WOW…I can’t say I’m happy about this at all but if this is what it takes to put a jolt into the team than I guess I can learn to get behind it.

Paul Maurice is back for sure?? Is looking to the past a good idea?

Well, this is sad for me, but I guess almost everybody else is really happy about this. But Paul Maurice? Really?

Read Dreger’s piece … he’s on for the rest of the year, at which point an assessment will be made.

I guess it’s a good thing that Jeff O’Neill didn’t work out….

also… Didn’t Maurice get fired because our team went to the finals… and then missed the playoffs for the following two seasons while the fan base became increasingly restless…?? or was that… oh yeah… it was coach Lavi!!! My bad!!!

Is this the organization telling those of us who were calling for heads “Careful what you wish for….”

The plot thickens… errr…

OMG I am DONE with this team until they fire Jim Rutherford. Paul Maurice, you have GOT TO BE F’N SH!TN ME. JR says the pwoer play is the problem and then brings back the coach of the worst power play in the history of mankind? Time to give O another call, so he can come in here and cause locker room problems due to his hate on with Mo. I could not be more dissapointed with this GD franchise right now. Mo. F’N Mo.

Jim Rutherford I hate you. I am officially a Bruins fan until they fire JR.

Cory I did not see in the Dregger peice where he said this was a temporary thing.

Holy crap monkeys. It was like a little burst of excitment at the first headline…and then it was smushed. Stupid stupid stupid. I am seriously hoping they know something about Maurice that we don’t…like he’s been through some sort of life altering, coaching changing revelation that guarantees we win from here on out.

Doubtful.

I think it’s a situation of the team knowing a guy who knows how the team is run. That’s why it’ll be a “through-the-end-of-the-year” contract instead of a multiyear deal.

That’s why wishing for something more than what you have is not always greener. Anyway what happened to promoting Tom Rowe? That seemed like the obvious choice. And it seems odd that they waited until today. Monday morning would have made more sense to me to allow three days of practice for any changes (hopefully a lot) that need to be worked out under a new coach.

OMG, shocking. I wanted Lavi gone, but ironically really feeling sad for him. I really hope him the best, but it really needed to be done. I was not around in the Maurice days, but it really makes no sense to me, hopefull we will all be pleasantly surprised. I just don’t understand why Rowe could not have been given the reins with conditions and Ron Francis stepping in as assistant. This really does not make any sense.

I agree with Mateo, maybe we need to be careful what we wish for.

I will support Maurice until he gives me a reason not to though. Go Canes and good luck to Maurice.

Maybe Rowe steps in next year. One thing that’s certain … Rowe’s addition to the staff this year did nothing to bring consistency to the team’s game.

Caron,

For those of us who remember life under Chariman MO ( to use Acid Queen’s moniker) He has already given us plenty of reason not to support him.

I think its good for the team that he is gone but Pual is not the guy to replace him.

Now I just hope he does not go to Tampa.

I’m just shocked.

this is terrible…fire Lavi for a retread…This season has been frustrating enough with the injuries and lack of consistancy but now we bring back Maurice, give me a break.

I can’t even root for the team in my city, Avs, because they suck too. Blah on hockey this season from an original Whalers fan…

I’m really not worried about it… Paul Maurice knows the game just as good as anyone… I’m not so sure about his motivational skills (which seems to be the major problem with out team… motivation)…

What is even more frightening is: How many of our players get traded away? Maurice likes to play that dull boring sluggish clog up the neutral zone dump and chase hook and grab kind of hockey that only the Devils get away with…

oh… ha… and thats what I get for working and commenting at the same time…

I was going to conclude with: I wonder how many of our players will have to go in order to suite Mo’s style? Could we say goodby to Williams, Cullen, LaRose, Sutter, Bayda, and basically anyone else w/ any speed on our team?

makes me nervous. And yes.. I was one calling for Lavi’s head… but I do sort of feel bad for him and his family…

whatever… he still gets paid… take the rest of the year off… enjoy the holidays… and so on….

WRAL reporting Maurice is just an interim and that Francis will be an assistant

I don’t think you people read my posts….

