While Dale's hockey was more stereotypical successful playoff hockey, I'm really starting to want entertaining hockey back. The playoffs are somewhat of a crapshoot. Entertaining hockey was entertaining hockey, and I think if a bounce or two had gone the Cap's way in the Montreal series Boudreau would still be here and Ovie would have had a 50-50 season this year.
I've never seen Semin be a good two way player. Hunter made him a good 1 way player who couldn't score. When has Semin ever done both with great effectiveness. NEVER. So no, I don't buy Fedorov having that kind of impact.
__________________
George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
I've never seen Semin be a good two way player. Hunter made him a good 1 way player who couldn't score. When has Semin ever done both with great effectiveness. NEVER.
I thought I'd have to wait like a month after the playoffs for something positive to happen to us. Looks like today is our lucky day!
But in all seriousness, the only thing I will commend Hunter on is the fact that he improved our team defence. Other than that, we we're mediocre with him. Statistically, we didn't improve in any area with Dale with the exception of blocked shots...
Whoever comes over to coach will be an immediate improvement, because I don't think a more conservative and defensive coach exists. We'll actually be able to score 3 goals now.
I really disliked Hunter Hockey. Sitting on a lead until it is squandered and then hoping the offense can turn on the scoring switch is not my kind of hockey. Playing your 3rd and 4th lines more than your top 2 lines is pretty dumb, all the Rangers did was play their top 2 lines and with line matching, the Caps had to play their checking lines. Not sure how Hunter expected to score goals by playing defense. I love Hunter as a player, but his coaching style frustrated me to no ends.
I heard that Todd McLellan might be available from the Sharks. Would he be someone that the Caps would look at? or because he has not playoff success, he is automatically off the list?
Finally, a proper offseason coaching change. Of course, it wasn't George's doing
Think former players, former cap players, no NHL coaching experience, and no coaching experience running the trap.
Gus
Bondra
Maybe that was nice of Dale to step down and not do something that obviously didn't feel right to him, versus milking paychecks sticking with it, doing it for George, whatever. The American Way
Maybe he saw trouble of some sort... George. Our new coach! Ha.
Finally, a proper offseason coaching change. Of course, it wasn't George's doing
Think former players, former cap players, no NHL coaching experience, and no coaching experience running the trap.
Gus
Bondra
Maybe that was nice of Dale to step down and not do something that obviously didn't feel right to him, versus milking paychecks sticking with it, doing it for George, whatever. The American Way
Tarik El-Bashir
Hunter: “I’m proud of these guys for sacrificing and doing what it takes to win. We came up a goal short, but not for a lack of effort.”
