Rangers fire Vigneault

[Winsor_Pilates]

Please phone this man tonight

[ReinhartonD]

On one of the dozens of Sedin features this week I heard someone explain that it was Vigneault who changed things up in a huge way for the Sedins when he began only putting them out for offensive faceoffs.

They hated it at the time, wanted to contribute at both ends, etc., but he knew what he was doing--they had Kesler and Malhotra to do that job on the defensive end.

Gee, a coach who realizes the value of putting his most skilled offensive forward in the best position to score, rather than putting out 3rd/4th line guys for o-zone draws in the last two minutes... sign me up for that.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Surprised he was fired so early.

I think AV is one of the better coaches in the NHL, and he seems to really have a mind for the game. What I noticed a lot from having to play the Canucks while he was the coach was how many set-plays they had. It seemed like a team full of tricks up their sleeve. For instance, they ran this one play now and again where the defencemen would gain possession of the puck in the defensive zone, and instead of ringing it around the boards, off the glass, passing it to a forward or skating it out, they did something I never saw before - shoot the puck hard from their own blue-line and hit the boards at the far end of the ice, getting a rebound. A forward would already be skating hard expecting this, and would sometimes get a chance on net by himself, or hit the 2nd forward that would be trailing and skating hard.

Just a bunch of really smart little plays.

Though, one thing I really disliked was how much that team dove. No diving policy please if AV is picked!!

I don't think you can go wrong with him. He is one of those coaches that seem to make players play better and smarter as a team. I rank him as one of the top 5 or so coaches in the league

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Dion

Tre waited until May 3rd to fire Hartley.

But Hartley's team didn't massively underachieve like this year's team so maybe it took him another month to think about it before making a decision.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Inferno

But Hartley's team didn't massively underachieve like this year's team so maybe it took him another month to think about it before making a decision.

Exactly. Lots of people wouldn't have been upset to see what Hartley could do with better goaltending, then the rumours of Hartley being brought up in contract talks with Monahan and Gaudreau came about and next thing you know Hartley was fired. Seemed surprising to many of us.

With Gulitzan it's a completely different scenario. This decision could/should have been made weeks ago and would surprise nobody

[UKflames]

Not sure why some are worried about AV heavily playing vets over youngsters, we're not exactly over flowing with ageing vets other than Brouwer or am I missing something?

Edit: Just had a look and with Stajan, Glass and Bartkowski possibly/probably gone that really does only leave Brouwer. The vet thing shouldn't be a worry.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Not sure why some are worried about AV heavily playing vets over youngsters, we're not exactly over flowing with ageing vets other than Brouwer or am I missing something?

Edit: Just had a look and with Stajan, Glass and Bartkowski possibly/probably gone that really does only leave Brouwer. The vet thing shouldn't be a worry.

Gio says hi, but of course that's not an issue. Who knows, maybe Brouwer reverts to norm under a new coach too. I'd count Frolik and Backlund as vets.

[カナダ人です]

Vigneault's record over the last 12 years has been phenomenal.

9x .610 or higher winning % seasons
7x division titles
2x Stanley Cup finals
3x President's Trophies
...and 9 consecutive playoff appearances before this season.



He won't be unemployed for long...

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This is as close as you can get to a no-brainer. At least we know AV has a strong track record as a coach, so if the team falters, you then KNOW it's the personnel that need to be changed up. We all know that Brad is probably only going to get one more chance to pick a coach before his feet are put to the fire, so this is as close to a safe bet as you can make.

This is an easy decision Brad. Glen had his chance and blew it. Make your case to the owners and pay AV his money.

[Roof-Daddy]

No need to make a coaching change just for the sake of it. Only do it if there is a clear upgrade available.


This is a clear upgrade and he needs to be hired immediately IMO.

9 out of 12 100+ point seasons.

1200+ games coached.
650+ games won.

Get. It. Done.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Dion

By the time Tre makes a decision on Gully AV will have been snapped up by another team.

I hope the endless ‘process’ doesn’t interfere with a good coach hire.

[devo22]

it's a no-brainer. Get it done.

I don't share the fear of BT waiting too long. There's really no reason to contemplate GGs fate at all.

[rooster]

Originally Posted by getbak

In the last 10 seasons: 3 President's Trophies, 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances, 9 playoff appearances (3 first round losses, 3 second round losses, 1 Conference Final loss, 2 Final losses)


I don't think he'll be unemployed for long. Get on the phone, Brad.

Man I hope Treliving has this information in his brain. Now that Quenville is locked up by Chicago this may be our best option.

[Geeoff]

I don't know if anyone else has come to this conclusion, but I think AV would be a great choice for coach of the Calgary Flames

[Poe969]

I'm sure AV has already got some calls. I just hope BT isn't waiting too long so he doesn't hurt anyone's feelings, get something done ASAP

[getbak]

Since he signed an extension last summer, I assume teams will need to get the Rangers' permission to talk to Vigneault. If so, we should be hearing about the interested teams before he's hired anywhere.


It will be interesting if any more axes fall around the league today, or if it will take a few days?

[TOfan]

The Flames should certainly talk to AV. That said, there are others that may be free over the next 3-4 weeks. Trotz's tenure in Washington may be over if they get bounced early. I believe Bill Peters has an option on the last year of his deal & no one knows what is going on there.

I thinks it's either going to be Peters or GG is back with some new assistants.

[Locke]

Thunderbirds Go!

Send Conroy!

[Matty81]

Hopefully Treliving shows some decisiveness this time if he makes a change and doesn't do 6 weeks of interviews while all the proven candidates get hired.

I agree that on paper this would be an ugrade.. Would be happy to see it.

[Joborule]

Get on that #### Brad!!!!