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 coach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coach. Show all posts
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Coaching Confidence
A couple days ago, KK pointed me to an ESPN article that ranked the NHL coaches. It's no surprise that the success he's achieved in leading the Red Wings has Mike Babcock (who received his first NHL coaching job from Brian Murray) ranked first among the 'Elite'.
But where does our new head coach, Craig Hartsburg, rank among the 30 teams? It's obvious that his jumping around and inability to hold onto various head and assistant coaching positions around the league would not lead ESPN to rank him among 'The Proven'. Despite this upcoming season being his first back in the NHL for a while, I would say that his 184-184-69-6 record as a head coach with Chicago (95-98) and Anaheim (98-01), his 257-231-74-10 record as an assistant coach with the Minnesota North Stars (89-90) and the Philadelphia Flyers (90-94, 02-04), and his 226-125-23-23 record as an OHL head coach with the Guelph Storm (94-95) and the Soo Greyhounds (01-02, 04-08) would have at least made me consider him a 'Jury's Still Out' candidate.
Instead, Craig Hartsburg is labeled 'Suspect', in need of proving people wrong. I think he's done just that. It was while coaching him at the Soo that Hartsburg got Emery to really shine, just as Murray got him to shine the year before his fallout under Paddock. As an overall coach, he helped Canada achieve three straight golds at the World Juniors; as an assistant coach in 2006, and as head coach in both 2007 and 2008.
He has also convinced Curtis Hunt to leave the WHL, where his coaching record stands at 209-171-23-29 with the Moose Jaw Warriors (02-04) and the Regina Pats (04-08). Hunt was Hartsburg's assistant coach for both the 2007 and 2008 World Junior golds, in addition to being assistant coach for other Canadian tourneys involving our younger players. Considering that neither of these men has ever given up, that they have been able to get excellent results from their teams of youth both in their respective leagues and on the international stage, and considering it's a year that the Sens need their younger players and rookies to step up, I couldn't imagine a better team to take on the job.
But where does our new head coach, Craig Hartsburg, rank among the 30 teams? It's obvious that his jumping around and inability to hold onto various head and assistant coaching positions around the league would not lead ESPN to rank him among 'The Proven'. Despite this upcoming season being his first back in the NHL for a while, I would say that his 184-184-69-6 record as a head coach with Chicago (95-98) and Anaheim (98-01), his 257-231-74-10 record as an assistant coach with the Minnesota North Stars (89-90) and the Philadelphia Flyers (90-94, 02-04), and his 226-125-23-23 record as an OHL head coach with the Guelph Storm (94-95) and the Soo Greyhounds (01-02, 04-08) would have at least made me consider him a 'Jury's Still Out' candidate.
Instead, Craig Hartsburg is labeled 'Suspect', in need of proving people wrong. I think he's done just that. It was while coaching him at the Soo that Hartsburg got Emery to really shine, just as Murray got him to shine the year before his fallout under Paddock. As an overall coach, he helped Canada achieve three straight golds at the World Juniors; as an assistant coach in 2006, and as head coach in both 2007 and 2008.
He has also convinced Curtis Hunt to leave the WHL, where his coaching record stands at 209-171-23-29 with the Moose Jaw Warriors (02-04) and the Regina Pats (04-08). Hunt was Hartsburg's assistant coach for both the 2007 and 2008 World Junior golds, in addition to being assistant coach for other Canadian tourneys involving our younger players. Considering that neither of these men has ever given up, that they have been able to get excellent results from their teams of youth both in their respective leagues and on the international stage, and considering it's a year that the Sens need their younger players and rookies to step up, I couldn't imagine a better team to take on the job.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Senators Reported to be Naming Ron Low as Assistant Coach
UPDATE - 8:33AM, August 15, 2007: The Sens have named Ron Low and Eli Wilson to the coaching staff. Ron Low will, as reported, be the new assistant coach to John Paddock. Not too surprisingly, as Low will be vacating the goaltending coach position, Eli Wilson, Emery's former personal goaltending coach, will now be the team's goaltending coach. Maybe he can work the same miracles with Gerber as he has been working with Razor. Also, Mike Busniuk will work alongside Binghamton's new head coach Cory Clouston as his assistant coach.
The Ottawa Sun is reporting that Ron Low, the Sens goaltending coach, will be named assistant coach to John Paddock. Will update when this becomes official.
Fear not a decline from Emery though, as his personal goaltending coach, Eli Wilson, will ensure that Emery continues to mature and improve, much as he did after Hasek's injury, and after trumping Gerber for the starter job last season.
The Ottawa Sun is reporting that Ron Low, the Sens goaltending coach, will be named assistant coach to John Paddock. Will update when this becomes official.
Fear not a decline from Emery though, as his personal goaltending coach, Eli Wilson, will ensure that Emery continues to mature and improve, much as he did after Hasek's injury, and after trumping Gerber for the starter job last season.
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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