new coach?

Its time to open this subject up. How long does Cassidy last and who will the new guy be?
I think if they lose to ottawa and toronto then lose their first home game, that might well be it for Cassidy.

I nominate Larry Robinson.

I HOPE its before December.Sure that's doubtful but heres to optimism.I believe the Hockey News has rumored Laviolette as the replacement. Exactly the person we dont need. We need an offensive minded coach with EXPERIENCE who demands respect from his players.Robinson doesnt sound too bad, are all the Sutters employed still?

As an outsider, it certainly seems like a replacement may be needed. There's so much talent in that lineup and they are just not getting it done.

Robinson. He should have been the choice instead of Cassidy.

That would be my pick too. My prediction of a 3-6-1 month is looking like a pipe dream at this point, so I stick my original thought that he could be gone by the end of October.

I'd like Hunter, just to keep it in-house, but I'm not sure another coach would be able to do much better with the same roster. I'm fully blaming the players at this point.

I'd like Hunter, just to keep it in-house, but I'm not sure another coach would be able to do much better with the same roster. I'm fully blaming the players at this point.

With so much talent on this team, how can you say that?

With so much talent on this team, how can you say that?

I don't think they are that talented, to be honest. The defense is barely above AHL level. Gonchar's great, Witt is good. After that, it's kids or career minor-league players.

Kolzig's a good goalie, but has been erratic so far.

Jagr's hyper-talented, but isn't playing hard. Would he under a different coach? I highly doubt it. Cassidy and he are already having disagreements.

Lang's been the best player on the team. Bondra's been good. Zubrus has been good defensively. Outside of that, there's kids (Gordon, Semin, Pettinger, Sutherby) who need time, and vets (Halpern, Kono, Grier) who have not been playing well at all. Will a new coach be able to get them to the level that they should be at, or are they at that level now? I tend to think the latter.

I don't think there would be significantly different results had a different coach been installed at the beginning of the season.

So, if you consider a line-up of Jagr, Lang, Bondra, Kolzig and Gonchar talented, then yes, there's a lot of talent on the team. After them, there is a significant drop-off.

That's pretty much how I can say that.

Also, it should be noted that Garrioch is reporting that McPhee is ready to fire Cassidy. Obviously, since it's Garrioch, take it with a grain of salt.

The thread can be found here:

http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?postid=341962#post341962

I HOPE its before December.Sure that's doubtful but heres to optimism.I believe the Hockey News has rumored Laviolette as the replacement. Exactly the person we dont need. We need an offensive minded coach with EXPERIENCE who demands respect from his players.Robinson doesnt sound too bad, are all the Sutters employed still?

Which do you want? an offensive minded coach or a Sutter brother? they are not one in the same. A Sutter brother is a Dale Hunter figure.
Its about work ethic and accountability. About pushing as hard as you can. Its about aggression. Its not about being offensive minded though.
Laviolette makes no sense at all. He was largely killed by the lack or production from Alexi Yashin. Jagr is the same Yashin problem only with more talend and greater expectations.

Which do you want? an offensive minded coach or a Sutter brother? they are not one in the same. A Sutter brother is a Dale Hunter figure.
Its about work ethic and accountability. About pushing as hard as you can. Its about aggression. Its not about being offensive minded though.
Laviolette makes no sense at all. He was largely killed by the lack or production from Alexi Yashin. Jagr is the same Yashin problem only with more talend and greater expectations.

I want either/or.A coach who will teach that aggression you speak of.One who will use our big guys as big guys, forcing them to dig in corners and create havoc in front. OR a coach like Sutter who demands-and-has-earned-respect.I just dont feel anyone on this team respects Butch and his achievements(or lackthereof),his system or anything about the guy.

So, if you consider a line-up of Jagr, Lang, Bondra, Kolzig and Gonchar talented, then yes, there's a lot of talent on the team. After them, there is a significant drop-off.


That's the case on pretty much every team. That's why it's up to the coach to find the chemistry that produces the best results. Take the Blues for example. Do you really think that Scott Mellanby is a 26 goals scorer this late in his career? No... his coach found a way to maximize his output. Dallas Drake scored 20 for the first time in his career last year. Again, the coach found a way to maximize his output.

I'd like Hunter, just to keep it in-house, but I'm not sure another coach would be able to do much better with the same roster. I'm fully blaming the players at this point.

Hockey is the game where coaching changes seem to have the greatest effect, in fact. So, I could not disagree with you more. In the Capitals case they need a coach that has the respect on day one of the Caps bunch of elite players, particularly Jagr. They also need a coach that can coach young players and develope their game and their confidence.
So...they need a respected name that is a master motivator, who is also a quality teaching coach. The Capitals are short on talent on the blue line, no question. They have 3 top 4 defensemen, only if Eminger can keep his growing pains to a minimum. However, they have enough world class talent to be able to score more goals than 2 in TO, 1 in Montreal, 2 in Dallas, and 1 in St. Louis. They have not held the lead since the first period of the Atlanta game.

