Three coaches fired, One retires, in last 36 hours

by Brandt Corbin        
         Three coaches have been shown the door since the NHL regular season ended yesterday. Corey Clouston (Ottawa), Peter Deboer (Florida) and Todd Richards (Minnesota) have all been terminated, no one should be surprised about all 3. When they all got hired, all teams were struggling majorily and the same can be said now two and three years later in all cases.
         Each coach that got hired had no NHL experience, but they each had indivdual successes in Junior Hockey and in the American Hockey League. Its unfornunate to say, but its highly unikely that any of the three be considered for any job in the NHL, unless it woud be for an assistiant coaching job. One other club is without a coach, after Jauques Lemaire retired yet again. Where could the Dev's turn for a new bench boss? Its almost a mortal lock he won't be a coach without NHL experience. They made that mistake earlier in the year with John Maclean.
         Who else could lose their jobs within the next few weeks? Jack Capuano, interm coach of the New York Islanders is a possibilty, but Isles GM could also give him a 1 year extension. Two other coaches who could be fired, might be Joe Sacco of the Colorado Avalanche (the 2nd worst team in hockey). Could it go as far Av's general manger Greg Sherman, some called into question the blockbuster trade with St.Louis earlier in the year. Is Marc Crawford in trouble in Dallas? He's likely to be given one more chance, but coud be on a short leash next season.
         Where will the Panthers, Wild and Senators turn to next?
             I would have suggested each team would seek a coach with past experience in the NHL. But rumors are suggesting that Otttawa might turn to Dave Cameron, Team Canada's WJC head coach recenty. Cameron's is currently the head coach and GM for the OHL's Missauaga St. Michael's Majors, which is currently owned by Senators majority owner Eugene Melnyk. Clouston & Craig Hartsburg the previous head coaches for the Sens have had more junior hockey experience, than minor league or NHL experience. So why would they want to take that chance again, they need to sit back and ask themselves question
             Richards when in Minnesota was a players coach more so than a task master. So, now might the Wild seek for of a demanding coach such as Michel Therrien, whom is a pro scout currently for the team. The former Habs and Penguins coach will get an interview. Especially when current Wild GM Chuck Fletcher worked with Therrien in Pittsburgh and was solely responsible for bringing him into the organization.
             Panther general manager, wants a different style to what Deboer had in the past three years.Tallon has also ruled out Gord Murphy, the teams assistiant coach as being the next head coach. But who could be targeted as the next head coach? Likely not Ken Hitchcock, he would be to expensive, to hands on and can be to demanding. What about former Panther Kirk Muller, who could be a candiate for the New Jersey job. Florida who've missed the playoffs 10 years in a row, could be looking for an experienced leader which could then be Craig Mactavish.