Seems Zombie Hunters was scoping out an area around Vancouver and caught Coach Quenneville and a troop of Zombie Goalies on their way to Stanley Cup Finals game five.
I always knew Coach Q was a goalie killer. I didn't know just how sinister it was.
Showing posts with label Joel Quenneville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joel Quenneville. Show all posts
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Zombie Quenneville
by J. Scott Moore
Seems Zombie Hunters was scoping out an area around Vancouver and caught Coach Quenneville and a troop of Zombie Goalies on their way to Stanley Cup Finals game five.
I always knew Coach Q was a goalie killer. I didn't know just how sinister it was.
Seems Zombie Hunters was scoping out an area around Vancouver and caught Coach Quenneville and a troop of Zombie Goalies on their way to Stanley Cup Finals game five.
I always knew Coach Q was a goalie killer. I didn't know just how sinister it was.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Gallery of the Players and Coaches that have Brought Avalanche Fans Angst and Agony
I thought it would be fun to put up a collection of players and coaches that have come and gone here in Avalanche Land. But these are those players that have produced the anger, the annoyance...the angst that only fans can real understand.
Remember fans. This year it's all about the
Remember fans. This year it's all about the
 |
| Stupid Puck!!! |
 |
| Those are great odds!!! |
 |
| Are these really the same two people? |
Some fans thought Skoula was a little slow...
Skoula goes insane...
Maybe we were too hard on Tyler, I would say he skates well for a one-legged man.
Autograph denied!
 |
| No caption needed. |
Some fans thought Skoula was a little slow...
Skoula goes insane...
Maybe we were too hard on Tyler, I would say he skates well for a one-legged man.
Autograph denied!
Act casual...
 |
| I has stick? |
 |
| I can’t seem to face up to the facts. I’m tense and nervous and I... can’t relax. I can’t sleep, cause my bed’s on fire. Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire. Psycho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est? [What is it?] fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa better Run run run run run run run away OH OH OH |
Act casual...
Got a pic for the collection? Send it!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Canucks VS Blackhawks
Battle for a Western Conf. berth is at stake tonight. Frenchy and I make our predictions.
Frenchy
For this series, I don’t really know what side to go for. It’s going to be tuff one. When looking at the depth of these two teams, they seem to be pretty equal. Let’s take a look at what these two teams are bringing to the table.
On one side, we all know what the Sedin twins can do when they’re on fire, those guys play like they’re two bodies using one brain. Samuelsson has stepped it up and scored some important goals. But, the Blackhawks can of course counter that with Toews, Kane and……Sharp. I want to say Hossa here but the truth is that he hasn’t played to his standards. There’s just something about Hossa when he shows up to a playoff game, he’s just not the same. When you get paid to score goals and yet only have one in 6 games, time to get going.
As for the D, Salo has been good as always and Edler is really becoming an elite defensemen. The Canucks don’t let that many shots go through and that is always a plus. For the Hawks, good news is that Campbell is back. Without him I would say their chances would be a lot smaller. Not only do they need him to be there to stop the rushes but he’s also got that offense skill that they need from the blue line. Let’s not forget that the Hawks have Duncan Keith, a Norris nominee, can’t be all that bad right?
The goaltending is where the Canucks might have a little problem, key word being little. Luongo can be insanely good at some times but he gets those little stretches where he just doesn’t seem to get it. If he doesn’t show up ready for a good series, they’re going to be in trouble. But, it could be worse though, they could have Quenneville as a coach. He’s a known goalie killer and why would it be different here. In my mind, Niemi has yet to prove himself an elite goaltender in this league. Maybe this is the series where he proves himself, we shall see.
I know for a fact that From the Point is going to jump on the Hawks bandwagon now that the Avs are out of the playoffs. But…I’m sure there’s more to it than that. He might not want to admit it but he likes the Hawks because of Quenneville. More specifically, the mustache. That thing is rockin’!!!! Maybe he thinks that thing has got super powers or something.
After the Game 1 disaster, Neimi decided to grow a mustache just like Coach Q.
Well it might have some super powers but winning the Stanley Cup isn’t one of them. This one is going to be tight but I just don’t see the Hawks pulling this off. The fact is that as soon as Hossa is on a team, it will not win the Stanley Cup.
Canucks in seven.
