Confirmed with Link: Rangers Name Alain Vigneault Head Coach

[Oak]

I would love to see what these meetings on the west coast are all about. Gorton and a few yes-men following Sather around, making suggestions for a coach, only to be interrupted by Sather lighting up a stogie, or discharging a firearm.

The visual here is just too great.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

How is Jeff Gorton a "yes man"?

Nonsensical statements.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

How is Jeff Gorton a "yes man"?

Nonsensical statements.

I don't think he was calling Gorton a yes man.

It was just a joke (although I could see it being a reality...).

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Darren Dreger on NHL Live

Alain Vigneault. Very impressive interview with the Rangers. Slats likes to drag these things out. Dallas wants to hire a coach.

Dreger expects Vigneault to end up in Dallas.

This is why Sather needs to go away and let Gorton run things. Gorton's no b.s. approach. Just let the hockey moves speak for themselves.

 

[RangerBoy]

Messier would need a very strong associate coach. A couple of them.

Andy Murray coaches Western Michigan. He has a long resume. Murray is known as a strong X and O guy. The Rangers would pay him more than Western Michigan pays Murray.

Murray came to WMU with an extensive resume earned at the highest level of professional hockey. He is one of only 39 coaches in NHL history to reach 300 wins with a career record of 333-278-58-71. Murray has 10 years of NHL head coaching experience, spending six seasons at the helm of the Los Angeles Kings and four with the St. Louis Blues. Murray is the Kings’ All-Time franchise leader in wins with 215 and led Los Angeles to three 90-point seasons in his tenure. During the 2008-09 season with St. Louis he was a finalist for the Jack Adams Coach of the Year Award after guiding the Blues to a third place finish in the Central Division.

Murray has spent a total of 20 years as either a head or assistant coach in the NHL. He held assistant coaching positions with the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers. While he has not coached in college hockey in the United States he did coach at Brandon University, a Canadian college, for three seasons. In his short time he was able to turn Brandon into the top ranked program in all of Canadian college hockey.

To go with his extensive professional coaching background, Murray also brings international experience. He coached Team Canada to gold medals at the 2007, 2003 and 1997 World Hockey Championships. He is the only Canadian coach in history to win three World Championships and he also held the highest winning percentage as a coach (64-percent) in the history of the Canadian Men’s National Team. He also holds six Spengler Cup Titles (an annual tournament in Switzerland) for Team Canada, a record for the country. He was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame as a part of the 2012 class for his part in his three World Championship's with Team Canada. Murray was also a head coach in Europe, coaching three Swiss professional teams (EV Zug, Zurcher Schlittschuh, and EHC Kloten) and a German team, EHC Berlin, in the early 80’s and early 90’s.

http://www.wmubroncos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4600&ATCLID=205212781

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

I don't think he was calling Gorton a yes man.

It was just a joke (although I could see it being a reality...).

Maybe i read it wrong. Either the other guys following are yes men. Or Gorton is included.

If i was wrong i apologize. Either way, he's definitely not, though. He should be the acting GM now. And when he does get the position, be it in New York or elsewhere, he will emerge as one of the better GMs in the league.

Sather needs to go away. He's arguably one of the worst things to happen to the Rangers franchise. World War II, the Circus, player poaching rights, James Dolan, Glen Sather.

 

[Rangers79]

Gorton is not a yes man in anyway. Guy is an important voice on this team.

 

[Colt Seavers]

If this organization actually gives the keys to Mark Messier...instead of an actual good, experienced coach - than we are in for some very, very bleak & dark times.

The more I read & hear, the more I'm scared ****less. Messier as coach is absolute lunacy.

 

[CHGoalie27]

I would assume Mark Messier would know exactly who his assistant coaches are.

Speaking of assuming, after being quite the successful player/assistant coach, just what in the hell makes people think he doesn't have the experience to LEAD PRO PLAYERS TO GLORY (at least six times?) Still butthurt over our Captain not dealing with his spotlight given to Gretzky just 2 years after he wins the cup for us. He came back, we're all good, he's obviously a Ranger for life. He's employed with us now.

If for no other reason than gaining back his spotlight, he would put all things aside to do what he needs to make us happy by winning.

"Messier, no, just, no" <<<<STUPID.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

If this organization actually gives the keys to Mark Messier...instead of an actual good, experienced coach - than we are in for some very, very bleak & dark times.

The more I read & hear, the more I'm scared ****less. Messier as coach is absolute lunacy.

It would be a disaster. There's no excuse for it. They interview Vigneault, are left impressed. And then let him walk to Dallas?

There would be no excuse for that, if it were to happen. If it does, it would need to be Sather's last action as a member of the Rangers organization. Guy needs to be fired. Unfortunately, Dolan loves him and Dolan is clueless.

