Not a real surprise. Frankly, I was saying for the last week that if things did not change quickly, they should fire him. It seemed like he had lost the locker room and that there was growing dissatisfaction between him and some players including Ovechkin.
The killer was losing back to back games badly against the Rangers at home and then to a VERY undermanned Sabre team that was essentially playing their AHL team and we were dominated.
What is interesting about the firing is that it did not happen immediately after the Sabre game. The Caps took their time to think about it and then pulled the trigger either late last night or early this morning.
I like Boudreau but it just wasn't working this season. What's funny is when the Caps started out 7-0, ESPN had him as the early favorite for Coach of the Year. Funny how things change so quickly.
The Caps will bring in former Cap great Dale Hunter to pick up the pieces. He is a no nonsense guy and will certainly bring discipline to this team. Will be interesting to see how things change and how the players respond. I am sure they will respect the guy for his time/toughness as a former player, as a former Cap, and a very good minor league hockey coach. Hunter is one of just a few Caps to have had his number retired so the team will be able to look up at his number in the rafters every home game. Hunter is a tough guy that will get in peoples faces. I'm sure it will be a very different style of coaching compared to the more affable Gabby.
This team is built for the Cup and needs to win now and the way they have been playing the last few weeks it is not a surprise at all about Boudreau. I just hope that Hunter can get this thing rolling.
LETS GO CAPS!!!
7 comments:
The Caps should strip the "C" off of Ovie's jersey. The guy is not a captain.
They had to fire BB because they weren't going to fire the players.
I don't know if they are built to win now or not. Their goalie play has been weak. They have too many defensive lapses. Their forwards don't all play - especially their star players.
We'll see if Hunter can do anything.
Agree about Ovie. He is a reckless player who is great but he isn't a captain. He has some leadership qualities but he doesn't seem like the captain.
From what I have heard, BB had lost the locker room. He did a great job when he first came in and he seems more like a players coach as the affable Gabby. The thing is he tried to become something he wasn't - as disciplinarian and I don't think it worked for him or the players.
Vokoun has been solid but struggled in a couple of games (he let in one or two soft ones against Buffalo but also made a few very good saves and helped make sure the Caps didn't get thoroughly embarrassed).
Agree on the defensive lapses. I like Carlson but he has turned the puck over a few too many times at the blue line for my liking.
We do need to light a fire under this team and Hunter seems like the type of guy that can do it. Will be interesting to see what happens.
When Boudreau took over a few years back, there was a remarkable turnaround. We'll see if something similar happens.
We will see. I think there is more to it than just BB is not a disciplinarian.
I think there is some rift or issues in the Caps locker room that is/are causing problems.
The Russians may not be getting along with others, the young defensemen may not get along with the older guys, there may be racism toward Ward, Vokun vs. Neuvy, etc.
There is something wrong with the Caps. I'm sure we will learn more in coming weeks. BB couldn't seem to fix it, but one thing I also firmly believe is that Ovie has done nothing as the Captain to fix it either.
The thing that bothers me is that BB looked like he cared and was exasperated - most of the Caps, especially Ovie, look like they don't care. Usually, I would go with the guy who is trying hard vs. the one who is not. BB will go somewhere else and win - we'll see if this team wins with Ovie. I am beginning to doubt it.
Your thoughts on a rift or issues are speculation.
Bottom line is this is a veteran team now that is underperforming and struggling to find a win. When that happens, guys are going to be uptight. Guys will be upset as they should be. There may be some locker room strife but I believe it is a pretty sound locker room.
What I do agree with is that Ovie is not the captain type. He is a strong player but not the leader.
I think BB was exasperated because he was trying to do something he wasn't comfortable for him and that is to be a disciplinarian. I don't think that came naturally for him and he started to lose his identity and couldn't connect with the players.
I do think they need a disciplinarian and by all accounts Hunter is a natural leader/disciplinarian and I imagine he will get on guys and hold them accountable. I think the players will welcome the change as they know that things need to improve and that if it doesn't there will be change. I also think that they will respect Hunter being a former Cap and tough hockey player so he knows what it takes to win.
It will be interesting to see how this week pans out as they face the Blues tomorrow and then it's the Penguins. Will be fun to watch.
Actually, you guys are just speculating about Ovie and the captaincy. He was actually a very hungry player two years ago. That was a type of leadership that was very effective in years past. He has tried to embrace the change to a more defensive approach and he actually hits more than most players. Sure, at some point, Ovie stopped caring about BB's message and has probably been working against him, which a captain should not do. However, Ovie respects Dale Hunter and I believe you will see big changes in him. It will be too much of an upheaval to pull the C off of Ovie.
Scott, I am not questioning Ovie's abilities as a player. He is obviously talented and I think he plays with a passion that matches the talent. However, there is more to being a captain than just playing well. You have to be a leader in the locker room. I question whether Ovie is that guy. I remember when he was named captain after Chris Clark was shipped out and some players seemed surprised as the news. Mike Knuble came out and said that he was a little surprised that there wasn't some discussion on naming a new captain and the Ovie just walked into the locker room one day with the C on. Again, no one is questioning his skills or passion but it's about being a leader on and off the ice. When Semin was benched, there were several players that stood by BB's decision. Semin only has 5 goals (4 at the time) but he is one of the most penalized players in the league and he constantly takes cheap hooking and slashing calls that hurt the team. While several players supported the benching, Ovie stood silent on the subject. As a captain, even if you don't always agree with the decisions, you have to stand by the coach sometimes to show solidarity. This is just one example but the point is that I don't think Ovie always exemplifies the leadership qualities expected by a captain.
If you are going to be the Captain then you have to be the first guy in the building and the last guy out. Ovie regularly misses optional skates adn doesn't really light a fire under anyone.
He is a very good player - I won't say great until he wins something - but he is not an NHL captain.
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