[News] Guy Boucher let go in TB

[l33t_hax0r]

http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=661783

"Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done," said Yzerman upon making the announcement. "But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise."

Everyone knew this was coming. The Lighting have too many great pieces to be turning in this kind of season.

[bubbsy]

Ruff time?

[you got PHANUEFED]

There's a few good coaches out there for his best interest he better not go with a rookie coach.

[devo22]

Their AHL coach Jon Cooper should get a look, he has done outstanding work and has made sure that their call-ups are ready for the big show. Ruff should be the obvious candidate though.

[Trailer Fire]

Yzerman stepping up himself? I'd love to see that.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Remember when everyone was up in arms about the missed opportunity to bring in Yzerman as our GM because his 0 experience at the NHL level as a GM, or at any level for that matter (assembling team Canada for the Olympics is so not the same) was such a must have. He's certainly having his struggles (which is fine) as he learns the job.

[devo22]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Not saying TB's record wasn't factor in GB's dismissal - being down 4-0 early in last 2 GP - but decision had more to do with "culture." Key vet TB players were shutting down/tuning out. Yzerman much rather would've liked to assess at season's end, but problem was snowballing. The two obvious choices as Boucher's replacement are veteran Lindy Ruff and rising star Jon Cooper, who coaches Tampa's AHL team. Two months ago, I'd have said Cooper would succeed Boucher if there were a coaching change. Now? Much more inclined to think it will be vet.

[ricardodw]

Does this mean they will be buyers at the trade deadline?

Only 5 pts from 8th.

Their 1st pick could be very interesting but even a conditional first pick based on them making the play-offs (or first pick 2015 on thier choice) for Bouwmeester would be a great deal for the Flames.

Carle has only 11 points playing on a team with Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavlier where a offensive D-man is going to pick up assists by accident.


The glow might be coming off of Yzerman...

TB went from the nest young team in the world with 103 points in 2010-11 to where they are today.

He just signed Nate Thompson (a Tom Kostopolus level player) to a 4 year 1.6M deal....

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by devo22

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Not saying TB's record wasn't factor in GB's dismissal - being down 4-0 early in last 2 GP - but decision had more to do with "culture." Key vet TB players were shutting down/tuning out. Yzerman much rather would've liked to assess at season's end, but problem was snowballing. The two obvious choices as Boucher's replacement are veteran Lindy Ruff and rising star Jon Cooper, who coaches Tampa's AHL team. Two months ago, I'd have said Cooper would succeed Boucher if there were a coaching change. Now? Much more inclined to think it will be vet.

Last 3 or 4 Calgary Flames coaches say hi

[devo22]

Thompson is their #1 penalty killing forward though and several teams were interested in him as he was an upcoming UFA. 1.6/year is fine in my book, but the term is way too long for such a role-player though.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Does this mean they will be buyers at the trade deadline?

Only 5 pts from 8th.

They likely shouldn't be. 5 points is a long ways out at this point. In the last 17 or 18 games they need to then win 3 more times than the 8th place team.

If that 8th place team goes, say, 10-8 the Lightning need to be 13-4 which is a heck of a pace. They as well need to pass 6 teams in the process.

Unless something truly unusual happens they are done this season.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by ernie

They likely shouldn't be. 5 points is a long ways out at this point. In the last 17 or 18 games they need to then win 3 more times than the 8th place team.

If that 8th place team goes, say, 10-8 the Lightning need to be 13-4 which is a heck of a pace. They as well need to pass 6 teams in the process.

Unless something truly unusual happens they are done this season.

All true, but then why would they be making the change now?

This is a move to try and get in this season IMO. Trouble is, no new coach will help the atrocious goaltending they have received all year. I can see Yzerman going after a G in the next couple days to shore that up and see if they can go on a run.

[Sylvanfan]

Reminds me a fair bit of the 2009 Penguins. Lightning aren't quite that good, but they have more to give than what they've been showing.

What they have going for them is their Division. That might be an easier task than the 8th playoff spot.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by transplant99

All true, but then why would they be making the change now?

This is a move to try and get in this season IMO. Trouble is, no new coach will help the atrocious goaltending they have received all year. I can see Yzerman going after a G in the next couple days to shore that up and see if they can go on a run.

Maybe the locker room was in such bad shape that he decided to end it now rather than let things fester? Bring a coach in for the interim and pick his brain at the end of the season to why they tuned out Boucher and if any bad seeds also need to be shown the door. I personally don't think it's a bad time to make the chance given they were showing no signs of turning it around. Nothing to lose really as Boucher was going to be let go regardless.

[pylon]

Yeah, I was awoken at 5 am by The Score app for this world changing news. God that made me po'd. The only time I ever get notifications at that time of the day, is some sort of family emergency, or the alarm was tripped at the dealership.

Stupid Score.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Hopefully they go on a nice run with their new/interim coach!

[puckluck2]

Good.

The 1-3-1 worked for a while, but way too much skill for them to succeed long term using it. It's no wonder the veterans tuned out.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by ernie

They likely shouldn't be. 5 points is a long ways out at this point. In the last 17 or 18 games they need to then win 3 more times than the 8th place team.

If that 8th place team goes, say, 10-8 the Lightning need to be 13-4 which is a heck of a pace. They as well need to pass 6 teams in the process.

Unless something truly unusual happens they are done this season.

Normally I would agree, but that division is so bad that if they went on a bit of a run they could potentially win it.

[FAN]

Not long ago Guy Boucher was like this rising star who managed to live up to the hype in his first NHL season. His strength was suppose to be that of a master motivator. How things change quickly. I remember Lightning fans were dismissing the shouting matches between Martin St. Louis and Boucher saying St. Louis is just ultra competitive and can't stand losing.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by transplant99

All true, but then why would they be making the change now?

This is a move to try and get in this season IMO. Trouble is, no new coach will help the atrocious goaltending they have received all year. I can see Yzerman going after a G in the next couple days to shore that up and see if they can go on a run.

Yzerman really put a lot of stock in Lindback so I can't see him straying far from Lindback as his long term goalie. But, it's clear Lindback isn't ready for the full time gig. Miller, Luongo, Bernier and the other rumored available goalies fly in the face of Lindback being given the job long term. Kipper, on the other hand, fits the time table and could ease Lindbacks transition.