Gretzky needs to be fired!

[Hazzard29]

Its been 4 years now since Gretz has taken over coaching for this team, and its been 4 years of below average to bad hockey. No playoff teams, and last season was really the only time during the Gretzky years that the Coyotes have even been in the hunt for a playoff spot late in the season. Is it that hard is it to make the playoffs in the NHL... it shouldnt be THAT tough to finish 8th in your conference when your surrounded by teams like Columbus and LA. Im tired of hearing the excuse that injuries are the cause for the Yotes poor performance... every team in the league deals with injuries, most are just able to overcome them. Its time that Coyotes fans stop giving Gretzky the benefit of the doubt because he was "The Great One"... its time for Gretz to go! Who else is there to blame? I for one am fed up with this guy.



By the way, GO COYOTES!

 

[Hazzard29]

Six losses in a row, and the most recent was a 7-2 loss to Carolina... at home! Does anyone around here like to talk hockey?

 

[MigratingOsprey]

even teams like LA & C'bus are making charges with LA beating the Caps and the jackets beating the sharks in recent weeks

i really thought this was the year that the 'yotes would make the playoffs

i think it's time for gretzky to go - it's painful watching him try to match up with some other coaches - anytime he faces jacque and his wild bunch the old man outmoves him

both specials units continue to be horrible - there is zero consistency and no real team identity

it was novel at first, but wayne will not fill seats here just because he's gretzky - a no name coach and a team in the playoff will create more buzz than gretzky on the bench and the team in the basement

 

[Hazzard29]

I also thought that this would be the year that the 'White-Out' returned to the Valley. It aint looking good at this point. Olli Jokinen mentioned in an interview earlier this week that he believes the Yotes need to get to 93 points to make the playoffs... this means the Yotes would need to win around 20 or their last 29 games. A tall order the way they are playing right now.

 

[Scott MS]

I like to talk hockey but I don't have much to say right now. I was at the game on Saturday vs. Carolina. Bad. I'm going on Thursday, next Monday, and then the following Thursday. I have 1/2 a season in tickets.

This team started well, climbed to 5th place, went into the All-Star Break, and has fallen apart. Granted there is only about 3-4 points between where they are now and 8th place, but it will be a battle for the rest of the season and they need to start winning 3 of 5.

 

[ndjmc]

I disagree with you saying Gretzky needs to be fired. This is easily the best team he has ever coached in terms of skill. But this is a very young team and need time to develop. Too many are easy to cast off a coach these days when things are not going so well...Its too easy and it is not even a sure fix.
Let me ask you 2 things.. Who would be a better coach if Gretzky needs to be fired? and What are you expecting out of this team?

A playoff birth is certainly a reasonable expectation..But this is a difficult Conference with one of the best teams we have seen in years leading the charge...

The Coyotes are young and that is why they are inconsistent, but they have skill and the ability to surprise good teams. Get off the ledge and get real...this team is full of puppies and in time will get better....We gotta get in to the playoffs though...

 

[MigratingOsprey]

how do you explain zero improvement of the special units?

they're also right at or just behind their pace from last year as far as record

their line pairings don't always make sense and the team has zero identity

that goes on the coaching

I don't know how anyone can think that gretzky is the most qualified HC for this team

they have a capable goalie, a pair of time line talents, some incredible team speed, a decent group of blueliners, etc

I think a major weakness of their is how they transition through the neutral zone - they have issues setting up in the offensive zone and can allow rushes by being sloppy as team enter their defensive zone

I'm a sharks fan so admittedly I don't watch this team all the time - but these are my observations from the dozen games or so I have watched of theirs

i'm really pulling for the yotes to make the playoffs and for hockey to survive in phoenix - however, i think to get there they need to go out and hire a real coaching staff

 

[Hazzard29]

I disagree with you saying Gretzky needs to be fired. This is easily the best team he has ever coached in terms of skill. But this is a very young team and need time to develop. Too many are easy to cast off a coach these days when things are not going so well...Its too easy and it is not even a sure fix.
Let me ask you 2 things.. Who would be a better coach if Gretzky needs to be fired? and What are you expecting out of this team?

A playoff birth is certainly a reasonable expectation..But this is a difficult Conference with one of the best teams we have seen in years leading the charge...

The Coyotes are young and that is why they are inconsistent, but they have skill and the ability to surprise good teams. Get off the ledge and get real...this team is full of puppies and in time will get better....We gotta get in to the playoffs though...

I would agree that this is the most talented team Gretz has coached, but the Yotes have had enough talent for the last several years to be expected to at least make the playoffs.

As far as who would make a better coach, how about anyone with any playoff coaching experience? Gretzky had zero experience when he was hired, he was basically used as a tool to try and put people in the seats... it didnt work. Gretzky was a great player, but that doesnt make him a good coach. Its apparent to me that he fails to motivate this team. And its not just the younger guys who are inconsistant... its the whole damn team with the exception of Doan and Michalek. When the talent is in place, and the team still fails to at least compete for a playoff spot, the blame should fall on the coaching staff.

