This is just my speculation, but I am fairly sure that Gorton was very much against working — cooperating — with an experienced coach that would have an opinion on Gorton’s plans from an on ice perspective, at least during the rebuild.
That is also why he didn’t get rid of DQ long before it was super obvious that he was a disaster, because then Gorton would have had to find another “tool” before we could upgrade to someone better suited to build a winner.
What was Drury’s comment about, that he would try to build a winner, not just on the ice but through out the organization, how everyone had to be on the same page etc etc etc? It was a big point he made, think he said it twice.
Look, Gorton wouldn’t have gone out and — even if he was looking for a new coach — even considered a boatload of available coaches. He would have first and foremost chosen someone that is easy to cooperate with, from his perspective. Gorton does not see himself who serves to give the coach what the coach wants, but instead get a coach who will do what he wants. And DQ has more or less been an axe murderer to all our vets.
I think that the differences between Drury and Gorton this coming off season as to player decisions will be much smaller than what would warrant the firing of JD AND Gorton. Right?
But picking the next coach, I can definitely see Dolan pushing Gorton on if DQ is the right guy, why not go with X, Y or Z that have the best track records? And Gorton pushing back. Here is the big difference I can see between Gorton and Drury — with Chris being totally open to working with an experienced coach given a much bigger role under him.
Another thing, of the very very few things Drury chose to put across, he decided to hype the AHL coaches. Ie how he got to see them work in close and how impressive they where. He is the GM of the AHL team, he didn’t knew that? Of course he did. I think Drury was paving the way for KK, despite him being prepared to work with a more experienced coach was one of the big reasons for him getting the job. Not as a “this will be my guy” thing, but more like, he will get genuine consideration. I see zero reason for Drury making that point, if there wasn’t an expectation on hmm from someone to get a bigger name coach.
All above is just speculation, could be clear that it’s totally of when we open the papers tomorrow morning. Take it for what it is, can’t sleep and a thought I had.
