FanNation

nickb23 said 05/08, 05:18 PM
I know very little when it comes to hockey. Hockey was not in Texas when I began loving sports, but i will give it a go.

I will start by saying I looked into my choice and bbf's say had little to do with my choice. But I will go with....... Lindy Ruff, Buffalo Sabres.

Though I would like to start by dissecting your choice. Excuse me if I throw examples from other sports in this, but it is what I know, their are always similarities.

He has been a NHL coach for 51 games. He took over an underachieving team with one of the greatest players in hockey on it. I am sorry but how can a guy who coached 51 games with Alex Ovechkin already be the best coach in hockey. That says very little for the sport and its coaches. He had a hot start, so did a guy named Avery Johnson.

As for Lindy Ruff...I do know one thing hockey teams love to change coaches. Lindy has managed to stay in Buffalo for 11 solid years. This season may not have looked remarkable but they lost both of their captains in the off season. He managed to get them to play hard and finish only 4 points out of the playoffs. More on the other years next.

Bruce had a good 3/4th of a season, Lindy has had a great 11 years

nickb23 said 05/09, 04:25 PM
I was hesitant at taking this, as I am no fan of hockey. This TD has just given me more reason to feel the way I do about hockey and its fans. I have followed sports my whole life. One thing I can tell all you hockey enthusiasts is you can not judge a coach by a 51 game stint. If you feel you can then that is your problem. Sometimes a coach can come in and change the way things are done and it motivates the players to play at the level they are capable of play, but don't always. Things change over time. If a man with 51 games under his belt is considered the best in the NHL, that explains alot.

Lets look at some examples of coaches motivating early on in the GREAT NFL.

Bill Callahan got the Raiders to the super Bowl his first year more than his succesor could do, now he is at home.
Eric Mangini came in and his guys went 10 and 6 with the new attitude, last year 4 and 12.
Jim Mora JR. was the man in the ATL his first couple years, then his message got old and he was gone (before doggate)

Boudreau did a great job, very impressive.

I do have one question is a first round exit considered good coaching? They went on that great of a tear under him and lost in the 1st round

nickb23 said 05/09, 05:17 PM
Look I don't have a huge hate for hockey or anything. I am a Stars fan to a small degree. I watch they playoff games and thats it. I tried to watch a few regular season games after they won the cup. It just wasn't my thing. But my disdain grows thanks to this TD The fact that you were up 7 to 0, based on your pick of the hot commodity, the quiet possibly for all you guys know "one hit wonder." Thats all it took for the hockey fans to ride your wagon.

Lindy Ruff holds the team record for wins in a season(53). Only coach in team history to win the President's Cup. Only coach to win 50 back to back in team history. Been to 4 Eastern Conference Finals. All-time winningest coach in franschise history. Ruff is the 3rd coach ever to led his team to the Conference Finals his first 2 years. Maybe he can teach your guy how to win a playoff series.

Look, I live for the BIG 3 sports and have learned from my own mistakes not to fall in love with a coach after a couple seasons much less 51 games. Avery Johnson just added to that mistake as I thought he was greatness and then watched as his team quit listening to him after great success early on.

You may win but you are wrong.