe we can use this guy they are all gushing over and giving credit to.

We don't need a name-brand coach like Gerard Gallant that all-stars with giant contracts will listen to. We need someone that isn't just Xs and Os and motivating the big boys in the big moments. We aren't looking for a Cup. We need someone who can actually put his arm around these young kids and make them better. Dave Tippett famously (infamously around here) said that the NHL is NOT a development league. We need someone who believes it is. We need someone like Benoit Groulx who can find creative ways to help improve these young players.

If you actually have access to get past the paywall, those articles show some really interesting things Groulx did to get through to these young guys and connect with them (taking two out to dinner per week, starting ping pong tournaments, etc). How demanding he is not just about their play in games but on their off-ice development, as well.

Rick Tocchet spend four years bungling the development of our young players. Completely Pejorative Sluring their development progress. We need young guy rehabilitation. We need someone who can rebuild these young guys. Build back better. I feel like Benoit Groulx would be a great option for this.

 

[rt]

Benoit Groulx has been a head coach in a non-interim position for 17 seasons. He has qualified for or in a playoff qualification position (COVID) in 16 of those seasons. He’s 16 for 17 on winning records.

Rick Tocchet has never once coached a team to a winning record. Never.

 

[rt]

Vote here: Which Candidate Would be Best for AZ?

 

[Mosby]

Friedman thinks it’s one of Nelson, Van Ryn or Lambert but he didn’t say it very definitively.

 

[Jakey53]

Benoit Groulx has been a head coach in a non-interim position for 17 seasons. He has qualified for or in a qualification position (COVID) in 16 of those seasons. He’s 16 for 17 on winning records.

Rick Tocchet has never once coached a team to a winning record. Never.

And yet it looks like RT is the front runner in Seattle.

 

[XX]

Friedman thinks it’s one of Nelson, Van Ryn or Lambert but he didn’t say it very definitively.

Van Ryn only has two seasons as a HC under his belt. I think that would be crazy risky to take him over Nelson. Lambert has been around longer but doesn't have any recent time away from Trotz.

Nelson is easily the best of the three.

 

[Jormungandr]

Friedman thinks it’s one of Nelson, Van Ryn or Lambert but he didn’t say it very definitively.

He mentioned those names and then added “of that ilk”.

 

[rt]

He mentioned those names and then added “of that ilk”.

Yeah. I think he was categorizing us as not being interested in the big money guys. I don’t think he was saying those were the final three. I hope Craig has another update on in person interviews. I’m hoping Tourigny and Groulx have been flown out too or are scheduled to be. It feels like they’ve got their final five and then are waiting on Lambert anyhow. But I think for right now it’s Nelson, MVR, Leach, Tourigny and Groulx.

I’d be damn happy with Nelson or Groulx or Tourigny.

 

[rt]

Reading a bit more about Groulx. His first season as Syracuse HC (they were coming off of three straight seasons outside of the playoffs) he took the team to the finals that first year. That was an older AHL team with some established vets.

The next season they were the youngest team in the league a s everyone expected a rebuild year with a finish low in the standings. They had a .658 record and won two playoff rounds.

His prior HC gig was with Gatineau. They had missed the playoffs the year before they hired him. He took them to the finals his first year. And they made the playoffs in all five of the years after. Winning at least one playoff round each year.

That wasn’t his first stint with the Olympiques. In his first go around with the team he won a championship in each of his first two seasons and his final season, for a total of three titles in six seasons.

 

[rt]

HC: Benoit Groulx
AC(PK/D): Jacques Martin
AC(PP/F): Cory Stillman

 

[Jakey53]

He mentioned those names and then added “of that ilk”.

In other words the "cheap and inexperienced".

 

[Jakey53]

HC: Benoit Groulx
AC(PK/D): Jacques Martin
AC(PP/F): Cory Stillman

I believe BA hired Stillman to be one of the assistants. I still think we need an experienced AC like a Martin.

 

[rt]

Here’s an article from Gare Joyce where he expresses concerns about Groulx as Canada WJC HC. Says that Groulx isn’t a players coach. Pushes his guys too hard. Can be a “bully”. Says it wasn’t well-received in Rochester and he only lasted two seasons as a result. Said that his hard ass style works in the Q but wouldn’t work for elite prospects in the WJC, some of whom are pros. Just like it didn’t work in the pros (AHL Rochester).
Groulx a curious fit as Team Canada coach - Sportsnet.ca
Spoiler Alert: Canada won a Gold Medal and his players raved about him.

Then there’s this article from when he got hired in Syracuse after. About how they need a hard ass to clean things up.
New Syracuse coach Benoit Groulx fits in with Lightning
Spoiler Alert: He cleaned things up. His players raved about him. He got to the finals once and if not for covid might have again once or twice.

 

[rt]

^ Groulx is my new #1 favorite.

Reding about now his teams are “up-tempo”, “aggressive”, “hard-checking” and “hard forechecking”. I like it. I like the accountability and hard pushing style of his coaching. That he’s strict and not necessarily a players coach. I like that he’s a great fit for young guys and has a proven track record of not only success but of development. And making young guys more complete and harder working and more consistent.

He’s exactly what we need I think.

 

[Mosby]

Any Groulx podcasts worth a listen?

 

[rt]

Any Groulx podcasts worth a listen?

All in French.

 

[Mosby]

Merci monsieur.

 

[TheLegend]

All in French.

Oh cue the “return of the Nordiques” crew.

 

[XX]

^ Groulx is my new #1 favorite.

Reding about now his teams are “up-tempo”, “aggressive”, “hard-checking” and “hard forechecking”. I like it. I like the accountability and hard pushing style of his coaching. That he’s strict and not necessarily a players coach. I like that he’s a great fit for young guys and has a proven track record of not only success but of development. And making young guys more complete and harder working and more consistent.

He’s exactly what we need I think.

Have to wonder why he doesn't get more consideration around the league with his track record. Might be an awkward interview.

 

[rt]

Have to wonder why he doesn't get more consideration around the league with his track record. Might be an awkward interview.

He seems like one. The videos I’ve watched he comes off as Goofy. But he’s obviously got a reputation. Erne talked about being relieved to get a strict disciplinarian in Syracuse after there was a country club before.

 

[Heldig]

He seems like one. The videos I’ve watched he comes off as Goofy. But he’s obviously got a reputation. Erne talked about being relieved to get a strict disciplinarian in Syracuse after there was a country club before.

Country club aptly describes the Coyotes, doesn't it?