From the Point
Just how do the Hawks keep getting these nice long breaks between series? I’d say something smells fishy but it’s probably just the Canucks. Man do they stink! Or maybe that’s just Roberto Luongo that smells up the place?
Sure, he had a nice, ok, great game against the Kings in game six.
So Bobby-Lu is either on the verge of getting his playoff mojo or it’s just another “up” in his lackluster up and down play since…er…that giant contract was signed.
No matter, the Hawks are unstoppable. I don’t really know why I even bothered to root for my Avs all season long when the inevitability of the Hawks winning the cup has been SO apparent all season long. Despite Mr. Mustache running the team. And despite what Frenchy says, it is Niemi that has the super powers.
Now how to explain the Hossa Effect? Simple. The year with the Pens is a simple case of the Wings being better. The year with the Wings is a simple case of the Curse of Def Leppard.
The Sedin twinkies are a force to contend with, there is no doubt about that. However, Capt. Niemi will look like Wonder Woman fending off bullets with magic bracelets anytime the Sedins start firing. They will have no chance to score. In fact I willing to say right here, right now that the Sedins will go scoreless through this round. No, wait, I predict that the ‘Nucks will not score ONE. SINGLE. GOAL. On the great and powerful Capt. Niemi!
Hawks in…wait for it…four.
 | VS |  |
For this series, I don’t really know what side to go for. It’s going to be tuff one. When looking at the depth of these two teams, they seem to be pretty equal. Let’s take a look at what these two teams are bringing to the table.
On one side, we all know what the Sedin twins can do when they’re on fire, those guys play like they’re two bodies using one brain. Samuelsson has stepped it up and scored some important goals. But, the Blackhawks can of course counter that with Toews, Kane and……Sharp. I want to say Hossa here but the truth is that he hasn’t played to his standards. There’s just something about Hossa when he shows up to a playoff game, he’s just not the same. When you get paid to score goals and yet only have one in 6 games, time to get going.
As for the D, Salo has been good as always and Edler is really becoming an elite defensemen. The Canucks don’t let that many shots go through and that is always a plus. For the Hawks, good news is that Campbell is back. Without him I would say their chances would be a lot smaller. Not only do they need him to be there to stop the rushes but he’s also got that offense skill that they need from the blue line. Let’s not forget that the Hawks have Duncan Keith, a Norris nominee, can’t be all that bad right?
The goaltending is where the Canucks might have a little problem, key word being little. Luongo can be insanely good at some times but he gets those little stretches where he just doesn’t seem to get it. If he doesn’t show up ready for a good series, they’re going to be in trouble. But, it could be worse though, they could have Quenneville as a coach. He’s a known goalie killer and why would it be different here. In my mind, Niemi has yet to prove himself an elite goaltender in this league. Maybe this is the series where he proves himself, we shall see.
I know for a fact that From the Point is going to jump on the Hawks bandwagon now that the Avs are out of the playoffs. But…I’m sure there’s more to it than that. He might not want to admit it but he likes the Hawks because of Quenneville. More specifically, the mustache. That thing is rockin’!!!! Maybe he thinks that thing has got super powers or something.
Well it might have some super powers but winning the Stanley Cup isn’t one of them. This one is going to be tight but I just don’t see the Hawks pulling this off. The fact is that as soon as Hossa is on a team, it will not win the Stanley Cup.
Canucks in seven.
From the Point
Just how do the Hawks keep getting these nice long breaks between series? I’d say something smells fishy but it’s probably just the Canucks. Man do they stink! Or maybe that’s just Roberto Luongo that smells up the place?
Sure, he had a nice, ok, great game against the Kings in game six.
So Bobby-Lu is either on the verge of getting his playoff mojo or it’s just another “up” in his lackluster up and down play since…er…that giant contract was signed.
No matter, the Hawks are unstoppable. I don’t really know why I even bothered to root for my Avs all season long when the inevitability of the Hawks winning the cup has been SO apparent all season long. Despite Mr. Mustache running the team. And despite what Frenchy says, it is Niemi that has the super powers.
 |
| Don’t listen to him Capt. Niemi! |
The Sedin twinkies are a force to contend with, there is no doubt about that. However, Capt. Niemi will look like Wonder Woman fending off bullets with magic bracelets anytime the Sedins start firing. They will have no chance to score. In fact I willing to say right here, right now that the Sedins will go scoreless through this round. No, wait, I predict that the ‘Nucks will not score ONE. SINGLE. GOAL. On the great and powerful Capt. Niemi!
