[Signing] Washington promotes MacLellan and officially hires Barry Trotz

[bennett518]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Coach before a GM?

Or...the two most likely candidates for GM are Fenton or Shero, both of which have ties to Trotz. Their choice at GM has most certainly been consulted. Some even think the assistant GM, Mclellan, could be the new GM. We will see. As a caps fan I hope it's one of Fenton or Shero.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We'll see how Trotz handles this team. He isn't going to change Ovechkin into a grinder, he'll be better off surrounding him with defensively responsible players.

He might be able to get OV's head screwed on straight.

On a side note, Hunter had some success coaching that team a while back . I'm curious what made him walk away (and not the reason he gave).

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Super Nintendo Chalmers

He might be able to get OV's head screwed on straight.

On a side note, Hunter had some success coaching that team a while back . I'm curious what made him walk away (and not the reason he gave).

That's what it is. A good head coach will sorround Ovie with a defensive forward because Ovie just waits on the centre ice. He will never change because he thinks he is too good for the team. Leonsis will not get rid of him and it doesn't matter how much you benched the guy, he will not change. So, put one offensive forward with him and one defensive-minded forward who can also score. I think Trotz is a smart coach and I am sure he'll figure out Ovie.

[Reign of Fire]

so glad it is not the Canucks

[dammage79]

On my phone but caps have tweeted that they promote their current AGM MacLellan and hire Trotz.

[Canuck-Hater]

Glad the Canucks didn't get him!

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

I wonder if MacLellan was in Calgary yesterday as part of the '89 reunion.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I wonder if MacLellan was in Calgary yesterday as part of the '89 reunion.

He wasn't in any of the photos or videos that I saw.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I wonder if MacLellan was in Calgary yesterday as part of the '89 reunion.

I read in the anniversary thread that he was not.

[The Original FFIV]

Ouch! Not sure if MacLellan is an upgrade on McPhee or a downgrade. With Shero and others available, this hiring seems like going on the cheap, maybe to pay for Trotz's presumably big salary.

[sureLoss]

Shawn Simpson was director of hockey operations for the Capitals from 1997 to 2004

[StrykerSteve]

Good move by the Caps.

[FAN]

I don't think Trotz to the Canucks was ever a worry as there were immediate rumors that Trotz was not interested in the Canucks job. Personally, I'm not too much of a Trotz fan. Ya he hasn't had much to work with, but his playoff success is limited and he's been unable to develop any notable offensive forwards for the Preds.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think Trotz is seen as a defensive-minded coach because he had nothing else to work with in Nashville. The team is all blue line and nothing else. He installed a system to fit the team's strengths.

I think he'll find a system that works in Washington.

I won't count on that. Trotz didn't exactly set his offensive guys free. Everyone had to play the structured system that Trotz implemented. I'm not saying Trotz won't open things up a bit, but it would be silly to expect Trotz to abandon what he feels has made him a successful coach in the NHL. In reality, the Caps roster (minus Ovechkin) fits Trotz' system pretty well already, much more so than the Canucks roster.

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

I just think it's dumb to hire a coach before a GM; it makes the position immediately less attractive ... basically you've gone from "come be our GM and the ship is yours to crew" to "here's the guy you have to work with". It helps that Trotz is respected but a prospective GM would still rather make the call on a head coach himself.

In the short term I agree. But most GMs are given a chance to hire their own coach so in some ways it's not that bad to inherit a coach especially a respected one like Trotz. And in this situation, the Capitals had their new GM's approval.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Shawn Simpson was director of hockey operations for the Capitals from 1997 to 2004

yikes

[nik-]

Yeah, it seems Caps fans are relatively united on thinking this is a weak GM hire.

That sucks man, but I know how they feel. Thankfully we got to experience the flip side recently.

[killer_carlson]

I think there are people who are just laid back or reserved and some people are so unable to relate that they equate it to lack of caring.

Brian MacLellan garnered this kind of critique when he was playing as well. Don Cherry went off on him at one point. MacLellan was one of my favorites to be honest. He went and scored 4 goals and 3 goals a couple of games after Cherry's rant.

As I look at the Washington org chart, I wonder if MacLellan took Simpson's job, or ended up on top as Simpson went out. Sounds like sour grapes when you rag on the guy who essentially took your job. Remember, the caps went to the finals in 98, then missed the playoffs in 99, 2002, 03, and 04. They didn't win a round in 00 or 01. They were also pretty crap in 05 and 06 as well (the start of the Ovechkin era). Doesn't appear that Simpson was too hot at his job so i'm not putting a lot into his critique.

[Erick Estrada]

Not sure about the GM but they got the coach hire right.

[Hackey]

I really like Barry Trotz as a coach but this is going to be a real challenge for him. If he can make the Caps play to potential though I think it will go to show the quality of coach he truly is. If not it might go to show how difficult that team truly is to coach. Which I guess people already kinda know.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I really like Barry Trotz as a coach but this is going to be a real challenge for him. If he can make the Caps play to potential though I think it will go to show the quality of coach he truly is. If not it might go to show how difficult that team truly is to coach.

I myself just remembered That Trotz has an "In" as Joel Ward is currently with the caps. The reason why he has that contract that Washington gave him is because of how he played the game under Trotz who I am almost certain developed him the right way.

Ward will have an opinion in the lockeroom, likely letting his teammates know this guys knows what he is talking about.

[cral12]

Can hear MacLellan responding to queries in interviews with: "Simpson, hey..." with his best Monty Burns impersonation.