You're right. You're going to bring Mark Messier in as an assistant and he will not overshadow any and everything. It's not like his jersey is hanging in the rafters or anything.
An elite coach with confidence doesn't give a rats ass about his assistant coaches playing careers. That's not how head coaches think. You think Keenan would give a shit about having Larry Robinson as his assistant coach? He wouldn't.
My vote goes to Babcock. Proven winner and no BS. He’s a little crazy but that’s ok. No to Torts. We don’t need 7 goalies on the ice. He’s too much of a Dick and has a bad track record with stars (Gaborik, Laine, etc)
Messiee and the Rangers is a completely different situation. It would've been like having Mattingly on Torre's bench before he won four titles.
I believe Messier loves the Rangers, their fans and the organization. I would like to see him be an assistant coach. Or, coach the Pack and work with the kids first. Perhaps be a GM/coach for the Pack./ Either way I'd like to see Messier finally get a job with the organization.
Since Dolan passed on messier twice already would be a surprise if messier hired now. Wouldn’t mind it happening but don’t see it. Torts and the 6 goalie system would be a disaster unless he brought the offensive system he had when tampa won the cup. After Toronto don’t really see Babcock. Do t want julien or bodreau. My choice would be either gallant or knoblach who has paid his dues and has won pretty much every where he’s been. He would be my assistant choice if we go that route. A fly in the ointment could be Mike Sullivan if he’s let go by the pens because Burke wants to hire his own coach.
Some of the posts in this thread are sad and funny. The Quinn hating makes me laugh. Guy oversaw a team filled with the most young players in the NHL, during a self-proclaimed rebuild. Look how many kids playing under him. Look how many kids performed well under him. Look how many kids clearly improved under him. He certainly was not perfect, no coach is, but some of you are so over the top on him it's crazy. Which leads to the next point on Knoblauch. The guy coached a handful of games, mostly against bad teams (you know the teams you give no credit to Quinn for beating), and many have him as # 1 option - talk about backup QB syndrome. Funny. I personally think it doesn't matter who our new coach is, a large % of folks in here will knock him, call him the worst, and ask for him to be fired 3 months after he gets the job. Unless the coach does everything you guys want, and even then if it goes wrong he'll still be the worst, you guys will rip him. Circle of life.
Brooks says Gallant is the favorite right now, and Torts unlikely. Does mention Julien, Hartley, Tocchet, and a few others. Also says no on Knoblauch as Drury looking for an experienced NHL coach. One guy I wish we could get is Rod Brind'Amour. Contract with Carolina is up at the end of the season, but I'm sure they'll get a new deal done. But if it goes sideways, he'd be my # 1 option.
Chuck, I wasn't talking knoblach because of his 5 or 6 games he coached with the big club. His record in the minors was 298-130 and won a few championships while also being an asst coach of the flyers for 2 years. The man has paid his dues and knows what he's doing. That being said my choice if coaches get fired would be Sullivan first who won 2 cups and finished first this season with a crippled pens team in the toughest division in hockey. brindamour if he became available would also be a good choice. Will be very interested as Drury starts his interviews the names that get the interviews for the job.
Fair - I like Knoblauch and think he has a chance to be a good coach. That chance isn't happening with the Rangers at this point in time though as the win now mandate has them focusing on an experienced proven NHL coach. Truth be told, I don't really love any of the options that have been mentioned. Which is why I'd pounce on Brind'Amour if he ever became available.
Brind'Amour will get extended for three more years with Carolina. He wants to stay in Carolina. His new contract is laughable compare to what he would've gotten from the Rangers. I would like to see what Knoblauch can do but they seem to want an established guy. It's a shame. He will get a coaching job somewhere else.
Not a snowballs chance that messier signs on to be an assistant. And really...a guy with 6 rings not overshadow a coach who has done squat in the NHL.
Was waiting for Al to weigh in, I guess the extended tax filing deadline has you busy. Brind'Amour would be my first choice as well but he is not leaving Carolina any time soon so no point in including him in the discussion. Same can be said for Sullivan, in my opinion. They overachieved this year by finishing first in the East with all of the injuries they had. Unless they get bounced by the Islanders in the first round, which is a possibility I suppose, I can't imagine them letting him go. Of the available coaches out there, I can only say that I don't want Tortarella back. I don't like his coaching style and with all of the offensive weapons on the team i don't see that style as a good fit, as many of you have already mentioned.
Going with an established guy over Knoblauch is a huge mistake but sadly I see them going with some retread.
Brindamour reportedly not signing till all his assistants are taken care of first. Reportedly he’s been offered 1.8per year which the rangers would probably double plus so this may actually bear more watching than first thought. Just hope drury takes his time and see what shakes out after the playoffs are done to see who is available before he hires his coach.
There is one wild card that’s being discussed and it is Rod Brind’Amour who has yet to sign an extension with the Hurricanes. The biggest issue for the Rangers is timing, can they afford to wait until late June for him? If the Canes get knocked out in the first round – great! Interview him. But do you want to run the risk of available-now candidates being taken up by all the other coaching vacancies out there? Especially since many believe he will stay in Carolina anyway. The coaching search is on. So is the pressure… squarely on Drury’s shoulders.
Honestly, Brind'Amour is a great coach and a smart dude. His chances of winning a cup are much better in NY. Carolina is a strong team but their goalies suck ass and there is no hope for the future in net there. As much as I like Knoblauch, can't pass up Brind'Amour. That would be a franchise changing move.
Nedeljkovic as an assclown. Carolina always has the pretenders in net who fold like a cheap suit when they face a real team in the playoffs.
