tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post1697710777805768820..comments2023-10-23T15:54:13.715-04:00Comments on The Dark Blue Jacket: What a Long Strange Trip It's Been: Part IIITomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03563836029433927521noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-72848071622155564152012-05-03T20:35:39.375-04:002012-05-03T20:35:39.375-04:00Honestly, I don't think too much can be said a...Honestly, I don't think too much can be said about the role Richards had on the success, but that doesn't invalidate the rest of your point, that the hiring of a known, successful, experienced coach is really needed. And I agree totally about the importance of this off season move. Even though they made the playoffs, I think you can draw a circle around McClean, Dineen, Noel, and Richards and say they are not really a huge difference in coaching choices. None of them are the coach you describe above, they don't have the experience for it. <br /><br />The argument that I would make for Richards is that it is staying the course with a strategic choice you made, and he's obviously better at it than Arniel. And, he wouldn't be that hard to fire if you needed to. The coach you describe above is a multi-year commitment to that direction, whether or not that matches the players we have or not. I think Richards can handle the current group well, with an improvement in the goal tending.<br /><br />But that's all for another post later. :-)Galloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06151870407426712857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-90272477387378559632012-05-03T20:29:05.306-04:002012-05-03T20:29:05.306-04:00Sorry for the delay in responding. I took myself ...Sorry for the delay in responding. I took myself off the grid for the most part today through operator error. I think there is no benefit to Nash to say he asked out. It isn't 'less embarrassing' for him to ask out. I think it is rather the opposite. If it is anything other than what was advertised in the comments at the time, then it was a strategy to drive up Jeff Carter's trade value. From Nash's perspective, and certainly his agent's, it's better to portray the organization as the evil empire and Nash the innocent player. <br /><br />If you want to go the conspiracy route, here's how that would play out. Patrick (have to assume the Foghorn Leghorn voice here): Listen to me boy, when I'm talkin' to you. You wanna be in management after your career is over. Watch the maestro show you how it works. We're gonna run you out there and demand the world so we can get a decent return on Carter, otherwise we are gonna take a bath. Its a tough business son. Now if you want to put a down payment on your entry fee to management, you say you asked out. That will get us off the hook...<br /><br />I'm not saying it happened that way. I'm saying it happened the way it played out in the media. But ....Galloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06151870407426712857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-11582289318655765952012-05-03T10:54:23.241-04:002012-05-03T10:54:23.241-04:00"For the nonce"? Wonder when that phrase..."For the nonce"? Wonder when that phrase last appeared in anything written relating to hockey? Love it, Gallos! As for the review, I agree that the wins down the stretch were not like previous yearend spurts of competence - the teams beaten, this time had much to lose and yet they couldn't get it done vs. the Jackets. That said, too much can be made of the effect Todd Richards had on that success. I think any serious change in attitude and direction for this team must start with the hiring of a known, successful, experienced coach. Who? No idea, but there are some out there already, and more that figure to become available as teams drop out of the playoffs or reevaluate their past season. Since its clear that Howson will remain, the hiring of a strong coach becomes the most important offseason task facing the Jackets, even ahead of the draft pick or the trade of Nash.pete goegannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-91397419978541543022012-05-03T10:35:31.022-04:002012-05-03T10:35:31.022-04:00Cool, thanks - interested to hear your thoughts......Cool, thanks - interested to hear your thoughts...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-25244903211587989242012-05-03T08:16:26.583-04:002012-05-03T08:16:26.583-04:00I will respond later this evening. Wanted to let ...I will respond later this evening. Wanted to let you know. GallosGalloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06151870407426712857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796383459721793585.post-92227924453694800902012-05-02T22:33:35.799-04:002012-05-02T22:33:35.799-04:00Thanks for the recap! Question for you regarding N...Thanks for the recap! Question for you regarding Nash....do you think it's at all possible that upper management (after some Craig Patrick analysis) approached him and said something along the lines of, "Hey Rick, this just isn't working out. I think it might be best for both parties if we just part ways. We can even make it sound like you were the one who requested a trade. You've been very loyal to this team and we don't want to publicly embarrass you by taking away the "C", but it's time for a change." Do you think this scenario could have played out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com