Well, the rumors of Barry Melrose coaching the Lightning next year took one more step in the reality direction with the firing of John Tortorella. Personally, I see Torts as the coach you don't want your team playing against. He has a big mouth, speaks his mind a little too often, and can take verbal cheap shots in the Press when necessary. Kind of like Roenick, if he were a coach. But the guy runs a tight ship and doesn't hesitate to bench or criticize his star players, if necessary. I admire that about him. He's very no-nonsense and preaches an aggressive playing style.
This is the kind of guy the Sens need. I heard rumors about Torts coming to Ottawa a few months back, but didn't put much stock in it. Now that he's officially let go, it is more of a reality than ever. The Sens need a taskmaster. I see a parallel with the Red Wings and Bowman leaving the bench, to be replaced by nice guy Dave Lewis with the Senators giving the coaching clipboard to John Paddock. Paddock was the player's coach behind Bryan Murray. These type of guys have great familiarity with the players, but teams slowly lose their edge under the regime of a player's coach. At least it seems that way to me. Also, both of these teams had a season long goaltending drama, which usually destroys a team.
But on the Melrose angle of things. I see him as mostly getting out of Gretzky's way and allowing 99 to do his magic. The guy is pretty far removed from hockey. I am not sure how much coaching skill he actually had/has. If watching a lot of games and commenting on them makes you head coaching material, sign me up. Plus, who will replace him as a self-deprecating but insightful analyst? But if he rocks the mullet behind the bench again, its all good in my book.
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