Confirmed with Link: Head Coach Vacancy Pt IV — Rangers get permission to speak to Ruff

[Paulie Walnutz]

Watch Sather go out and hire John Maclean

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

My preferences, in order:

1. Tippett
2. Vigneault
3. Eakins
4. Ruff
5. Anyone else
....
5,454. Gretzky
9,232. Messier

I dont quite understand the logic behind Sather's proclamation he wants a coach in place before the draft. Its not like the sitting coach has played or will play a role in who the team selects and, to be brutally honest, the next coach will probably be fired by the time the kids drafted are ready to contribute anything.

Thats why I hope Tippett is a possibility if contract negotiations fall through with Phoenix -- seems unlikely but in my mind hes the best guy mentioned thus far. Wouldnt mind but wouldnt love Vigneault/Eakins (and to a lesser degree) Ruff.

The Messier/Gretzky stuff is a disgusting circus. Just brutal. And, especially in Messier's case, I find it very scary that no sort of public denial regarding his interest has taken place.

 

[haohmaru]

My preferences, in order:

1. Tippett
2. Vigneault
3. Eakins
4. Ruff
5. Anyone else
....
5,454. Gretzky
9,232. Messier

I dont quite understand the logic behind Sather's proclamation he wants a coach in place before the draft. Its not like the sitting coach has played or will play a role in who the team selects and, to be brutally honest, the next coach will probably be fired by the time the kids drafted are ready to contribute anything.

Thats why I hope Tippett is a possibility if contract negotiations fall through with Phoenix -- seems unlikely but in my mind hes the best guy mentioned thus far. Wouldnt mind but wouldnt love Vigneault/Eakins (and to a lesser degree) Ruff.

The Messier/Gretzky stuff is a disgusting circus. Just brutal. And, especially in Messier's case, I find it very scary that no sort of public denial regarding his interest has taken place.

Agree. Also, it's not like we have great draft picks this year. The problem with Tippet is if you wait until July 1st and he re-signs before then (let's say late June, which seems somewhat likely) you run the risk of AV and Ruff signing elsewhere first. A dangerous game to be playing.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

And, especially in Messier's case, I find it very scary that no sort of public denial regarding his interest has taken place.

If the reports that Messier didn't have any interest in the Oilers job are true, it's even more scary. This guy doesn't have any head coaching experience and he's turning down jobs (or at least the opportunity to compete for a job). He can't hand pick the job he wants.

Sather needs to take a page out of Jerry Reese's book — don't make moves based on emotion.

 

[silverfish]

Perhaps Sather wants to consult the new coach on the winger we'll be getting for MDZ at the draft

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

If the reports that Messier didn't have any interest in the Oilers job are true, it's even more scary. This guy doesn't have any head coaching experience and he's turning down jobs (or at least the opportunity to compete for a job). He can't hand pick the job he wants.

Sather needs to take a page out of Jerry Reese's book — don't make moves based on emotion.

The bolded is so true. His accomplishments as a player mean little when throwing his hat in the ring for a coaching job. If Messier was serious about becoming a coach (without the sense of entitlement), he'd be kicking the tires on the AHL Hartford job.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Agree. Also, it's not like we have great draft picks this year. The problem with Tippet is if you wait until July 1st and he re-signs before then (let's say late June, which seems somewhat likely) you run the risk of AV and Ruff signing elsewhere first. A dangerous game to be playing.

True, but at the same time, the only potentially positive asset Sather has left is his massive connections around the league. Im sure he could approach Maloney for a frank discussion that wouldnt be considered tampering. I think its unlikely, given PHX has stated they have every intention of re-signing him, but given the list of candidates, you absolutely must look into it.