So I will try again. The next coach after canning Lavi will fail in all probability. It’s the Herb Brooks thing. Watch the Miracle movie. Was that perfect for that series of games? Yup, can you keep that up for a season? Hell no. Our team needs to unify, whether it’s in hating a coach or sodomizing hamsters. I felt Ron Francis was good pick, because he will always be able to fall back into the asst. GM spot. Maurice is actually a good pick. He is familiar with the area and several of the players and the front office. He also has no illusions about being thrown under the bus. He comes in and works his ass off to get the team where it needs to be. On the crazy outside chance he slays them and makes a Cup run, he may still have a job. If not he is fodder for the shit cannon and transition Rowe in. The next guy is inheriting a bee’s nest of problems in the locker room and on the ice. Rowe in particular and most other’s have very little chance of pulling a Boudreau. What the next guy will do is fall on his sword and with the help of Rowe, Francis, et al get this team back together. If it isn’t turned around by January, kiss Mo good bye (again) and in steps Rowe and out go a shit pile of players and we watch the rebuild of the team. That’s deal, this team is on the verge of being scrapped and rebuilt. If Rowe is the guy, don’t throw him to the dogs, bring in Mo as fresh meat and an expendable guy that at least fits the job descrption.

BTW, WTF, would rather Melrose?

Anyway, I think they finally got it right. watch, Williams is back, heads are on alert, we got a new guy on the bench who isn’t really new. I see a small glimmer that the team actually begins to play. We got a mean stretch of games, too. may make for good hockey yet!!

I think it’s a good thing.

Just my .02

A

this is a terrible move. I am very disappointed.

Francis as an assistant would be a great move… but which OTHER assistant gets the can? McCarthy? I thought he’d be here eternally….. That’s interesting…

I think Francis may make a good coach… only problem is he isn’t feisty enough… too mild mannered…. probably one of the most brilliant and underrated hockey people in the sport though….

So much for this season!

Wow! I… er… Wow…
I don’t know how I feel about this. I just… um…
I mean, I did say a long time ago that I thought Lavi might be just a little bit nervous. But like Hotchips I would’ve thought Monday would have been a much better day to do it.
Geez, how am I going to get anything done now?!

I don’t think JR had much of a choice in who to hire, especially when it comes to pay. PK & Mo are buddies, and Mo would work for $1 to right the ship during restructuring – wait, I’m getting my headlines mixed up. Honestly, though, the only other coach available at the bargain basement price would be someone like Ted Nolan, and even he wouldn’t come cheap, and probably would cause even more locker room turmoil. I think they are just making a semi-educated guess at what would work – let’s throw it at the wall and see what sticks. Whoever doesn’t respond, lets get rid of – players & coaches. This team is now officially (for me) in Whaler’s mode.
Wylde, don’t go to the dark side! Yeah the Bruins are doing great & I covet Lucic type players for the Hurricanes… but they’re the BRUINS, for cryin’ out loud. Support a Western team at least…. for me?

Live press conference here:
http://idek.net/kv

Damn. I get needing to make a change, but dumping Laviolette seems like a huge mistake. He’s a great coach that brought us a Cup. That’s freaking amazing.

I knew the team wasn’t playing well enough and a change needed to be made, but I was hoping the guys would pull together and play well enough to not make the coach the scapegoat.

This seems like a terrible idea.

Marc,

I could always pull for the flames, the way their season has gone, I might not even be able to tell the difference!

BTW is anyone else watching the presser? It seems that Rowe and McCarthy are staying, despite Francis coming in….

Were the players behind this at all, like the Melrose situation?

No Wylde! Not the flames!!! Bertuzzi belongs behind bars. I was a big flames fan until they signed him.
How about the Canucks!?

While I think Lavi did need to go, I don’t know if Maurice is the right choice. In the past Maurice’s style didn’t fit with the team and he wasn’t able to get players motivated. So now we bring in the same coach whose style will not work, unless he has changed it, and who had trouble getting players motivated in to a team that the players are being lazy and are unmotivated. So here take this team you’ve got to the end of the season otherwise, you’re done. I just don’t see Maurice coming in and lighting a fire on this team, that’s not his mentality so why even bring him back for the rest of the season. At least bring someone in with some fresh blood that may show some passion and get the team up and ready to play.

I will still root for and support the Canes, I just think that this to me almost says “here let’s try this but we don’t expect much.” Just my two cents.

I think Lavi lost them at the end of last season. I do think the players were behind this. Mo has better players to work with than he did in his last go round – in fact, I think this group will be the most talented he has worked with. It is the motivation problem that Mo will need to fix. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around this – it seems like a lazy choice. Yeah, Lavi needed to go, and the players probably tuned out Rowe as well – has JR put EVERYONE in the organization under him on notice? Not watching the feed, so I don’t know. I’m so speechless I can’t stop typing…

I’ll elaborate more later … but interesting thing just said.