Hawks in…wait for it…four.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mr. Quenneville, bring me a dream...
I want to dedicate a song to the Hawks to celebrate their win over the hapless Preds.
I'm feeling a bit antiqued tonight.
Old, you slow-wits.
So here's an oldie but a goody going out the the Hawks for round two, watch out 'Nucks!
This is to the tune of Mr. Sandman...
Mr. Quenneville, bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make this the best series I've ever seen
Trust in Niemi and don't screw him
Don't treat him bad he's not Khabibulin.
Quenneville, you must atone
Treat your goalies like one of your own
Please turn on your magic mustache
Mr. Quenneville, stop smokin the hash!
(scat "bung, bung, bung, bung".)
Mr. Quenneville, get you a 'Nuck (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him a Twinkie that you'd like to WHOA!
Give him the word that you're not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Quenneville, you're so alone
Don't have nobody to call your own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Quenneville, it's not a dream.
-From the Point
I'm feeling a bit antiqued tonight.
Old, you slow-wits.
So here's an oldie but a goody going out the the Hawks for round two, watch out 'Nucks!
This is to the tune of Mr. Sandman...
Mr. Quenneville, bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make this the best series I've ever seen
Trust in Niemi and don't screw him
Don't treat him bad he's not Khabibulin.
Quenneville, you must atone
Treat your goalies like one of your own
Please turn on your magic mustache
Mr. Quenneville, stop smokin the hash!
(scat "bung, bung, bung, bung".)
Mr. Quenneville, get you a 'Nuck (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him a Twinkie that you'd like to WHOA!
Give him the word that you're not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Quenneville, you're so alone
Don't have nobody to call your own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Quenneville, it's not a dream.
-From the Point
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Hello Tears - Goodbye Playoff Beard
The tears have barely stopped flowing since the second empty- netter last night, just a really emotional time for me. My stomach muscles hurt from sobbing myself to sleep.
Some how I've pulled it together long enough to get a post up and even managed to shave the beard.
Here's a little playoff beard before and after photo shoot. I'm pretty disappointed that it's time to shave it off. For the obvious reasons but also because I was starting to get into the caveman look. Gooseberry however, is quite happy that it is gone.
Since the Hawks aren't "my team" I feel zero responsibility to be objective or represent the intelligent or balanced fan. No way buddy! I'm a 100% bandwagon fan. I have no idea who Cain and Taze are, are they brothers?! So as the Hawks blaze through the playoffs I assure you that I will be providing hyperbole-laced bull crap like any good bandwagoner should!
Of course Frenchy will also be appalled by my lack of Sid-love. Whatever dude. Ovie rocks! Imagine the Caps and the Hawks in the Finals, the goalies would be so ragged by then it will be a score-fest to rival spring break in Cancun.
Oh, and bad news Goosey - I'm starting my Hawks playoff beard right ... NOW!
-From the Point
Some how I've pulled it together long enough to get a post up and even managed to shave the beard.
Here's a little playoff beard before and after photo shoot. I'm pretty disappointed that it's time to shave it off. For the obvious reasons but also because I was starting to get into the caveman look. Gooseberry however, is quite happy that it is gone.
First the Before (notice the awesome Avs hat I got Lappy to sign)
Oh, and here's an intermediate shot. The soul patch. Always wanted one of those. Probably just because Stevie Ray Vaughan used to sport one. Mueller looks like he can wear one well enough, but I'm not kidding myself. It lasted all of 10 minutes.
And now the After
Now that the Avs are out (sniff) I'm throwing in with the Hawks. This is no doubt shocking news to many, especially Gooseberry, that I am willing to overlook Mr. Mustache and his evil ways to root for this team. I could say that it's because I have family in Chicago and it's a good young team with good guys and fun to watch.
But that really doesn't have anything to do with it. It's the phenomenal goaltending I've seen all year, the brilliant coaching and of course Marian Hossa. He's won everywhere he's ever played. I can't miss! And look, who doesn't love the team name and mascot? A Blackhawk? Awesome. Know what else Stevie Ray Vaughan wore well besides a soul patch? An Indian headdress! Yeah, nothing cooler than a full headdress and a soul patch. I'm amazed ALL Hawks fans are not dressed in a war bonnet for every game!
