[News] Preds fire Laviolette. John Hynes named HC

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

I would not be in a rush to hire Laviolette. I think Ward earned the chance to finish out the year. I don't see the coach as the problem.

Ward doesn't necessarily have to be a problem, but like with players, this is still an opportunity to make a big upgrade.

[TheScorpion]

Pierre Lebrun
@PierreVLebrun

Laviolette had this year and next season left on his contract which pays around $2.5 million, which the Predators must honour unless he ends up hired elsewhere before the expiry of that deal

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I realize Laviolette has an excellent track record, but I don't necessarily see it as necessarily improving the team. I recall Brent Sutter as an incredible upgrade. It doesn't always work that way.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Aleks

Are you serious? Top coaches don't just come around every day. If you aren't going to jump on this opportunity then you'll always be hiring second tier coaches. You take it when you get it, no questions asked.

Ward vs Laviolette aren't even in the same conversation

i would be pretty amazed if he is hired by anyone for the rest of the season. More than likely he is going to want to take some time off. Like i said, wait for off season to evaluate situation.

[Table 5]

It's possible to fix/upgrade multiple things at a time. It doesn't just have to be the coach OR the players.

[Roof-Daddy]

Lol

"Coach is safe, gonna trade players"

Couple days later...

Coach fired.

[sureLoss]

Interesting that Nashville hasn't announced a replacement yet even an interim even though they play tomorrow.

Might be finalizing a contract with someone. Pete deBoer seems to be a leading candidate according to twitter speculation.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's possible to fix/upgrade multiple things at a time. It doesn't just have to be the coach OR the players.

change it all imo, screw it.

[dammage79]

Laviolette would be a good hire. Seems to get the most put of hos team for 4 or so years.

[Roof-Daddy]

Also, the Flames would be nuts not to hire Laviolette IMO but whatever.

[SuperMatt18]

l really like Geoff Ward but Laviolette is an elite coach.

To me he’s up there with Quenneville, Trotz, and others as one of the best coaches in the league.

3 finals appearances with 3 very different teams since the lockout. Really nobody else has that kind of track record.

If they don’t go get him then I guarantee San Jose goes after him, and it would suck to have him coaching in division when you could have had him.

[WCW Nitro]

Have a feeling the Rangers will go after him

[Toonage]

The Flames have passed on every big name coach available to them recently. Or they passed on the Flames I suppose. Either way I can't see this being any different.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Peter Laviolette has been to a cup final in Philadelphia, Nashville, and Carolina since the 04 lockout. He'd IMO be an upgrade on Geoff Ward.

This is exactly why you get him now, and don't wait until end of season to decide if Ward should stick as head coach or not.

Coaches like this don't come across everyday. Get him now.

[TheScorpion]

Lots of candidates for his services I imagine:

- Devils: recently fired Hynes and interim HC Nasreddine has no past NHL HC experience
- Rangers: Quinn could be on the hot seat
- Sharks: recently fired DeBoer, interim HC Boughner has experience but Laviolette is more proven
- Flames: Peters recently resigned, interim HC Ward has no past NHL HC experience
- Stars: recently fired Montgomery, interim HC Bowness has some experience but not as much as Laviolette
- Red Wings: Blashill could be on the hot seat
- Wild: Boudreau is in the final year of his contract
- Blackhawks: Colliton could be on the hot seat

[SuperMatt18]

The real issue for the Flames is that I think Dallas and San Jose will be in on him. And I’m not sure he’s picking Calgary over either of those locations.

[topfiverecords]

Don't forget about a call from Seattle.

[activeStick]

I would think the Flames kept the 'Interim' title for Ward to keep their options open in case someone on their list becomes available.

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Lol

"Coach is safe, gonna trade players"

Couple days later...

Coach fired.

Yeah, I thought I read yesterday or the day before that Poille said that his coach was safe- glad you caught that too.

[MolsonInBothHands]

High profile and sought after or not, betting the background check will be more extensive than ever done before.

You almost have to start this process long before its time to ever start the process.