Quote:
Originally Posted by dissentowner
You could make that argument for every guy looking at being a first time NHL head coach. I think how a person thinks the game, how he communicates, and how his systems work are much more important than experience. Are you saying you would take Dallas Eakins as HC over Mitch Love or Alex Tanguay? Who cares if they have been an NHL head coach before.
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Sorry, no. At least, Love had seven+two coaching seasons with the affiliate teams demonstrating some successful coaching and is very familiar with the incoming prospects in the system. That would be the logic that goes into hiring Love. Tanguay has none of that other than being a buddy of Iginla and Conroy. We laugh at the Oilers turning into the old boys club; let's not become them.
When a talented team struggles to find identity, tough and honest coaching is needed; Sutter was ideal to turn it around. He just needed 2-3 more years to complete the turnaround, I believe. I am still appalled that they had canned him for a few players disliking his coaching style and looking to blame someone for not making the playoffs. By all accounts, Sutter's style is never personal, never disrespectful or diminishing to players; it is based on their merit, effort and implementation of coach's program. I get it, times are changing and players get more and more powerful say in selecting who they want to coach them; it is what it is. Still, there are only 32 head coaching positions in the NHL. Giving it to someone undeserving would be a huge mistake.