Dale Hunter stepping down

[jstewismybastardson]

is he going to coach London at the Mem cup?

 

[dash]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him step behind the London bench, I mean, there's still some life left in that suit...

 

[SLY]

Interesting... little surprised.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

This is not very surprising. I have been in Virginia for a few days and the general consensus was that he did this as a favor to the organization so they could do a full and patient coaching search in the offseason. That was why he only signed the one year deal and seemed so calm and cool in the pressers. He was going back to London, even if we won the Cup.


Tony Granato?

 

[dash]

This is not very surprising. I have been in Virginia for a few days and the general consensus was that he did this as a favor to the organization so they could do a full and patient coaching search in the offseason. That was why he only signed the one year deal and seemed so calm and cool in the pressers. He was going back to London, even if we won the Cup.


Tony Granato?

That would be a mistake, in my opinion. He's probably an okay assistant, but as a head coach, he was a disaster in Colorado.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

i think Marc Crawford would just let OV go out there and score as many as he can

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Jim Zorn!

 

[dash]

It certainly appears that the Caps have found a solution between the pipes. Makes you wonder who Vokoun will sign with for next season.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

You guys should go visit the invigorated Caps page for my opinions,

 

[puckhead]

Washington Capitals under Bruce Boudreau: 93-point pace.
Washington Capitals under Dale Hunter: 92-point pace*.


*better than I would have expected, how much is due to Holtby turning into a star?
unless Hunter partially responsible for that? That would surprise me.
I still think firing Boudreau was a mistake for the Caps

 

[awaz]

It certainly appears that the Caps have found a solution between the pipes. Makes you wonder who Vokoun will sign with for next season.

flyers prolly.. can never have enough mediocre goalies right?

 

[pixburgher66]

I think Hunter was just not comfortable at this level...I was a little surprised by this honestly, but I think he just regretted leaving London. Seems like he was very hush hush about his decision though...his brother said he didn't know the decision until he announced it today.

 

[pixburgher66]

Stephen Whyno ‏ @SWhynoVokoun says he never considered being with #Caps beyond one year.

That's interesting.

 

[puckhead]

I think Hunter was just not comfortable at this level...I was a little surprised by this honestly, but I think he just regretted leaving London. Seems like he was very hush hush about his decision though...his brother said he didn't know the decision until he announced it today.

maybe he was asked to step down?

Dale Hunter is stepping down as the head coach of the Washington Capitals; did he have a choice? | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com

 

[pixburgher66]

maybe he was asked to step down?

Dale Hunter is stepping down as the head coach of the Washington Capitals; did he have a choice? | Backhand Shelf | Blogs | theScore.com

That thought did go through my head...could easily be a mutual thing. He did bring some discipline into the room it seemed...not sure Bruce was big on that.

 

[dash]

Not only is he owner of the London Knights, but his son is an assistant coach with the Knights and his brother Mark is co-owner. It well could be that he wants to return to the family business.

 

[pixburgher66]

Whyno saying that he's already got his Knights jacket on walking around Kettler, wishing guys the best. I'm really not sure how I'd feel about this if I were a Caps player. Of course I'm not certain they all liked him (mostly the big offensive guys though), but still, it'd be a bit awkward.

 

[pixburgher66]

A bit of a pessimistic view on things here:
The Capitals Are A Team Without A Coach Or A Plan
Makes a point though: if the Caps and Hunter didn't plan on this being a long term relationship, than why let this guy completely change the team mentality? You can't let a guy that's so temporary bring in a completely different system.

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Guys, I am telling you, he did this as a favor to the team and Leonsis.

The Caps had to get rid of Boudreau because of how toxic it had become. They did not want to have to do a spur of the moment, who is out there, arm behind their back hiring and be wrapped into a multi-year deal.

Hunter was a stop gap. He would have left, even if the Caps had won the Cup. That was why he only had the one year deal. Now the Caps can take their time and work through a proper search.

As for his jacket, HE OWNS THE TEAM! Who cares.

Thank you Dale!

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

A bit of a pessimistic view on things here:
The Capitals Are A Team Without A Coach Or A Plan
Makes a point though: if the Caps and Hunter didn't plan on this being a long term relationship, than why let this guy completely change the team mentality? You can't let a guy that's so temporary bring in a completely different system.

Why not? The other system wasn't working either.