Choices, Choices

Coach Q is out. I defended him in the thick of the playoffs, but looking back we could have won the Wild series a game or two sooner if he had (taken my advice and) rotated his bottom lines into the mix more consistently as he did in games four, five, and six. Overall, he wasn’t a bad coach… but he was a lame duck when it came to in-game strategizing, and in the playoffs that is an enormous factor.

After reconsidering all the options today it occurred to me that Ron Wilson (now the ex-coach of the San Jose Sharks) is taking the fall predominantly for his players’ poor performances in the playoffs.

All of the games in the Dallas series were so close that a big game (a big period, a big shift) by the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, or even Jonathan Cheechoo could have easily swung the series the other way. Thornton failed to score in that whole series, and Marleau was a non-factor in games one and two before scoring a goal in both games three and four. Then he disappeared again for the rest of the series. Cheechoo scored just once in the series. The Sharks’ star players failed them, not their coach, and Ron Wilson took the fall despite coaching his team past the first round of the playoffs three out of his four years with the team.

And Wilson’s resume is pretty stellar compared to most of the other options. Tortorella (who led his Lightning to a Cup Championship victory) is the only other coach that can boast any kind of consistent success in the NHL. I could also see taking a flier on Chris Stewart or John Anderson (both VERY successful minor league coaches,) but the NHL is a whole different animal and that’s risky business. Especially when considering that Joe Sakic’s return may depend on GM François Giguère’s decision.

Giguère has said that he will take his time with this decision, likely waiting until after the playoffs have concluded. As such, I will take my time deciding as well. For now, I see this as a four horse race, with an additional warning that if an ex-Maple Leafs coach is chosen (two of the potential candidates fit this bill) I will personally construct and operate the “Fire Coach X/Y” bandwagon immediately after their official hiring.