Ok... the Union of Victims got their wish and the Tbirds will have a new coach next year.
There is no debate left... let's have some class and let Rob go in peace.
It's time to start talking about things that matter.
Hockey Challenge 2014
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33 comments :
How about a true dialogue of what we would like to see in the new coach? I.e. experience, philosophy.....
The complaining is always the easiest part, as any whiner can do that. It is finding solutions that takes work. I would love to hear who the Union would like to see coach this "talented" team next year.
He didn't get the job done. A coach's job is to win and the last two years he didn't. Whether the blame for that lies soley at his feet is a moot point now, he paid the price, so lets move on. But let's not kid ourselves and say this was a "talented" team. Teams that win 46 of 142 games over two years are not talented. When you have to trade for half your roster just to put a sub .500 team on the ice, you are not "talented". When none of your bantam draft picks last the full 4-5 years in your organization you are not "talented". So correct the problem, bring in some talent and a coach to lead them and get going in the right direction.
At risk of "beating a dead horse", I do find it very interesting that all indications were that coach would be back and I can't help but wonder if the vocal minority of people threatening to drop their tickets were a major factor in this decision. Some of the quotes from the GM seem to indicate the team is not on the best financial footing, such as "we couldn't afford to tread water" and "not wanting to pay someone to separate GM and owner duties" The financial situation of this team has always been a mystery to me and I wonder if this latest move gives us a little insight that thing are less than rosy.
Well if it is on shakey financial footing, don't expect a coach with any NHL experience....instead get ready for the introduciton of Turner Stevenson as the new head coach. Probably made enough dough from his NHL days that he would take a minimum salary and even better, no relocation fee!
Wonder no more.... It was the reason Farweel fired his little buddy. Look for the cheapest replacement possible and know one on this board including Tyler hads any idea who that might be other than Stevenson. Russ said in his interview if Turner wanted the job he would be a leading candidate. He would come in with the same head coaching non-experience but he is a Stanley Cup winner as a player. And that puts him light years away from the prior coach.
Well to come back to the initial comment, seems like Farwell wants to go with a experienced coach with NHL exp (like harstburg and Johnson)
I can see the benefits but I am not sure that it would change the team drastically on the ice, unless we revamp the whole lineup. The next coach will have to deal with the same issues that Sumner had i.e. a big team that is not too fast on the wings. I don't think that a guy like coulston (for example) would be able to really change the style of the team with the current roster. And really, would people think that a guy that could not do anything with the senators would be a improvement?
As far as playing philosophy, yeah would be interesting to see someone capable of implementing a 1-3-1 style of ply or even a left wing lock....but we are not there with these kids...
Looking at the comments since the firing only a couple real negative Sumner comments... All the fighting and whining seems to be coming from the people who ironically keep complaining about whining...I mean really "union of victims". Tyler your better than that, it's a good blog don't waste your time fanning this subject further. The majority of T-bird fans wanted a change does that make all of them whiners? The majority of the players were not fond of him does that make all of them whiners? I have only seen one or two people blaming Sumner, most of us know it's a lot of people starting with Farwell. Russ is not going anywhere, we were not going in the right direction and he made a tough decision and swallowed his ego, I'd say it's a good start. We can only hope that he puts good hockey people in place... That's the last I'm posting about this.
As for the coaching I have heard Turner of course, the Senators soon to be ex coach (which would make two in our divison) I even heard some hilarious non sense about Melrose wanting to come back and coach here again... Like he would want to give up that sweet ESPN gig to ride a bus.
Actually I've been listening to it for 2 years... so yes I call it whining.
For Mr. Tell's comment I do think a coach with some credentials will help in two area's... One with drafting/scouting to be able to bring in players that fit a system he wants to run. And also help the players we do have use the skills they do have in the right way. And some returning players should be better solely due to age and experience. But completely right the current lineup is still not talented enough to make a run at the top teams. If whoever we bring in is going to have success we probably wont see the returns on that for a couple seasons.
As for the Melrose rumor, maybe if you give him part of the team ownership??? He would come back if he really misses coaching. I emailed Greg Drinnan and he says to keep a eye on Corey Cloustan the soon to be ex Senators coach.
FYI, while with the Kootenay Ice Clouston averaged 40 wins in five seasons as head coach. I think he was an assistant there when they won the league championship.
