AJC > Sports Thrashers > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 02
Friday, May 2, 2008
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).
