The first NHL coaching domino has fallen as the Nashville Predators announced what many observers expected, the hiring of Franklin, Massachusetts native, Peter Laviolette to be the second head coach in franchise history. His coaching resume is extensive and successful, including an AHL Calder Cup championship, two trips to the Stanley Cup final one with Philadelphia in 2010, where the Flyers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks and once with the Carolina Hurricanes, winning the Cup in 2006. Laviolette has coached a total of 759 NHL games for three different teams with an overall record of 389-282-25-63 with six overall playoff appearances, two division championships and a playoff record of 43-39.
I wrote a few days ago that is you are going to make a change… make a change. The Nashville Predators did just that, going from a more defensively oriented coach (although an argument could be made that Barry Trotz was adapting to the types of players he had) to a more offensively oriented one… from a “player’s coach… to a coach who no one would hang that label on... from a more calm demeanor coach (at least outwardly) to a coach who fans of HBO’s 24/7 saw yelling “we need to start playing with some jam… and yelling at another coach in protecting his players.
Besides being intense and fiery… two descriptors you consistently see about Laviolette… he also drives almost immediate improvement in teams that he takes over. In his first NHL head coaching job, he led the New York Islanders to their first playoff appearance in seven seasons, he repeated that feat in his second season behind the NY bench. Despite his success, Laviolette joined one of the bevy of coaches fired by Mike Milbury, during his reign as Islander’s GM.
Laviolette took over the Carolina Hurricanes after 30 games of the 03-04 season, beginning a turnaround that saw the ‘Canes win the Stanley Cup in 05-06, his first full season behind the bench. This was the first (and to date… only) major professional sports championship by a team in North Carolina. Injuries and the inevitable shedding of expensive players saw the ‘Canes not make the playoffs in the next two seasons and after 25 games in the 2008-09 season, Laviolette was fired.
Again, the coach did not remain unemployed for long as he was hired in Philadelphia to replace John Stevens as head coach of the Flyers in early December of the 2009-10 season. After a rough start to his tenure in Philly, the Flyers got things turned around, finishing 3rd in the division, making the playoffs on a shootout victory over the New York Rangers in the last game of the season. As the 7 seed in the east, the Flyers went on an improbable playoff run that included an amazing series victory over the Boston Bruins, coming back from an 0-3 series deficit in the series and a three goal deficit in game seven to become only the third team to ever come back to win a seven game series trailing 0-3. Philadelphia finally fell in the Cup finals to Chicago in six games.
The Flyers made the playoffs in their next two seasons, bowing out in the second round each time before missing the playoffs in the lockout shortened 12-13 season. Citing the need for a change, Laviolette was fired just three games into this season and has spent the time since then working with USA Hockey, assistant coaching Team USA in the Olympics. Laviolette is the head coach of Team USA in the World Championships which get underway on Friday in Belarus.
This is definitely a change in direction for Nashville, this coach will certainly change the culture, both on the ice and in the locker room. It’s a change that many denizens of Pred Nation have been screaming for… now let’s see how this works out.
Here is David Poile’s press conference from yesterday…
And the players take...
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Wednesday Random Playoff Notes
- SlapShot Radio is back tonight, live at Tavern 96. It’s a party on the patio as we will be watching game four of the Penguins / Rangers series and talking hockey! The guest list includes the Voice of the Carolina Hurricanes, Chuck Kaiton to talk about new Predators head coach Peter Laviolette, the voice of the LA Kings, Bob Miller will talk to us about the Kings/Ducks series and The Voice of the Boston Bruins, Jack Edwards will give us the lowdown on Habs / Bruins. Make sure you come out and join us! We’ll be there by about 5:30 with giveaways (including a whitening from Dr. Jane Bacon (A $500 value) and much more!
- Another Pred prospect will be playing in Worlds… Miikka Salomaki has been added to Finland’s roster, bringing the total number of Predator players up to 10… Head Coach Laviolette, assistant coach Phil Housley and video coordinator Lawrence Feloney bring the total number of Nashville staff participating up to 13.
- Elliotte Friedman, in his 30 Thoughts column, makes an interesting trade speculation between Philly and Nashville… no… not that one… but he brings up the name Vincent Lacavalier as potential trade bait to Nashville. Sound speculation if you ask me, but… I truly believe that the bridge between Philly and Nashville has been burned.
- OK… I know the Kings were hot heading into round two… but even I didn’t see that one coming.
- Home ice pays off for Minnesota, solid 4-0 whitewash of Chicago last night to get back into their series.
- The Penguins were certainly able to take advantage of the schedule, wresting control of their series with the Rangers. Game four is tonight.
- Congratulations to friend of SlapShot Radio Mike “Doc… Emrick who has won the national Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-play…
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