5 Coaches On The Brink

Insane, isn’t it? The season hasn’t even started – hell, training camp either – and here’s PTH already jumping the gun on which coaches may be thrown overboard if they don’t get their ship pointing in the right direction (i.e.: away from Port Suckage). In the last few years we saw the Leafs, Senators, Thrashers and – most recently – the Capitals make early-to-mid season changes. Sometimes it works (helloooo Caps) and sometimes it makes zero difference (hi Sens).

So here’s our list of who we think are the most vulnerable bench bosses:

• Peter Laviolette: Since winning the Stanley Cup three seasons ago it’s been all downhill for Peter and his team. Since his winning run, the Canes have failed to make the post-season two seasons in a row. That is bad. Very, very bad. If Laviolette can’t put up better than a .500 in the first 20 games of this season, wait for everyone to say he’s “been tuned out”. Au revoir Laviolette.
• Michel Therrien: Sure he got an extension and he guided his young and talented team to the Stanley Cup final. So what? Rumors have been rampant that he doesn’t get a long with his stars, and that his temper is not as under control as some say. He has a history of working well with young talent, but not-so-well with older talent. Well, his team is growing up. The Pens may need a coach that can take them to the next level…
• Denis Savard: With amazing trades, incredible talent and a revamped head office, expectations are sky-high in Chicago. Savard has barely coached two seasons with the team, so he’s being given the benefit of the doubt. But that benefit ends this season. Chicago loves ya, Denis, but if you can’t win with the team management created, bye-bye.
• Barry Melrose: He hasn’t coached in over 10 years and may actually have no idea what he’s doing. That said, we think that Barry will be given carte blanche for the first season even if he defies physics and posts 83 losses. The dynamic duo owners in Tampa Bay right now are too frigthened to hurt anyone’s feelings so they will prolly keep him 3-4 years longer than any other normal team would.
• Scott Gordon: Who? Oh yeah, the New York Islanders hired a coach recently didn’t they? It is quite likely that Scott Gordon will do a great job and perhaps guide the Islanders to a very respectable showing. Then he’ll get fired. Why? Not sure, but it may be because GM Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang won’t see him fitting in unless he shows that he’s just as nuts as they are. If he can coach a winning team while dressed-up as a different He-Man character each game I think he’ll show management that he’s got what it takes to be around for the long haul. (Personally, I’d like to see Snout Spout, Man-E-Faces and , uh, Fisto.)