New Faces Behind The Bench – Which New Bench Boss Will Make The Biggest Impact?
As usual, there was a lot of turnover behind NHL benches in the off-season. A total of 5 new faces behind new benches in addition to 2 interim coaches that were confirmed to full-time duty. Here is a look at the coaches and which ones will have the most impact.
Dallas Stars
Feb 10, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff on the bench during the game against the Boston Bruins at the First Niagara Center. Bruins beat the Sabres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
OUT: Glen Gulutzan
IN: Lindy Ruff
The young Stars went with the most veteran coach available. Ruff is a veteran of 1165 games behind the bench, second only to Joel Quenneville among active coaches. The Stars were the only team to match a veteran coach with a young roster, and that might give them an advantage heading into the season.
Colorado Avalanche
May 28 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche head coach Patrick Roy speaks to the media during a press conference held at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
OUT: Joe Sacco
IN: Patrick Roy
The new regime in Denver, led by Joe Sakic went to the past and brought former Avalanche superstar Patrick Roy to be the team’s new coach. Without a day of professional hockey coaching experience, the Avalanche are taking a risk to put him behind the bench of such a young team. Roy has been the coach of the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL (the team he also co-owns). He has a Memorial Cup victory under his belt as a rookie coach in 2006, so the Avs are likely hoping his early success in the Q will translate to the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers
OUT: Ralph Kruger
IN: Dallas Eakins
The Oilers are now on their 4th coach in the last 5 seasons, never a good thing for the stability of a young franchise. After giving Ralph Krueger only 48 games to make an impact before dismissing him, they went again for a first time NHL coach. Unlike Roy, however, Eakins has spent 3 seasons as an NHL assistant followed by 4 seasons as a head coach in the AHL. He is a big reason for the development of some of the Maple Leafs’ young players such as Jake Gardiner and Nazem Kadri, and the Oilers hope his attention to detail will provide the young squad with the structure that will help them get back to the playoffs.
New York Rangers
Mar. 21, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault looks on during the third period against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. The Canucks beat the Coyotes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
OUT: John Tortorella
IN: Alain Vigneault
The Rangers and Canucks essentially swapped coaches, and it could turn out to be the best thing for both franchises. In Vigneault, the Rangers get a quiet, more even-tempered coach who will speak his mind when needed and because it doesn’t happen often, people will listen more. Tortorella wore out his welcome and it was time to move on, and the change of pace might do wonders for the likes of Rick Nash and Brad Richards.
Vancouver Canucks
April 25, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Rangers coach John Tortorella look on from the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at the PNC center. The Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
OUT: Alain Vigneault
IN: John Tortorella
The window for the Canucks best chance at a Stanley Cup might have been closed, but the intensity that he can bring in the short term might give the normally laissez-faire Vancouver club one last push before the window is closed for good. It will be interesting to see how the drastic swing in style behind the bench works with the likes of the Sedins and most notably Roberto Luongo.
Conclusion
Given the rosters under their control, I would venture to guess that Vigneault will be the most succesful, with Tortorella a close runner-up.
Eakins has the best chance to grow with his team, while Roy will find some adjustment. The most interesting pairing might be Ruff and the Stars. Such a veteran coach behind the bench of a young squad will provide an interesting dynamic, and will be fun to watch to see how both sides adjust to the new situation.