Fully blame the players if you wish, but consider this. Someone is benched every game. Last nights stats showed that Lang and Bondra were benched for long stretchs. Before that it was Jagr, before that Halpern and Kono and before that Zubrus and Miller.
Cassidy insists on keeping Bondra on the checking line, where it seems evident that Kono-Halpern-Grier are much more of a force together than seperated. That Bondra is dragging down the defensive effort of Halpern and Kono than he is increasing their offensive output. In fact Bondra has 2 ppg's and 1 goal when he was the 6th skater during a delayed penalty. Meaning that none of his goals have come with 11 or 22 on the ice. The same can be said for Grier. Is he doing more bouncing back and forth between Lang and Jagr's groups than Bondra could be doing and is he doing more on the top 2 lines than he could be done with Kono and Halpern?
Some of Cassidy's line juggling makes no sense either. Last night he had Jagr with Sutherby and Gordon...then Sutherby and Pettinger. He started the night with Semin and Gordon.
Cassidy insists on Kwiatkowski playing Gonchar. Last night he played that two on one like he never saw the 2nd guy and he got burned. No wonder Gonchar isn't producing anything at even strenth.
This all stuff that a coach can change.

I think the two logical choices are Robinson and Hunter.

Robinson has been looking for the right situation and the Caps might be if for him. What he brings is that Scotty Bowman/Montreal mistique and the Cup in NJ. He was an elite player and played with some of the most elite players of his time. He commands respect from those players. He understands offense and defense and goaltending. He was rod langway with skill. He can teach, players and teach a system. The only question is would he take the job.

Hunter is a heart and sole guy. Tony Granato to 5th power. He commands great respect and knows what a 100% effort is. Something has been missing from the Capitals since he left and bringing him in to coach and have his presence around could be all that is necessary. I only wonder if a guy like Jagr would be impressed by a guy like Dale Hunter.

Txpd & Degroat - Good points. I don't neccessarily agree, but good points. I guess I place a premium on a player working his @ss off on the ice at all times, which is where I think the Caps have been lacking, and I don't think it's been all the coaches' (Wilson and Cassidy) fault.

Txpd & Degroat - Good points. I don't neccessarily agree, but good points. I guess I place a premium on a player working his @ss off on the ice at all times, which is where I think the Caps have been lacking.

I understand your point, but if your team isn't putting forth the effort required to win hockey games in the NHL, then it's the coaches job to do something about it. Maybe he needs to change the system. Maybe he needs to change the lines. My guess that what he needs to do probably isn't to speak out publicly against his players like he did after the game last night.

IMO, the key to the Caps' offense is to make Jagr happy. He has proven he can play with much less talented players. Cassidy needs to find the players that compliments Jagr's game the best. Assuming that one of those players isn't Bondra, the Caps could easily be rolling two very potent scoring lines.

Txpd & Degroat - Good points. I don't neccessarily agree, but good points. I guess I place a premium on a player working his @ss off on the ice at all times, which is where I think the Caps have been lacking, and I don't think it's been all the coaches' (Wilson and Cassidy) fault.

accept in hockey it seems to be the difference in coaching that makes a difference in giving maximum effort consistantly. i also think that coaches can tend to tear a player's desire down as well. Robert Lang and Peter Bondra were benched last night. After being the most consistant forwards for the season so far...they got bagged last night by cassidy. his line juggling is reaching epic proportions. you can kill a player's confidence like that. particular young players and sensitive egoed skill players. part of coaching is managing people and personalities.
Additionally I see signs on a regular basis now that Cassidy is cracking under the strain. first he was on the bench alone in the dark 5 minutes early for the start of the 3rd period in TO. Then his yelling match with Jagr in Dallas. Then the wild line juggling in St Louis and his terse comments after the game. He seems to be losing his control.

I would die for an agressive defensive minded coach right now. I'm so sck of Cassidy's non-system. The players are all over the ice, have no type of assignments unless they make thier own decisons to do something. I want a coach who's gonna take a guy on the bench and tell him he's doing the wrong thing when he's out of position. I don't want to see a coach getting yelled at and ignoring the players. Cassidy was a good thought. But face it. Taking him from the AHL and throwing him into a head coaching job is no different then throwing a 18 year old on the first line. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they can't take the pressure and bust.

Personally, I want a coach that demands accountability and who rewards grit, hard-work, hustle, heart, and effort. I don't think the man needs to be an offensively minded guru. With the talent we have, I think that with the previously mentioned demands being met, the offense would be created on its own. Seriously, when you can put Jagr, Bondra, Gonchar, and Lang on a power play unit, the 5th guy could be a traffic cone and they'd still break 20%. Want an offense for that? ...here you go: "Gimme an umbrella with Gonchar on the top, Bondra to the right point, Jagr low right and Lang on the left.... ummm... hell, Peatie! go stand in front of the net!

