Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Regardless of if it’s sports, business, a friend, neighbor or family…anytime you hear that someone has recently lost their job, one tends to feel sad and sorry for that person. However, when learning that the Toronto Maple Leafs had relieved Paul Maurice of his duties as head coach, some may feel a sense of relief for him instead of grief.
The 41-year old native of Sault St. Marie, Ontario was fired Wednesday and, as Scott Burnside of ESPN.com indicates, the news should probably cause reason for celebration rather than sorrow. His future with the Leafs had been in doubt ever since general manager John Ferguson, Jr. was shown the door shortly before the trade deadline and Cliff Fletcher took over the job on an “interim” basis. Maurice had coached Toronto for two seasons, both with winning records, (an overall mark of 76-65-22). Regardless, he failed to take his team to the post-season…two years ago falling short by a single point.
Maurice was the selection of the Philadelphia Flyers as the 252nd overall pick in the 1985 NHL entry draft. As a defender for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, he was struck in the eye with a puck while playing in a charity hockey game. The injury still leaves his vision partially impaired. Team owner Peter Karmanos offered him an opportunity to step behind the bench and he began his coaching career with the Detroit Junior Red Wings, (another team Karmanos owned).
He broke into the NHL ranks as a head coach with the Hartford Whalers in 1995 and remained with that organization as they relocated to Carolina after the ’96-’97 season. In 2002 the Carolina Hurricanes advance to the Stanley Cup Finals but were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in five games.
Paul Maurice’s overall coaching record is 344-357-99-38 in the regular season and 17-18 in the playoffs.
So, shed no tears for Maurice for losing his job in Toronto, a team some would discribe as a mess and disfunctional. Delight in his liberation from the Maple Leafs right now as they try to figure out just which direction they are to go. He will most certainly be given a shot elsewhere and will likely be better off for it.
The question for you is…do you think that place should be here?
The Pat And Paul Show In Atlanta?
OK, I’ll be the Speculator-in-Chief and offer up this scenario.
We’ve already discussed Pat Quinn, his qualifications and interest in the Thrashers organ-I-zation. Given that, and the comments made recently by ASG co-owner Michael Gearon about Don Waddell, what do think about the prospect of Quinn as GM, Maurice as coach, (sort of the Toronto connection in the ATL), with Waddell retaining his role as Executive VP or moving into a newly created CEO or President gig?
Weekend Reading Assignments
Minnesota’s coach Jacques Lemaire is currently pondering whether or not to remain behind the Wild bench.
Darren Eliot gives credit where credit is due in Philadelphia.
Don’t look now, but there’s another Staal brother poised to enter the NHL.
Lastly, and completely off topic, here is a man who knows how to go out in style!
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What’s John Anderson Got Cooking?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the names being kicked around here as we discuss the Thrashers coaching position belongs to one John Murray Anderson, the head coach of the Thrashers’ AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. So, it’s only natural as we continue our vetting of the candidates that I run his name under your nose.
But, my friends, if Anderson is offered the job behind the bench…his name might not be the only thing of his running under your nose…it could be the smell of some mighty fine food. You see, John Anderson is also a chef.
Yup, the former NHL player and current coach cooks up more than just wins it seems. He is also founder of “John Andersons”, a diner located near the intersection of Youge & Hendon streets in Toronto, Ontario and it is home of the “Banquet Burger”. There is also a second restaurant in Mississauga, Ontario that sports the “Big Puck Burger” and “John’s New Specialty”, souvlaki on a sesame-seed bun!
Oh, Gawd…Somebody get me a bib!
Folks…I smell a great future possibly in Blueland. Maybe he could be persuaded to open a new place in or around Philips Arena. We could all meet up at “John’s Place” near the rink…dine on big, fat, juicy grilled patties of shredded bovine flesh…washing it down with a cold brew…then it’s off to the Big Screen to watch the Thrashers grill the competition!
