So Johnny Mac, is it time to go?

[TheSgtDabbs]

I want to start by saying that I'm usually the last person to want to change coaches every other day. That said, I was listening to ESPN radio (think it was the herd) was talking about coaches. He brought up something interesting that may apply here: the lifetime assistant coach. Basically, a loyal coach that has served as an assistant for years, is pretty good at his job, but doesn't have that special something to succeed as a head coach. I'm really starting to believe that Johnny Mac may be that type of coach. He's a good coach, just not head coach material. I wouldn't mind seeing him move back to assistant and hire a new coach better suited for the role. (Maybe the Hitch?)

 

[MCDevils]

Which commentator on ESPN? I don't trust their hockey analysis. Is Bob Mackenzie (TSN) said it, then that's one thing. ESPN's analysts another.

 

[TheSgtDabbs]

It wasn't a hockey guy at all, it was Colin Cowherd himself who is the man, but not into hockey. He was talking about basketball or maybe football in this case, but it fits in with any sport.

 

[MCDevils]

I think tonight is the perfect example why you shouldn't fire MacLean. I wasn't able to watch the vast majority of the game. I only got home with 2 minutes left in the third, but Lou mentioned the teams best players needing to play better and step up, well Kovy had two amazing chances to score tonight and din't hit the net once. The SO was inexcusable.

To be honest, Kovy keeps talking in the press about how much he loves the pressure. I call BS. We haven't seen him ever overcome the huge pressure on him while wearing a Devils jersey.

 

[DevFan60]

Kovy looks miserable these days. I wish he will recover from it a.s.a.p

 

[MCDevils]

This is probably an unlikely speculation at best, but I swear I'll never forgive this organization of they can't get Parise inked because they signed this guy. You see Parise playing all season with a torn meniscus, and he goes out every game in the trenches against guys bigger than he is, and is a natural leader, then you have Ilya doing what he has done all season, deke the puck off his own stick. I'm not the only one who notices this, right? The three games I've attended and the 1 pre-season game he did it constantly. Dekes himself into trouble. It's mind boggling. He's supposed to have a world class shot, but it's just unbelievable.

Just watched the replay of it and I can't even fathom it. It's like a side show act they brought in to sell tickets. What in the hell. You can't even use the argument about him not playing with good players. He's played with everyone on this team at some point. Look at the Pominville goal in the beginning of the second. He's out loafing near the goal line and let's the Sabres just march right back into our end and take a shot.

In 10 games he's turned himself from the savior and future of this team into a leper the likes of Arod with Yankees fans.

 

[TheSgtDabbs]

Good comparison with A-rod, as a Yankees fan, I know what you mean. At any rate, I'm not sure what's up with kovy. Zajac is a good enough center that he should have his share of chances. Hell, even Arnott would fit there. Who knows. I don't know what will pull this team out of this.

 

[MCDevils]

I'll even make a bold, yet unprovable statement. If this team had Paul Martin right now instead of Ilya, we'd have a better record.

 

[MCDevils]

Realistically, I don't think Lou will ever fire Mac. Lou always values loyalty. If Mac gets fired it will be the same people that hired Kovalchuk, management.

 

[skrillex26]

I don't understand why i keep hearing people pick at Arnott

What exactly has he done wrong, he just keeps scoring. Anyway, away from that this is why you can't just put a star player on any team and they just light it up. Similar with having a team of superstars. Doesn't work, chemistry is always key.

I don't even have the energy to go on about Kovy. This whole season has been atrocious and everyone but Lou is to blame in my opinion. Agree with MC i don't see Lou firing Mac, even though it's probably what needs to be done.

 

[devils30mb]

You can see in the second period that Mac hasn't lost the players because after Buffalo's 2 goals in 13 seconds Mac called a time out and let his team know how he feels.
What did they do....respond with 2 goals.

Arnott played well and I like the chemistry that him, Elias, and Tedenby had last night (TEA line). It seems Arnott is taking this on his shoulders and stepping up like an experienced vet should do.

If Lou fires Mac, then he also admits failure.

MC once again you are spot on with all you said. I too will be utterly upset if they don't ink Parise.
If I was given the choice on who to build a team around - Parise or Kovy - I'll take Parise hands down. Yes he may not have as much flare (which is shown in spurts when Kovy feels like) but he gives his all game in game out.

Look back at the Olympics where team Canada came out and thrashed the Russians. There is just something about Russian players in that they give up and don't push on when the going gets tough.

 

[MCDevils]

He's turned it around. He was a horrible -10 through the first ten games, but he hasn't been a - player since, I'm pretty sure. Need to check the stats again.

 

[nj_cup]

arnott has been a great pickup love the guy! still has a beastly shot that guess what hits the net!

as for mac

do the players need to step up? YES they do BUUUUUT lets be honest we have seen coaches come in here with less and still do way more and way better then he has been able to muster out of the same group of guys....i think ted nolan would be a great fit for this team

 

[nj_cup]

you see what he did with buffalo and the isles both teams that had trouble scoring

 

[MCDevils]

The Islanders were 12th in offense during year one of his tenure, and 29th in offense during year 2.

12th in defense during year 1, 22nd in defense in year 2.

-42 goal differential over the two years.

He also accomplished very little with the Sabres.

 

[nj_cup]

ur right lets keep mac

 

[MCDevils]

ur right lets keep mac

+1. Is your solution really to fire JMac and hire a coach with 4 seasons under his belt in the past 16 years? It's like the Tamp owners hiring Barry Melrose to coach the leftwing lock all over again...

If you really want to suggest other coaches look at guys like Hitchcock or even Hartley who coached Ilya in Atlanta, although what that guy could possibly know about how to win eludes me.

 

[nj_cup]

your right seeing how great hitch worked with younger players your right....nolan gets a bad wrap for being with someones wife which on this team is ok

 

[MCDevils]

your right seeing how great hitch worked with younger players your right....nolan gets a bad wrap for being with someones wife which on this team is ok

He coached the WJC team (hitch)... and as you like to point out, this team is full of veterans.

 

[nj_cup]

true right now they are...but i would hope that our "smart" gm sees that is a huge problem and maybe sheds some years?