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

[Tawnos]

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.

The 5-day interview period for free agents starts the day after the draft. I would assume that Sather wants some input from his new coach on that and probably wants to have some organizational meetings on it before the draft itself. It's the only reason I can think of.

 

[redfzn]

I have a friend that is gungho for us to hire Barry Melrose. Not even sure what to say except that cocaine's one hell of a drug.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

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.

No. But the new coach will be involved in decisions about the roster for this and any following season in which he is a part of the organization.

There is no time from the draft through the beginning of July for Rangers management to sit and interview coaches when they need to be focused on transactional issues; free agency, trades, contract extensions. Rookie camps, so on and so forth.

The right thing to do is to have the new coach hired, allot him time to acquire his staff, and consult with management on what roster changes, if any, he and his staff need.

The draft, as I'm sure you know, isn't just an event for draft picks. Its a gathering of all 30 organizations and GMs under one roof, all looking to make moves to improve their rosters. Its important to have everyone involved in the process.

Also, not you or anyone else has any idea how long this new coach will be around. With a new coach comes an entirely new philosophy. They may absolutely want him involved in the drafting process.

 

[Bluenote13]

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.

I'm guessing Sather wanted to set his own deadline. I doubt the new coach has anything to do but show face at the draft, but trades and free agency are a different matter. Trades pop up on draft day, it'd be nice to have the new coach involved in player moves sooner rather than later. And also wraps up a guy we could lose out to if we wait longer.

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.

Why? Gretzky went straight to coaching in the NHL, could see Mess doing the same. With same resulkts of course

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.

Agreed.

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.

Good points. If Walt Kyle comes near this team.....

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.

I think there are a ton of great College coaches out there, the old hockey guard seems to think they can't coach at the NHL level

 

[RangerBoy]

Brooks brought up Eaves when he was speculating about possible candidates. Which associate coach is Messier going to hire? Soupy Campbell? Where are his coaching contacts? He surrounds himself with experienced coaches. Why even waste the time with Messier? Is Messier coaching the team or the assistants? The Rangers will need to commit three years with Messier before they know what they have in him. They can't fire him after a few so so years. Its his first coaching job. What did they expect? The entire thing is so dumb. The prospect of Messier as head coach. You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Brooks brought up Eaves when he was speculating about possible candidates. Which associate coach is Messier going to hire? Soupy Campbell? Where are his coaching contacts? He surrounds himself with experienced coaches. Why even waste the time with Messier? Is Messier coaching the team or the assistants? The Rangers will need to commit three years with Messier before they know what they have in him. They can't fire him after a few so so years. Its his first coaching job. What did they expect? The entire thing is so dumb. The prospect of Messier as head coach. You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Agree.

Eaves is another interesting one. Sure knows how to develop young defenseman that's for sure.

 

[kovazub94]

Brooks brought up Eaves when he was speculating about possible candidates. Which associate coach is Messier going to hire? Soupy Campbell? Where are his coaching contacts? He surrounds himself with experienced coaches. Why even waste the time with Messier? Is Messier coaching the team or the assistants? The Rangers will need to commit three years with Messier before they know what they have in him. They can't fire him after a few so so years. Its his first coaching job. What did they expect? The entire thing is so dumb. The prospect of Messier as head coach. You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Especially in the context that Messier has been a part of the Rangers organization for years now. If Mess had let Sather know of his coaching aspirations and Sather didn't advise him to get some coaching experience in meantime - that's dumb it's on Sather. However, if Messier was given such advise and ignored it - that's dumb again but now it' both on Mess (for ignoring it then) and Sather (for considering him now). And if Mess kept his coaching aspirations private and didn't share them with Sather - then the question is why?

 

[I Am Chariot]

Messier will only coach if he thinks he can win with this team.

He knows what is in place, maybe a few tweaks but realistically no rebuild or big moves.

He has been watching the team. I wonder what he would do different? The more I think about it the more interesting it sounds.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Messier will only coach if he thinks he can win with this team.

He knows what is in place, maybe a few tweaks but realistically no rebuild or big moves.

He has been watching the team. I wonder what he would do different? The more I think about it the more interesting it sounds.

I could not disagree more. Messier as coach would be so wrong for so many reasons....but typical Sather.

Ugh

 

[Vickers8]

Messier will only coach if he thinks he can win with this team.

He knows what is in place, maybe a few tweaks but realistically no rebuild or big moves.

He has been watching the team. I wonder what he would do different? The more I think about it the more interesting it sounds.

Mess is not stupid, he would never hurt the organization, surround him with NHL caliber assistants, like Schoenfeld, Granato, Larry Robinson...

 

[Pizza]

I could not disagree more. Messier as coach would be so wrong for so many reasons....but typical Sather.

Ugh

I think that's the general perception of Sather, which is exactly why I don't think this is being given any serious consideration by Slats.

