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When you watch the remaining four conference finalists in the Stanley Cup 2019 playoffs, you will notice a range of coaching stories.
There's a whole mix of mid-season substitutes (Craig Berube for the Blues), a breakthrough for the rookies (Rod Brind's Love for Carolina), somebody who's been effective with an established team (Bruce Cassidy of the Bruins) and a veteran who leads a star. in a team (Peter DeBoer with the Sharks). You can skin your cat in many ways, and it becomes clearer when you move on to other successes, such as Barry Trotz's fantastic work with the New York Islanders.
While Joel Quenneville was preparing his sunscreen for Florida, Alain Vigneault led a group of former head coaches at Philly and Todd McLellan during his second California concert with the Los Angeles Kings, we would have thought that the game of musical chairs be made for the NHL, but that's not really the case. On Tuesday, the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabers, Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators are still looking for new head coaches.
Let's take a look at the decisions these four teams face, from a more general look at the type of coach they need to look for, to a more concrete set of goals they need to prioritize.
Anaheim Ducks should look for: An innovator
General Manager Bob Murray has to face the reality: the "old school" just does not work as well for the Ducks.
This team ignored the warning signs that Randy Carlyle's work was late, and these warts really germinated in a disastrous 2018-19 season. If you look at the pay structure of the Ducks, you'll see some troublingly aging key players, such as Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler (34) and Corey Perry (33).
We've seen teams face a crisis that was missing the playoffs before getting back on track, though, and there was a chance the Ducks would join that group if things turned out in their favor.
This is especially true if John Gibson remains a world goalkeeper. Match Gibson to a still strong group of defenders and decent strikers (Getzlaf gets older, but he can still move the needle). Maybe the prospects of the Ducks can clear up quickly.
Target ducks:
- Dallas Eakins – The breath of fresh air that Anaheim needs could fit with the subsidiary of the AHL, Eakins seemingly avant-garde in terms of rest and analysis. He has also been successful virtually everywhere he has been, except in Edmonton. Even there, it's not like he has a lot of time to fix all Oilers leaks.
- Todd Nelson – Another former Oilers coach, who has been successful almost everywhere else. Nelson is both reasonably young and has traveled a lot, making him a valuable asset to many teams.
- Sheldon Keefe – In the latest edition of 31 Thoughts by Elliotte Friedman, he said Keefe would not leave the Toronto Marlies, unless it's for a better situation. Maybe the young coach would not see the Ducks as an improvement, although you rarely see perfect teams doing coaching research, right?
The Ducks could also call on an older coach if they think their bench leader will get immediate results in a way that a cooler face would not … but personally, I would look for the most youth.
Sabers should find: Structure
For years, an uncomfortable question was asked in Buffalo: does this team have mediocre results, or is the talent simply absent?
Be that as it may, the optics were not excellent, as the Sabers often appeared without rudder. They have struggled to find stability since the end of Lindy Ruff's long run, and Buffalo must be aware of this year's version of Barry Trotz: an experienced coach who can install systems that are not safe. will not collapse under the pressure of competition.
The best target of the Sabers:
- Dave Tippett – At 57, Tippett has already coached two teams (Stars and Coyotes) for a combined total of 1,114 regular season games and 74 playoff games. His squads are structurally sound and Tippett has often found ways to make the most of the Coyote shortlist. He won a Jack Adams Award in 2009-10, and although he has not been a head coach since 2016-17, Tippett remains focused on the game.
According to Friedman, another former Oilers coach, Ralph Krueger, may well be the favorite, but … frankly, I really really like what's good for Buffalo. Maybe Tippett would not see the Sabers the same way, though.
Tankers need: An exorcist
I laugh. In addition, you could say the same thing for senators and, to a certain extent, the Sabers.
My impression is that Oilers could use optimism and positive and positive energy as much as anything else. This says a lot about their organizational dysfunction; you can almost forget that they have Connor McDavid, as well as other key elements.
Admittedly, the lineup has problems, but a more offensive coach might be able to change things instead of trying to make the most of his defensive potential, which Ken Hitchcock and Todd McLellan were usually looking for? Given the atmosphere that seemed so dark, these players could get a pat on the back after being barked for a while.
Oil tanker options:
- Sheldon Keefe – Would Keefe have enough McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to risk leaving the Marlies to the Oilers? If so, what better way for Edmonton to show that it is not a "boys' club" to hire such a young head coach?
- Todd Nelson– Ken Holland has watched Nelson's success for years with affiliate Red Wings, a member of the American League. Would that spur Holland to allow Nelson to get another "real" shot with Edmonton this time?
- Scott Sandelin / Nate Leaman "I'd be surprised if the Oilers are being bold with Keefe or one of those two NCAA coaches, but I think they deserve to be mentioned. Rather than looking for a former head coach (who had more legitimate chances than a Nelson or Eakin), why not see if any of these coaches has a higher cap?
Tippett seems to be a growing choice for Edmonton and the Oilers could certainly go in worse directions. However, it's a bit the same as bringing in Hitchcock. Maybe Nelson would be the best compromise between bringing cooler ideas and soothing … well, this old boys club?
Senators should watch for: An optimist … and a palliative
In the above cases, the teams are finally hoping to take big steps forward or, in the case of the Ducks, reverse the downward spiral.
Honestly, it is better for the Ottawa Senators to make the tank in 2019-2020, and probably for a year or two beyond. They eliminated a ton of talent by trading against Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, Mike Hoffman and others in recent seasons. It's hard to imagine that such a success would do much for the overall vision of the team beyond spoiling its lottery odds.
The Senators are dark, they could use a positive presence, preferably a coach patient enough to help develop Brady Tkachuks of the world. Put smiles on some faces … do not win as well a lot.
Ottawa Options:
- Marc Crawford – Becoming a bit like a journeyman coach probably gives Crawford some perspective. He served as interim head coach. So he already has some knowledge of the players and the franchise, which can not be underestimated if one considers how … the owner who polarizes Eugene Melnyk can be.
- Troy Mann– Carry much of Crawford's lure, as he led the Senators Affiliate in the AHL. He would probably be cheap as the NHL's first-time head coach, which appealed to Melnyk.
- Scott Sandelin / Nate Leaman – A more reasonable scenario for an NCAA coach to take over. As expectations are low, Sandelin or Leaman would have some time to acclimate to the NHL. Theoretically, at least. It might be difficult for one or the other to leave successful programs to try to repair the senators.
- Lane Lambert – A lot of experience (and potential?) As an assistant to Barry Trotz, and if you want to be bad, at least, distract yourself with his fun hair. (Note: John Shannon from Sportsnet reports that the Ducks have also shown interest in Lambert.)
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None of these situations seem to be an easy or obvious solution, and the best options may not be listed above. Again, things did not seem very optimistic for the Islanders when Trotz took power, or for Bérubé when the Blues were seeded for the last time this season, and these scenarios turned out to be crazy successes.
Who would you go to if you led these teams?
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James O & # 39; Brien is a writer for Professional Hockey Conference on NBC Sports. Leave him a line to [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.
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