1) Coming off their 4th strait loss last night in Calgary the reeling Phoenix Coyotes are in deep turmoil. Sporting a record of 2-8 after 10 games they find themselves buried in 15th place in the Western Conference despite having played more games than most of their opponents.
2) The head coach, The Great Gretzky sounded almost depressed after last night's loss saying among other things, "As a coach, you dwell on losing for hours and hours before the next game starts. There's no way to really relieve that disbelief of losing a hockey game."
3) Now in fairness it must be stated that the Coyotes got off to a poor start last year as well before turning things around. However, they were never in this deep a hole, and with the surge of last year expectations were higher among management and fans alike
4) Also before the rumors begin in earnest of a Gretzky resignation it has to be reminded that he is also part owner, so he can't be 'pushed' to go, only persuaded to leave if that's what the majority owner,Jerry Moyes wants. Also it can never said that Gretzky is a quitter, so we would be surprised to see Wayne give up now unless their were health issues like in the Clarke situation
5) It would be far more likely that GM Michael Barnett would be the 'fall guy' before Gretzky. Also, as we mentioned earlier this week, the Coyote players are basically all up for grabs if the right deal is offered. We mentioned the Rangers as one of the possible clubs interested in Phoenix players. If the losing continues expect major changes in the desert, from the top on down!
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15 years ago
4 comments:
gretzky should step down, pull the whole bobby clarke press conference performance, say that the reason that the coyotes are struggling is partially to blame on him, that his mind isn't on the ice, whatever. the gretzky as a coach experiment had a lot to do with putting butts in the seats in the desert...pheonix is not a good hockey market..and its only going to get worse when the NBA starts up in november...Steve Nash and the Suns, or J.R and the Coyotes..hmmm tough choice. there are 3 big name coaches out there right now, hitchcock, quinn, and keenan...i wouldn't be surprised if one of those 3 are brought in soon to right the ship really soon.
1) We don't disagree with the poor placement of the franchise. Ofcourse nothing cures ills like winning
2) If they want to 'right the ship' we're not too keen on Iron Mike. Hitch from what we've read does better with vets than younger guys so he might not be the guy for a rebuilding team. Quinn, like Keenan would probably want to be GM as well as coach, not sure if thats a good idea.
3) Maybe the best route would be to start from scratch and bring in some fresh faces. A guy(s) who has had success in junior, or the AHL.
I remember a few years back people questioning the NHL move to Carolina, the move from Quebec to Colorado and even questioning how a franchise in New Jersey would suceed! All three are quite stable...where did that stability come from? Winning! Fan will support a winning team. It has been proven all across the NHL. Take a look at hockey hotbeds in Calgary and Edmonton who during lean years had to try every trick in the book to sell enough season tickets to get NHL Equalization money. Now after a successful playoff run for each club you can't find an empty seat in either building.
Phoenix is struggling because they have never been a winner/contender and their most recognizable player is their non-playing coach!
I keep hearing the arguement the Snowbirds will watch...but by the time the snowbirds get down to Arizona for the winter in late november the Yotes are almost elimiated from playoff contention!
hitchcock will be coaching in the desert soon...gretz and the cock have a relationship from their days working with team canada (quinn too, but well he is too old school, and unless barnett steps down as well, as gm, not a spot for the quinn). hate to agree with spector after your little tiff with him last week..but read his fox blog today, and he breaks down the desert situation far better then i could.
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