Confirmed with Link: Boucher: to return or not to return, that is the question

[aligator]

Ok, maybe "lost the room" was too broad and harsh on my part, and not as descriptive as I wanted it to be.

More specifically - I wonder if players have lost confidence in Boucher's "system" to deliver consistent results, and as such, maybe part of the reason this past season was as catastrophic as it was is because there were guys on the team who weren't fully buying in, and Boucher's "system" requires total comitment.

If Boucher changes things up, that could be the refresher needed. Still... I don't know why we didn't at the very least bring in one new assistant coach. Just get a guy who is a special-teams specialist. One more assistant coach isn't going to bankrupt the franchise.


I'll also say this - just my opinion here, but Boucher staying doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in Karlsson staying. I don't know why. Just a bad feeling.

You should definitely feel that way. There was/is a clear rift between Boucher and EK. I would say the probablity of EK being moved has risen to maybe 90% from 75% previously. It may even be a done deal already.

 

[BonkTastic]

don'tyou think EK would have been asked his thoughts on Boucher as part of exit interviews?

It seems likely to me that part of the DD on Boucher would entail asking the team's leadership how they feel.

That is what apparently did McLean in. Mclean changed. Players didn't like it. The rebelled. Man I liked Paul....the player 61 thing was gold!!!

I think there is a scenario where the players like the coach but hate the system, and that Boucher was retained contingent to him changing the system.

On a less appetizing note... There's also a scenario where the team has already made up their mind on EK and a divorce that would see player & team part ways, and everything that's been said since March has been lip service. It's not a scenario I like, or one that I am saying is the honest truth, but until something concrete happens on the Karlsson front, we're all talking in hypotheticals here.

 

[aragorn]

Without knowing anything regarding the hockey operations of this team I would have to think that all this has to do with the finacial health of this franchise. EM probably can't afford another GM or coach or just doesn't want to pay more money for a good one which is why he probably extended PD. KK probably wanted a raise to stay & EM probably thinks there are cheaper options.

Bringing back GB since he still has a yr left on his contract also seems to be the cheapest way out of this mess. Next season if they don't get off to a good start, it will be easy to fire GB & probably replace him with Crawford for the rest of the season & not have to pay for another new coach. I initially thought it was Trent Mann & not Troy Mann who was going to be interviewed for the HC job in Belleville & do double duty as scout & coach so EM wouldn't have to pay another salary. There's cutting corners & there's frugal but how soon before the skating Prime Ministers get fired? Watch your back Spartacat, EM's looking to talk to you.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

When does Dorion extend Boucher? If we get off to a good start ? sooner than later?

 

[BondraTime]

Without knowing anything regarding the hockey operations of this team I would have to think that all this has to do with the finacial health of this franchise. EM probably can't afford another GM or coach or just doesn't want to pay more money for a good one which is why he probably extended PD. KK probably wanted a raise to stay & EM probably thinks there are cheaper options.

Bringing back GB since he still has a yr left on his contract also seems to be the cheapest way out of this mess. Next season if they don't get off to a good start, it will be easy to fire GB & probably replace him with Crawford for the rest of the season & not have to pay for another new coach. I initially thought it was Trent Mann & not Troy Mann who was going to be interviewed for the HC job in Belleville & do double duty as scout & coach so EM wouldn't have to pay another salary. There's cutting corners & there's frugal but how soon before the skating Prime Ministers get fired? Watch your back Spartacat, EM's looking to talk to you.

Too late, it's already done with, per Eugene

 

[BonkTastic]

Too late, it's already done with, per Eugene

I loved those guys.

R.I.P. Gigantic Inflatable Robert Borden.

 

[LastWordArmy]

He may be back, but expect Boucher's leash to be short
Ottawa Senators Guy Boucher Has a Short Leash Next Season - Last Word on Hockey

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[BonkTastic]

"Changes must be made, unless changes costs money, in which case screw changes".

 

[JD1]

I think there is a scenario where the players like the coach but hate the system, and that Boucher was retained contingent to him changing the system.