JR said one of Paul’s strong suits is how he well he is at meeting with people one on and one and telling them where they stand.

Think Lavi skipping out on end-of-season exit meetings isn’t still stuck in JR’s craw??

JR actually doesn’t seem too happy about this either. Once they can Mo (which will happen) we’ll have Franchise as head? I know, I’m not even giving him a chance but I really respected Lavi. We’re beset by injuries both this season and last, but I think we have a great team.

I like having Francis as the associate and making this a one-year trial.

Whatever choice is made or how I feel about Maurice, this is just a piece in the puzzle. Subtle changes in the style of play and adjustments in the makeup of the team (strength and physical presence) are also necessary. Hopefully the emotional and motivational situation will also be improved (and that is a coaching issue as much as a player issue). Lavi had some/much? control over these areas, but he was just a piece of the puzzle. If these issues and variables are not addressed, the Canes still will not succeed.

Maurice and his discussion of the style of play in the league now (I am listening to the news conference now) are encouraging. He is saying some good things and seems to understand the reality of this situation – both psychologically (group/team dynamics) and on the ice. I am withholding judgement…. hopefully the new blood will jolt the Canes.

I also hope that Maurice and JR do not become yes-men for each other. If Maurice is so grateful for being back and does not question JR and some of his choices, that is problematic and the Canes will not progress and improve. That being said, JR is actually a great GM (usually).

Good presser!!!

I have a slim hope this will turn around.

A

you know what I don;t get is that ththis seems to be a motivational issue.

Yet you bring in a guy who has a history of not being a strong motivator. If ever there was a situation custom made for Nolan to come back to, this was it. MOstly older experienced players, not a lot of young talent, and a need for a motivator. He always squeezes more out of his players, his knocks are he is not a strong x’s and o’s guy and he does not do well with young talent.

Bad call JR. The only thing you have done is tick off your fanbase and bring back a character that is generally not well thought of here.

All kidding about being a flames or bruins fan aside, this is the team I root for. but I will NOT give them any more of my money until they decide they are ready to right this ship the RIGHT WAY. I also refuse to wear out my colors or display the logo. JR has got to either learn to stop bringing back in retreads or he needs to get the axe. By doing the thinsg stated above I am doing all I can to make a statement that the current management group is a failure.

P6 – are you leaning more towards the slim side, or the hope side?

Hope, I like what Mo said. I also think I can see what I was saying going on. This team is about to play thier asses off or we are gonna rebuild. I think for guys like Ruutu Samsinov, Seid’s and few others this is still the best chance. Some of the younger guys are playing well. So all Mo has to do is get the team happy and get the big talented players to play the dam game. I think Mo may have the tools, but with Ronnie next to him, he’s got clout. This will be a good thing or a final thing. I still think this team has uber talent, if they light up we at least own the division.

A

Speaking for myself, I am trying desperately to be hopeful and positive. The Hurricanes are so important to my life :) . The Canes have caused me so much emotional distress in the last year that I am trying to manage my reactions today…. I cannot let myself fall deeper into this abyss of stress :) .

BTW, by like, I mean I liked he won’t dick with the system. That would destroy any hope.

A

It figures. I’ve been out of pocket all morning and I wake up to this. Borderline shocking.

Good job, Cory.

I don’t get all the people questioning Mo’s ability to motivate. Doesn’t any one remember the 2002 team? He took that one to the finals, and, if the triple overtime game had gone the other way, might have had a shot. And that team was definitely not as talented as 2006, or the present team. Mo may not be the answer. The answer could be an overpaid unmotivated team. I do think he’s a decent choice who might be able to pick up the pieces and get some more interest generated in Canes hockey.

2002 was lightning in a bottle stuff. A few younger players (Cole, Vasicek, Wallin and O) emerged under some savvy vets (Wesley, Francis, Brind’amour) and got some real role player support (Malik, Battaglia, Kappanen). He had a juxtaposition of career arcs that allowed him to succeed.

I saw the game he iced in TO, and I was not impressed. Lots of big talk and grand gestures, no real solutions.

Hopefully this is a “transition” to Francis becoming head coach. I’d feel much more comfortable with that.