Of course Frenchy will also be appalled by my lack of Sid-love. Whatever dude. Ovie rocks! Imagine the Caps and the Hawks in the Finals, the goalies would be so ragged by then it will be a score-fest to rival spring break in Cancun.
Oh, and bad news Goosey - I'm starting my Hawks playoff beard right ... NOW!
-From the Point
Thursday, February 4, 2010
If Budaj was guilty of Drinking and Dialing...
The Scene: In the middle of the night someone has been drinkin’, and thinkin’...
- In Chicago, Coach Quenneville’s phone begins to ring…
...ring...ring...ring...ring
Quenneville: ...sleepy...Hello?
Boods: Hi Coach, it’s me.
Q: Boods? Why are you calling me…?
B: I just um, called…I...just wanted to say “Hi”
Q: It’s the middle of the night.
B: I know, I’m sorry…but…I miss you.
Q: ...pause...um,
B: You don’t have to say it back
Q: Boods you shouldn’t be calling me, we’re not together anymore…
B: Don’t worry, he won’t find out.
Q: But what about me?
B: You always were selfish
Q: I’ve changed
B: Not much
Q: I don’t treat goalies like I used to…
B: I know, that’s why I called…
Q: Boods…
B: Look, I know I complained all the time about how you would sit me after a good game, pull me before I could work through a rough spot
Q: I only thought I was doing what was best for both of us.
B: No, you were doing what was best for you, but I guess I didn’t know how good I had it actually.
Q: I played you as much as I thought I could
B: I know! I know that now…It’s just, things now…
Q: …with Anderson?
B: Don’t you EVER say his name! EVER!
Q: Ok, ok!
B: I’m sorry, it’s just that he’s like a machine…I don’t know how he does it.
Q: You’ll get your chance
B: I had my chance, things are different now…
Q: how so?
B: I just want to be back with you.
Q: Boods, you know I can’t do that, I’ve moved on…
B: Coach, please? Can’t you trade for me?
Q: What? No Boods, I can’t…
B: But I NEVER get to play anymore!
Q: I know, I’ve noticed...
B: You have?
Q: I keep my eye on you!
B: I didn’t know, I just thought you were all wrapped up in your new goalies. I mean, all I want is just one of a back-to-backs, that isn’t too much to ask, is it?
Q: Boods we can’t talk about this, you know that. What if someone found out?
B: I know, I was just hoping…
Q: ...soothingly...You’ve got a new coach now…
B: ...sigh...
Q: …and I’ve got new goalies, we can’t live in the past.
B: ...sob...
Q: Now Boods, don’t…
B: I can’t help it, I just want to play…sniff
Q: I know, It’ll be ok, I promise. You’ll be an UFA next season and find a coach that will treat you right, I just know it!
B: …maybe…
Q: It’s true, there’s a coach out there that will play you and appreciate you for who you are.
B: You think?
Q: Yes
B: But what if Sacco wants me back? And they offer me another one year deal?
Q: You’re better than that, turn it down!
B: Maybe you will need a solid backup…?
Q: Boods, we can’t talk about that…
B: Ok…
Q: Now get some rest, you never know when that machine might break down.
B: Ok! I’ll keep my chin up and my 5-hole tight!
Q: Way to be!
B: Ok, I’m going to go now.
Q: Goodbye Boods. And good luck!
B: Thanks Coach! Bye.
...click...
-From the Point
- In Chicago, Coach Quenneville’s phone begins to ring…
...ring...ring...ring...ring
Quenneville: ...sleepy...Hello?
Boods: Hi Coach, it’s me.
Q: Boods? Why are you calling me…?
B: I just um, called…I...just wanted to say “Hi”
Q: It’s the middle of the night.
B: I know, I’m sorry…but…I miss you.
Q: ...pause...um,
B: You don’t have to say it back
Q: Boods you shouldn’t be calling me, we’re not together anymore…
B: Don’t worry, he won’t find out.
Q: But what about me?
B: You always were selfish
Q: I’ve changed
Q: I don’t treat goalies like I used to…
B: I know, that’s why I called…
Q: Boods…
B: Look, I know I complained all the time about how you would sit me after a good game, pull me before I could work through a rough spot
Q: I only thought I was doing what was best for both of us.
B: No, you were doing what was best for you, but I guess I didn’t know how good I had it actually.