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm….. Burgers and hockey! Utopia!
Anyway, Anderson spent 12 years playing in the NHL, splitting that time between the Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques and Hartford Whalers. The right-winger amassed 282 goals and 349 assists in that time. His career best numbers came in 1982-83 with the Leafs when he notched 31 goals and 80 points in 80 games played.
John Anderson has lead the Wolves to 4 AHL championships finals winning three of them, (1998, 2000 and 2002). In the eleven seasons he has coached the Wolves, they have failed to qualify for post-season play but once, (2005-2006 season).
Not surprisingly, Anderson has won more games then any other Wolves coach, both in the regular season and playoffs.
To some, the biggest selling point to John Anderson is…besides his record at the AHL level…the fact that so many of our young stars have played in the Anderson system while in Chicago. If he could win with them at that level…would it not be logical to think he is the right man to lead them now at this level?
Personally, should he be tapped for the job, I would welcome the news. However, I would also scratch my head in wonderment as to why he wasn’t asked to take the job last fall when the job became available seeing that he made it very clear he was interested and the Wolves owner and GM openly gave their blessing for the Thrashers to talk to him.
And a question for you…should Anderson be hired on, should he be allowed to bring his assistants down with him, if he’s so inclined? After all, part of his qualifications is the “system” he operates that is so successful. Shouldn’t he be able to have his lieutenants helping him to implement such a system with this team rather than trying to sell, teach, explain it to the current staff now?
Regardless, if the team is looking to bring in a new face to the NHL coaching ranks … rather than hiring a cast-off from another team…Anderson just might be the right choice on the menu for the Thrashers. He’s been well seasoned in Chicago and ready to fill the ASG’s order.
Conference Playoffs Set
By now you know that the conference finals are set. It’s a Keystone State Eastern finals and double-Ds out west, (Dallas and Detroit). The Wings and Stars hook up in game one Thursday…Pens and Flyers on Friday night.
If you’re looking to me for any prediction as to how these matchups will unfold…forget it. I’m officially out of the playoff prognostication business. I went 4 for 8 in the first round and 2 for 4 in the second. Worse, the two teams I predicted would reach the finals, Montreal and San Jose, are out! So for now…I’m just a spectator.
I am, of course, handling this with my normal grace and dignity.
Apparently Not A Fan Of Either Western Finalists
And finally, let me dump this on you from Big Shooter over at the Blueland Chronicle. Absolutely priceless!
Why do I think of the Islanders when I look at this?
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Congrats Hawks & Checking In On Old Friends
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THIS Is Why Making The Playoffs Is GOOD
The Atlanta Hawks were a decade removed from post-season. A team that finished the regular season eight games below .500. A team that was only in the playoffs because the Eastern Conference of the NBA was so terrible, so rank, so pathetic that three teams qualified for the championship tournament lacking a winning record. And this bunch was going up against the Boston Celtics…owners of the league’s best record.
A #8 seed vs. the #1 seed…37-45 vs. 66-16…a .451 winning percentage vs. .805… David vs. Goliath… Rocky vs. Apollo…Hawks vs. Celtics Certainly this was a mismatch for the ages.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the Celtic’s coronation. The Hawks players decided that they really didn’t care about the records, the odd or the predictions of their demise. The figured, what the hell…we’re here, what say we play to win? Let’s “shock the world”.
And so, our Philips Arena brethren did what no one thought they would…actually competed and took the Celtics to a game seven. Oh sure, game seven was ugly…butt ugly… for the Hawks. But even with that, they reminded everyone that when you’re in the playoffs, you have a chance…and to have a chance, you have to be in the playoffs.
Now, what in the name of Joseph Henri Maurice “Rocket” Richard does any of this have to do with the Thrashers…the team you come here to read and blog about? Why, I’m glad you asked!
