I have said for quite some time, this team needs a coach with a name as big as the players that are on it. I don't think it's any wonder why Chicago has had the success they have had with Quenneville behind the bench. Despite the names and the accolades some of the players on that team have, Quenneville is a guy who must be respected because he was coaching in this league when these guys were in pampers. We could use coach who has an extended track record that is decades long and has an ego that is just as big as some of the players on this team may or may not have.
It will never happen because the guy is content where he's at, but I believe Larry Robinson would be a great fit here. Hall of Famer, 1st round pick, Canada Cups, 2 handfuls of Cup rings (as a coach and a player), Norris, Conn Smyth, and undoubtedly one of the best at his craft for 20 years, working in the Montreal pressure cooker. When he would walk in the room, not one single person could question his credentials. Not to mention, with the defensemen coming up...I mean, come on.
That's just my two cents.
I think your posts have been dead on lately.
Craig Patrick had a similar problem with the very talented late '80's Pens. He came into a situation in which the previous two coaches were not respected at all by Mario and company, Creamer and Ubriaco. Patrick upon arrival took over the bench on an interim basis and then knew what type of coach he wanted. He brings in a guy they with some clout and respect around the league in Bob Johnson, and of course Scotty Bowman.
Of course it is different now, as those coaches Creamer and Ubriaco they didn't respect, but also hated. So when those guys pushed back on the players, they players didn't accept it. If today the players don't really respect/take seriously DB, it's OK, because they probably aren't getting push back.
(which reminds of something I heard 3rd hand, origination; someone who works with the team, so could be total BS. so take with a pound of salt, as 3rd hand is 3rd hand, but I kinda believe it. And he said that DB's biggest problem is he is more interested in being friends with these guys, than actually being their coach. I can see that as being possibly true. In which case, maybe that is what Shero wants, a babysitter, more than lay down the law guy.)
I think the situation, superstar dynamic, to a degree, affects Shero as well. (and probably most GM's, I dunno). As I have heard Shero asked on a couple of occasions in which trades where made, "did you consult Sidney Crosby on this first?." I thought it was a tongue in cheek question....And I was shocked, at his response. Because the first time I heard him respond this way was fairly early in Sid's tenure. And Shero answered, "Yes, I talked it over with Sid". I was kinda floored, especially at Sid's young age. But I guess I was thinking the GM was the GM and the player was the player. But no, he admitted he confers with Sid on some, (not saying all) player moves. Obviously Shero is not going to be affected the same way as coach, dealing with players on a day to day basis, but clearly Shero is not immune to having to run things by his superstar, on occasion.