On a less appetizing note... There's also a scenario where the team has already made up their mind on EK and a divorce that would see player & team part ways, and everything that's been said since March has been lip service. It's not a scenario I like, or one that I am saying is the honest truth, but until something concrete happens on the Karlsson front, we're all talking in hypotheticals here.

I think there's a bit too much criticism of the system and last year when we were quite successful a bit too much credit. The Sens have the LD step up more frequently and we had better personnel to do that last year than this year. But in our zone it's pretty standard. When we forecheck it's the same as everyone else. .. we just don't do it that much. I don't give a lot of credence to this stuff we read here about having to be on a spot, skates tilted the right way etc. it's funny to read just not very accurate imo.

I certainly hope the EK situation is not a foregone conclusion and that the team makes an honest effort to sign him. There is a point where it gets pretty expensive and to me there's no doubt if EK's priority is maximizing his salary he's gone.

Going to be an interesting summer

 

[Ray Kinsella]

"Changes must be made, unless changes costs money, in which case screw changes".

“Changes MUST be made, but not by us”.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I'd like to see the plan and where we are on it... Moved Brassard for futures so far .. Are there more roster changes for futures coming ... (other than possible buy outs (Burrows,Gaborik)).

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[BondraTime]

It was all obvious lip service, which was eaten up by many unsurprisingly

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[Rand0m]

After the worst season in over 20 years, there are zero changes in the coaching staff, incredible. It's not like the roster was devoid of talent. You'd think the goaltending coach would be let go at the very least. The goaltending was the main reason and catalyst as to why this season went horribly wrong, why did both goalies suddenly forget how to play?

Ah well, I guess it's cheaper to keep the current staff and forget trying to put a competitive product on the ice. You know what will happen, this team without Karlsson will inevitably be pretty bad, Boucher will last a few dozen games. Then after a second 7-8 game losing streak, he'll be fired and will be replaced with Crawford. Nothing else will change with the coaching staff. The team will go on a small tear but eventually finish bottom 10 anyway. Colorado will of course win the Draft Lottery with the Sens pick.

 

[God Flower]

My interpretation of the sequence of events involving the decision to keep Boucher and the rest of the coaching staff:

1. Dorion tells media on April 12th that changes need to be made, but that he won't make any decisions about Boucher until after the draft lottery. He says Boucher is still a good coach, despite the team finishing 30th.

Translation: Dorion tells Boucher you sucked this year, but you had a great season year one, so I'm giving you 2 weeks to come up with a new plan or you're gonzo. Why would Dorion need 2 weeks to make up his mind? It's not like he was busy. All he had to do was sit and pray for Dahlin.

2. Boucher makes his presentation to Dorion following the draft lottery.

3. Dorion announces that Boucher and his staff will remain with the team and that Guy will be responsible for the PP, etc...

Translation: Either Guy Boucher is a hockey savant with a beautiful mind, or he is the greatest salesman of all time. I doubt his post draft lottery meeting with Dorion went as well as the 8 hour love fest when he first interviewed for the job, but he must have wowed him enough to save his job for the time being.

So when you ask yourself what kind of changes will we see next season, I think the system, PP, and PK will get a complete overhaul, otherwise Boucher would be gone. Why else would Dorion give him his blessing? The system clearly wasn't working last year with the personnel we were deploying and the players seemed disengaged. I also think they will hire a new coach in Belleville whose style blends well with the "new plan". If Boucher falters next year, then the Belleville coach will assume interim responsibilities.

Anyway, that's my take on how things unfolded. Should be fun to see what Boucher has in store for the team next season. He has 4 months to refine his new plan, so let's see what he's got! If it doesn't work out, he always has a career in sales.

 

[Ice-Tray]

I normally wouldn't scare as easy and typically do not worry about possible future outcomes that may or may not occur but here it just seems like their is way way too much smoke not to be a bit of fire there, We have had a lot of previous success but that shouldn't mean we accept incompetence as part of the ebbs and flows of cheering for a sports team and certainly not when it appears to be the owner's own doing.