The only thing interesting about Messier in this is that he actually thinks he's up to the job. I give the man credit for having an amazing amount of confidence, but he's making a huge leap here. A few years ago he thought he could just step in and be GM. Sather had to put him in his place out in the open. Let's see what happens.

 

[Pizza]

Mess is not stupid, he would never hurt the organization, surround him with NHL caliber assistants, like Schoenfeld, Granato, Larry Robinson...

....so basically what your saying is that he's not up to the job.

 

[GordonGecko]

I have no problem with giving Messier a shot at the job if he wants it, the guy is a born leader. But I want no part of Wayne, he's too timid and he has a bad track record in Phoenix

 

[Vickers8]

....so basically what your saying is that he's not up to the job.

Your opinion, I actually think he can handle it, he is definitely the exception to the rule, experienced assistants never hurt anybody

 

[Vickers8]

I have no problem with giving Messier a shot at the job if he wants it, the guy is a born leader. But I want no part of Wayne, he's too timid and he has a bad track record in Phoenix

Definitely agree with you on Gretzky Gordon

 

[Clown Fiesta]

I have a friend that is gungho for us to hire Barry Melrose. Not even sure what to say except that cocaine's one hell of a drug.

The guy who didn't think Stamkos could play in the NHL?

You're friend is crazy haha.

I thought we had gotten over the Messier stuff, let's move on he won't be coaching.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Brooks brought up Eaves when he was speculating about possible candidates. Which associate coach is Messier going to hire? Soupy Campbell? Where are his coaching contacts? He surrounds himself with experienced coaches. Why even waste the time with Messier? Is Messier coaching the team or the assistants? The Rangers will need to commit three years with Messier before they know what they have in him. They can't fire him after a few so so years. Its his first coaching job. What did they expect? The entire thing is so dumb. The prospect of Messier as head coach. You don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Couldnt agree more, its an insult to Rangers fans, especially after Sather struck out the first time he tried to bring in an ex-great with no coaching experience. This can't be possible, not with so many decent options out there (like last time).

 

[Pizza]

Your opinion, I actually think he can handle it, he is definitely the exception to the rule, experienced assistants never hurt anybody

That's accurate. It's also accurate to say your expressing your opinion as well. Not to split hairs, but there is no evidence that Messier has any qualifications to be an NHL coach.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I have no problem with giving Messier a shot at the job if he wants it, the guy is a born leader. But I want no part of Wayne, he's too timid and he has a bad track record in Phoenix

So the prerequisite of becoming a great NHL coach (and thats what hell have to be, to get the Rangers a Cup in his first coaching stint) is simply being a born leader?

Or are we just satisfied with a mediocre club, as long as the Messiah gets to scowl behind the bench and give cheery interviews with Sammy?

 

[Vickers8]

That's accurate. It's also accurate to say your expressing your opinion as well. Not to split hairs, but there is no evidence that Messier has any qualifications to be an NHL coach.

I agree, but you never know, maybe he will be a good coach

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I agree, but you never know, maybe he will be a good coach

There's enough guesswork and projecting when it comes to picking a coach. To me, adding in "maybe he'll be a good coach" is adding in an extra and unnecessary level of unknown. THere should be a body of work you can look to and know if a candidate is a good coach or not.

 

[Hitch16]

What are your thoughts on Ken Gernander (my apologies if I missed his name being mused in earlier posts)? If Dagoon is reading, I believe you weren't that high on Ken Gernander. What are the pros and cons of Ken?

 

[The Gloaming]

What are your thoughts on Ken Gernander (my apologies if I missed his name being mused in earlier posts)? If Dagoon is reading, I believe you weren't that high on Ken Gernander. What are the pros and cons of Ken?

**** no.

Those are my thoughts.

The Whale completely fell apart late in the season when they were challenging for a playoff spot. And I'd argue that they had a pretty good AHL roster. He needs to stay far, far away from this team.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

There's enough guesswork and projecting when it comes to picking a coach. To me, adding in "maybe he'll be a good coach" is adding in an extra and unnecessary level of unknown. THere should be a body of work you can look to and know if a candidate is a good coach or not.

Its unbelievable to me that, after months and months of complaining about Tortorella's system, fans would be open to Mark Messier coaching this team with literally no information available to determine the type of system and coaching philosophy he'd employ.

 

[Vickers8]

There's enough guesswork and projecting when it comes to picking a coach. To me, adding in "maybe he'll be a good coach" is adding in an extra and unnecessary level of unknown. THere should be a body of work you can look to and know if a candidate is a good coach or not.

The other way would be to bring in an AV, and let Mess be an assistant, learning, but after hearing Melrose saying the Rangers should hire AV , now I'm not sure about him, I have zero respect for Melrose's opinion...