Prior posts indicate I am in favor of retaining Torts under current situation. In interest of full disclosure, I still am, but...
For the sake of argument, I will set my preference for retaining Torts aside completely and will assume for purposes of any following discussion that Torts is no longer HC (resigns, fired, not renewed, doesn't matter how). CBJ looking for a new HC, with JK still the GM.
Someone explain to me how Gerard Gallant keeps being mentioned as the best option of a new coach for this CBJ team. He will be 58 years old in September 2021. Yes, I know Torts will be 63 in June 2021, but this isn't about Torts. Yes, I know Gallant had crazy initial success with VGK - but he was canned soon thereafter in year 3 (see below). He had moderate success in FLA - canned in year 3. Is the crush on Gallant because of the perceived wide-open style we think VGK played under him? If that's the perception, it's a bit misguided. Gallant's coaching style (as far as play is concerned) is not far removed from Torts' style - "hard to play against, relentless forecheck." They outworked teams, not out-skilled them. The one difference from Torts may be a bit more focus on speed through the neutral zone. We don't have that kind of roster. Is it because Gallant is viewed as a "player's coach?" Does that translate into the "country club" atmosphere that so many of us wanted CBJ to get away from? I don't know, but he's just not my choice if there is a replacement coming.
Many of us saw Gallant's coaching here in Columbus some years ago - "meh" would have been my reaction. I know the Jackets' roster was not very good then , but nothing stood out to me then (or now). And the country club atmosphere was in vogue during his tenure (not necessarily caused by him, but it was here then). I realize he may have grown away from that - but not willing to take that chance.
Gallant's firings after CBJ were weird.
FLA improved by 25 points in Gallant's 1st yr in FLA, compared to year before; FLA makes playoffs and wins division in year 2 but gets bounced in 1st round, and then fires Gallant after only 22 games in year 3, while one game over the NHL's definition of .500 hockey. What happened?
VGK was wildly successful run for an expansion team, not only in year 1, but also got back to PO's in year 2, losing in first round. Gallant is fired slightly after halfway point of year 3, while 5 games over .500 (NHL definition), following a 4-game losing streak. There was magic in that first year at Vegas, but not all or mostly because of him. And he gets fired mid-stream in year 3. What happened?
Something not quite right here. I don't intend to bash/trash or suggest anything untoward about Gallant. Just not understanding several posters thinking he's THE guy to be HC of CBJ, when he's not won the SC, when many of us remember him from previous gig here, and when he's routinely gone in year 3 (same 3rd year firing by CBJ, ultimately replaced by Hitch).
Maybe Covid prevented Gallant from landing another HC job for this season - but he clearly didn't make GM/PRES/OWNER happy at the last 2 stops for some reason. If CBJ is to change coaches, I'd suggest making it a younger coach. I'd run through brick walls for Torts, but I can't skate so not much help I'd be. And I'm also in Torts' generation, and he was the kind of coach I wanted back in the day. And yet many here suggest that Torts has not found the best way to communicate with younger players these days. So why hire Gallant, instead of someone 20 years younger?
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