First, to put this in it’s proper context, we need to find the NHL equivalent of the Hawks/Celtics match up. That would be taking the best team in the league, Detroit, and matching it against the team that finished with roughly the same winning percentage as the Hawks. The closest would be .463 and that team was…the Atlanta Thrashers. So, think of what would happen if the Thrashers were pitted against the Red Wings, (yes I know that they are in different conferences), and the Thrashers played them in similar fashion.
Now, remember as the past season began to unravel in Blueland and there were many who express the belief that it was better for the team to NOT make the playoffs, even though it was still in our grasps at the time. It was a hopeless venture anyway, so why even bother with the whole silly notion of actually attending the competition to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. Since we had no chance of actually winning it, some said, then it’s just better we don’t even qualify for the playoffs in the first place and instead position ourselves for a high draft pick.
To that I say, balder-dash…horse pucky…phooey…and B.S., (baloney squared).
The Hawks just exemplified why it is so important to make the playoffs, even if your team has no chance of succeeding…or that’s what everyone ELSE is saying about you.
So I ask you, what do you think is more valuable to that team right now… the hope of what could become of a prospect taken high in the first round…or the experience and confidence that Josh Childress, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Smith and the rest of the team have gained over the past couple of weeks? Personally, I would argue the ladder. And I would argue the same would be true had the Thrashers done the same.
Draft picks, no matter how highly touted they might be, are a crapshoot for the most part. High picks can be busts and those chosen later can prove to be MVPs. But what the Hawks have obtained in these playoffs is priceless and will only prove to benefit them down the road…even in light of the game seven blowout.
One last thing…four years ago, Mike Woodson took then-rookies Josh Smith and Josh Childress to Detroit to experience what playoff atmosphere was all about and to try and give them a hunger for it. Don Waddell might want to think about such a field trip for Tobias Enstrom, Bryan Little and some other young Thrashers.
So, Atlanta Hawks and Hawks fans…The Ice Man congratulateth you for what you have accomplished over the past couple of weeks. Even though you fell short, the experience gained will certainly benefit the players next season. And hey, right now you can say that you are 3-0… undefeated… in Philips Arena during the playoffs. Job well done!
Eastern Finals Choc-Full-O-Old Friends
And there it was…big as day. Marian Hossa slamming home the game winning, series clinching goal 7 minutes and 10 seconds into overtime. Making it even more pleasurable to watch was the fact that Pascal Dupuis gained an assist along with Sidney Crosby. It was Hossa’s second goal of the game and his fifth of the post-season to go along with five helpers.
Making this even sweeter for Atlanta Thrashers fans is the knowledge that somewhere in the same state of Pennsylvania was one Braydon Coburn watching the very same game. He and the rest of his Philadelphia Flyers teammates were looking on as their position in the Eastern Conference Finals had already been secured.
So, we have the pleasure of watching Coburn and the Flyers take on Hossa, Dupuis and the Penguins for the right to play in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Joy. Rapture.
Braydon Coburn…he’s the player TV play-by-play announcers and analyst love to remind us, as well as millions of viewers, was obtained from the Thrashers for …snicker … Alexei Zhitnik. Coburn has, in 12 games during the playoffs, notched 5 assists…the exact same amount Zhitnik had in 65 regular season games and has looked like a dominate force on the Flyers blueline doing so. Zhitnik is…still on our payroll for $3.5 million.
Marian Hossa…he’s the player who forced Don Waddell’s hand to trade him because there was no way he was going to resign with the club he general managed. See, Hossa insists he wanted to play for a team that was…well, moving in the right direction.
Pascal Dupuis…he’s the man who has to feel like the luckiest player in the NHL. He woke up on February 26th in a Montreal hotel room a member of a team that was in the throws of what would ultimately become a death-spiral toward the conference basement…but before he went back to sleep was winging his way with Hossa to Pittsburgh.