 

[nyranger61494]

Just thinking out loud here...but I wonder if a sweep or 5 game loss results in Bylsma getting fired and another candidate and vacancy into the coaching mix. I don't know. Would depend on the nature of the losses obviously and I'm not so sure he would even be shown the door, but was just talking to a friend about it and thinking about it.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Just thinking out loud here...but I wonder if a sweep or 5 game loss results in Bylsma getting fired and another candidate and vacancy into the coaching mix. I don't know. Would depend on the nature of the losses obviously and I'm not so sure he would even be shown the door, but was just talking to a friend about it and thinking about it.

Interesting. I don't have a great interest in Bylsma as a candidate, however.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Just thinking out loud here...but I wonder if a sweep or 5 game loss results in Bylsma getting fired and another candidate and vacancy into the coaching mix. I don't know. Would depend on the nature of the losses obviously and I'm not so sure he would even be shown the door, but was just talking to a friend about it and thinking about it.

The Penguins are infinitely more talented than the Rangers and Bylsma hasnt been able to win with them for years now. No thanks.

 

[Trxjw]

Just thinking out loud here...but I wonder if a sweep or 5 game loss results in Bylsma getting fired and another candidate and vacancy into the coaching mix. I don't know. Would depend on the nature of the losses obviously and I'm not so sure he would even be shown the door, but was just talking to a friend about it and thinking about it.

It's going to result in some changes, that's for sure. I think Bylsma was the right pick for the job after Therrien because he was able to transition away from the strict defensive system and inject a bit of offense into the lineup. However, as the years go by and Bylsma's system takes hold completely, you can see that the defense is completely exposed. There is no defensive strategy there.

I wouldn't hire him, but I'd like to get our coach hired before the Pens decide they're going to join the mix for a new bench boss. That opportunity might pull our ideal candidate right out from under us.

 

[nyranger61494]

Interesting. I don't have a great interest in Bylsma as a candidate, however.

The Penguins are infinitely more talented than the Rangers and Bylsma hasnt been able to win with them for years now. No thanks.

I don't necessarily either. One could make the case that his goaltending has hurt him, etc. I just would be curious because a) Would teams consider him as a top priority candidate? b) Would Pittsburgh become the most attractive job?

Personally, I think the Rangers job is right now.

 

[Son of Steinbrenner]

If the reports that Messier didn't have any interest in the Oilers job are true, it's even more scary. This guy doesn't have any head coaching experience and he's turning down jobs (or at least the opportunity to compete for a job). He can't hand pick the job he wants.

Sather needs to take a page out of Jerry Reese's book — don't make moves based on emotion.

Sather hiring Messier is a Woody Johnson move. If Johnson was the owner instead of Dolan Messier would've already been named coach. I agree with everything you said above. What's really scary is the notion that Messier can just bring in two experienced Assistant Coaches. But who would want to come in do all the "heavy lifting" as an Assistant Coach and watch all the credit go to Messier? Are we talking about Walt Kyle and Ted Green coming back.

 

[Son of Steinbrenner]

Does Mike Eaves get an interview? I saw his name mentioned in the Post yesterday. I always liked the way Wisconsin played but who knows how that translates into the NHL.

 

[nyranger61494]

It's going to result in some changes, that's for sure. I think Bylsma was the right pick for the job after Therrien because he was able to transition away from the strict defensive system and inject a bit of offense into the lineup. However, as the years go by and Bylsma's system takes hold completely, you can see that the defense is completely exposed. There is no defensive strategy there.

I wouldn't hire him, but I'd like to get our coach hired before the Pens decide they're going to join the mix for a new bench boss. That opportunity might pull our ideal candidate right out from under us.

Bingo.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The Penguins are infinitely more talented than the Rangers and Bylsma hasnt been able to win with them for years now. No thanks.

Agreed. An interesting issue that arises is if the Pens go out weakly and Bylsma gets fired, it's seems clear to me that the Pens job becomes the top job available. Does that accelerate the Rangers' search if Sather has a front-runner?

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Agreed. An interesting issue that arises is if the Pens go out weakly and Bylsma gets fired, it's seems clear to me that the Pens job becomes the top job available. Does that accelerate the Rangers' search if Sather has a front-runner?