I dont think my expections for this team are out of line. Compete for a playoff spot within 2 years of Gretzky's arrival... fail. Make the playoffs within 3 years... fail.

The excuse of having a young team doesnt work anymore. The Coyotes have been a young team for years, at some point the rebuilding and the excuses have to stop.

 

[Hazzard29]

I like to talk hockey but I don't have much to say right now. I was at the game on Saturday vs. Carolina. Bad. I'm going on Thursday, next Monday, and then the following Thursday. I have 1/2 a season in tickets.

This team started well, climbed to 5th place, went into the All-Star Break, and has fallen apart. Granted there is only about 3-4 points between where they are now and 8th place, but it will be a battle for the rest of the season and they need to start winning 3 of 5.

I was also at the Carolina game... I was still holding on to belief that this could be a playoff team, but that went out the window on Saturday night. Im looking for someone to blame at this point... first Gretzky. Then the Jobing.com ticket staff, they may have jinxed the rest of the season by calling me to ask for a deposit on playoff tickets in the middle of a 6 game losing streak.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Honestly, I just don't see the same talent level on the roster that others seemingly do. The injuries certainly don't help, but it was painfully obvious at the start of the season that the Coyotes were a shallow team that was going to find it extremely difficult if players went absent. As of tonight, the following players are on the team: Steven Goertzen, Jeff Hoggan, Dave Schlemko, Todd Fedoruk, Dan Carcillo, Daniel Winnik, David Hale, and Joel Perrault. There's a lot of low cards in that hand, and they make up nearly half of the skaters on the team. Most of those can't be called NHL caliber players, and those that can are marginal guys at best. Then throw in guys who are supposed to be top line talent like Olli Jokinen who is having a dismal season by his standard, and the Coyotes can't cope.

Unfortunately for us, Scotty Bowman isn't walking through that door and I don't think that any other coach on the planet could elevate those players enough to turn this into a good team. Gretzky really doesn't have much of a chance with that kind of a roster, nobody does. If he winds up quitting then I don't think the Coyotes will have much issue finding a replacement that is at least as good, but I'm extremely skeptical that it would have that large of an impact.

 

[IAWarnerFan]

I'm surprised we've hung on to him this long.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Honestly, I just don't see the same talent level on the roster that others seemingly do. The injuries certainly don't help, but it was painfully obvious at the start of the season that the Coyotes were a shallow team that was going to find it extremely difficult if players went absent. As of tonight, the following players are on the team: Steven Goertzen, Jeff Hoggan, Dave Schlemko, Todd Fedoruk, Dan Carcillo, Daniel Winnik, David Hale, and Joel Perrault. There's a lot of low cards in that hand, and they make up nearly half of the skaters on the team. Most of those can't be called NHL caliber players, and those that can are marginal guys at best. Then throw in guys who are supposed to be top line talent like Olli Jokinen who is having a dismal season by his standard, and the Coyotes can't cope.

Unfortunately for us, Scotty Bowman isn't walking through that door and I don't think that any other coach on the planet could elevate those players enough to turn this into a good team. Gretzky really doesn't have much of a chance with that kind of a roster, nobody does. If he winds up quitting then I don't think the Coyotes will have much issue finding a replacement that is at least as good, but I'm extremely skeptical that it would have that large of an impact.

however, there is enough top line talent to put together a respectable PP and PK

the current PP is 29th in the league - the PK 23rd

on average they are getting outscored by a half a goal a game - if they could improve both by 8-10 slots they would be in playoff position

no one is expecting them to be detroit or the devils right now - but there is no reason why they shouldn't sneak into the playoffs every now and again

do you think teams like MN don't have injuries or a bunch of guys on their roster that aren't NHL names?! - however, they sniff the playoffs every now and again due to coaching

do you really think vancouver is light years ahead as far as team composition?

how do the sabres lose every significant player almost every year and still field a competative team?

demand more

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

however, there is enough top line talent to put together a respectable PP and PK

the current PP is 29th in the league - the PK 23rd

on average they are getting outscored by a half a goal a game - if they could improve both by 8-10 slots they would be in playoff position

no one is expecting them to be detroit or the devils right now - but there is no reason why they shouldn't sneak into the playoffs every now and again

do you think teams like MN don't have injuries or a bunch of guys on their roster that aren't NHL names?! - however, they sniff the playoffs every now and again due to coaching

do you really think vancouver is light years ahead as far as team composition?

how do the sabres lose every significant player almost every year and still field a competative team?

demand more

I am not suggesting that Gretzky should stay or should go. What I am saying though is that I flat out don't see the same playoff quality talent in this team that others do. I feel that to say that this team's problems run much too deep to simply swap out the coaching staff and see a big improvement in the results. You mention top line talent, but I ask what top line talent? Doan is having another monster year, but unfortunately there's really not a lot there to complement him. Jokinen was supposed to be that first liner to rack up points with him, but he hasn't. He's on pace for 53 points, a far cry from the average of 84 points he's put up the last three seasons. Mueller could have been the other legit top liner, but unfortunately he's been nicked up for most of the season. Just the way the game goes.