Im not sure if there will ever be an owner who can put this franchise into championship contender status perennially considering our tax/weather and media situation in Canada but I know the current guy is not the one to do it, ive never hoped I would be more wrong as far as sports is concerned but sadly I believe we are in for some very very rough years ahead.

I agree, I just can't let my emotions get tied up with the goings on behind the scenes. There is so much disinformation floating around, that it's enough to get the mildest folks wound up as we see in here.

There will be change, what that is has me intrigued.

 

[Tnuoc Alucard]

Why is that? Would you say its because our owner has no money?? Seems like that's what you are getting at.

Wow, is that what you comprehend when you read that post?

What I'm saying, is that he's still collecting another $8.25 Million over the next two seasons, for doing nothing.

Maybe he does some TV work, or something in the next two years.

 

[Cosmix]

Another fine mess that Melnyk, or is it Dorion, got us into!

 

[Ray Kinsella]

I agree, I just can't let my emotions get tied up with the goings on behind the scenes. There is so much disinformation floating around, that it's enough to get the mildest folks wound up as we see in here.

There will be change, what that is has me intrigued.

“There is so much disinformation floating around, that it's enough to get the mildest folks wound up as we see in here.”

Who, in your opinion, are the “mildest folks” as opposed to “the others”? Honestly, no sarcasm. Really wondering what your call is...

 

[JD1]

so based on PD's interview if Boucher is doing the PP and Crawford is doing 5 on 5, does that imply a completely different 5 on 5 system employed by Crawford? And Boucher gets 20 games or so to show special teams improvement and if it's not there, he's out and Crawford is in without having to go through a mid season system change? It seems to be setting up that way.

We sucked last year. Lots of reasons for it that have been beaten to death here. Some of the reasons point directly back to Boucher. But I suspect he wasn't buried by the players in the exit interviews and his year 1 ECF is buying some time to change direction. I like the idea of Crawford handling 5 on 5 presuming that implies a different system.

 

[Micklebot]

so based on PD's interview if Boucher is doing the PP and Crawford is doing 5 on 5, does that imply a completely different 5 on 5 system employed by Crawford? And Boucher gets 20 games or so to show special teams improvement and if it's not there, he's out and Crawford is in without having to go through a mid season system change? It seems to be setting up that way.

We sucked last year. Lots of reasons for it that have been beaten to death here. Some of the reasons point directly back to Boucher. But I suspect he wasn't buried by the players in the exit interviews and his year 1 ECF is buying some time to change direction. I like the idea of Crawford handling 5 on 5 presuming that implies a different system.

If Crawford handling the 5v5 implies a completly different system, it's almost as though Boucher got demoted and Crawford is the HC now. Not sure that's what's happening here. I suspect minor tweaks, and a change of duties at practice.

 

[BonkTastic]

If Crawford handling the 5v5 implies a completly different system.

Completely different in ethos, too.

Crawford and Boucher, historically at leadt, before they were on the same coaching staff together, have had completely different philosophies about coaching. Boucher has always been a "tight systems" guy. Crawford has historically been a "run & gun" kind of coach that promotes a fast, relentless attacking system. Basically the antithesis of a Boucher team.

If Crawford is indeed the 5v5 guy, it could look like a completely different team.

 

[Micklebot]

Completely different in ethos, too.

Crawford and Boucher, historically at leadt, before they were on the same coaching staff together, have had completely different philosophies about coaching. Boucher has always been a "tight systems" guy. Crawford has historically been a "run & gun" kind of coach that promotes a fast, relentless attacking system. Basically the antithesis of a Boucher team.

If Crawford is indeed the 5v5 guy, it could look like a completely different team.

If only we could find the happy medium...

I also think it's funny that Dorion (I think) was saying we got away from what we are, a skating team. If you had to describe this team and it's system, that's not really what I'd have gone with