Remember the Kono-Halpern-Dahlen line of 2 years ago? That line SHUTDOWN anyone it played against. I remember believing that if we could play that line all 60 minutes in every game, we'd win the Cup with ease. The puck just never left the offensive zone, the cycling was picture perfect. When it was in the opposition's possession, they couldn't hardly get a pass off before one of those 3 were all over them like an angry bee.

I think a coach that is more along the lines of a Robinson, Ted Nolan, a Sutter Brother, or Dave King could get our team playing with that kind of fire. Hell, bring back Schoney. I think even a guy like Melrose would be a giant step in the right direction. Coaches like that will immediately see the disaster that our blue line is with its current pairings. I think our Grand Rapids Griffins infection would be cleared up immediately. Gruden, Kiwi and Miller would be sent to Portland, and Yonkman, Berry and Mink would be up with the club. All 4 lines get rolled, players are happy because they are rewarded based on performance, and not on whether they played in Grand Rapids before.

:handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

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Ted Nolan will never coach in the NHL again. Period, end of story.

Would Hunter be willing to leave London for the NHL though? From what I've heard he really has a good thing going on up there...but it would be great to have our last true leader back in DC...i know this might be a stretch but what about johansson being an assistant or something

There is no doubt that coacing is a HUGE problem on this team.....Cassidy is in way over his head. He has no idea how to deal with veteran players. No better example than Calle......Would Calle have retired had there been a different coach behind the bench? I think its a fair question.....last year he wasnt the player he had been over the years...but still way better than the crap they have now.

If Cassidy is fired be sure the "Jagr gets another coach fired" crew will come out of the woodwork.....and this time it wont be fair. Cassidy has no system....none.....he deserves to be fired.

as for a new coach...I like the Robinson idea for many reasons. I do not think they should hire Hunter. What about Trottier? I feel strongly that any success this team has is directly linked to Jagr...like it or not. Would he respond to Trottier? I still like the Robinson idea best....just throwing another name out

Its time for GMGM to correct his biggest mistake to date....which is hiring butch.....many of us said from the start it was a mistake (hiring a rookie HC for a veteran team in a win now mode)....the whole process was a train wreck.....all along he said he had a guy in mind....he should not have said that....clearly it wasnt Butch he had in mind the whole time.

argh......

Calle was playing like crap, and frankly, deserved to be benched. I lost a little respect for Calle when it was such an issue, to be honest.

Calle was playing like crap, and frankly, deserved to be benched. I lost a little respect for Calle when it was such an issue, to be honest.

but benched in favor of the crap they put out there? Kiwi? C'mon....even Calle not playing his best is much better than Kiwi.

The fact it was in a multiple OT game in the playoffs...facing elimination....made it worse.....also...as I recall he was benched for not hammering players...not becasue of his play. It was more to send a message...and IMO a mistake...the fact they lost with Butch's guys out there running around...and Calle on the bench supports that.

When cassidy was first hired I thought to myself that maybe GMGM had found a good young coach who needed a chance. But at this point I think the only thing could possibly turn this foundering ship around is a coaching change. I know its early and all that but I'm seeing the same problems that he had last year and now they are just worse.

Txpd & Degroat - Good points. I don't neccessarily agree, but good points. I guess I place a premium on a player working his @ss off on the ice at all times, which is where I think the Caps have been lacking, and I don't think it's been all the coaches' (Wilson and Cassidy) fault.

Bust your ass at all times. The list of players in the NHL with less talent, that make it in this league because of great work ethic, is long.

but benched in favor of the crap they put out there? Kiwi? C'mon....even Calle not playing his best is much better than Kiwi.

The fact it was in a multiple OT game in the playoffs...facing elimination....made it worse.....also...as I recall he was benched for not hammering players...not becasue of his play. It was more to send a message...and IMO a mistake...the fact they lost with Butch's guys out there running around...and Calle on the bench supports that.


Calle at his worst was better than every d-man we have on the roster now except Gonchar and Witt.

Calle at his worst was better than every d-man we have on the roster now except Gonchar and Witt.

I dunno Eminger has been pretty impressive to me

I dunno Eminger has been pretty impressive to me

I was just checking rookie stats online, and Eminger is leading all rookies in ice time 21+ minutes a game. Pretty good. I would still trust Calle on the PK right now over #8. I really like Eminger's puck handling. Nice to see him move the puck up ice.

Bust your ass at all times. The list of players in the NHL with less talent, that make it in this league because of great work ethic, is long.

Yea, but the list of players that reach elite status based on their work ethic is short. the caps biggest problem is their biggest star, jagr. big performances from jagr can fix this mess. getting jagr to play like matt pettinger is much more difficult than getting brian sutherby to play like matt pettinger.

I wish you guys Mario Tremblay. I think he's by far the best available option. Great motivator, doesn't shy away from confrontation and has learned a lot on the technical side under Lemaire.

(ok might not be easily available, but I'm sure something can be arranged with the Wild)

Keep the coach, loose Jagr. If you do hire a new coach still get rid of Jagr, that guy hasnt been motivated in quite a while and it is time for him to take some of the blame.