 

[mike14]

If this organization actually gives the keys to Mark Messier...instead of an actual good, experienced coach - than we are in for some very, very bleak & dark times.

The more I read & hear, the more I'm scared ****less. Messier as coach is absolute lunacy.

I dont want Mess as coach, but theres no guarantee that Messier = dark times, just like there is no guarantee that coach x = success.

Also, according to half this board, the rangers can only go as far as Lundqvist can take them, so it doesn't really matter who the coach is

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

I would assume Mark Messier would know exactly who his assistant coaches are.

Speaking of assuming, after being quite the successful player/assistant coach, just what in the hell makes people think he doesn't have the experience to LEAD PRO PLAYERS TO GLORY (at least six times?) Still butthurt over our Captain not dealing with his spotlight given to Gretzky just 2 years after he wins the cup for us. He came back, we're all good, he's obviously a Ranger for life. He's employed with us now.

If for no other reason than gaining back his spotlight, he would put all things aside to do what he needs to make us happy by winning.

"Messier, no, just, no" <<<<STUPID.

Because he has zero coaching experience. Its one thing to be a leader, its another thing entirely to coach an NHL club. There's more to it then standing behind the bench with a serious look on your face.

 

[RangerBoy]

Another candidate for associate coach under a potential Messier head coaching gig. Paul Maurice. He coached in the KHL in 2012-13. Close ties to Adam Graves. Maurice interviewed in Edmonton for an associate coach position before the Oilers fired their coach on Skype. Maurice might end up in Edmonton with Eakins who was on Maurice's staff in Toronto.

 

[RangerBoy]

Jim Nill also said coachsearch is ongoing and he has more interviews planned. Says process requires lots of juggling & he's not naming names

https://twitter.com/MikeHeika/status/345311981747712000

That's the opposite of what Dreger said.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Mike Eaves would be a wise choice as an assistant/associate.

He coached Stepan and McDonagh in Wisconsin.

 

[Thirty One]

Mike Eaves would be a wise choice as an assistant/associate.

He coached Stepan and McDonagh in Wisconsin.

I don't think he'd leave for an associate coaching job.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

I don't think he'd leave for an associate coaching job.

If Messier gets the job, who ever is the #2 will really be the acting #1. They'll be the brains behind all the systems and X's and O's. Messier will be the leader/motivator. No way he steps into his first real coaching position and has everything down pat.

But you are right, as Wisconsin is probably where Eaves wants to be.

That would be the kind of hire that would make sense, though.

 

[RangerBoy]

Mike Johnston. Portland Winterhawks Coach-GM. Associate coach with VAN and LA from 1999-2008. Johnston was with VAN in Messier's last season in Vancouver. Slats interviewed Johnston in 2002

One relatively obscure candidate that Sather did speak with Sunday was Vancouver assistant coach Mike Johnston. The 44-year-old Nova Scotian, who was the coach of the Canadian national team in 1998-99 and assistant on the '98 Canadian Olympic team, has been an assistant to Marc Crawford with the Canucks for the last three seasons. "I had a chance to go down there (to Palm Springs) Sunday to meet with them," Johnston told the Vancouver Sun. "I would like to be a head coach in the NHL and for Glen Sather to ask to interview me is exciting.

" There is some suspicion around the league that Sather is interviewing as many candidates as he can just to pick brains regarding the Rangers' problems. But Johnston said that wasn't the case. "He had questions about coaching and I didn't feel anything like that - where he was trying to probe for help," Johnston said. "I think Glen has an idea about what he wants to do and how he's going to go about it.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/sather-plays-game-article-1.487457#ixzz2W8jyKdXz

Mike Johnston coaching style

SEVEN KEYS TO OFFENSIVE SUCCESS

1. 70% Of Every Practice Should Be Skill Drills

• Each player should have lots of repetitions of passing, receiving, shooting and skating manoeuvres.
• Practices should be challenging and competitive offensively.
• You don’t always need ice time to work on skills.
• Subtle skills like players presenting their forehand away from the puck and being prepared to shoot are important for coaches to teach.
• Practice scoring situations; carry and shoot, shot off the pass, shoot through a screen, quick move quick release, deflections, rebounds, wrap arounds, up high in tight plays and quick dekes.

2. Be a First Pass Team

• Defencemen need to look for the smart play.
• Allow passes to the front of the net or through the middle.
• Discourage the “dump out†or “no look rim†style of play.
• Safe plays stifle creativity.
• An area pass is still a direct pass…utilize bank passes off the boards and laying pucks into open spaces for team mates to skate into.
• The players away from the puck have a responsibility to get their stick open and available for direct passes (much like a receiver in football).
• Use of deception “look away†to have more time to make a play.
• Practice transition off the back check and their rush chances.

