This marks the sixth time this year an NHL team fired their man behind the bench. From ESPN-
Tom Renney was fired as coach of the New York Rangers on Monday and replaced by John Tortorella in an attempt to save a season that has spiraled out of control.I think Renney is the fall guy in New York. The Ranger management has made a series of poor personnel decisions over the last year. Trading for Nikolai Zherdev, Signing Markus Naslund, not retaining Brendan Shanahan.The Rangers opened 10-2-1, but 10 losses in the last 12 games have knocked the team out of contention for the Atlantic Division title and placed it in danger of missing the playoffs completely.
Tortorella led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup title in 2004 and was let go following last season. The Rangers were not required to provide compensation to the Lightning.
Renney, a former coach of the Vancouver Canucks, was 164-121-42 with the Rangers in four-plus seasons and ranks fourth on the team's career wins and games coached lists.
I do however like John Tortorella. He'll certainly light a fire under players in New York. Will it work? I don't know.
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NHL, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks
Comments (1)
i think it may be a very go... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Adriana | February 25, 2009 5:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
i think it may be a very good thing that this new coach was hired and the previous one got fired. Renney hardly did anything for the Rangers to win, and i have high hopes for this guy to pull everything around...
here's another great article i found on the issue:
http://rangers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=410772
1. Posted by Adriana | February 25, 2009 5:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 25, 2009 17:29