Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Lombardi did an okay job assembling talent but he was missing on his coaching hires as Crawford was a terrible choice and Terry Murray stifled the team offensively. I don't buy that he is garbage at all as he assembled a two time Stanley Cup winner from the ground up without once picking first overall and it simply took a matter of getting the right coach. No different than when the Hawks hired Quenneville.
|
Terry Murray was the perfect coach for a team early in a rebuild. He has an expiration date for sure, but his demeanor and patience with young players, along with his ability to create confidence in players even when wins aren't coming was a good fit. Sutter's job was easier because of the defensive structure instilled by Terry Murray. Any team rebuilding should be giving a serious look at Terry Murray as a three year building coach, then hand the reigns over to a coach who can fire up a team and show them how to play on an edge and aggressive without unnecessary risk. Even in hindsight, there's no way anyone in the Kings organization sees Murray's hiring as a mistake. I want to say Murray has a cup ring at the request of the Kings. I'd have to double check that to be sure.
Crawford on the other hand, along with Cloutier, I can't speak to because I've never heard Lombardi discuss that situation.
I'll also add, Lieweke never interfered in hockey decisions. Lombardi has never been denied funding or told what moves to make. It was a requirement for taking the job because of what Dave Taylor went through as GM. That article seems to be pure rubbish.