Get Real Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Doesn't sound like Robinson is the guy or Lou isn't talking, yet. http://app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/.../507130498/1002 Robinson, Lewis left out of Devils' plans? GM Lamoriello has direction in mind Published in the Asbury Park Press 07/13/05 BY MIKE KERWICK STAFF WRITER If Larry Robinson is going to be introduced as the next head coach of the Devils, it's news to him. If Dave Lewis is going to be offered the keys to New Jersey, nobody's bothered to tell him. Robinson said Tuesday afternoon that New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello had not contacted him to inquire if the former Devils head coach was interested in returning to lead his old team. Lewis said he had not heard from Lamoriello either. "I tend to think Lou has somebody in mind," Lewis said. "I haven't heard anything." Robinson and Lewis, the recently deposed head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, were believed to be the top two candidates to fill the void created when a second bout with cancer forced Pat Burns off the Devils' bench. Now it sounds possible that neither one will take the reins in New Jersey if and when the NHL returns for the 2005-06 season. "I think we know what direction we're going to go," Lamoriello said. Lamoriello said he will not necessarily wait until the official completion of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement before making a decision. "We might still do something this week," Lamoriello said. If not Robinson or Lewis, then who? Maybe Bobby Carpenter, a former Devils forward who was Burns' top assistant in New Jersey. Carpenter has no NHL head coaching experience, but was the head coach of New Jersey's AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, during the 2001-02 season. Lamoriello has been known to pull off surprises. He stunned just about everyone when he hired Kevin Constantine in January of 2002. At the time, Constantine was the general manager of the Pittsburgh Forge. Robinson led New Jersey to the Stanley Cup in 2000, then took the Devils back to the Finals in 2001. He was fired in January of the following season. Now a special assignment coach with the Devils, Robinson said he last talked to Lamoriello a few weeks ago, but not about returning as coach. "I think if the opportunity came about and I was asked to do it, I probably would certainly think about it," Robinson said. Lewis, a player for those terrible Devils teams from the early 80s, went 96-41-21-6 in two seasons as Detroit's head coach. Early playoff exits hastened his departure. "I'll put it this way," Lewis said, "I still have coaching in my blood." Lewis leaves for Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday for a fantasy hockey program. He said he has nothing but fond recollections of his tenure in Jersey. "We loved New Jersey," Lewis said. "We lived in Morris Plains. My wife and I just absolutely loved the town. Our kids went to school there. We had nothing but great memories of New Jersey." Three former NHL coaches unlikely to get the job are Mike Babcock, Paul Maurice and Robbie Ftorek. Babcock is expected to be the guy to replace Lewis in Detroit. Maurice, former coach of the Carolina Hurricanes team that knocked the Devils out of the playoffs in 2002, recently signed on to coach Toronto's top minor league affiliate. Ftorek, one Devils insider said, may not even be back coaching Albany next season. Hartford Wolfpack general manager Jim Schoenfeld, another potential candidate, is more likely to be named the next head coach in Hartford sometime this summer. Schoenfeld was head coach of the first Devils team to make the playoffs back in 1988. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hattrick Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Who are or were the assistant coaches? Why not hire one of them? Just a suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hattrick Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 (edited) Who are or were the assistant coaches? Why not hire one of them? Just a suggestion. Edited July 13, 2005 by hattrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dog Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 The Devils have a good, possibly great opportunity to come out of this lock out in as good or better shape than alot of teams. There core of signed players is very good, and they have room under the cap to keep Neids. If Parise can be a impact player they can make noise in the playoffs with Marty between the pipes. I would be surprised if Lou picked an unknown as coach. Larry makes the most sense given he can work with young players. Only thing would be if Lou felt that the coming rule changes would require a more offensive minded coach. Doubtful. I still see Larry as the guy that Lou will go with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I want Stevens as a player-coach. But I've said that before. -=-=-=-=-=-=- I like the idea of promoting from within. I don't know if there is anyone as ornary as Burns out there.... and I don't know if that is what is needed at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Get Real Posted July 13, 2005 Author Share Posted July 13, 2005 (edited) Don, any coach as player/coach would be a disaster for the Devils. I don't think Carpenter would be a good head coach based on the job he did in Albany. He maybe a good assistant coach. The Devils might not care about this issue in this coming season and go with other than an experienced coach. Like waste a year while every thing settles in. After all they need to be ready with the best they can get when the new arena opens. Edited July 13, 2005 by Get Real Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOTCB Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Just making my annual post for this guy because I still just do not totally understand it: Ted Nolan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
point Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 KFC has been pretty successful with the Everett (WA) Silvertails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwindog Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hmm... I was thinking I dont like the idea of Lewis glad he doesn't seem to be in the running. If he's a poor mans Scotty Bowman than he's a destitute man's Pat Burns. I'm speaking demeanor-wise - what I think makes Pat effective - not that Pat is a better head coach than Bowman. I'm just thinking Devils chemistry over the past few seasons. What's fresh yet effective? Who's the Conte of coaching? Who's vision am I gravitating to? hmmmm.... HMMMMMM.... something to ponder... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darwindog Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Oh Clown... I actually sort of considered Nolan... I dont think so though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I would put my money on Ftorek or Carpenter. Don, I don't think Lou would put Stevens in that situation. Scotty is not an experienced coach and I would think Lou would put him in Albany before the NHL and go the Carpenter route. I don't think a player coach can survive in today's game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I really doubt Ftorek will be making any comeback with the Devils as head coach. I'm not denying he's a great coach, but he's not an NHL coach. He loses his players when things get tough, and things will undoubtidly get tough in New Jersey, me thinks. He belongs in the AHL where he can continue to develop our prospects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Our prospects are developing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Risky Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Ftorek is not returning to the Devils' bench. I think Robinson is still the top contender, despite what these recent articles may indicate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I don't know if Lou wants him in Albany after last season. Unless they get an assistant who can help with our D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDevs4978 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Yeah, no Ftorek, NO Carptenter and no Stevens as player-coach, we need him for another year as a player as is. Larry'd be my first choice but maybe he doesn't want the gig on a quasi-permanent basis (only saying this because Lou said this would not be an 'interim' hiring). So the Devils might have no choice but to go outside the organization and find someone that will fit the mold. Who are the Wild's assistants, maybe Lou would hire one of them away from Jacques I think Mike Ramsey is one, not sure who the other one is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I don't know if Lou wants him in Albany after last season. Unless they get an assistant who can help with our D. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's fine and all, but why would he want him in New Jersey then? He cannot get the job done at an NHL level and there's no need to waste any more time and energy only confirming that, you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweet Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Our prospects are developing? i agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Our prospects are developing? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i agree. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And you think Ftorek would do any good here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyFan42 Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Jim Schoenfeld is officially off the list. Hartford just named him their new head coach. I don't understand why everyone's so down on Ftorek remaining with the Rats. Remember, the system isn't anywhere near as flush as it was the last time he was around. If another year or two (I'm leaning toward two) goes by without any signs of improvement, then we can talk about canning him. Until then, keep in mind what he (and previous head coaches John Cunniff, Red Gendron, and Bobby Carpenter) have had to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Jim Schoenfeld is officially off the list. Hartford just named him their new head coach.I don't understand why everyone's so down on Ftorek remaining with the Rats. Remember, the system isn't anywhere near as flush as it was the last time he was around. If another year or two (I'm leaning toward two) goes by without any signs of improvement, then we can talk about canning him. Until then, keep in mind what he (and previous head coaches John Cunniff, Red Gendron, and Bobby Carpenter) have had to work with. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks, Rowdy. It's not like he has a roster full of Parise's or anything. It's his first year back as the Rats coach and he has a lot to work with. Sometimes people expect waay too much waay too soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vadvlfan Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Jim Schoenfeld is officially off the list. Hartford just named him their new head coach.I don't understand why everyone's so down on Ftorek remaining with the Rats. Remember, the system isn't anywhere near as flush as it was the last time he was around. If another year or two (I'm leaning toward two) goes by without any signs of improvement, then we can talk about canning him. Until then, keep in mind what he (and previous head coaches John Cunniff, Red Gendron, and Bobby Carpenter) have had to work with. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Rowdy's 100% right. You cant make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t regardless of who's behind the bench. I'm wondering if Lou is thinking of someone not as defense oriented. I dont think Carps is ready, and Ftorek is doing ok in albany. Lou might go to the college ranks to recruit someone. My first choice is Larry. vince Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Get Real Posted July 13, 2005 Author Share Posted July 13, 2005 I don't think Carpenter is ready. The article said I thought or some other article said Ftorek may not even be with Albany next season. I can't imagine him behind the bench for the Devils as head coach again. I am surprised it's not Larry but then what does he want and what has Lou to offer. Offense will be the key in the future, but championships will be won with both and the team that can score but shift to defense quickly will win it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaRay Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think everyone wants Larry, but Lou seems to be unsure. Maybe he just doesn't want to fire him again if things go awry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekes Head Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think everyone wants Larry, but Lou seems to be unsure. Maybe he just doesn't want to fire him again if things go awry. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm still concerned Larry's heart isn't in coaching anymore. He doesn't want to run the show, he'd rather be the nice guy that does what he wants to do, not what he has to do. I do believe that if he wanted to be coaching, he'd be the head coach of some NHL team right now. If there's a team he WILL coach for, it'll be the Devils, and even at that I'm not so sure he wants the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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