Wilderness Walk: Losing Streak Is Over!

52 minutes ago, Willy the poor boy said:

I could hear it in the Presser to a Russo question where BG was getting irritated(?) because he couldn't relay an answer to a tough question.

Agree with this.  This doesn't mean that BG cannot become a successful GM, but this is absolutely a weakness of BG.  If he's losing his cool in public in front of a microphone, what's his composure like behind closed doors.  Management by intimidation can absolutely work in a hockey locker room while wearing the pads, but likely works against him when he's wearing a suit.

19 minutes ago, Protec said:

This is politics. Guerin can't say anything else. He can't.

I don't believe Hynes is the final answer for a second. If the Wild continue to shit the bed, Hynes has no Guerintee.

I think the Wild will get by with whoever until the real pressure is on and they are a team in contention. For now they could just as easily get hot and win like FL or fizzle out first round like normal.

I see Guerin more as a GM who tries to give his organization a chance every year and rewards guys who earn his respect. Is he perfect, no. Is Guerin better than Fenton or Fletcher, I would say yes by a lot. Is he the best or a miracle worker, no. Is there a guy I'd rather have today? Not exactly.

I agree, Hynes isn't the final answer, but it sure doesn't sound like BG is thinking along those lines. He doesn't have to say it. He could have just as easily made this an interim position and told Hynes he could earn the position.

2 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Maybe I'm missing something but I could swear I heard BG say this was not an interim position. The job was given to Hynes. I doubt any offseason move will be made for a HC position.

The only reason I mentioned Bill's inability to clearly define why DE was let go is because it's long been a pet peeve of mine and a red flag that, IMO, he lacks the communication skills to be a good GM. I could hear it in the Presser to a Russo question where BG was getting irritated(?) because he couldn't relay an answer to a tough question.

But if you're going to let a coach go midseason you should have a clearly defined reason as to why that you can articulate instead of cliche's and 'it was time'.

It is a multi year contract, no interim.

6 hours ago, Willy the poor boy said:

Maybe I'm missing something but I could swear I heard BG say this was not an interim position. The job was given to Hynes. I doubt any offseason move will be made for a HC position.

The only reason I mentioned Bill's inability to clearly define why DE was let go is because it's long been a pet peeve of mine and a red flag that, IMO, he lacks the communication skills to be a good GM. I could hear it in the Presser to a Russo question where BG was getting irritated(?) because he couldn't relay an answer to a tough question.

But if you're going to let a coach go midseason you should have a clearly defined reason as to why that you can articulate instead of cliche's and 'it was time'.

Completely agree. He even quoted the old adage of "can't fire the whole team," which is something rarely said publicly by people in leadership positions. The comments annoyed me. It was about as bad as a Fenton presser, and those were T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. 

It was a change for the sake of change. He had no real plan, or one that he can stick by. If there isn't a real coaching search this offseason, he's failing at his job.

47 minutes ago, joebou15 said:

It was a change for the sake of change. He had no real plan, or one that he can stick by. If there isn't a real coaching search this offseason, he's failing at his job.

The search for an elite coach is right there with the 1C, top priority for the past three plus years now.

Come on GMBG. 

On 11/29/2023 at 1:56 PM, Pewterschmidt said:

I don't want to be accused of being a baldist, but we've got to come up with a nickname for Hynzy

I am very sensitive to this kind of language. Bald shaming is just too much! 😜

On 11/29/2023 at 3:22 PM, Willy the poor boy said:

Sure it makes sense, but does it make sense to replace him just to replace him? Maybe you think more about Hinzy then I do. but I don't see this as a good move. Hinzy hasn't won a playoff series in the NHL either and that was one of the big strikes against DE according to fans and Hinzy has had way more opportunities to do it.

I'll say this. Hinze has the same opportunity to win a series with this team as DE had. I just think it's ridiculous to say Hinze can do it and DE can't because he's never done it before. Neither has done it and I'd personally hang my hat on Deano's abilities. This is a team he's taken to a franchise best in points and has had back to back 100 point seasons with a team that the experts thought wouldn't even be a playoff team.

I think it was premature and I think it was a move made because that's what teams do in the NHL. BG couldn't even explain the move beyond, 'it was time' and all the same old used up cliche's. Really?

Willy, would you concede that Evason's expiration date had pretty much passed and it was time to move on? In season replacements never have much to choose from. It's about like going to the scratch and dent area looking for appliances. 

Yes, Hynes has some dings on him. But his voice is different, and if this team is a decent team, perhaps just that different pitch could be the difference. 

Now, will he last long? I wouldn't suggest that this is our championship coach, but we aren't ready for that guy yet anyways.

On 11/29/2023 at 5:27 PM, Willy the poor boy said:

I agree, Hynes isn't the final answer, but it sure doesn't sound like BG is thinking along those lines. He doesn't have to say it. He could have just as easily made this an interim position and told Hynes he could earn the position.

I don't think he could. I realize that Hynes isn't doing much right now, but if you bring in a new guy from the outside, generally, the interim tag is not there. I guess it could be if he was to move on to another role in the front office, but that's a long shot. 

Because Guerin, and I believe correctly, didn't promote someone from within, the interim tag is pretty much taken off the board. Hynes needed some term just to come. 

I was kind of hoping for GMBG to also be HCBG for the season. I realize he has no experience there, but he could have gotten a real good close look at the chemistry on the team and with the coaching staff. He wouldn't have even had to have the interim tag attached to himself. 

20 hours ago, joebou15 said:

It was a change for the sake of change. He had no real plan, or one that he can stick by. If there isn't a real coaching search this offseason, he's failing at his job.

Joe, who would you see as potential longterm fits as head coach?