I'm not blaming injuries for how the team has performed either, because as you said every team goes through them. However, I am blaming the lack of depth which has made the team unable to cope from those inevitable injuries. Nearly half the skaters on the team just aren't very good. I don't know about being "miles" ahead, and teams like Vancouver and Minnesota may have guys who aren't NHL quality as you said, but not as many as the Coyotes. The Canucks also happen to have the best goaltender on the planet which makes it easier to cover up any such deficiencies as well.

I think a large part of the depth issues comes from the fact that the Coyotes are still suffering from poor drafting, when essentially every year was a joke up to 2004 (and our 5th overall pick that year walked out thanks to a garbage loophole). Guys like Kevin Porter, Dan Winnik, and Chad Kolarik will probably wind up being solid checking line players, but they aren't there yet. Enver Lisin has started to show that he can be more than just a fast skater, and could wind up being a nice secondary scorer. Kyle Turris has the chance to be dominant once he bulks up. There are quite a few quality young defensemen in the system with Chris Summers, Jonas Ahnelov, and Maxim Goncharov as well. Unfortunately, its just going to take a little more time for the Coyotes to build up the kind of depth they need to truly become competitive. Its going to be interesting to see what they do at the trade deadline though, lots of possible directions for them to go.

 

[chickenhead]

Given that the GM reports to him, the talent issue is lose-lose for him right now. If the talent is there, it's on him as coach. If the talent isn't there, he doesn't get pass because it's on him as the president of hockey operations. If Gretzky were a normal coaching hire there's no way he would have lasted this long. When it comes to him essentially being an executive behind the bench...well, even Lou Lamoriello doesn't stay behind the bench for that long before hiring someone more fitting for the job. I just don't think he should be doing both jobs.

 

[AsshAts]

When this thread first came up I disregarded it because I thought they were just in a slump, but after going to the Calgary/Oilers game, somethings not right.

 

[Scott MS]

Went to the Vancouver and Edmonton games. Something is not right. How do you win 6 out of 10 all season then suddenly can only win 1 out of 10?

 

[Hazzard29]

Im at a loss as well for whats going on with this team. The Yotes have been dealing with alot of injury issues in the forward positions.. but the defense and goalies have been intact, with the exception of Michalek and Sauer (who both have come back recently). I kinda understand the lack of goal scoring, but giving up as many as they have really has me scratching my head.

Yotes have Atlanta at home on Thursday, then they hit the road for 8 out of the next 9 games. Hopefully a road trip will be good for this team... if it isnt, the season is essentially over.

 

[Shane]

Great player dont mean great coach.

 

[Hazzard29]

And Gretz is pulling in 7 Million per year?! This just keeps getting better...

http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/coyote-ugly-gretzkys-ridiculous-7m-salary-22471

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I'll have to dig out the link again, but the 7 million rumor that's been floating around the last couple months has been totally shot down. Repeatedly.

 

[Hazzard29]

I'll have to dig out the link again, but the 7 million rumor that's been floating around the last couple months has been totally shot down. Repeatedly.

Good to know, this was the first I saw of it.

 

[SunCityCarl]

I remember going to hockey games before the Yotes moved West to Glendale. Never great teams but really good teams. Since the new ownership has taken over it seems the great one has been a focal point & never the team. I saw about 6 home games last year & this year whenever they're on TV I try to watch & both games they were blown out & losing by more than 3 goals entering the 2nd period. The only way Wayne is fired is if he fires himself & with money vested I doubt that will ever happen....

 

[azsouthendzone]

I'll have to dig out the link again, but the 7 million rumor that's been floating around the last couple months has been totally shot down. Repeatedly.

That is untrue. He gets a total of 7 million because he has a "special arrangement" where he gets paid basically for the Coyotes to use his likeness to market. To say it is totally untrue or that it has been shot down repeatedly is way off base. He gets 7 million from the team which is unaffected by losses. You can call it what you want.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

That is untrue. He gets a total of 7 million because he has a "special arrangement" where he gets paid basically for the Coyotes to use his likeness to market. To say it is totally untrue or that it has been shot down repeatedly is way off base. He gets 7 million from the team which is unaffected by losses. You can call it what you want.

Source?

Gretzky already said it himself that he does not make $7M a year from the Coyotes. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/02/14/spector_gretzky/

 

[Hazzard29]

Source?

Gretzky already said it himself that he does not make $7M a year from the Coyotes. http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/02/14/spector_gretzky/

If it was Gretz who is the one claiming to not be making that kind of money, I would tend to be a little sceptical. This is the same guy who claimed to not have any knowledge of Janet and Tocchets gambling practices... if Gretz's mouth is moving he probably lying.