Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
Goaltending wasn’t great, especially Hiller, but Hiller was the second stringer that year and Ramo had a better save % than a goalies who had far better records. Because their team was better, or at least were better coached, or both. Niemi, Lehtonen, Ward, Rinne.
Hartley’s team just wasn’t good, and no, they didn’t like playing for him.
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That year was a mess. Dougie Hamilton was awful the first 20, Brodie was out for October, and the three headed goalie monster was there. Amateur hour. It put them in a brutal hole
Hiller wasn’t second stringer, they sent Ramo to Stockton in late Oct. if I recall correctly
And do you not remember how demoralizing Hiller’s GA were for the team? His body language and their response? The team that overachieved the year prior could not outscore the bad goaltending
It was only later in the year the team started turning around and playing consistently when Ramo steadied the tending, and when he blew out his knee, the wheels came right off.
Yeah, Hartley was tough on the team and at the same time, Brad never wanted to keep him. The Jack Adams made it impossible for a rookie GM to fire him. Tre gladly took his first opportunity