1LikesDale Hunter steps down as Capitals coach - NHL.com - News
Heading back to London I'd figure.
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Dale Hunter steps down as Capitals coach Dale Hunter steps down as Capitals coach - NHL.com - News
Heading back to London I'd figure.
All signs pointed to this. Washington has a LOT of decisions to make. Do they replace him with another coach that makes them play a style that restricts their horses? Or do they go back to the all offense all the time style that failed them when it counted. Hunter just seemed irritated and unhappy the whole time. Head coaching in the bigs may not be his style.
I've been hearing about this on a Toronto based podcast I listen to. I didn't realize when they hired him it was "permanent". The Caps have all kinds of issues so maybe he just felt it wasn't the right gig. I mean, why would you want to deal with the likes of OV and Semin anyway?
jom
Ovechkin was obviously unhappy, and it certainly showed in his playing style. Can he ramp it back up under a more "friendly" coach? Possibly, but what does that say to the rest of the team.
And Semin? As far as I'm concerned, he can go play at the South Pole. Guy is good for some highlight reel stuff, but is otherwise a Nimitz-class boat anchor.
Yeah, that line-up has problems all throughout. Green is a hit away from 'Lindros'-ing out of there and the rest of the team is primarily made up of headcases too. Pretty sure Ovie has to regret locking in there long time. Is Holtby their answer in net? Well, he's off to a good start. But they need to get rid of some of the 'occasional' scorers and bring some more character players like Knuble into the mix. Not enough leadership/accountability and you could tell they bristled at Hunter's attempt to force feed them discipline.
I should have said above that "wasn't permanent" not "was permanent". I really had no clue when they hired the guy he didn't commit to next season until I heard that podcast.Originally Posted by drums4dmf
Anyway, the Caps were playing the way they are supposed to play to win. If OV is unhappy that tells you all you need to know. OV shouldn't be unhappy he committed there...it should be the Capitals that are unhappy, IMO. Today I hear Semin is going UFA....if I'm the Caps I say "don't let the door hit you....".
jom
Caps need a retool/build. OV is never going to lead a team to the cup. He's just not that type of player. When your coach won't dare to put you on the ice when you're leading in a game, that says a lot. Semin is done and may go to the KHL, Holtby won't convince me until he does it for a full season, and Green never impressed me all that much. This team, like the Sharks, have had numerous opportunities to prove themselves and haven't done it. They've never even advanced passed the second round and any series they've ever won has been a 7 game squeaker.
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