Paddock is the new head coach of the Philadelphia Phantoms. With little fanfare, this almost slipped by me, but it merits mention, especially during the slow summer days.
I know most fans weren't very happy with his work, but Murray's shoes are very big ones to fill, let alone when you step in from working behind his shadow as his assistant. I wish him the best of luck with the Phantoms, and hope that he might find enough success there to one day return to the NHL, and find success there (which is the same path I'm hoping for Hartsburg with the Sens, only further progressed along it than Paddock).
Showing posts with label Paddock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paddock. Show all posts
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Senators Off Season Needs, Part 2
A whole month now passed, and barely a trickle of excitement has come for us loyal Sens fans, the most die-hard of us who unlike our sport don't take a vacation from our passion. A whole month, and apart from the relief we feel at the re-signing of Christoph Schubert, Ray Emery and Chris Kelly, and a few other signings, the only significant move was the trading of Peter Schaefer to the Boston Bruins for Shean Donovan.
This leaves us wanting more, and with the team needing more. This off-season, we've lost Mike Comrie to the New York Islanders, Tom Preissing to the Los Angeles Kings, and Oleg Saprykin has signed with CSKA Moscow. That leaves three holes in the roster. If one trusts the Sens web roster, it would seem that Donovan will likely replace Schaefer's spot on the bench, and perhaps Lawrence Nycholat will play more regularly with the loss of Preissing. However, as the roster still lists Oleg Saprykin, we can't be sure how trustworthy it is, keeping in mind how often the Sens website is slow to update, although they were quick to put Kelly back on after their announcement this morning.
That still leaves two holes at forward, and with only 4.97 million in cap space, finding more replacements is the daunting task facing Brian Murray. To guard against potential long-term injuries, Murray would like to keep some cap space free, so that he could make a move similar to the one that brought Comrie to us when our ranks were depleted with injuries last winter. As well, while he did not pursue any playoff rentals this past season, keeping additional cap space open to pursue that option this upcoming season might tighten Murray's pursestrings even more.
With Paddock and Murray's similarities, we might expect that Schubert will again see a majority of his games played on the wing, filling one of the two holes up front, and leaving Nycholat to take permanent hold of the last spot on the third defensive pairing. As for the front end, it will take Murray some creativity to pull out an additional forward or two. His current roster and cap troubles mean that Brian McGrattan might see a significant increase in ice time over last season. This would also fit with Murray's trade for Donovan, with both he and Grats able to toughen up the Sens, who seemed completely battered throughout their series with Anaheim.
At the moment the Sens have six right wings, four centres, and one left wing. If Schubert were to move up to left wing again, Paddock would just be able to ice the needed twelve forwards and six defensemen. With only 6 million, this would be an ideal time to look to the Binghamton Senators for a few extra players. While few blinding stars appear on their roster, previously called up players like Danny Bois and Joshua Hennessy, Bingo Sens with NHL experience such as Michal Barinka and Nicholas Dimitrakos, or other prospects on the roster might be called up and given a chance to prove themselves.
As the Ducks proved to us in the finals, it helps to have many youngsters who provide a big punch while only taking a nibble at the salary cap, like Ryan Getzlaf (25-33--58), Dustin Penner (29-16--45) and Corey Perry (17-27--44), each less than a 0.75 million dollar cap hit. Only time will tell if we can find the same kind of diamonds in our Binghamton Senators rough proving ground.
This leaves us wanting more, and with the team needing more. This off-season, we've lost Mike Comrie to the New York Islanders, Tom Preissing to the Los Angeles Kings, and Oleg Saprykin has signed with CSKA Moscow. That leaves three holes in the roster. If one trusts the Sens web roster, it would seem that Donovan will likely replace Schaefer's spot on the bench, and perhaps Lawrence Nycholat will play more regularly with the loss of Preissing. However, as the roster still lists Oleg Saprykin, we can't be sure how trustworthy it is, keeping in mind how often the Sens website is slow to update, although they were quick to put Kelly back on after their announcement this morning.
That still leaves two holes at forward, and with only 4.97 million in cap space, finding more replacements is the daunting task facing Brian Murray. To guard against potential long-term injuries, Murray would like to keep some cap space free, so that he could make a move similar to the one that brought Comrie to us when our ranks were depleted with injuries last winter. As well, while he did not pursue any playoff rentals this past season, keeping additional cap space open to pursue that option this upcoming season might tighten Murray's pursestrings even more.