Basically, Hossa left for Armstrong and Christensen, (not too bad), and Dupuis was the sweetener that landed us a Junior League center and future draft pick… a player and a pick we can only hope will develop into quality NHL players some day down the road. Pascal gets a legitimate chance to skate the cup around Mellon Arena next month.
Don’t get me wrong…I actually enjoy watching these players do well on the big stage. However, it does kind of make me wonder…what player(s) currently on the Thrashers roster will Don Waddell gift wrap and send off next season for us to watch play in May and June?
For What It’s Worth
Some have speculated that Hawks GM Billy Knight could still be on the hot seat with coach Mike Woodson regardless of the 3 wins in the playoffs. If, indeed, he were to be relieved of his duties that would mean that of the four general managers in Atlanta one year ago, the only one remaining in that capacity would be…Don Waddell.
I refer you back to the last paragraph in the preceding segment of this blog.
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Putting Paddock Into Consideration
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Moving right along with our coaching candidates worthy of consideration, I now submit for discussion Mr. Alvin John Paddock.
As you know, the soon-to-be 54-year old native of Oak River, Manitoba was release last February of his coaching duties by the Ottawa Senators. The team had been mired in a slump and had relinquished the conference lead to New Jersey just days prior to his firing. General manager Bryan Murray then took over behind the bench…a position he had held prior to Paddock’s promotion there last summer following the team’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ottawa had gotten off to a hot start, winning 15 of the first 17 games played last fall and were 36-22-6 on the 27th of February, the day Paddock was let go. However, the Senators finished 7-9-2 after that and came within two points of not qualifying for the playoffs at all … this after owning the East’s best record for the better part of the season. They were then used, abused and kicked to the curb by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round of the playoffs.
So, is it entirely possible that the Sens woes were not solely the fault of John Paddock? Eh, it’s possible.
Paddock was a third round draft pick of the Washington Capitals. He made his NHL debut in November 1975 and earned an assist. He was traded to Philadelphia the next summer as the “future considerations” part of a deal that had sent Bob Sirois to D.C. In 1980 he scored a game-tying goal in game six of the Stanley Cup Finals for the Flyers, however the Islanders eventually won the game…and the cup…in overtime of that game.
Paddock’s coaching/management resume includes 3-plus seasons as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets where he also served time splitting duties as coach and GM. After leaving the bench in 1994, he remained as the team’s GM even after they relocated to Phoenix until December of 1996. In ’92 and ’93 his Jets qualified for post-season play as the 4th place team in the Smyth Division but were ousted in the first round both times.
He coached the Hershey Bears in the AHL from1985-1989, winning the Calder Cup in 1988 and he also coached the Hartford Wolf Pack from 1999-2002, again winning the Calder Cup in the 2000.
Paddock’s overall record as a head coach in the AHL is 432-284-65, which also included a stint with the Binghamton Senators. His overall NHL coaching record is 112-160-37-6, however 3 of his five seasons behind the bench, (both full and partial), saw his team finish with winning records.
So, here is a man…not too advanced in years…who possesses both head coaching and general managing credentials.
Your thoughts…?
Detroit Motors On
The Red Wings are the first to qualify for conference finals following their sweep of the Colorado Avalanche. Sara, please…contain yourself. Thursday night’s 8-2 spanking of the Avs sealed the deal for the Wings. Johan Franzen is stealing the show this post-season, eh? Oh, and Chris Osgood is now 6-0 in spring hockey action.
Detroit will now get the benefit of resting for a few days while they await the outcome of the San Jose/Dallas series.
Ah-ah-ah-ah, Stayin’ Alive, Stayin’ Alive
The New York Rangers danced their way around elimination Thursday night with a 3-0 win against the Penguins. Jaromir Jagr notched a pair of goals and added a helper for New York. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 29 shots he faced for his second career playoff shutout. His first one was…well, we ain’t talkin’ about that.