Ya know, the thing that strikes me each time I look at the 6-10 candidates that are reportedly on the Rangers list is I don't see one guy out there that the rest of the league would covet.

In other words, do you really think theres going to be an Alain Vigneault sweepstakes?

It'll come down to making a smart (and potentially under the radar) hire -- which is what scares me to death. Unlike Sather, I think Shero can do that.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Ya know, the thing that strikes me each time I look at the 6-10 candidates that are reportedly on the Rangers list is I don't see one guy out there that the rest of the league would covet.

In other words, do you really think theres going to be an Alain Vigneault sweepstakes?

It'll come down to making a smart (and potentially under the radar) hire -- which is what scares me to death. Unlike Sather, I think Shero can do that.

I don't really know. I never thought that Bruce Boudreau would be considered a hot commodity and he was hired almost immediately.

To me the Pens and Rangers are in difference places. They might be hotter for Vigneault because they're closer to winning a Cup and Vigneault is almost the coaching version of the Pens. Does that change Sather's timeline?

 

[OverTheCap]

The Rangers won't have to worry about Pittsburgh swooping in and taking Sather's top candidate - I doubt the Pens are interested in hiring Messier.

 

[Ola]

It's going to result in some changes, that's for sure. I think Bylsma was the right pick for the job after Therrien because he was able to transition away from the strict defensive system and inject a bit of offense into the lineup. However, as the years go by and Bylsma's system takes hold completely, you can see that the defense is completely exposed. There is no defensive strategy there.

I wouldn't hire him, but I'd like to get our coach hired before the Pens decide they're going to join the mix for a new bench boss. That opportunity might pull our ideal candidate right out from under us.

Bylsma is doing a good job in Pitt and I don't want to take anything away from him, but, the way the roster is structured also got big impact on how a coach can meet the challenges of the post-lockout game.

A coach definitely has a big impact on how the roster is structured. Torts dug his own grave here in NY not being able to build a transition game and not requesting any type of players that could help him.

But in Pittsburgh, Bylsma gets the entire transition game for free basically. Both Sid and Evg can take the puck ice by themselves. Its very easy for him to build on and around that.

Look at the Doughty's work in LA. They have struggle scoring, and even with that in mind, DD creates a ton by himself with his game from the blueline. Vyonov helps too. People are impressed with LA. I am impressed with LA. But I do very much wonder how they would have looked with McD and Girardi insted of Doughty and Vyonov. I think they would have struggle so much more than many might believe. Doughty makes so many plays a night -- that gets his team into the attacking zone with the puck -- that we never see from any of our players.

 

[LittleKev6D9]

I think it's important that the new coach is able to open up the offense, but I don't want to see any of the toughness that this team has developed under Torts start disappearing.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I think it's important that the new coach is able to open up the offense, but I don't want to see any of the toughness that this team has developed under Torts start disappearing.

Interesting as a lot of the board is dubious about how much offensive skill there really is and a lot of the board is dubious about just how tough this team really is.

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

Interesting as a lot of the board is dubious about how much offensive skill there really is and a lot of the board is dubious about just how tough this team really is.

This X

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I don't really know. I never thought that Bruce Boudreau would be considered a hot commodity and he was hired almost immediately.

To me the Pens and Rangers are in difference places. They might be hotter for Vigneault because they're closer to winning a Cup and Vigneault is almost the coaching version of the Pens. Does that change Sather's timeline?

Personally, considering he thought the team would be going ahead with Tortorella as recently as 8 days ago, I don't think Sather has a concrete plan or timeline.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Interesting as a lot of the board is dubious about how much offensive skill there really is and a lot of the board is dubious about just how tough this team really is.

I think last year's team certainly had the toughness to win the cup -- I also think this past season's team didnt have anywhere near that same level of toughness.

Regarding the talent level, I don't think either team possessed what it takes to win the cup.