worstfaceoffmanever
These Snacks Are Odd
There seems to be a consensus - which has been extant and growing for some time - that it's time for Trotz to be relieved, and his dismissal is more a matter of when than if with the state of affairs on the ice. The next matter, then, is tabbing his replacement. This thread is an effort to start that discussion (or present merits on why Trotz should be retained), beginning with the junior coach on the staff, Phil Housley.
Housley's track record as a coach is an admittedly short one; however, he has had success with the US National Team as the head coach of the U-20 team that won gold in Russia and an assistant on the USMNT that took bronze at last year's World Championships. This season, he as made an immediate difference in the look and style of our defense, guiding Shea Weber and Roman Josi toward the best seasons of their respective careers in the process. His work with the power play has seen it go from 17.1% in 2013 to 20.6% in 13-14.
As far-fetched as it might seem, I think Housley might have been brought in as insulation against this sort of situation (and, IIRC, others have expressed this opinion at varying points of the year as well). While his inexperience could hamper him, I would point to the example of Dan Bylsma, who was in the middle of his first year as a professional head coach with WBS when he got promoted to Pittsburgh. Housley has not been here long enough to have been "tainted" by the organizational philosophy, and could bring a newer, more offense-minded team to the ice in Nashville (or, at the very least, a less rigid system that can adapt to the varying styles of its players).
Is Phantom Phil the man to succeed Trotz, or is there someone else you have in mind? Discuss.
Housley's track record as a coach is an admittedly short one; however, he has had success with the US National Team as the head coach of the U-20 team that won gold in Russia and an assistant on the USMNT that took bronze at last year's World Championships. This season, he as made an immediate difference in the look and style of our defense, guiding Shea Weber and Roman Josi toward the best seasons of their respective careers in the process. His work with the power play has seen it go from 17.1% in 2013 to 20.6% in 13-14.
As far-fetched as it might seem, I think Housley might have been brought in as insulation against this sort of situation (and, IIRC, others have expressed this opinion at varying points of the year as well). While his inexperience could hamper him, I would point to the example of Dan Bylsma, who was in the middle of his first year as a professional head coach with WBS when he got promoted to Pittsburgh. Housley has not been here long enough to have been "tainted" by the organizational philosophy, and could bring a newer, more offense-minded team to the ice in Nashville (or, at the very least, a less rigid system that can adapt to the varying styles of its players).
Is Phantom Phil the man to succeed Trotz, or is there someone else you have in mind? Discuss.