The Pens will look to stop the music on New York’s season Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
Sharks Clinging On
San Jose warded off elimination Wednesday night with a 2-1 win in game four of their series with Dallas. This match-up has seen great team defense in which only 48.25 combined shots on goal have been allowed per game. San Jose has actually outshot Dallas 102-91 but has been outscored 11-7…thus the difference here has been TMT, (Too Much Turco). The Dallas net minder has surrendered but 7 goals on 102 shots in the four games played thus far
As Dallas continues to surge toward a possible Cup Finals…I have to wonder if, upon watching them, a certain number of Buffalo Sabres fans see their “pucker factor” increase…and they start pacing around town aimlessly muttering, “The skate was in the paint…%$#@-it…it was IN the PAINT, I tell you”!
Montreal Circling The Drain
Wednesday night the Flyers took a 3 games to 1 series lead on Montreal, the top seed in the East. Much like the Dallas Stars, Philly is benefiting from a stellar performance by their net-minder Martin Biron who has a .929 SV% in the 4 games play thus far. Montreal has outshot the Flyers 142-96 in the four games played.
In fact, this series would be over if not for an Alexei Kovalev game-tying goal with 28.6 seconds left in regulation back in game one. Rookie goalie Jaroslav Halak started game 4 in place of Carey Price who has let up some goals that were… to put it kindly… unfortunate. Now, Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau has to figure out if he goes back with young Price or tries Halak again, (maybe he can call Bob Hartley for advise).
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Toronto’s A Tough Crowd, Too
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I found this Scott Burnside piece the other day and thought I would toss it into the ring of discussion. What I wish to draw your attention to would be item #4, the part about Pat Quinn and his success with Canada’s Under18 World Championship team. Their 8-0 success leads Burnside to wonder if Quinn’s stock has risen in the eyes of some NHL franchise given this success with the young players.
Well, given that our team is one of those currently accepting applications for a new head coach, lets nose into Mr. Quinn’s resume some, shall we?
Now, most of you already know of the history of one John Brian Patrick Quinn, including his five years as an Atlanta Flame. And most have formed an opinion as whether or not he would be a good fit here. Certainly a man with 19 seasons under his belt as a head coach with 15 trips to the post-season and two appearances in the Cup Finals in that capacity deserves a look…especially one who, if memory serves, seemed to be interested in the job here after it became open last fall.
First off, his success this spring with the U18 squad isn’t his first such internationally. In the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City he coached the Canadian team to their first gold medal since the first term of the Eisenhower administration. Then in 2004 he led Team Canada to victory in the World Cup of Hockey going 6-0 in that campaign.
His most recent NHL coaching gig was in Toronto where he amassed a 300-196-52-26 record in seven seasons. After the 2005-06 campaign he was fired following the one and only time a Quinn-coached Leafs team did not qualify for the post-season. That season the team went 41-33-8 for 90 points…missing the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference by 2 points.
(Trivia question: Who else in the east finished the ‘05-‘06 season with the exact same 41-33-8 record for 90 points)?
So…Quinn compiled 7 winning seasons in as many seasons in Toronto…averaging almost 97 points…twice took Toronto to the conference finals…never finished lower than 90 points…three times with 100 points or better…and the one and only time he fails to make the playoffs… he gets the pink slip.
Wow…and I thought Vancouver was a tough crowd!
Yeah, remember David Nonis being shown the gate a few weeks back after general managing the Canucks to three straight seasons with winning records but only making the post-season once. Horrible…simply horrible! I mean…only one trip to the playoffs in three seasons? I mean, it’s not like it he had a single post-season appearance in…oh… a decade’s worth of work yielding zero post-season wins…but I digress.
Back to the point… Quinn also has experience as a general manager. In Vancouver he held that position from ‘87 to ‘91 before he was able to return to coaching, (he was banned from serving behind the bench during that time by then NHL President John Ziegler). Also, much of his time with Toronto he was both head coach and general manager.
Hmmm, that sounds familiar…so, it CAN be done successfully?
