Don't forget, Willie's tenure was more than twice as long as the coach the Pens did hire - and Vancouver offered a longer contract, so he'll get paid for another year.

Pittsburgh looks great now, but Mike Johnston only made it 28 games into his second season. He went back to his old job this year, as head coach of WHL Portland.
- Carol Schram

Well said Carol. Pretty easy for some here to say now Willie 'should have' taken the Pens job but honestly no one here has a clue how that may have worked out for him there.

I think he's probably done coaching in the NHL for a while. Kings convinced him to come to LA because they were cup contenders
- NorthNuck

Yeah, I highly doubt he'd come to Vancouver to coach this mess if they asked him to.

They asked Willie who he liked in the playoffs and he said "I think Calgary has the ability to surprise"
- NorthNuck

Flames are deeper than 2014 when they got pounded by ANA so I can see Calgary stealing a few games maybe three. But really ANA still looks to be the much better club through all 4 lines.

Any chance we can lure Darryl Sutter come to Vancouver?

Does he fit?
- BrockBrock

Not even remotely.

Flames are deeper than 2014 when they got pounded by ANA so I can see Calgary stealing a few games maybe three. But really ANA still looks to be the much better club through all 4 lines.
- LordHumungous

Fowler out and Bieksa taking his minutes... does not bode well
Looking forward to tkachuk in the playoffs, should be a scrappy series in general

Thanks Carol! Greet work as always.
Willie is pure class, I wish him the best and I hope he gets the opportunity to coach an NHL team with a talented roster.

Imagine that, Tallon wants to speak with WD.

Ya hard to believe he turned down the Pens job!

I don't know why Linden/JB would be keen to hire another rookie coach, I mean I've made the same mistake a few times—but this one seems obvious.
- neem55

This!!

I think people are putting a little too much emphasis on coaching here. It definitely is important, you need the right fit, but the difference between Horvat and McDavid isnt McLellan. Nor is Sutter the difference between Doughty and Stecher. The team lacks the star talent that rises above the rest, regardless of who coaches them. This draft hopefully will help continue to fix that
- WhiteLie

I think this is pretty accurate. But people saying Sutter didn't coach well, or that young guys didn't do well in his system isn't accurate either. I'm not drinking the koolaid of the right coach makes this a playoff team, in fact I think this is still a team that finishes bottom 5 next year regardless of what pick/coach we get. I'd just like to see someone who can help show the ropes, has experience. Because I think that has an effect on young kids, they shut up and listen to a coach that is established. Just like they shut up and listen to a player that is established. Am I going to be pissed if it's Green? No, I just don't think he brings anything new to the table so is not the best choice.

It's not Desjardins' fault the Sedins are past their prime.
It's not his fault there were some injuries to key players.
It's not his fault the team has been stuck between rebuild and re-tool for years.
It's not his fault Louie Eriksson underachieved and was a questionable signing.

Scotty Bowman could not have taken that roster to the playoffs.
It's not fair but it's easy to fire the coach.

Fowler out and Bieksa taking his minutes... does not bode well
Looking forward to tkachuk in the playoffs, should be a scrappy series in general
- neem55

Agree that's big. But if Calgary tries to play ANA's big and tough game they are gonna get slaughtered even though Tkachuk and Ferland can pop a few heads. Big thing in the PO's when the refs put the whistles away and tighter checking games are allowed, is who has the best 3rd-4th lines here. ANA can hit you with 4 lines... if the Flames can somehow manage to shut down their top 6, they still have to contend with players who can pound and score. If Matt Stajan is the best the Flames can toss at ANA they could be in trouble

It's not Desjardins' fault the Sedins are past their prime.
It's not his fault there were some injuries to key players.
It's not his fault the team has been stuck between rebuild and re-tool for years.
It's not his fault Louie Eriksson underachieved and was a questionable signing.

Scotty Bowman could not have taken that roster to the playoffs.
It's not fair but it's easy to fire the coach.
- Rang

Thanks Captain Obvious, back to your cave.

