RSS
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
After getting turned down by Guy Boucher, who took the head coaching job at Tampa Bay, GM Scott Howson immediately went to his second choice, Manitoba Moose coach Scott Arniel, who accepted the job.
It’s a good move for Howson and the franchise. Arniel has shown success at the AHL level, he was coach of the year in 2009 and is skilled at motivating young talent. Arniel is an NHL veteran and can be called a ‘player’s coach.’
As for Boucher turning down the offer, that’s business. He was also made an offer by Steve Yzerman at Tampa Bay and he took it. You can’t fault him for that.
A lot of people wanted Kevin Dineen as coach. Obviously Howson found something in the interview process that made him reconsider.
Finally, a best of luck and thank you to interim coach Claude Noel, who was given a tough hand in replacing Hitchcock. I’m sure he’ll land on his feet somewhere. He’s a class act that under different circumstances, would have worked well in Columbus.
Boucher was my first choice, I wanted to see his “revolutionary style of play” (that wasn’t supposed to work anywhere besides midget hockey) and see if it could spark the CBJ franchise.
I don’t know very much about Arniel but I look forward to next season and what he can do for the team.
I’ll just be happy if we are playing meaningful games in April next year. Really… I don’t think that is too much to expect.
About six weeks ago, in the middle of the CBJ’s hiring process, there were some writers throughout the hockey world who thought that Arniel was the best fit for the job. He will be only the 2nd CBJ coach with loads of NHL playing experience, he was an assistant coach under Lindy Ruff with the Buffalo Sabres (and apparently the coach responsible for their very effective power play) and has had great success for the past four years in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose.
The real challenge now is getting prepared for the season in a short time frame. Also, the CBJ open their season next year with two games in Sweden against the San Jose Sharks as part of the NHL’s effort to excite Europeans about the league. That makes for an even shorter off-season, when you factor in the travel.
In any case, Arniel is known for getting great production out of younger players, and at times last year CBJ had the lowest average-age for an NHL team. He’s tough when he needs to be, is meticulous in his preparation for games and practices, and is apparently not a hot-head like many NHL coaches. I’m excited to watch the CBJ play a more up-tempo offensive style and let our young talent finally breathe on the ice.
BTW, The press conference introducing Arniel as our coach can be streamed live on the CBJ website at 3PM.
Does anyone else think the season needs to be slightly shorter? I just have a hard time watching the Stanley Cup playoffs in June.
Hockey in May/June is ridiculous. The revenue is needed though, that’s why the series all are best of seven.
Looking forward to the draft, getting that two way defenseman that’s been needed for years, perhaps a deal for a two way center.
The Black Hawks have to win the cup next :)
I would like to see Commodore get traded. He just smells like a steamy pile of dissapointment.
My buddy works at a bluejacket hotspot downtown and he made a great point…they need to spend less time getting drunk and picking up ladies and more time taking their job serious! I couldnt agree more. I have witnessed this first hand and its no wonder we are the laughing stock of the NHL. Take pride in your job and the city you play in fellas, after all we (the public) provide the money for those hefty checks you recieve!