Here's another name to consider; Jeff Truitt, former Kelowna coach. Won it all with them in 05? Currently asst coach with San Antonio of the AHL. Didn't survive very long as an AHL head coach with Springfield though. But like Russ said, ya gotta wait til the entire NHL season is over to see if there is an asst coach with one of the top clubs who wants to take a HC gig at this level.
It will be interesting to see how much control or say in the roster Russ allows an incoming coach to have. This might prevent someone with a good track record from coming here.
Clouston would find himself in the exact same situation in Seattle as he was in Ottawa. I do not see the birds attracting that sort of talent considering the loooooooooong history of mediocre trades and miserable draft decisions. With that said though next years team is going to be fairly loaded up front. Pray they can put up six goals a game
Clouston would find himself in the exact same situation in Seattle as he was in Ottawa. I do not see the birds attracting that sort of talent considering the loooooooooong history of mediocre trades and miserable draft decisions. With that said though next years team is going to be fairly loaded up front. Pray they can put up six goals a game
Are people more or less optimistic about the future now?
I would be optimistic, this organization has a lot of issues that needed to be addressed. They have a long way to go but with changes in scouting and head coach shows we are trying to fix those problems that put us in this spot to begin with.
@ "Wonder no more...." Please link the interview where Russ said if Turner wanted the job he'd be "The LEADING candidate"......Yeah, didn't think so.
He said he'd be "given consideration". Just like every other applicant.
@ "More or less optimistic" for me that will depend on who is appointed head coach, changes to our scouting department, and what moves are made in the off season to give this team a better chance of winning. Still too many questions to address before making an informed opinion.
I do know that I want to see Russ hire from outside the organization, and let them bring in their own staff. I don't believe that being a former NHL player, and 3(?) years as an assistant coach is what this team needs.
Why do I get the feeling that the end result of this "search" will result in the inspiring hire of either Turner Stevenson (in-house and cheap) or John Becanic (re-tread)?
I have my doubts that we will attract any top-tier coaching talent because I don't think the Birds are willing to pay for it.
Here's the Russ interview where he talks about Turner.
MC: If Turner was indeed interested would he be just another candidate or the front runner?
RF: Well if we started this process tomorrow he would be the front runner but we still have a long process to go through. We still have to find who might be available before a decision. I like Turner, he's a quality guy but I don't want to predict anything at this point. If he wants to be considered he would be.
Hey anonymous 3:18 what's the difference between " Front Runner" and "leading candidate"......Yeah didn't think you could tell the difference.
You don't think an ex-NHL player and Stanley Cup winner is what this team needs? But you defend the head coach with zero head coaching experience and zero NHL playing experience?
Russ will hire cheap.It's his money.
@ Anon 7:02
Strategically placed words and phrases like "IF", "but", "might", "before a decision is made", "IF he wants to be considered" are all indicative of an answer with no actual commitment one way or the other. The question was very specific and leading...Is Turner the front Runner? His answer was complimentary towards one possible canidate, without discouraging other possible applicants. Simply put, he's keeping his options open, nothing has been decided, the search continues, he's not willing to commit to anyone yet. What would you expect him to say? "Hell no! Stevenson doesn't have the experience we're looking for"?.....yeah, you might want to read it again.
You are absolutely correct, I do NOT believe a former NHL player and Stanley Cup winner with only 3 years of assistant coaching experience under Rob Sumner is what this team needs. Somewhere someone who actually makes the decisions said, ""if you look at the coaches in our division we are looking at an experienced coach. We need to keep pace." Now where was that? Oh, that's right! It was in the same interview! Sorry you missed it. But then again it really doesn't help you point does it?
And you are incorrect, as nowhere in my previous post did I defend or even mention Coach Sumner. He is gone, it's time to move on. Can you do that?
Better yet, can you contribute to the discussion in a constructive way and share what kind of coach YOU would like to see hired, without using the opportunity to yet again take a stab at Farwell or a Coach who has NOTHING to do with where this team goes from here? But then that's just not what you're here for is it?
Do you seriously think he hasn't talked to Turner about the job? Because he said in an interview he hadn't.
Look for Turner to get the job after Russ has convinced all of you he's looked far and wide for the right candidate.
I totally agree with above poster. It's great to have optimism and dreams of someone with NHL coaching experience coming in here, but let's be honest, given the track record of Farwell here, why should any of us believe he is going to pull out all the stops and turn this club into a winner?
This coaching "search" will be all about saving $$$$. That's the only reason the previous coach is no longer here. Farwell knew the bottom line was going to be hit hard if he didn't make a change.
