Comments on: On Bruce Boudreau’s Future

By: DarkStranger

DarkStranger — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:47:00 +0000

While I can’t really talk to the possible tension between Boudreau and Ovi, it certainly looks like the case that many of Semin’s recent penalties have been “reputation” calls, to the point to where he can’t even function any more no matter how much he tried. I’m sure it’s gotten in his head, which is why he’s now a healthy scratch. Trading Semin would be scapegoating him, I agree. But I’m expecting him to be traded soon or even at the deadline.

By: RMNB Presents the Rally Balloon T-Shirt

RMNB Presents the Rally Balloon T-Shirt — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:58:38 +0000

[...] team– who had lost four straight, with one star benched and another under scrutiny, with an embattled head coach and a bunch of grumpy fans– into [...]

By: Hockey Nut

Hockey Nut — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Spot on Sonja. I’ve often thought that the problem with this team is tension between BB and Ovie, and Ovie’s refusal to make changes. I am a Semin fan and watch him closely. He really looks like he is trying and is doing what is asked of him. Many of his penalties are not his fault and that makes him less confident. He is in a rutt for sure but he has been at least trying. Not so Ovie. Sasha looks a lot better than Ovie on most nights. Trading Semin would be just scapegoating him when he is not the real problem. But with that said, I bet that if he is traded he will automatically start scoring again to his potential (see Flashman). There’s something about this team that is stiffling good players!

By: spacecadet

spacecadet — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:59:00 +0000

Well said, sonja. Ovi is acting like a spoiled, petulant little child. He doesn’t like to play defense is part of his problem. He likes to hit and shoot (I would say score but that doesn’t happen much now does it) and not play within any kind of system. My only hope is that with Crosby returning to play tonight against the Isles that Ovi finally says, “now my foil has reappeared and I must reignite the engine.” It would not surprise me in the least if he has a big game tonight because Syd is back garnering all the headlines.

By: Stardragon66

Stardragon66 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Spot on, Sonja n a. Folks nattering on like the Red Queen”Off with his head!”. Maybe the team needs to jiggle the communication wires a bit,get the C off Ovi’s chest and get on with it.We got a Cup to win.

By: sonja n a

sonja n a — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:27:00 +0000

I’m late to this conversation … but I just read my current issue of The Hockey News. In that issue Ken Campbell gives BB a heaping bowl of praise for benching Ovie in the waning minutes of the game against Anaheim on Nov. 1. KC writes that this act should do much to get the superstar moving again and pull the team together. They won that night, in OT. Since then they’ve only won one additional game and the performances have been getting increasingly bad. Ovechkin can’t even buy a point. Or won’t. If BB is suffering from bad PR, so is Semin. His play may not be living up to expectations, but it’s not so bad that he should be traded. Ovechkin needs to be reminded who the coach is. Regardless of a player’s status.

Perhaps we fans need to let BB do his job. And remind Ovechkin that BB is his boss. And stop pushing #8′s bad behavior onto #28.

By: VaMedic

VaMedic — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:27:00 +0000

– it’s intellectually lazy to say that “change” must mean “coaching change.”

Truth. Understand, I like BB, and I think he does us more good than harm. But, I will personally help run him out of town tarred and feathered if it would mean a Cup. I’m a fan of the Washington Capitals, the team, and not any one person on it.

Those things said, this is a deeply talented group of people who are underperforming. In just about any area of life, that is almost never a result of a single individual, and ‘fixes’ that have that flavor are going to miss the mark. That means trading Semin, or Firing Bruce, or whatever. Now, there is a logic akin to pulling a goalie when it’s not the goalie’s fault a team is behind just to fire up a team that could be called into play WRT BB. The fault there is that the goalie change is only expected to provide a bump for the remainder of the game (<60 min). The coach change would need to provide a bump for months. In the end, the root cause still has to be addressed. The better plan, would be to make the struggling performers (Bruce, Ovi, Semin, goalies, D men) succeed, perhaps outside help, perhaps from above, doesn't matter.

And I hate to be a long term planner on a hockey blog, but if you fire him, and it doesn't work, then what is next? You better be sure, not "trying something". As I heard in a pretty good movie, "You can't take back a hit".

By: vamedic

vamedic — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:17:00 +0000

What your arguement indicates is that you felt/feel that BB is the problem independant of the current losing. It’s an opinion, and others share it, but based on that logic, we could be undefeated and you’d feel the same way.

By: Izzy

Izzy — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:48:00 +0000

I don’t think the question is Bruce’s abilities. Noone paying attention is going to dispute that. Maybe about his abilities in the playoffs but that’s not the explanation for this skid. I’m thinking the question is really if the players are listening to him anymore. Obviously GMGM is in a better position to get the true answer to that question, but we’re starting to see hints the answer is no.
It’s really painful, because if the situation’s that, it might just be he’s been there too long and then he might very well have done absolutely nothing wrong, but they just can’t keep him.
Which should really make fans sweat, because yeah, choose the wrong replacement, and it all goes to hell. I hope GMGM, if it’s come to this, is looking very carefully.

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:45:00 +0000

It is time for Bruce to go he has lost this team with his constant line juggling and scratching productive players after good games. What did Perrault do to be scratched wasn’t that fourth line clicking with him on it?

I have had it with Bruce. Crawford or Muller would be a good fit here. Trade Semin he looks like he will be scratched for Monday’s game anyway. Please trade Schultz he has dropped off so much in two years it is painful to watch. He’s 6’7 and he never throws a check his game is so diminished.

Hopefully Orlov makes an impression and shows he is ready. I wouldn’t Brooks taking over as Captain think he deserves it. Just need this team to get it together quickly this division is a lot stronger this year and a change in coach may be what this team needs to get back in the groove.