Poll: Next Bruins Head Coach

[FROMSHORETOCHARA]

I was talking to a source, believe it or but there's a history here. Next Bruins coach bep guidiline. Count on it.

 

[Bad Puck Bounce]

How often do college guys jump over the AHL and go straight to the NHL? Seems like there should be a learning curve there, just like players or management.

Fwiw, I have been very impressed with Kevin Dean's practices. BUT, before this year, he only had 1 year (in his life) as a head coach and it was in the ECHL (where he had a .431 win%). This is his second year as a HC and the first time he's had any success. How will he deal with adversity? Seems like he's got potential but could use some seasoning.

Of the options on the board, I think I'd first like to see how Cassidy does, since Sweeney seems to think he's more in line with his vision, and then I'd like to see if anyone becomes available this summer.

Hakstol seems to be doing well in Philly.

I'm willing to give Cassidy a chance though. I agree with you that they seem to line up will in philosophies and a plan for the future.

 

[duffy]

I think Cassidy will get a chance especially if the team plays well for the rest of the season.
My pick would be Bob Hartley!

 

[Duguay]

Bep Guidolin

 

[Ratty]

Cassidy didn't disappoint me in his presser. I liked the few tweaks he said he'd install such as Defence recovering and moving the puck up more quickly, and trying to find a fit for Spoons and Backes whether at centre or wing. He said he was leaning towards wing for Backes and trying to find a fit for him and Krejci. He also said he wanted the forwards to have more mobility in the offensive zone and spend more time around the net. His practices will be more intense than they have been. We'll see what happens.

 

[BruinDust]

Cassidy didn't disappoint me in his presser. I liked the few tweaks he said he'd install such as Defence recovering and moving the puck up more quickly, and trying to find a fit for Spoons and Backes whether at centre or wing. He said he was leaning towards wing for Backes and trying to find a fit for him and Krejci. He also said he wanted the forwards to have more mobility in the offensive zone and spend more time around the net. His practices will be more intense than they have been. We'll see what happens.

I wish they'd give up on this Krejci-Backes stuff.

Just a bad fit. Two guys who love to pass but don't shoot enough, and when they do, aren't terribly good at it.

 

[PlayMakers]

Hakstol seems to be doing well in Philly.

I'm willing to give Cassidy a chance though. I agree with you that they seem to line up will in philosophies and a plan for the future.

I wouldn't say that, BPB. They only have 1 more point than Boston in 1 less game and have a -20 goal differential.

If Boston is having a terrible season worthy of firing a coach then so is Philly.

Agreed on Cassidy.

 

[Mpasta]

I don't know who I want as a new coach but I hope it's somebody similar to Brad Stevens for the Celtics. Younger and realizes that the game is changing.

 

[Braunbaer]

50 bucks on Sweeney trading a 1st for Bylsma.

 

[BruinDust]

I wouldn't say that, BPB. They only have 1 more point than Boston in 1 less game and have a -20 goal differential.

If Boston is having a terrible season worthy of firing a coach then so is Philly.

Agreed on Cassidy.

I think you make a great point.

I am sure there are some fantastic hockey minds in the NCAA.

But I think it's a huge leap to go from managing players ages 18-24 in a 30 something game schedule, with lots of practice time, have a greater say in who plays on your team, and minimal travel, to coaching an NHL squad where the variables are all very different.

Could it work? Maybe. But I wouldn't count on it. Risky.

 

[BruinDust]

50 bucks on Sweeney trading a 1st for Bylsma.

Funny, when I thought of places for Claude to end up, Buffalo came to mind 1st.

I can see the deep and desperate pockets of Pegula saying to hell with it, canning Bylsma and shelling out for Claude.

 

[PlayMakers]

I think you make a great point.

I am sure there are some fantastic hockey minds in the NCAA.

But I think it's a huge leap to go from managing players ages 18-24 in a 30 something game schedule, with lots of practice time, have a greater say in who plays on your team, and minimal travel, to coaching an NHL squad where the variables are all very different.

