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    Written on Monday, 20 May 2013 19:15
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Saturday, 09 April 2011 19:13

Sens Clean House

The Ottawa Senators have done the expected and fired head coach Cory Clouston along with his assistants Greg Carvel and Brad Lauer. This was a move we have been talking about for quite some time but the fact that it came right after the game shows this was a move the team had planned for quite some time.

Sorry for the late post on this one but I got caught away from the computer. More analysis on the shake up in a little bit.

Comments   Jump to Last Post

 
0 #1 mcstravi 2011-04-09 19:17
Had to be done!
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0 #2 JYT 2011-04-09 19:20
I wouldn't have minded this move if we finished the season poorly, but I'm kind of worried that all the momentum built in this late run will be lost. That said, a change was probably expected and hopefully the new coach (some are saying Dave Cameron is an early favorite?) can bring in a working system.

Go Islanders!
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+1 #3 SensChirp 2011-04-09 19:20
Back home for dinner with the parents and the blackberry was buzzing. Thought people were just venting after the last game! Haha
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+1 #4 Derek McStravick 2011-04-09 19:22
Nice to see carvel get the boot.
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+3 #5 big_red_brandon 2011-04-09 19:24
finally the deed has been done... long time in the waiting!

i can't believe Carvel has lasted this long - he musta had something on Melnyk or Murray ! haha

here's hoping we can pry Kirk Muller away from the Habs !!
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-4 #6 Tcharger 2011-04-09 19:29
What a complete joke this season has become....this just magnifies it. IF(and it obviously was) the plan for a while the fact that we were allowed to go on this decent streak by essentially running with Anderson(a hot goalie) is unreal. If Clouston was gone it should have been demanded he start our 3rd string goalies....have a tryout for the people in our system to be our #2 next season.

Sure theoretically this still could have happened, but the fact that Murray sat idly by and allowed this to happen is absurd. OHHHH well, I guess we are trying to get into the record books for most coaches fired by a single GM in a decade.

Lets see how low my =/- gets for this one.
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-5 #7 Tcharger 2011-04-09 19:30
Don't get me wrong, I am not a huge Clouston fan....but this whole process was ridiculous.
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+3 #8 SensChirp 2011-04-09 19:35
Looks like the bit about no exit interviews was right.
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0 #9 Johne 2011-04-09 19:36
http://twitter.com/reporterchris - Check that... Bryan Murray: "Just simply based on performance over the course of the year, we felt that a CHANGE was necessary."
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+3 #10 fireball8992 2011-04-09 19:37
Quoting big_red_brandon:
finally the deed has been done... long time in the waiting!

i can't believe Carvel has lasted this long - he musta had something on Melnyk or Murray ! haha

here's hoping we can pry Kirk Muller away from the Habs !!


Yes please! Don't think it involves prying though, Montreal media has already reported he wants to find a head coaching job in the NHL and will have to leave Montreal to do so.
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+3 #11 MacK 2011-04-09 19:43
You can't ignore some of the bizarre coaching decisions that Clouston made this year. His handling of the vets and inability to create some sort of chemistry by keeping lines combos together for longer than 1 period was extremely frustrating. I'm referring to before the allstar break of course.
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+2 #12 beadler01 2011-04-09 19:44
I want lindy ruff . Fuck cammeron . We need a good experince coach . Lindy ruff!!!!!!. Glad carval is dgone too .
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-4 #13 jakester 2011-04-09 19:49
Not sure Muller or especially Cameron can do the job. I think that Bob Hartley is the guy - I know he accepted a coaching job in Switzerland for next year but he must be able to get out of that. He would be perfect.Plus he's a local guy.
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+2 #14 SENSational 2011-04-09 19:49
I hope whoever is brought in brings an offensive minded Dman pinching system. With all the current and future puck movers coming up, any other type of system wouldn't mesh well. Spezza also better be playing around 22 minutes per night, he gets his rhythm and mojo going when he plays high end minutes.
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0 #15 meadowdog 2011-04-09 19:53
Quoting Tcharger:
What a complete joke this season has become....this just magnifies it. IF(and it obviously was) the plan for a while the fact that we were allowed to go on this decent streak by essentially running with Anderson(a hot goalie) is unreal. If Clouston was gone it should have been demanded he start our 3rd string goalies....have a tryout for the people in our system to be our #2 next season.

Sure theoretically this still could have happened, but the fact that Murray sat idly by and allowed this to happen is absurd. OHHHH well, I guess we are trying to get into the record books for most coaches fired by a single GM in a decade.

Lets see how low my =/- gets for this one.


I've always enjoyed your often bitter rants because you're almost always right. Unfortunately the "Pollyanna Posse" seem to have taken over the site and any critcism of Bryan Murray is considered a sacrilege.
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+3 #16 Andersnax 2011-04-09 19:55
WHO CARES IF THE COACH IS "A LOCAL"? IT DOESN'T MATTER.
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-2 #17 Sandy 2011-04-09 19:55
The problem is this team was good down the stretch once they fixed the goaltending.

The young guys bought in and played the system very well.

But if this was done to bring in Cameron.. bad mistake. He will be gone by Christmas.

I can't see the veterans like Alfie, Phillips, Gonchar and whoever else putting up with another rookie coach.
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0 #18 Tcharger 2011-04-09 19:56
Quoting meadowdog:
[quote name="Tcharger"]

I've always enjoyed your often bitter rants because you're almost always right. Unfortunately the "Pollyanna Posse" seems to have taken over the site and any critcism of Bryan Murray is considered a sacrilege.



