Mutiny Results in Coaching Change
The writing was on the wall, in the papers, on the web and even on players lips while they sat on the bench; head coach Bruce Boudreau had lost his flock.
Sheppard of this great roster since taking over in 2007-08, Boudreau built and guided this Capitals lineup to become one of the most dangerous in the NHL over the past few seasons, yet could never develop the team's killer instinct, never managing to guide the Caps to the success most felt they should have achieved.
In striking out on multiple occasions, whether it be from the roster being too young, too committed to offense or too focused on defense, Boudreau, try as he might, simply could not get the Washington Capitals to play their best when it counted most.
Starting off the year with a 7-0-0 record, things seemed to be converting back to the "good 'ol days" when Boudreau first took over when the Capitals became an offensive powerhouse. Yet, with an emphasis on implementing rigorous defensive systems, the Caps quietly began to show signs that they were not the same club that dominated in October, but one that was unsure of who they were.
Forced into accountability and a defensive game plan that ultimately went against the minsdet many of the Caps top offensive players have, Boudreau's efforts to push this team into a disciplined winner was finally met with the mutiny we have all witnessed over the past few weeks.
Dropping 10 of 15 since winning 7 straight, Boudreau knew things were hot under the collar. And, while things have been tough for Gabby before, things were simply different this time around as he and the rest of Washington's fan base quietly watched as the Caps roster quietly abandoned his guidance.
Losing the room, one full of so many talented players and strong veteran leaders was disheartening to see, management held on as long as they could to provide Boudreau all the opportunity in the world to turn things around, but it was not to be this time around as the dead look in most Capitals players eyes would tell you, they'd lost the fire.
Ask and ye shall receive, so with the long-awaited change officially coming to be, the Capitals now welcome former captain and Caps legend Dale Hunter to the bench.
Hunter, former coach of the OHL London Knights, will step in to replace Boudreau after years of appeals from the organization.
With word that the assistant coaches and basically everything else will remain in place, it would appear that Hunter will have to step in and make-do with the staff he is provided. But that shouldn't be a problem because if there is one thing Hunter is known for, it's his no-nonsense attitude and die-hard pursuit of success.
Having never won a Cup in DC, there's a strong chance the Caps may have gotten this one right as Hunter may very well be just as hungry as Alex Ovechkin to bring a Cup to the nation's Capitol.
Read more on today's Southeast shakeup, including Paul Maurice's firing in Caroline, here.
Here is the press release from the team:
Capitals Name Dale Hunter Head Coach
Former Caps Captain is One of Four Players to have his Number Retired by the Capitals
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have named Dale Hunter the team’s head coach, replacing Bruce Boudreau, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Hunter, 51, becomes the 15th coach in Washington Capitals history and will make his debut behind the bench tomorrow as the Capitals host the St. Louis Blues at Verizon Center.
Hunter helped the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) win their first Memorial Cup Championship in 2004-05 and is the fastest head coach in OHL history to record 300 and 400 career wins. The Petrolia, Ont., native owns the highest winning percentage in league history with a record of 451-189-23-24 (.691) in his 11 seasons behind the bench for London and was the 2003-04 winner of the Brian Kilrea Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Coach of the Year.
Hunter played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1980-99, appearing in 1,407 games and collecting 1,020 points (323 goals, 697 assists) along with 3,565 penalty minutes with Quebec, Washington and Colorado.
Hunter is one of just four players to have their numbers retired by the Washington Capitals as his No. 32 was retired by the team on March 11, 2000. Hunter captained the Capitals from the 1994-95 season until the 1998-99 season and was named to the NHL All-Star Team in 1997. He played in 872 games for the Capitals from 1987-99 and compiled 556 points (181 goals, 375 goals) and 2,003 penalty minutes. Hunter ranks first all-time in Capitals’ history in penalty minutes, fourth in games played, tied for ninth in goals and third in assists. His 100 career playoff games with the Capitals rank tied for first in team history while his 72 points and 47 assists both lead the franchise.
Hunter is the only player in NHL history to record more than 1,000 points and 3,000 penalty minutes. He ranks second in NHL history in penalty minutes, 53rd in assists and 73rd all-time in points and his 186 playoff games rank tied for 23rd all-time. He was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the second round (41st overall) of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.
This season the Knights lead the OHL with a 20-5-0-1 record and 41 points. Hunter earned his 450th career win on Saturday, Nov. 26 in a 7-2 win over Erie. The Knights are currently the top-ranked team in the CHL and have been ranked No. 1 for seven of the 10 weeks this season and each of the past six weeks (CHL’s Top 10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts). During his time in London, Hunter has coached current Capitals defensemen John Carlson and Dennis Wideman and has worked with numerous other current NHL players such as Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane and John Tavares.
London has won 50 or more games three times and finished first in the OHL four times under Hunter, including a CHL record-setting season in 2004-05 when the Knights finished with a record of 59-7-2-0 and went 20-2-0-0 in the playoffs on the way to the first Memorial Cup championship in London history.
I had been informed Saturday night that the Caps had officially begun the process of reaching out to potential candidates.
Interestingly enough, I don't think the Caps got to asking anyone else as Hunter was at the top of that list.
Joining the Caps after years of passing up offers and opportunities, one thing fans must pay attention to is that, if Hunter is ready to take the job now, he must actually believe there is hope.
Certainly nothing any Caps fan would argue with, but there's a long way to go before these Caps are whipped into the contender they're expected to be.
I will be back with many more thoughts on this in the next few hours, but for now simply digest the fact that not only did the players get what they wanted, so too did fans and management.
Bringing aboard Dale Hunter, the picture begins to get a bit clearer. A former captain, enforcer and presence the current club needs more than anything else, it will be interesting to see what he does with the Caps current leadership paradigm.
Does he take the "C" away from Ovechkin and give it to Laich?
You never know, but the one thing you can be certain of is that these Caps are about to go through a mid-season boot camp at the hands of a former player and coach that has the pedigree of a champion and the desire to become one.
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