With Paddock and Murray's similarities, we might expect that Schubert will again see a majority of his games played on the wing, filling one of the two holes up front, and leaving Nycholat to take permanent hold of the last spot on the third defensive pairing. As for the front end, it will take Murray some creativity to pull out an additional forward or two. His current roster and cap troubles mean that Brian McGrattan might see a significant increase in ice time over last season. This would also fit with Murray's trade for Donovan, with both he and Grats able to toughen up the Sens, who seemed completely battered throughout their series with Anaheim.
At the moment the Sens have six right wings, four centres, and one left wing. If Schubert were to move up to left wing again, Paddock would just be able to ice the needed twelve forwards and six defensemen. With only 6 million, this would be an ideal time to look to the Binghamton Senators for a few extra players. While few blinding stars appear on their roster, previously called up players like Danny Bois and Joshua Hennessy, Bingo Sens with NHL experience such as Michal Barinka and Nicholas Dimitrakos, or other prospects on the roster might be called up and given a chance to prove themselves.
As the Ducks proved to us in the finals, it helps to have many youngsters who provide a big punch while only taking a nibble at the salary cap, like Ryan Getzlaf (25-33--58), Dustin Penner (29-16--45) and Corey Perry (17-27--44), each less than a 0.75 million dollar cap hit. Only time will tell if we can find the same kind of diamonds in our Binghamton Senators rough proving ground.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Murray Promotes John Paddock to Head Coach of the Ottawa Senators
Although it probably didn't take anyone much guessing, we can now welcome John Paddock as the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators. But what does that mean for the team?
Continuity is good. It always helps to keep things consistent unless necessary to do otherwise. After his lackluster performances over the years, it was necessary to oust Muckler. Not only for continuity but taking into account a track record that proved itself peerless this year, Murray made perfect sense to slip into the GM role for the team. I do feel a bit sad that he didn't get the chance to coach his way to a cup, but I have confidence that his efforts as GM will get his name onto the cup regardless. Keeping the same people around heightens the camaraderie, builds confidence that players won't be traded around carelessly, and allows for far more players to have a dedication and effect on the team of the calibre usually only reserved for the captain.
But with the case of John Paddock, we have to look closely and with a careful eye at the situation. Obviously with our record this season, the coaching staff did its job this time around. Considering Murray's view of Paddock, it should come as no surprise that he wanted Paddock to continue on with his work. Both men share similar philosophies, which only adds further consistency. However, there are some who are concerned more with Paddock's track record, posting an overall losing record in his past head coaching ventures. Others still, who view assistance coaches as a filter and a buffer between the head coach, might worry that Paddock may not be as commanding a head coach for the sens at first.
To all those who worry, though, I suggest only that they focus on the present, on the club's continued climb of success throughout its history, and you can remain confident that Paddock will not disappoint, will not let us down, and will bring us home the cup!
Continuity is good. It always helps to keep things consistent unless necessary to do otherwise. After his lackluster performances over the years, it was necessary to oust Muckler. Not only for continuity but taking into account a track record that proved itself peerless this year, Murray made perfect sense to slip into the GM role for the team. I do feel a bit sad that he didn't get the chance to coach his way to a cup, but I have confidence that his efforts as GM will get his name onto the cup regardless. Keeping the same people around heightens the camaraderie, builds confidence that players won't be traded around carelessly, and allows for far more players to have a dedication and effect on the team of the calibre usually only reserved for the captain.
But with the case of John Paddock, we have to look closely and with a careful eye at the situation. Obviously with our record this season, the coaching staff did its job this time around. Considering Murray's view of Paddock, it should come as no surprise that he wanted Paddock to continue on with his work. Both men share similar philosophies, which only adds further consistency. However, there are some who are concerned more with Paddock's track record, posting an overall losing record in his past head coaching ventures. Others still, who view assistance coaches as a filter and a buffer between the head coach, might worry that Paddock may not be as commanding a head coach for the sens at first.
To all those who worry, though, I suggest only that they focus on the present, on the club's continued climb of success throughout its history, and you can remain confident that Paddock will not disappoint, will not let us down, and will bring us home the cup!
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