Thus, Pat Quinn’s resume shows years of head coaching experience with success as well as proven results in the front office. And, it seems, he wants to have a go at it down here.
Personally, I am very interested in what he could bring to the team. Not just as a head coach but as a general manger…if Bruce Levenson were ever to be struck by lightning and have an ounce of hockey sense bolted into his head causing him to think to himself, “Gee, a decade with the same GM and no playoff wins to show for it? Maybe this is un-good”.
Wandering off, he may then say, “Gosh, that hurt…I’m so woozy I don’t know if I’m heading in the right direction or not”.
Anyway, I’d like to see a Pat Quinn coached Thrashers team.
Of course, I’d LOVE to see a Thrashers team coached by John Anderson who was hired by general manger Pat Quinn.
Chances of that happening? I dunno…what’s the forecast?
Riddle Me This
So, what do the Atlanta Thrashers and the Pittsburgh Penguins have in common?
Neither team has lost a game in the post-season this spring!
Yup, the Penguins skated to a 5-3 victory in Madison Square Garden Tuesday night and took a 3-0 series lead over the Rangers. This after sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the opening round.
Marian Hossa had a goal with an assist and has 3 goals and 8 points so far in the seven games played after the Thrashers season ended. Pascal Dupuis chipped in with a helper himself on Hossa’s tally and has a goal and 4 points overall.
Pittsburgh fans that may feel led to may send “Thank You” cards and other well wishes to:
The Atlanta Thrasher / Atlanta Spirit LLC
101 Marietta Street
Suite 1900
Atlanta, GA 30303
Attn: Don Waddell
Sharks On The Endangered Species List
Following the 2-1 OT loss in Dallas Tuesday night the San Jose Sharks now find themselves in the deep waters of a 3-0 series abyss. As you know, your humble blog host picked the Sharks to win the Stanley Cup this year…but it ain’t looking so good right now. I picked them because I liked their team defense so much but so far it’s the Stars blueline that is shining!
Should San Jose fall short at this point it would be their 3 consecutive second-round exit from the Great Cup Quest after making it to the conference finals in ’03-’04. This is considered disappointing considering the fact that the Sharks have finished with over 100 points in each of those seasons except ’05-’06 when they gained 99.
There have been some rumblings about Ron Wilson’s job being on the line if they failed to shake the “under-achiever” tag this spring, (again, we could have it so bad). If so, we’ll kick his name around here..oh…next week sometime.
5 from 65 = 5 from 9
Not to rub any more salt in this wound but…Braydon Coburn has 5 assists in nine playoff games so far this post-season with the Philadelphia Flyers. Alexei Zhitnik had 5 assists in the 65 regular season games he played for Atlanta this past season.
Just sayin’….
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SO, what’s the deal??? Has Don FRAUDell been FIRED yet??? Is he DONE Waddell yet??? Can we look forward to brighter days yet, or are we stuck with the... read the full comment by NASCAR Dave | Comment on Mercy For Maurice In Toronto? Read Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?
Brendan/Infect Truth — I guess I think of the relationship between the GM and the Owners much like that between a CEO and the Board. The CEO is the visionary and annually (sometimes more or less) gives the Board an update about the... read the full comment by ranallo10 | Comment on Mercy For Maurice In Toronto? Read Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?
Al Davis seems not to have to same level of “effort and commitment” from year to year. We can probably point to others, like a Georgia Frontiere, who owned the Rams. A stuck clock is right twice a day, as they say. Steinbrenner... read the full comment by Infect Truth | Comment on Mercy For Maurice In Toronto? Read Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?
Brendan — Thanks, but I don’t think it’s necessary for #1 & #2 to be reversed. As you said, it’s splitting hairs, but doesn’t it require a solid idea before one can be convinced to back... read the full comment by ranallo10 | Comment on Mercy For Maurice In Toronto? Read Mercy For Maurice In Toronto?