toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 The last time Lou replaced the caoch with himself, the Devils did not go all the way. When he replaced Ftorek late in 2002-03 with Robinson, it worked. But, like I said with Lou behind the bench, it will not work this time. Ftorek was replaced by Robinson back in the 1999/00 season, when they went on to win the cup. Pat Burns was the coach the whole 2002/03 season and they won the cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mannysBETTER3434 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 This is crazy! If players hated him you would think they would have done this like a month ago or something. Something is fishy in this story for sure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 I really don't understand this move at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 I might spot Lou one playoff series, depending on the matchup (last year's matchup against the Jagr-less Rangers wasn't much of a challenge). When Lou went up against the Canes, he was just outcoached. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bliz 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 That's almost weird enough to enter the Mike Milbury/Charles Wang school of general management. Then again, I'd forgot about Lamoriello firing Ftorek a few years ago. We'll find out shortly if it's genius or hubris. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unkempt 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 Lou - "I'd like to coach the team cause I really don't like you and I enjoy yelling at people" Claude - "So you're saying I get an early summer holliday, I don't have to watch this boring defensive style of hockey we play, I still get paid, AND I don't have to put up with your arrogant rants anymore? How soon can I leave?" Lou - "We packed your bags for you this morning." TSN - "In a shrewd strategic move which illustrates Lamorello's cunning and sheer hockey genius, the Devils GM has fired their coach right before the playoffs and replaced him with... er... himself." Dead-bang on again TSN ice psychics... you with CIA or NSA? isnt it a day late for that??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 That's almost weird enough to enter the Mike Milbury/Charles Wang school of general management. All he has to do now is sign Ari Ahonen (the Devils projected future goalie once Brodeur retires) to a 15 year contract and then they'll be all set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 if it's any other GM i'd say they're crazy. But with Lou, you just have to wait and watch because anything can happen. This guy has been the GM of the Devils for a long time and done as good with his franchise as any other franchise in the league since he's been there. Even if this move bombs, they'll find another coach in the offseason, lou will move back up to the front office and the Devils will be right there at the front of the pack again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheLegend19 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 Lamoriello's a fool. The only reason I could see for him firing Claude Julien is for some personal reason, like he slept with his wife or something. Beyond that, this makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. And even at that point, I'd wait until the end of the playoffs. The very real possibility of a Stanley Cup takes precedent over any affair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shockwave180 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 Ditto to what Legionnaire just said. Lou's proven himself a shrewd, evil genious too many times in the past to write off this move right away. I can't stand him, though. How appropriate is it that he's the GM of the Devils? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
interminded 1 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 Wow, I have to find out where Lamiorello buys his weed. That's some good stuff he smokes if it has these kind of effects.... We'll most likely never ever find out the real reason behind this.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 if it's any other GM i'd say they're crazy. But with Lou, you just have to wait and watch because anything can happen. This guy has been the GM of the Devils for a long time and done as good with his franchise as any other franchise in the league since he's been there. Even if this move bombs, they'll find another coach in the offseason, lou will move back up to the front office and the Devils will be right there at the front of the pack again. I have a feeling he may have a little bit more difficulty finding a new one this time around. Who's going to want to work for Lou when you could get fired at the drop of a hat, even when extremely successful? The only halfway decent people he's going to get behind that bench are going to be from "within" the organization (like Pat Burns coming back). Otherwise, it's going to be coaches desperate for a job with zero job security. That said, I'm going to make a silly prediction... Ken Daneyko behind the bench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superstarsingh 23 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 That is so random. Pretty sketchy. SHould be interesting to see how it affects the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Airborn 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 This is just another indication that Lou Lamoriello is no longer alive and is currently being impersonated by either Mike Millbury or Mike Keenan. This move reeks of desperation. This is the same as Pierre Lacroix making that horrendous trade for Theodore, because he thought he could recreate the Patrick Roy deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hckypete96 3 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 I just thought about this because someone mentioned it... what if Kenny fired babs and hired scotty, just for the playoffs... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 This is the same as Pierre Lacroix making that horrendous trade for Theodore, because he thought he could recreate the Patrick Roy deal. I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking this too. Lightning rarely strikes twice in the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glasgowcelticwing 18 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 I just thought about this because someone mentioned it... what if Kenny fired babs and hired scotty, just for the playoffs... I'm not sure how i would feel about that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 I have a feeling he may have a little bit more difficulty finding a new one this time around. Who's going to want to work for Lou when you could get fired at the drop of a hat, even when extremely successful? The only halfway decent people he's going to get behind that bench are going to be from "within" the organization (like Pat Burns coming back). Otherwise, it's going to be coaches desperate for a job with zero job security. That said, I'm going to make a silly prediction... Ken Daneyko behind the bench. It'll be tougher, but they'll get someone. Lewis is on the hot seat right? Trotz too. That would be a lethal combination. Trotz is a defensive coach, going to the devils would be a perfect fit. Burns is probably a frontrunner as well. Then again, Lou could take up the position for the full season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Ruff 47 Report post Posted April 2, 2007 (edited) From Hockeybuzz, random quotes from his interview on WFAN at 4pm today: Lou... "When you are in my position you know things that other people don't and I have to make my decisions based on that. I must live up to your responsibility to do what I think is necessary." "This is not a problem that has just come in the last few games." "I don't like the direction the team was going in...not ready for playoffs...too relaxed." "The decision came down to what is right for the New Jersey Devils to have the best chance at success and you make the move for that reason. It is not personal, it is my responsibility to make the moves that I think will do that." "Julien will remain in the organization" "I saw things nobody else did" "The team was not in right frame of mind." Edited April 2, 2007 by T-Ruff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Legionnaire11 0 Report post Posted April 3, 2007 (edited) those quotes confirm what I suspected. The team wasn't as sharp as they should be heading into the playoffs, maybe some guys are getting lazy as the season winds down, taking shifts off or whatnot. But putting the GM behind the bench makes every player 100x more accountable. They always are, but there's just something different when they guy who writes your contracts is in the stands and when he's behind the bench. Brodeur talks about it in his book about the last time that Lou took over the coaches seat and how much pressure it put on all of the guys to perform. Edited April 3, 2007 by Legionnaire11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HomeNugget 2 Report post Posted April 3, 2007 win or lose, Lamoriello is an idiot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tunbo Batman Report post Posted April 3, 2007 in NJ, the coach is just a straw man...he decides nothing, he just plays the trap period. doesnt change a thing. why would trotz be on the hot seat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Never_Retire_Steve 35 Report post Posted April 3, 2007 Wow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted April 3, 2007 (edited) in NJ, the coach is just a straw man...he decides nothing, he just plays the trap period. doesnt change a thing. why would trotz be on the hot seat? Exactly. The Devils have gone through coaches like toilet paper, but every year they play the same exact style, that being the trap. I would be suprised if the Devils even hire another coach next season. Might as well just have Lou coach the team permanitly if he's going to be making firings with only a week of the season left to go. Edited April 3, 2007 by Kp-Wings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted April 3, 2007 (edited) Big coincidence that Lamoriello fired Julien right before the playoffs...... this guy just got bored being behind the scenes and wanted to be in the middle of the action just when things get the most intense. This move was made completely for selfish reasons Edited April 3, 2007 by ShanahanMan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
