So much for coaching changes providing an immediate boost. Entering play Wednesday, the Capitals (Dale Hunter), Anaheim Ducks (Bruce Boudreau) and Carolina Hurricanes (Kirk Muller) were a combined 2-8-1 since all three organizations fired their coaches last week. What that tells us is there are no quick fixes if a team’s problems run deeper than just the man standing behind the bench. Yes, the St. Louis Blues (9-2-3) remain on fire since turning to Ken Hitchcock on Nov. 6. And it worked for Washington under Boudreau early in the 2007-08 season. But Boudreau’s turnaround that season really didn’t gain steam for more than a month. The Caps were 7-5-3 in Boudreau’s first 15 games — decent but on its own hardly enough to overcome a disastrous start.
It takes time to implement new philosophies — Hunter’s 1-2-2, for instance — and for players to adjust. Is it rocket science? No. NHL players have seen it all. But even for a team with as much talent as Washington, the true benefits from a coaching change, if any, won’t show for weeks.
– Brian McNally
