Why was Wayne Gretzky such a bad coach?

[Summer Rose]

Coaches can’t really make a roster better than what it is other than employing a system. They weren’t a very good team in my memory. I never felt like it had anything to do with Gretzky.

A good coach can take a roster and at least make the sum greater than its parts. Look what happened when Dave Tippett came.

Gretzky did the opposite.

 

[Bubbles]

I remember the Sjostrom fiasco. Andy Murray would have called it in-game had Freddy scored, but the Kings staff tipped off the refs. Would have gone viral had it happened now.

 

[mouser]

Coaches can’t really make a roster better than what it is other than employing a system. They weren’t a very good team in my memory. I never felt like it had anything to do with Gretzky.

Gretzky was a lot more than just a head coach. He was hired as Managing Partner of the Coyotes and also in charge of Hockey Operations. Further, Gretzky hired his former agent Mike Barnett to be the team GM with no prior experience in a role like that.

 

[Dingo]

Patrick Roy, Rod Brindamour & MSL aren't too bad albeit no cups as coaches so far.

brind'amour and St. louis are both great examples of guys who experienced every role. Who had to fight their way to the top. Star players, for sure, but the gritty kind, who flew under radars for a long time.

Roy pulls his goalie in the wrong end, shorthanded, lol.

Larry Robinson was a great coach and player, as has been brought up, and the closest to 'superstar' status of the ones mentioned. I would still argue that he is of the grit, toughness, determination side of the superstar coin, though.

 

[PaulD]

I hate to be that guy....but this was soo great until you used passed (and even capitalized it at one point) instead of past.