Q: I played you as much as I thought I could
B: I know! I know that now…It’s just, things now…
Q: …with Anderson?
B: Don’t you EVER say his name! EVER!
Q: Ok, ok!
B: I’m sorry, it’s just that he’s like a machine…I don’t know how he does it.
Q: You’ll get your chance
B: I had my chance, things are different now…
Q: how so?
B: I just want to be back with you.
Q: Boods, you know I can’t do that, I’ve moved on…
B: Coach, please? Can’t you trade for me?
Q: What? No Boods, I can’t…
B: But I NEVER get to play anymore!
B: You have?
Q: I keep my eye on you!
B: I didn’t know, I just thought you were all wrapped up in your new goalies. I mean, all I want is just one of a back-to-backs, that isn’t too much to ask, is it?
Q: Boods we can’t talk about this, you know that. What if someone found out?
B: I know, I was just hoping…
Q: ...soothingly...You’ve got a new coach now…
B: ...sigh...
Q: …and I’ve got new goalies, we can’t live in the past.
B: ...sob...
Q: Now Boods, don’t…
B: I can’t help it, I just want to play…sniff
Q: I know, It’ll be ok, I promise. You’ll be an UFA next season and find a coach that will treat you right, I just know it!
B: …maybe…
Q: It’s true, there’s a coach out there that will play you and appreciate you for who you are.
B: You think?
Q: Yes
B: But what if Sacco wants me back? And they offer me another one year deal?
Q: You’re better than that, turn it down!
B: Maybe you will need a solid backup…?
Q: Boods, we can’t talk about that…
B: Ok…
Q: Now get some rest, you never know when that machine might break down.
B: Ok! I’ll keep my chin up and my 5-hole tight!
Q: Way to be!
B: Ok, I’m going to go now.
Q: Goodbye Boods. And good luck!
B: Thanks Coach! Bye.
...click...
-From the Point
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Avs 'Spirit" Jerseys and Dictator Quenneville?
So I'm watching the Avs on TV the other night and the during a commercial break they had an ad for the Colorado Eagles and they showed the cheerleaders...and I'll be darned with those Eagles Chicks don't look just like an Avs in a 3rd. Haha, way to go Avs. I've been trying to decide if I like these things or not and this isn't helping. Neither is the fact that I watched the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Blackhawaks game tonight on Versus and the Hawks were wearing their very cool 3rd jerseys. Very cool.
Speaking of the Hawks game, anyone else catch these nutty fans with the coach "Q" banner? This thing is huge! I can't recall a player sign this big, I can't imagine this thing cost less than a couple hundred dollars! Wow! The best part is if the Cup doesn't come to Chicago, "Q" can take his banner to some small country, hang it up in town and declare himself dictator! Sweet!
-From the Point
Tell me the Avs aren't wearing spirit jeresys, please say it isn't so.
Speaking of the Hawks game, anyone else catch these nutty fans with the coach "Q" banner? This thing is huge! I can't recall a player sign this big, I can't imagine this thing cost less than a couple hundred dollars! Wow! The best part is if the Cup doesn't come to Chicago, "Q" can take his banner to some small country, hang it up in town and declare himself dictator! Sweet!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Quenneville Goalie-Go-Round? UPDATE
Let the Quenneville Goalie-Go-Round begin! Coach Q should put a trademark on that motto. Go ahead Joel, I'll give it to you. One of these days you are going to run out of coaching jobs...although statistically you will never run out of goalies! But you might need a name for your reality show.
The Bulin Wall came crumbling down in the span of 4 minutes and 22 seconds in the 2nd period of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Fortune was on the side of the fickle coach, Nikolai Khabibulin missed practice in recent days with an apparent illness/injury. So it was just that easy for Quenneville to blame it on a recurrence of that 'injury'.
My spidey-sense was telling me to go out on a limb just yesterday and predict that coach Q was on the verge of pulling this nonsense. I only wish I looked so smart now!
But wait, the Blackhawks won, you say. That they did. And danger lurks there. For, in the dark crevasses of Quenneville's mind the win only cements the surety of genius in his own mind. His Goalie-Swap (coming to a reality line-up on a major network this summer!) is where he unwittingly sets the table for the demise of every goalie he can get his hands on. And goalies are all the more fragile in the playoffs, when the stakes are high and careers are made...and ruined.
