PUCKBALL

Shnuff	Goin' to extremes, ain't we?

About this Entry
Posted by: Shnuff Original: 9/16/2007 2:09 AM Views: 86 Comments: 4 eProps: 4 Read Comments Post a Comment Back to Your Xanga Site

Who gave the eProps?
2 eProps from: no_wings Matuga

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Hockey News was thinking the same thing I was (and these guys. And maybe this guy too):

So here's why I think hiring Mike Keenan was a terrible idea, and why firing him is a good one. I like numbers.

Thanks to Wikipedia for this neato chart (which hopefully formats properly):

Team	Year	Regular Season							Post Season
Team	Year	G	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Finish	W	L	Win %	Result
PHI	84/5	80	53	20	7	-	113	1^st in Patrick Division	12	7	.632	Runner-Up
PHI	85/6	80	53	23	4	-	110	1^st in Patrick Division	2	3	.400	Preliminary Round
PHI	86/7	80	46	26	8	-	100	1^st in Patrick Division	15	11	.577	Runner up
PHI	87/8	80	38	33	8	-	85	2^nd in Patrick Division	3	4	.429	Division semi-finalist
PHI Total		320	190	102	27	-	408		32	25	.561	4 Playoff Appearances
CHI	88/9	80	27	41	12	-	66	4^th in Norris Division	9	7	.563	Conference Finalist
CHI	89/90	80	41	33	6	-	88	1^st in Norris Division	10	10	.500	Conference Finalist
CHI	90/1	80	49	23	8	-	106	1^st in Norris Division	2	4	.333	Division Semi-Finalist
CHI	91/2	80	36	29	15	-	87	2^nd in Norris Division	12	6	.667	Runner up
CHI Total		320	153	126	41	-	347		33	27	.550	4 Playoff Appearances
NYR	93/4	84	52	24	8	-	112	1^st in Atlantic	16	7	.696	Won Stanley Cup
NYR Total		84	52	24	8	-	112		16	7	.696	1 Playoff Appearance 1 Stanley Cup Championship
STL	94/5	48	28	15	5	-	61	2^nd in Central	3	4	.429	Conference Quarter-Finalist
STL	95/6	82	32	34	16	-	80	4^th in Central	7	6	.538	Conference Semi-Finalist
STL	96/7	33	15	17	1	-	31	4^th in Central	-	-	-
STL Total		163	75	66	22	-	172		10	10	.500	2 Playoff Appearances
VAN	97/8	63	21	30	12	-	54	7^th in Pacific	-	-	-	-
VAN Total		63	21	30	12	-	54		-	-	-
BOS	00/1	74	33	26	7	8	81	4^th in Northeast	-	-	-
BOS Total		74	33	26	7	8	81		-	-	-
FLA	01/2	56	16	29	8	3	43	4^th in Southeast	-	-	-
FLA	02/3	82	24	36	13	9	70	4^th in Southeast	-	-	-
FLA	03/4	15	5	8	2	0	12	4^th in Southeast	-	-	-
FLA Total		153	45	73	23	12	125		-	-	-

Total		1,014	569	447	140	20	1,299		91	79	.535

So the first half of that docket is pretty good. From 1984/85 to 93/94, Mike Keenan compiled a record of 394-250-76, with nine playoff appearances in nine years with the Flyers, Blackhawks, and Rangers. He also won an impressive six division titles and winning the Stanley Cup with the Rangers in '94.

After that, though, it's been all downhill for Iron Mike. Stints with the Blues, Canucks, Bruins and Panthers were entirely unsuccessful (Canucks fans still despise him, for whatever reason). He's had a record of 174-195-84 (counting OTLs as ties here), good for a paltry winning percentage of .384. He's been out of work in the league for four years. Examining his recent record, it's pretty obvious as to why.

Keenan hasn't been a winner for a long, long while. His uncompromising style has won him as many enemies as friends, among both players and associates, and power struggles led to him being dismissed from the Blackhawks and Rangers. He has the nickname 'Captain Hook' for his treatment of goalies- do we want this man in charge of Miikka Kiprusoff, one of the three best in the league right now?

Do we want a coach whose last successful season was over a decade ago?

Do we want a coach who is just as likely to run the team into the ground as he is to advance them past the first round in the playoffs?

So I'll ask what the Hockey News did: Why is Mike Keenan coaching the Flames?

And perhaps just as important: How long until GM Darryl Sutter feels the heat if Keenan isn't successful?

Posted 9/16/2007 2:09 AM - 86 Views - 4 eProps - 4 comments

recommend
recs0
share
email
sent0

Give eProps or Post a Comment

4 Comments

I am allergic to sports entries, so I am moderately itchy after reading this--although I have to admit it was a well written entry. :)

Posted 9/17/2007 10:33 AM by no_wings - reply

Thanks, Kristen. Apologies on the itch.

An addendum, since Dennis has been attempting to talk me down off the ledge (proverbially), asking me to wait until Keenan's coached a few games. Fair enough, though I can't shake the unease on his hiring. Just a bad fit across the board, even if he will have good chemistry with Sutter.

I reserve the right to say "I told you so!" after we drop the home opener.

-DaveC

Posted 9/17/2007 5:10 PM by Shnuff - reply

No, you can say it after we miss the playoffs or flame out in the 1st round for the third year in a row. I see clear reason for skepticism but all the same I think he should be given a chance.

Posted 9/17/2007 6:20 PM by Matuga - reply

I'd prefer to do it earlier on. It fits with my snarky personality.

And makes it funnier if we do win the division/get to the finals/win the Cup, etc.

-DaveC

Posted 9/19/2007 9:33 PM by Shnuff - reply

Choose Identity

Xanga Network

Anonymous (Sign up for free!)