Could it work? Maybe. But I wouldn't count on it. Risky.

Yeah, I agree. I'm not necessarily saying it can't work... It just seems like a big jump and a big change in culture. I don't know what the track record is (for guys who made that jump) or how to look that up.

Even today, Cassidy talked about how the NHL is on a whole other level than even the AHL. That just making that transition is a big one.

 

[daleand]

I don't care who the coach is as long as they play entertaining hockey. I want to see them clear the D zone quickly as soon as they get possession. Why not attack on a 1 on 1 or even get a break away rather than pass it back and forth and wait for a 5 man attack and have the other team plugging up the neutral zone. I respect Claude for what he did but all these players were near the top of the leagues they developed in and they are neutralized when they have to fit in to a team structure in the NHL. A player like Pasta who has talent up the Ying-Yang has had his creativity taken away because he has to be in a good defensive position. Why not go all out and score when you have the puck in the offensive zone instead of getting back and plugging up the neutral zone. I would like to see a strong fore check and turn the puck over in the O zone not the neutral zone. It wouldn't bother me to see games such as 9-7, 7-6 although the goalies might not be happy. I enjoy seeing a good defensive play I just don't want to see all the shooing lanes blocked, again a quick up and keep the puck in the other teams end. Any coach can come up with a strong defensive plan,and those coaches have ruined the game
but the game is decided by which team scores the most goals. Lets get a creative coach here who puts an emphasis on entertaining and putting the puck in the other teams net.

 

[ODAAT]

I think Cassidy will get a chance especially if the team plays well for the rest of the season.
My pick would be Bob Hartley!

Hartley is one of those guys who`s shelf life is too short, this team needs a coach who will be working with a ton of kids but who`s message doesn`t get stale quickly so the continuity remains

Who`s that coach? No idea, but I`m not one who believes Hartley is that guy

 

[PB37]

I don't know who I want as a new coach but I hope it's somebody similar to Brad Stevens for the Celtics. Younger and realizes that the game is changing.

If we're going the Brad Stevens route ( which I'm in favor for with Nate Leaman ) then we need to be patient and realize the turnaround is going to take some time. The Celtics were horrible in Stevens' first year and had a losing record his next year ( but still made the playoffs, 1st round exit ).

Stevens is also a heavy advanced stats guy, which is part of the new-age approach to coaching.

 

[BruinDust]

Hartley is one of those guys who`s shelf life is too short, this team needs a coach who will be working with a ton of kids but who`s message doesn`t get stale quickly so the continuity remains

Who`s that coach? No idea, but I`m not one who believes Hartley is that guy

Your not wrong on Hartley. There are examples of many coaches whose approach goes stale quicker than others, typically the yellers and screamers.

Here's a question.

Are the Bruins better off looking for

A) A Hartley-like coach, who may get 2, maybe 3 seasons, of decently high play, before his methods go stale and things fall off a cliff. Knowing that your years with this core group are dwindling. Patrice Bergeron will be 32 this summer. So at least in theory the most effective coaching will occur while the core is still young enough to be effective.

or

B) A more progressive coach, who may not have immediate success, but can grow with the team, and his best coaching will occur when those young prospects are starting to really bloom and hit their peak.

There is a part of me that would lean toward Option A.

Let's face it, the odds are good the next permanent coach of the Boston Bruins won't be head coach for a decade like Julien was. My guess is there ends up being a coach inbetween the coach who will guide Pasta/Carlo/JFK/McAvoy/etc. in their prime.

 

[DKH]

Force Cam to earn his money and get behind the bench. If he refuses then fire him. After the BS today ruining my high from the Superbowl that trainwreck of a front office deserves nothing less.

Cam earned his money when they won the Cup

Kept Chiarelli from being content and team played like him

 

[ODAAT]

Your not wrong on Hartley. There are examples of many coaches whose approach goes stale quicker than others, typically the yellers and screamers.

Here's a question.

