Players go to the wall for Paul

Coach Maurice says the key to his success is having a direct approach with his team

From the Vancouver newspaper "The Province" yesterday:

[Maurice's] teams have been up and down but there's one thing that's never changed with this man. His reputation among those who've played for him is nothing short of magical. There are guys on his team who have so much respect for him they claim privately that they'd almost take a bullet for him, and even the guys he says he's handled poorly over the years don't complain.

Interesting story, to say the least, isn't it?

over 1 year ago Carolyn Christians 14 comments 0 recs |

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I think this is interesting insight into a dynamic that we as fans aren’t able to see from the outside looking in.

As critical as some fans seem to be of our coach, I find it interesting that the people whose personal and financial livelihood is most directly affected by his success, the players themselves, are hyper supportive.

Phoblographer and Finn Aficionado
The dog ate my sisu.

by Jamie Kellner on Oct 18, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

Don't show this to...

Captain Stinky….he’ll still chant Mo must go !!! and yes LTD & HM2…there is always another side to a story or situation…

Everytime you write off the Hurricanes,
They make You Look Bad!!

by CaniacSteve on Oct 18, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

Of COURSE players love Mo

If I had a coach that didn’t demand much or pressure me to excel, never threatened me with any repercussions for screwing up, didn’t hold a trade over my head, yell at me to hit somebody on the ice, make me play physical, or force me to learn any semblance of an offensive or defensive system, I’d love him, too!

Face it — the Carolina Hurricanes are widely known as a “club med” team in a low-profile market where players can have fat, happy careers. Coach Mo contributes to this no-pressure environment; anybody who’s attended a ’Canes practice can attest to this.

by Capt. Stinky on Oct 19, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Doesnt change the fact that he had one of the best teams in the 2nd half of last season that missed out on the playoffs because of a slow start. Did injuries and maybe some other things out of his control contribute to that slow start, yes. All the hype going into training camp was getting off to a good start, being ready from the first puck drop so when the end of the season rolls around, theyre not 2 points on the outside. That said and relative to the rest of the league, they dont look ready, they look like a team trying to find themselves, that was not the goal and I bought into that. I fully support Mo.

by Killswitch on Oct 18, 2010 11:11 AM EDT reply actions

Roxy Effect

There’s the problem, of course they were uselss, they went to the Roxy 2 nights in a row.

by Go_Shelf on Oct 18, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

Inside view

I know he has player that would gladly go to the wall for him, I’m not calling for a revolution or asking for his head on a platter, I just think we need to look at things differently, if we are looking for the “kids” to be the future we have to coach them as such. Mo has done great things for the Canes and handles himself very well. I do think it is way too early to make judgments, but something has got to give, when you look at the talent we have and the mistakes being made, you look to the coach to address those needs and to me it doesnt seem to be happening…..yet
thanks for your insight

by littlepig on Oct 18, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

From an outsider, some of the mistakes from the beginning of the year fall on the players as much as any of the coaches. The fact that he can express what’s done wrong, without calling them out in front of the team, and maintaining the respect of ALL the players on the team (young and old)… that seems like the ideal fit for a team with young players learning at the NHL level.

I know that there are some people that dont like Maurice… and it might be a case of just wanting change for the sake of change. But again, just looking from the outside in, it might be a case of thinking the grass is greener on the other side. Maurice is a good coach… and seems like his style is the right one for this team.

Another thing to remember…. the Canes will struggle at the beginning of the season. Whether its jet lag, the excitement of playing in Europe, or something else… ALL teams that go to Europe struggle. It’s going to happen…. The only team that DIDNT struggle after going to Europe since the NHL started doing this was the Blackhawks last year… and that was a different kind of team all together. Thankfully they won both games when they were in Helsinki. ;)

View From My Seats
Sarcasm: God's gift to smart people...

by Matt Reitz on Oct 18, 2010 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

This was written by a Vancouver writer nicknamed the Undertaker; he gets Canucks coaches fired through his columns. His real point comes across clearly in the last paragraph, where he insinuates the players in Vancouver dislike Vigneault.

by Tiger Al on Oct 18, 2010 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

I know why Chad LaRose loves Maurice. Maurice keeps moving him back to the top line.

by Iggy Reilly on Oct 18, 2010 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

Just because players like the guy, that doesn’t mean he’s the right man for the job.

I want to see a Skinner-Jussi-Staal line! SJS, SJS, SJS!

by PackPride17 on Oct 18, 2010 2:28 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Just keeping the seat warm for whom ?

Ronnie Franchise, simple he is the next head coach, shocked if Mr. Maurice makes it through this season.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Oct 18, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

That doesn’t give me any warm & fuzzy feelings! He’s in charge of the PP and that has been one of the biggest complaints of this site over the past year and a half.

I want to see a Skinner-Jussi-Staal line! SJS, SJS, SJS!

by PackPride17 on Oct 18, 2010 9:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yep, you have to wonder what the succession plan is. JR is 61 and I can’t see him doing this for many more years. I have to think that he wants this franchise left in good hands and won’t leave until he feels it is. With the pieces that he’s put in place Ronnie seems the most likely to become the next GM, I’m not sure about the coach – Brindy?

by Go_Shelf on Oct 19, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

you can bet that Vancouver nor any other team wants Mo...that is for sure

He is still coaching in the NHL for one reason JR’s friendship that is it…after Toronto he was done has one of the lowest win percentages of any NHL coach that has coached over 800 games just look it up if you doubt that.

with that said…I hope he can turn his Coaching career around and have some consistency rather than having a decent year every five because I think as Caniacs we are going to have to live with what ever he can do for the next few years. as lond as he has a decent year every few years he will remain the coach. Sad but it is what it is

by Caniac324 on Oct 18, 2010 11:51 PM EDT reply actions