I disagree with that, I like most think Farwell hasn't really done a good job as the GM of this team. But to say he doesn't care about building a winner is a little hasty. He has brought the team into a new arena, has kept his own on not raising ticket prices. If he surrounds himself with better hockey people we will start seeing a better product. He deserves all the criticism for the job he has done the past few years but I wouldn't say that he doesn't care, he wouldn't still be here if he didnt.
I'm not sure anyone is saying that Russ doesn't care. Not caring and not producing are two different things.
My point is that given the track record and performance on and off the ice, I wouldn't expect a splashy hire. I think it's also important to note that he is an owner as well. Most of the successful WHL franchises divide the role of GM and owner because it is a conflict of interest.
I think it is extremely fair to criticize his performance as a GM the last few years and question whether this team is committed to winning and that relates directly to this coaching search.
That Kelowna franchise must be awful since the owner and GM are one and the same. It's not how you structure your organization that counts; it's the people who are in your organization occupying those key positions.
What matters to me most. Start with a clean slate. I'd rather not have any of the coaches back. Just start all new. Bring in someone with coaching experience and let him build his team and staff. I'd just like to see what it's like to have a coach in place that isn't here to learn how to coach.
4thebirds
I hope we can move on... But lets hope Russ does not just find another face to replace Rob and actually lets the coach, coach.
Whiners??? still for those that may not agree... Really?? Since we can not vote for what we like then not buying tickets and spending money is all we have. I think when we pay the highest $$ for tickets and other items we can voice our displeasure. Rob lost the players and no matter what sport it is once that happens you will NEVER get them back, period. So it was time for him to move on from Seattle. Maybe we give Turner a year contract and see what happens. If we see the same then hire someone else. If all Russ and the other owners do is find the cheapest coach then do not be surprised when we keep struggling to make the play-offs. Show this community you want to have a winner if you spend a little more, your seats will be full, more over priced beer and food will be bought and more merchandise will be purchased. Hmmm then that will be more money made, wow what a concept. I do not want to be the "Major League" of WHL hockey anymore.
I think more admin changes need to occur. Why is our WHL team not out in the public making appearances to boost interest? Only two of these occurred, one each year during the season at Fred Meyer stores. Every other WHL does more for there community with public appearances, usually once a month, not once a season. I know we have more sponsors so opportunities are out there. 3 years here at the new ShoWare and where are the special jerseys we all see the other teams have? Why do you allow the ushers to kick the parents out in the rain? Hey when it is time for the fans to go, then time to leave the building. Parents come from a variety of distances just to be told to wait for your kid in the weather. No other team in the WHL or probably any other league treats parents like this. They do know there is a small conference room just outside the Birds and ShoWare offices that has a door to the outside, Hmmm another idea maybe they should hire me... naw I could not afford the pay cut, besides I enjoy my job.
Where did the kids club go? Kids are your future season ticket holders, they also get parents into the seats. Parents spend money on merchandise. Now when you get new fans to the game that spend a lot of $$ with tickets, food and souvenirs and are not season ticket holders so every mere game is an exciting night out, so to finish the night lets have a couple of players come out after the game for autographs and have a full team rotation. I have seen kids cry and have seen fans come from far distances to see this team play and most of the time everyone slides out the back. Win or lose kids still idolize our players and do not get into the politics like the adults.
Now that many readers are probably thinking I am just another whiner... not true I'm making obvious observations. No I was not a FB poster, but did read them, and did see a few truthful comments that were getting slammed by those that said they did not know what they were taking about when they really did. So to hopefully put that to rest, I know and talk to the players, parents and fans, but unfortunately for personal reason need to remain anonymous. If admin reads this suck up your pride, do your jobs better and put a winning team out there. Do not be afraid to look at what other teams have done and give it a try, you might be surprised with what you get. Most of the fans that support the team are not stupid and do have good suggestions as well. Lets go Birds!
Clouston.....yes, no, maybe? It would definately send the city, the fans and the players the right message.
Interesting note on Drinnan's blog about the possibility of the Moose AHL franchise moving to Seattle (I'm assuming the Key).
I think it could work if there was creative scheduling to reduce scheduling conflicts between both WHL teams.
Can we talk some hockey now? Tyler you gonna do any write up for the bantam draft?
Tyler, any chance we'll all be lucky enough to hear your take on the bantam draft?
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