Edwards at the Carry The Flag blog (yet another great entry into CBJ blogdom) posted some thoughts on Mike Commodore's current situation and how he got to that point. He's specifically asked me for my thoughts as his post grew out of an online dialogue. Time is limited because I'm trying to shoehorn in some schoolwork before the Phoenix game, but I'll type fast.
1. I do not believe that Mike Commodore's problems this year were related to his conditioning level this season. He recognized last season's conditioning shortfalls and worked to rectify them in the offseason - switching back to the program that has been successful in years past.
2. Is he paying right now for last season's poor conditioning and the lingering effect that it (and those self-imposed scratches) may have had on coaches and management? Perhaps.
3. I believe that a major obstacle that the Blue Jackets chose to not overcome by sending Commodore to Springfield was the "square pegs, round hole" issue of having been signed in the era of Hitch Hockey and now being expected to perform in the Arniel "puck possession" system. Commodore did OK in the limited time he was given (20 games, 2G, 4A, -8) in my opinion, nothing noteworthy but not so bad as to be shipped out of town. Look at how long it's taken Fedor Tyutin to figure out the Arniel system. Commodore wasn't given anything close to that opportunity (371 minutes on ice v. 1250 and counting for Tyutin).
4. I believe that there was some personality issue involved in his being moved to Springfield. (Apparently BizNasty does too, if that means anything.) I have not talked with anyone on the Blue Jackets about this (to be clear, I don't talk to anyone with the Blue Jackets pretty much at all outside of my ticket rep, and I don't even know if he is still employed), but that's the only conclusion I can come to. I don't know precisely how, or in what manner such an issue could arise, but that's my hunch.
Of course, the only people who will ever be able to speak with authority on why and how everything happened related to the demotion of Mike Commodore probably will never explain the whys and wherefores publicly. Honestly, I can't blame them as nothing positive is accomplished by doing so.
There's not much more to say about Mike Commodore other than that he's clearly hurt on a human level, and anyone who's been out there in the public eye and knocked down a peg can't help but feel for him.
It's amazing the varying perceptions CBJ fans experience. I appreciate you taking the time to share yours, Tom.
ReplyDeleteHis actions last year probably cost him the opportunity to really turn things around this year, but I suppose that's the nature of breaching the general unspoken rules of a contract (read: staying in playing shape).
I can also agree that he and Arniel really did not mesh well, but I think Scott is a character guy, and I suspect the poor character choices made by Commodore again the season previous weighed fairly heavily on the new coach.
I would be very happy for Mike if he got moved, and found his place on another NHL roster, but I really don't know that I could ever feel bad for the guy. He let down the team one year, and the team couldn't support his weight (figuratively) the following year. Isn't that the nature of the beast in this league? Deep down, I have to think he knows this all started with his compete level.