3. Shoot the Puck and Drive the Net

• Sounds simple, but the volume of shots is key.
• Check the shot totals of the top scorers in the NHL. Also shots that miss the net or are blocked per game; the puck must get through.
• Defensive coverage often breaks down after a shot.
• Net drives off the puck create a play at the net, but also openings in the slot. First two players away from the puck must drive the net with no hesitation (unless the puck carrier has the wide lane deep).
• The first drive should be through the mid lane.
• Funnel shots and players to the net.

4. Activate Your Defense into the Attack

• Encourage them to join and stay in the rush from the breakout… supporting the mid or wide lane up the ice.
• Often the net D will have an opportunity to move up ice before the low forward in defensive zone coverage.
• Make the attack an odd number by their blueline.
• Responsibility is in the hands of the puck carrier. Don’t blame the defense for creating options.
• Go after chips or dump ins when they have the speed.

5. Stretch Out the Offensive Zone

• Get the puck to the back of the net on the cycle and work plays from there, stressing their coverage.
• On shots off the rush move the puck low/high right away and catch them over backchecking.
• On low scrambles move the puck back to the point quickly and catch the team collapsing.
• Players and coaches underestimate the danger of point shots.

http://www.winterhawks.com/article/coach-s-corner-with-mike-johnston/58811

 

[Thirty One]

If Messier gets the job, who ever is the #2 will really be the acting #1. They'll be the brains behind all the systems and X's and O's. Messier will be the leader/motivator. No way he steps into his first real coaching position and has everything down pat.

But you are right, as Wisconsin is probably where Eaves wants to be.

That would be the kind of hire that would make sense, though.

I also don't think he would leave to be a part of that farce you're describing.

 

[Colt Seavers]

If Messier had some sort of track record behind the bench...had "done his time" & impressed the team brass by making the long-ass bus rides to small town outposts...had worked first hand with todays young players...had learned the in's & out's of the craft...& excelled at all of it. Well, than maybe he's a pretty decent candidate worth considering.

But "Hey Mess, you were a great player once...you want it? You got it pal! It's yours!", is mindless, cynical, horsesh*t & the fallout of such a careless decision will be felt from top to bottom for years to come.

If you're an organization with fairly solid core of players...one on the upswing, who thinks they're "not that far away" - do you really hire a guy with zero coaching experience to oversee it all all?

There's no way in hell I'd ever do that & Messier was & still is my favourite player of all-time.

If this happens w/ Mess & it blows up in the teams face, it'll be an epic catastrophy - one that'll make the Rangers a league wide laughingstock....& then you've gotta fire that Franchise Icon you so carelessly gave the keys to.

 

[Whiplash27]

Mike Johnston. Portland Winterhawks Coach-GM. Associate coach with VAN and LA from 1999-2008. Johnston was with VAN in Messier's last season in Vancouver. Slats interviewed Johnston in 2002



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/sather-plays-game-article-1.487457#ixzz2W8jyKdXz

Mike Johnston coaching style



http://www.winterhawks.com/article/coach-s-corner-with-mike-johnston/58811

Sounds like a system that would be pretty popular with the MSG crowd.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I like the sound of Johnston. Sounds like a system perfect for today's NHL, and one that will utilize the D corp.

Nice find, RB, per usual.

 

[GAGLine]

On low scrambles move the puck back to the point quickly and catch the team collapsing.

Hmm...do to other teams what every other team did to us this year....

It could work.

 

[Jabroni]

Mike Johnston. Portland Winterhawks Coach-GM. Associate coach with VAN and LA from 1999-2008. Johnston was with VAN in Messier's last season in Vancouver. Slats interviewed Johnston in 2002



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/sather-plays-game-article-1.487457#ixzz2W8jyKdXz

Mike Johnston coaching style



http://www.winterhawks.com/article/coach-s-corner-with-mike-johnston/58811

Those points that he stresses sound great. Sounds like a lot of things we've been clamoring for when Torts was here.

 

[wolfgaze]

I would assume Mark Messier would know exactly who his assistant coaches are.

Speaking of assuming, after being quite the successful player/assistant coach, just what in the hell makes people think he doesn't have the experience to LEAD PRO PLAYERS TO GLORY (at least six times?) Still butthurt over our Captain not dealing with his spotlight given to Gretzky just 2 years after he wins the cup for us. He came back, we're all good, he's obviously a Ranger for life. He's employed with us now.

If for no other reason than gaining back his spotlight, he would put all things aside to do what he needs to make us happy by winning.

"Messier, no, just, no" <<<<STUPID.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rang...pressed_with_vigneault_PbZJ4Bl9knGEiHHqroIykL

Sounds like Leetch would be one.