Unlike Bruce Boudreau of the Capitals, Q will not stick to the change. Oh it may stick for a game or two, but we may never see the completion of the goalie-go-round because chances are the Hawks won't last more than the two games Detoilet needs to send them home, now that the Goalie-Go-Round music has started.
3 goals in 4:22 minutes, and you expect me to believe that Khabibulin wasn't pulled? He was sick, a lower-body injury?? He has played the entire playoffs and Khabibulin is now SO far in the dog house that he was completely removed from the line up. Corey Crawford (who?) was suited up and planted at the end of the bench. The kid looked SCARED! He looked like a 15 year old, and as scared as he should be that he might have to play!
Quenneville is a mad genius. Maddeningly talented at ruining teams during playoff runs and often taking at least one goalie down with the ship. Welcome to our nightmare, Chicago!
UPDATE: The Goalie-Go-Round is spinning at a remarkable rate! It's a blur!
Say what you will, and I know some will, but Q creates these situations where teams begin to fall apart. No, Huet didn't play well, no the Hawks didn't bring it, but I think it all goes back to the way Q handles his teams and his goalies. After pulling Huet he puts Crawford in who gives up a goal on a 5-3, and goes back to Huet at the start of the third. Crawford can hardly be blamed for the goal he gave up and Huet can hardly be thinking positive thoughts after Q decides to go back to him. Desperation moves from the bench are translated to the ice. The Hawks had a complete meltdown because the leadership on the bench had a meltdown.
The situation has become ridiculous rather quickly. I have a feeling Khabibulin will make a fast recovery for Wednesdays game.
Posted by: From the Point
The Bulin Wall came crumbling down in the span of 4 minutes and 22 seconds in the 2nd period of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Fortune was on the side of the fickle coach, Nikolai Khabibulin missed practice in recent days with an apparent illness/injury. So it was just that easy for Quenneville to blame it on a recurrence of that 'injury'.
My spidey-sense was telling me to go out on a limb just yesterday and predict that coach Q was on the verge of pulling this nonsense. I only wish I looked so smart now!
But wait, the Blackhawks won, you say. That they did. And danger lurks there. For, in the dark crevasses of Quenneville's mind the win only cements the surety of genius in his own mind. His Goalie-Swap (coming to a reality line-up on a major network this summer!) is where he unwittingly sets the table for the demise of every goalie he can get his hands on. And goalies are all the more fragile in the playoffs, when the stakes are high and careers are made...and ruined.
Unlike Bruce Boudreau of the Capitals, Q will not stick to the change. Oh it may stick for a game or two, but we may never see the completion of the goalie-go-round because chances are the Hawks won't last more than the two games Detoilet needs to send them home, now that the Goalie-Go-Round music has started.
3 goals in 4:22 minutes, and you expect me to believe that Khabibulin wasn't pulled? He was sick, a lower-body injury?? He has played the entire playoffs and Khabibulin is now SO far in the dog house that he was completely removed from the line up. Corey Crawford (who?) was suited up and planted at the end of the bench. The kid looked SCARED! He looked like a 15 year old, and as scared as he should be that he might have to play!
Quenneville is a mad genius. Maddeningly talented at ruining teams during playoff runs and often taking at least one goalie down with the ship. Welcome to our nightmare, Chicago!
UPDATE: The Goalie-Go-Round is spinning at a remarkable rate! It's a blur!
Say what you will, and I know some will, but Q creates these situations where teams begin to fall apart. No, Huet didn't play well, no the Hawks didn't bring it, but I think it all goes back to the way Q handles his teams and his goalies. After pulling Huet he puts Crawford in who gives up a goal on a 5-3, and goes back to Huet at the start of the third. Crawford can hardly be blamed for the goal he gave up and Huet can hardly be thinking positive thoughts after Q decides to go back to him. Desperation moves from the bench are translated to the ice. The Hawks had a complete meltdown because the leadership on the bench had a meltdown.
The situation has become ridiculous rather quickly. I have a feeling Khabibulin will make a fast recovery for Wednesdays game.
Posted by: From the Point
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Joel Quenneville, Good Coach or Good Timing?
How much better are the Chicago Blackhawks this year? From 10th in the Western Conference to 4th. From missing the playoffs to home ice advantage in the first round. From 88 points to 104 points. No wonder the fans are flocking to the games. And Coach Q is the toast of the town. Ask anyone, read it every where, he turned this team around and put them in the playoff picture this season.