Are the Bruins better off looking for

A) A Hartley-like coach, who may get 2, maybe 3 seasons, of decently high play, before his methods go stale and things fall off a cliff. Knowing that your years with this core group are dwindling. Patrice Bergeron will be 32 this summer. So at least in theory the most effective coaching will occur while the core is still young enough to be effective.

or

B) A more progressive coach, who may not have immediate success, but can grow with the team, and his best coaching will occur when those young prospects are starting to really bloom and hit their peak.

There is a part of me that would lean toward Option A.

Let's face it, the odds are good the next permanent coach of the Boston Bruins won't be head coach for a decade like Julien was. My guess is there ends up being a coach inbetween the coach who will guide Pasta/Carlo/JFK/McAvoy/etc. in their prime.

Your post highlights the difficulty when teams try to rebuild/retool on the fly, trying to find a balance of coaching vets (one`s who`ve had the same coach for a decade) and kids coming up with the team

I don`t have nearly the data or knowledge of coaches who might be the "outside the box" kind of hiring. Who knows, maybe Cassidy is that guy?

I was guilty of looking at his performance in Washington which is just wrong of me, that was what? 13-14 years ago, not out of question he has since matured himself. Either way, there`s a big mess in Boston

 

[bruins19]

that was the prediction 2 weeks ago--but my guess is Neely pointed out he has never coached

That excuse would not prevent him from having to clean up his own mess or providing him the proverbial "opportunity to excel" (depending on your point of view). Neither Terry O'Reilly nor Mike Milbury had prior coaching experience; both got us to the Cup final ('88 and '90, respectively).

 

[BruinDust]

Your post highlights the difficulty when teams try to rebuild/retool on the fly, trying to find a balance of coaching vets (one`s who`ve had the same coach for a decade) and kids coming up with the team

I don`t have nearly the data or knowledge of coaches who might be the "outside the box" kind of hiring. Who knows, maybe Cassidy is that guy?

I was guilty of looking at his performance in Washington which is just wrong of me, that was what? 13-14 years ago, not out of question he has since matured himself. Either way, there`s a big mess in Boston

Absolutely.

This next hire is a challenging one for Sweeney. There really is no easy answer when you consider the path they have chosen with this half re-buiild/half contend plan.

 

[NoUserNameHere]

Bep Guidolin

So are you saying you want the Bruins to start tanking?

Because I think that's what would happen with a casket behind the bench:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/longtime-nhl-player-coach-bep-guidolin-dies-1.715200

 

[Fonzerelli]

Bill Belichick

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Try to get Laviolette out of Nashville at the end of the season.

 

[22Brad Park]

I am saying Cassidy cause him and Sweeney are friends and Bruins on hook another year of Claude

 

[bigd]

I don't care who the coach is as long as they play entertaining hockey. I want to see them clear the D zone quickly as soon as they get possession. Why not attack on a 1 on 1 or even get a break away rather than pass it back and forth and wait for a 5 man attack and have the other team plugging up the neutral zone. I respect Claude for what he did but all these players were near the top of the leagues they developed in and they are neutralized when they have to fit in to a team structure in the NHL. A player like Pasta who has talent up the Ying-Yang has had his creativity taken away because he has to be in a good defensive position. Why not go all out and score when you have the puck in the offensive zone instead of getting back and plugging up the neutral zone. I would like to see a strong fore check and turn the puck over in the O zone not the neutral zone. It wouldn't bother me to see games such as 9-7, 7-6 although the goalies might not be happy. I enjoy seeing a good defensive play I just don't want to see all the shooing lanes blocked, again a quick up and keep the puck in the other teams end. Any coach can come up with a strong defensive plan,and those coaches have ruined the game
but the game is decided by which team scores the most goals. Lets get a creative coach here who puts an emphasis on entertaining and putting the puck in the other teams net.

Winning is the only thing that matters. Winning puts fans in the seats even if fans don't think it's that entertaining. I'll take 1 to 0 wins over 6 to 5 losses any day of the week. If I wanted to watch shinny hockey I can go down to the local Mens league and watch for free. Those games are high scoring.