It's not Desjardins' fault the Sedins are past their prime.
It's not his fault there were some injuries to key players.
It's not his fault the team has been stuck between rebuild and re-tool for years.
It's not his fault Louie Eriksson underachieved and was a questionable signing.

Scotty Bowman could not have taken that roster to the playoffs.
It's not fair but it's easy to fire the coach.
- Rang

careful, the truth and facts don't sit well with some here.

careful, the truth and facts don't sit well with some here.
- Codes1087

Same in Leaf land. We are going to get steamrolled by the Caps but the media has been trying to make some believe we have a chance.
We don't.

Same in Leaf land. We are going to get steamrolled by the Caps but the media has been trying to make some believe we have a chance.
We don't.
- Rang

I think TO will steal a few games from the energy of the kids alone...but WAS is just too bloody deep and experienced at all positions.

Agree that's big. But if Calgary tries to play ANA's big and tough game they are gonna get slaughtered even though Tkachuk and Ferland can pop a few heads. Big thing in the PO's when the refs put the whistles away and tighter checking games are allowed, is who has the best 3rd-4th lines here. ANA can hit you with 4 lines... if the Flames can somehow manage to shut down their top 6, they still have to contend with players who can pound and score. If Matt Stajan is the best the Flames can toss at ANA they could be in trouble
- LordHumungous

I don't disagree here, my only other comment is: They have the best defensive pair in hockey in Calgary, brodie is probably the best #3. I don't like this team, but their defense makes Anahiem's look pretty pedestrian, with Fowler out it's not even a conversation. So calgary has the far better d, Anahiem the better O, and G is where the series gets decided IMO.

I think TO will steal a few games from the energy of the kids alone...but WAS is just too bloody deep and experienced at all positions.
- LordHumungous

Agreed and way too physical for the current roster to handle. We would be lucky to win a game if Anderson plays out of his mind.

I don't disagree here, my only other comment is: They have the best defensive pair in hockey in Calgary, brodie is probably the best #3. I don't like this team, but their defense makes Anahiem's look pretty pedestrian, with Fowler out it's not even a conversation. So calgary has the far better d, Anahiem the better O, and G is where the series gets decided IMO.
- neem55

To me it all depends on which version of Getzlaf and Perry show up. If they bring their A game the Flames are in trouble. If not they can win.

I don't disagree here, my only other comment is: They have the best defensive pair in hockey in Calgary, brodie is probably the best #3. I don't like this team, but their defense makes Anahiem's look pretty pedestrian, with Fowler out it's not even a conversation. So calgary has the far better d, Anahiem the better O, and G is where the series gets decided IMO.
- neem55

Yep all good points and agree Calgary has the edge on D.

Nothing wrong with a battle scarred, seasoned old school coach. Pat Quinn type, who commands respect, something that's missing with the younger kids these days.

Bad period? Walk into the dressing room and break a stick in half. Treats the players who go to war for him like his own.
- VanHockeyGuy

Torts?

To me it all depends on which version of Getzlaf and Perry show up. If they bring their A game the Flames are in trouble. If not they can win.
- Rang

this is very true, Perry has not looked good this year to say the least

WD is a good guy. Players liked him for it. Showed class on exit. He just wasn't the right coach for where this team is at. It's not a blame game it's just reality and fit. Wish him well. Just not against Nucks if he lands anywhere in the NHL again.

WD is a good guy. Players liked him for it. Showed class on exit. He just wasn't the right coach for where this team is at. It's not a blame game it's just reality and fit. Wish him well. Just not against Nucks if he lands anywhere in the NHL again.
- Nuck4U

Florida would be such a funny fit if it turns out, with the ex-Canuck history there. Maybe WD will ask for Dorsett

is the term "SCRAPS" only applied to players, and is it forbidden to use for coaches that have been fired but we are so anxious and eager to hire?

is the term "SCRAPS" only applied to players, and is it forbidden to use for coaches that have been fired but we are so anxious and eager to hire?
- Codes1087

He's won two cups dude, this is (frank)ing retarded.