Truth & Rumors > NHL
Hitchcock a frontrunner in Jersey
- Views
- 4143
- Comments
- 47
08:27 AM ET 04.12 | The Devils have tried older guys and rookie head coaches, and they may be, at least after the John MacLean era, more interested in an experienced head coach such as Ken Hitchcock. He is the most logical choice. Some would call him Jacques II because their coaching philosophies are the same, based on the Montreal Canadiens style. Hitchcock, who last coached the Columbus Blue Jackets, is a little more offensive-minded than Lemaire. He also respects Ilya Kovalchuk and would be able to get along with the $100 million winger.
Ken Hitchcock, Getty Images
Truth & Rumors
MOST POPULAR
-
1
Dwyane Wade surprises teen at her prom
- Views
- 2424
- Comments
- 477
-
2
Sharks GM: Raffi Torres suspended for 'clean hit'
- Views
- 1809
- Comments
- 41
-
3
Dodgers president won't commit to Don Mattingly's future
- Views
- 5851
- Comments
- 34
-
4
Manti Te'o attends Maxim party to support fake girlfriend
- Views
- 1465
- Comments
- 30
-
5
Brad Richards demoted to Rangers' fourth line
- Views
- 1245
- Comments
- 26
Ariel Meredith
Anne V
Baseball's Top-Selling Player Jerseys 
Cheerleader of the Week
TM & © 2013 Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
FanNation.com is part of Sports Illustrated Sites
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines, your California privacy rights, and ad choices
Comments (43) Add A Comment
A little more offensive-minded than Lemaire.
Don't get me wrong, I like and respect Jacques but a box of rocks is "a little more offensive-minded."
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
He failed in Philly and failed in Columbus why would NJ want him?
DurkDiggler
Iron City, PA
Total Comments (1502)
I wouldn't give him an "F" when he was with either of those teams. The teams played well, but I don't think they had the talent to be really competitive. I will agree that he probably wouldn't take New Jersey deep into the playoffs, but then again that losing streak at the end tells me that Lemaire's magic might have been wearing off too.
Burgh-Fan
Total Comments (5027)
I just threw up reading this. The only saving grace on this is that Richard Chere who is the writer of this article is a buddy of Hitch so he is skewed and thankfully has no real insight.
Nard Dog
Total Comments (3353)
Not to worry Nardo. Hitch is with Burkie's bum-buddy Nonis at the World's. Perhaps there's some blue and white in his future?
Canuck eh?
Total Comments (18269)
Ken Hitchcock in Jersey won't do! It' ll be a huge distraction evry time a ref yells at him, "Go have another doughnut, you #%* &@~!"
roamer
Total Comments (9461)
NJ should be looking at Pete DeBoer in my opinion.
cromster
New London, By Way Of Philly, CT
Total Comments (1776)
Ottawa should have a good look at Craig McTavish. He certainly did far better with the Oilers than the Quinn - Renney duo given the talent (or lack thereoff) he had to work with. The Oilers never finished last two years in a row under his tutelage like they have with Renney, yet nobody seems to be asking for Renney's head on a platter like they did with MacT.
roamer
Total Comments (9461)
Why would Hitch want that job? With the openings out there, he'll likely have a number of options, so why pick NJ, with the most notorious coach killing GM in the league? Hitch ends up in Calgary, is my call.
NJ should be hiring another re-tread, for sure, just not one as strong minded, strong willed, and in demand as Hitch (didn't work with Sutter - good results, but took off). A guy like Michel Therrien would jump at this chance, has experience, and coaches the way Lou likes. Or Guy Carbonneau, who I've mentioned before. Not Kirk Muller - I don't think Lou wants to watch another coach cut his teeth next year.
And geez, the way some people are talking (Habs fans), Julien might just be looking for a new job after the first round too. Lou could re-hire yet ANOTHER ex-coach!
goCanada!
Sudbury, ON
Total Comments (1879)
Personally I think he would be a great fit in Joisey.
A tight fit but a good one.
Hank Kingsley
Port Alberni, BC
Total Comments (11719)
Agreed, but Ottawa has already unofficially committed to Dave Cameron - it just can't be announced until the Memorial Cup is over, since he's the host coach and his team is favoured.
I like MacT in Minnesota. Young team, little talent, not much direction. Sounds like home to MacT, I'm sure, haha. I think he could work with their lineup, given the chance - IF they want to change their style like they've said since Lemaire left. Otherwise, Carbo again in Minny.
In fact, Minny has lots of options. Unlike NJ where they will want to get a coach who can work with their lineup, Minny is a blank slate because they have no talent or ability anywhere. John Anderson or Pete DeBoer could just as easily take this team over too.
Ted Nolan to Florida.
goCanada!
Sudbury, ON
Total Comments (1879)
Because all the teams looking for a coach NJ has the best track record and most success. And the coach needs to be strong minded to work for Lou. The weak are the ones who can't handle it. The coaches who have had the most success in NJ are Lemaire, Robinson, and Burns. Strong minded and strong willed.
I'm on the Kirk Muller bandwagon. Captain Kirk can return. Lou can't be afraid to hire a rookie coach just because the last one didn't work.
Nard Dog
Total Comments (3353)
Actually he looks like half the man he once was..............maybe even 40%?
Slapshot
Total Comments (8941)
he is trying to revive the clutch/grab, big slow guy style of hockey
BrownsBucksBlueJacke…
Total Comments (3392)
If Julien does not get to the Conf finals or Cup finals, he might looking for a job
BrownsBucksBlueJacke…
Total Comments (3392)
who did Ted Nolan piss off so much that he has been black balled twice now?
BrownsBucksBlueJacke…
Total Comments (3392)
1. was sleeping with somebody's wife in Buffalo, is the word. Didn't get along with Muckler and didn't get along with Hasek.
2. Didn't agree with Garth Snow's "vision" of the future of the Isles and told him off on the way out.
His success can't be argued though. The biggest issue now is that he has pulled the race card (he's Native). Dangerous card to play, especially if uncalled for. Makes everybody nervous to give you a chance, thinking they'll be called a bigot when the inevitable firing time comes.
goCanada!
Sudbury, ON
Total Comments (1879)
Exactly. He did good in Philly and I was a bit annoyed to see him go. The Flyers were in the process of going thru coach after coach when it was the players that needed to get better. I think if Hitch had better players, he would have done well. He could do well with the Devils. Clearly, the Devils are a good team and don't need a total rebuild. It would be interesting to see what he could do, especially if Brodeur still has a year or two left in the tank.
Nobody expects…
Total Comments (13077)
No doubt on the track record. They also have a track record of coaches lasting 2 seasons, at most. Not much security there. Lemaire has been fired or quit 3 or 4 times now, Robinson's quit twice and Burns we need not talk about (RIP). Why work under those kinds of conditions when you can go to Calgary and work for a supportive GM in a hockey town?
Robbie Ftorek was strong minded. Got the rug pulled out from under him a week before the playoffs.
I respect the Devils as an organization, and Lou as a hockey man. But if I'm a coach with a borderline HOF resume and all the choices in the world, NJ (and Lou in particular) isn't my first choice. All I'm saying.
goCanada!
Sudbury, ON
Total Comments (1879)
But he's like Oprah.
Fat Ken, skinny Ken, fat Ken, etc.
I prefer fat guys to stay fat. They seem more jolly in their natural state.
Hank Kingsley
Port Alberni, BC
Total Comments (11719)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.