Francis is the Associate Coach? Is that a tenure-track position? Seriously, tho — anyone doubt that they’re grooming him to take over next year? Otherwise, this “keeping it in the family” stuff is getting way old. Maybe by tomorrow JR will have lured Kapanen and Vasicek out of Europe, and traded for Malik, Battaglia, and Weekes. OMFG CRAP.

i also wasnt around for maurice’s first go round,

but i like all of you want this to go well.
so what else can i do but hope for the best.

what good does writing it off as a bad decision now do?

inconsistency hurts the team AND the fans way too much, and thats what laviolette was getting.

who knows…

Ron Francis as Head Coach is a marvelously horrible idea too….. For now. Remember, just cause you are a great player, does not make you a great coach. He needs more than just a partial season behind a bench as assoc coach in order to be prepared for this.

Gretz was one of, if not THE greatest to ever lace em up. So far he has yet to get his team over the hump, despite the fact that everyone has been predicting for the past two years that they would.

Before we start thinking about Franchise as our bench boss we need to get him some serious time behind the bench, being a boss. Preferably at the A level to start with.

I think the real truth has been pointed out by a commenter over at LSB. Francis is the odor eater inserted in to the old used up running shoe that is Paul Maurice. It still aint enough to cover up the stink.

I feel sick…MO is back? for what possible reason would you hire the guy you fired? You fire his replacement who’s only major accomplishment was winning the CUP in his first full season as coach!!! you have got to be kiddin me…someone check JR in to a mental hospital before this gets out of hand…opps too late for that!

Last time we threw him under the bus we got we got The Cup in quick fashion. You see I figure it’s a conspiracy. JR actually has offer sheets into all the Detroit players and Babcock, we just need to fill uniforms for the trade to go down…….

This be “Mo-Town” now!!!!!!!!!

Anyone else remember the shit Raleigh and the ‘Canes got for saying “Hockey Town” during Mo’s Cup run?

How about how we all got screwed by ticketmasterbater when we were told we could get first dibs on tickets and they sold them out from under us. I still have that yellow wrist band and will never willingly give them another penny ever.

Mo and Lavi and 75% of all NHL coaches have a shelf life at a certain time.

I don’t know that he is who I would of picked, but Ron would of been part of my choice.

Look, it’s a fresh start and we ain’t out of it yet. I am going to Va. and will miss these home games. If they at least play hard, I’ll buy me and my boy tickets and go scream my ass off. I just need something positive to scream about.

Seriously gang, this ain’t the answer to all the issues, but at least it’s something. Look at all the buzz and the posts on the blogs and a friggin’ presser!!!! Best friggin’ day all season so far. It has to get better. If not, then we are just back where we started the day, BFD. The team will get busted up early in the year and we get to suffer through a few years of this as the team and PK’s pockets build back up.

You think Rosie is gonna quit skating? Hell no. This will help jump start a few of the guys. My concern is the top 5 or so guys that should be killing it, that aren’t. They still have to produce or all the reach arounds and warm fuzzies are for nothing. Staal has to be big and score. Rods gotta skate and find his game, etc.

The shit we have all been bitching about all year. Here’s the chance.

If nothing else I think the opportunity will be taken by several of the guys to make a name. I expect the situation to improve. If all the guys chip in, this could be a good year. I mean Jeezuz, the craps are the only real threat and if we get all our guys working that’s 3-4 pretty good lines to thier one great one and pretty good second. We should own them and the rest of the SE.

A

Was it Laviolette’s fault that Staal has scored in only one of his last 13 games, or that Brind’Amour is ranked dead last in the NHL in terms of plus/minus? These are our 2 top line centers.

Brindy should take a couple months off to heal. Right now, he’s a defensive liability.

Getting Williams back should help. Still can’t see why JR traded Stillman. Stillman, much like Whitney, was a key skills player. He made those around him better. We’re missing him. We lack skill players, those with the scoring touch.

I miss the silent assassin too. I finally bought his jersey and got to wear it to 1 (ONE!!) game before they traded him.
And then when he signed with Florida… I remember, it was Canada day and I was wandering the streets with a hockey stick, drunk, hitting pine cones as hard as I could.
Florida?!? I ask you!?!
Oh how I want him back. But his contract was up at the end of last year. Maybe they felt they wouldn’t be able to re-sign him.

I completely disagree with the GM’s choice. I would much rather have Peter as our coach however if we were going to loose him how about someone we don’t have a past with… sorry but I don’t know if I want to watch the Hurricanes anymore.