Really?
Despite the improvement sited above, it's important to remember that the game of hockey and the battle to the playoffs is a matter of slim margins. Let's re-examine that information. Chicago went from 10th to 4th: but did they get better or did the competition get worse? Nashville, Colorado, Minnesota and Dallas all missed the playoffs this season after making post season appearances last season. All were arguably much worse teams in 2008-09.
Chicago missed the playoffs by a mere 3 points last season.
Chicago posted 104 points this season but only won 6 more games than the 2007-08 effort.
Denis Savard was unceremoniously dumped by the Blackhawks organization only 4 games into the 2008-09 season and replaced by former Colorado Avalanche head coach Joel Quenneville. Both men surely have benefited from the team's acquisition of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. And many a source said that Savard just wasn't the right guy for the job, great player, bad coach.
If we take that to be fact, then this team was on its way up despite a bad coach. The 2006-07 season garnered 26 wins. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane show up in 2007-08 and the team wins 40 games! So based on Savard being a crummy coach, Toews and Kane are the reason the Blackhawks are a playoff team this season.
But from 2007-08 the team goes from 40 wins to 46 wins this season. Add a few key free agents/trades such as Brian Campbell, Samuel Pahlsson and Cristobal Huet and you have a significantly better team than the one Savard had to work with. But only six more wins.
If you really think Savard was that bad, how do argue that Quenneville is so good? I think Quenneville is the lucky recipient of fortunate timing and competitive goal tending by two good goalies. Oh, you know the goalie issue had to be brought up eventually, didn't you?
Coach Q doesn't "get" goalies. He has shown over and over that he doesn't know how to handle them. Fortunately for Chicago, they ended up with two very good goalies this season. There's no way Quenneville could screw it up! Huet is no slouch and clearly his signing motivated Nikolai Khabibulin into a fantastic performance this year. But Quenneville gets no credit for this, he wasn't even there when any of this went down.
Bottom line, the Blackhawks were already on the upswing and probably could have made the playoffs with me as the head coach. So before you start handing out the Jack Adams award, let's find us a deserving coach, not a benefactor of fortuity.
Posted by: From the Point
Really?
Despite the improvement sited above, it's important to remember that the game of hockey and the battle to the playoffs is a matter of slim margins. Let's re-examine that information. Chicago went from 10th to 4th: but did they get better or did the competition get worse? Nashville, Colorado, Minnesota and Dallas all missed the playoffs this season after making post season appearances last season. All were arguably much worse teams in 2008-09.
Chicago missed the playoffs by a mere 3 points last season.
Chicago posted 104 points this season but only won 6 more games than the 2007-08 effort.
Denis Savard was unceremoniously dumped by the Blackhawks organization only 4 games into the 2008-09 season and replaced by former Colorado Avalanche head coach Joel Quenneville. Both men surely have benefited from the team's acquisition of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. And many a source said that Savard just wasn't the right guy for the job, great player, bad coach.
If we take that to be fact, then this team was on its way up despite a bad coach. The 2006-07 season garnered 26 wins. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane show up in 2007-08 and the team wins 40 games! So based on Savard being a crummy coach, Toews and Kane are the reason the Blackhawks are a playoff team this season.
But from 2007-08 the team goes from 40 wins to 46 wins this season. Add a few key free agents/trades such as Brian Campbell, Samuel Pahlsson and Cristobal Huet and you have a significantly better team than the one Savard had to work with. But only six more wins.
If you really think Savard was that bad, how do argue that Quenneville is so good? I think Quenneville is the lucky recipient of fortunate timing and competitive goal tending by two good goalies. Oh, you know the goalie issue had to be brought up eventually, didn't you?
Coach Q doesn't "get" goalies. He has shown over and over that he doesn't know how to handle them. Fortunately for Chicago, they ended up with two very good goalies this season. There's no way Quenneville could screw it up! Huet is no slouch and clearly his signing motivated Nikolai Khabibulin into a fantastic performance this year. But Quenneville gets no credit for this, he wasn't even there when any of this went down.
Bottom line, the Blackhawks were already on the upswing and probably could have made the playoffs with me as the head coach. So before you start handing out the Jack Adams award, let's find us a deserving coach, not a benefactor of fortuity.
Posted by: From the Point
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