Hopefully my edit of the quote works lol....but yeah, it is kind of insane.
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+1 #19 Hax 2011-04-09 20:07
Quoting Tcharger:
What a complete joke this season has become....this just magnifies it. IF(and it obviously was) the plan for a while the fact that we were allowed to go on this decent streak by essentially running with Anderson(a hot goalie) is unreal. If Clouston was gone it should have been demanded he start our 3rd string goalies....have a tryout for the people in our system to be our #2 next season.


Could it be possible there were other factors at play? Maybe trying to make Ottawa a bit more attractive to potential UFAs by winning a few games? Maybe wanting to provide some hope to the fan base so the season ticket numbers don't drop too much?

You could be right, maybe Murray just felt sorry for Clouston so let him try to win some games to bolster his resume.
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0 #20 MacK 2011-04-09 20:16
Isles down 5-4 in the 3rd. Let's hope they can pull off a late victory.
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0 #21 Tcharger 2011-04-09 20:19
Could it be possible there were other factors at play? Maybe trying to make Ottawa a bit more attractive to potential UFAs by winning a few games? Maybe wanting to provide some hope to the fan base so the season ticket numbers don't drop too much?

Maybe....That being said, I still believe that it is in the teams best interest to not pursue UFAs this summer. The season ticket thing may have some merit.
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0 #22 jakester 2011-04-09 20:25
Huberdeau another goal in a losing cause today. Look at the passing especially in this video - really makes me think of Spezza but more well rounded(or should i say like the new and improved Spezza).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYTELsqbl64
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0 #23 jasonontheoldsenschirp 2011-04-09 20:28
GO ISLANDERS!!!!!! !!
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+1 #24 jakester 2011-04-09 20:28
Hey we may have our own Dustin Penner in our system. Mark Stone - tough and can score.http://ww w.youtube.com/w atch?v=03btHLmp DFU&NR=1
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0 #25 nuffsaid 2011-04-09 20:33
yea that video is pretty bomb. seems to have a hell of a one timer.
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+1 #26 jakester 2011-04-09 20:34
No kidding looks tough as nails too. Power forward.
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0 #27 Hax 2011-04-09 20:36
Quoting Tcharger:

Maybe....That being said, I still believe that it is in the teams best interest to not pursue UFAs this summer. The season ticket thing may have some merit.


I tend to agree. We barely have room for the young guys as it is. Though everything I've seen from Murray seems to indicate he's still planning on playing the UFA market.

Or maybe he's trying to lure one of the Swedes to come over??
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-4 #28 sensarmy 2011-04-09 20:40
All I have to say to Clouston is thanks for taking us from second last to 5th last with your stupid goaltending decisions. PCE OUT!
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+1 #29 jakester 2011-04-09 20:47
I agree no free agents ,we seem to have too many d-men and forwards. + not making the playoffs and dealing deadwood again next year at the deadline wouldn't be a bad thing. only thing if Alfie can't go we might have to sign one UFA.
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+1 #30 Dorkievicz 2011-04-09 20:52
If Kirk Muller doesn't sound like a good idea to you now, he will seem obvious in hindsight.
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+4 #31 Dorkievicz 2011-04-09 20:55
Heard some people mention Cameron and Keenan and I think we should steer clear of both.. While my preference is Muller, I would take Hartley.
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0 #32 Demers19 2011-04-09 20:56
TheDriver_ Gary Doherty
by SensNation
I can't think of a better way to rebuild than extend the GM, resign slow dinosaur D, sign even more 4th liners, and let owner pick new coach




It's crazy how non-Sens fans talk about the team when in fact they don't know anything about the team, it pisses me off really, it's not like Murray has done a poor job lately, and it's not like Phillips is a shit at 3M$ ?
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+2 #33 Hax 2011-04-09 21:10
Isles lose/tank. Fifth last it is.

So we either pick 5th (74.7% chance), 1st (8.1%) or 6th (17.2%). Unless we work trade of course.
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0 #34 Canuck Abroad 2011-04-09 21:17
Quoting JYT:
I wouldn't have minded this move if we finished the season poorly, but I'm kind of worried that all the momentum built in this late run will be lost. That said, a change was probably expected and hopefully the new coach (some are saying Dave Cameron is an early favorite?) can bring in a working system.


The system worked. Our team plays this blue collar type system very well. The poor coaching decisions and lineup decisions are what really killed this team this year.
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0 #35 MacK 2011-04-09 21:23
@ Hax "Isles lose/tank. Fifth last it is.

So we either pick 5th (74.7% chance), 1st (8.1%) or 6th (17.2%). Unless we work trade of course."


Are those are only options or can we still move up to 2nd, 3rd or 4th through the draft lottery?
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+2 #36 Mike Bauer 2011-04-09 21:45
No those are the only options SensibleMac.

That said, if Ottawa picks fifth, I take Huberdeau or Strome...Coutur ier I think will be 2nd-3rd liner and a solid one at that, but he's my pick to drop in the draft...there's always one.

Hopefully though Ottawa will win the lottery, although unlikely. I would consider trading up for GL, but it would be hard too...however, if he Landeskog is available at #3, I think he'd be open for business - he always looks to add more picks and prospects and I dont think he's set on a winger...tough to say...

If there is justice, Ottawa should win the lottery, they didnt mail in the last 15 games like everyone else below them CLEARLY did.
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-2 #37 jakester 2011-04-09 21:48
Only options 1st-5th-or 6th That is correct. I say we stand pat and try to move the Nashville pick up into the top 8. Wiorcioch+Nashv ille pick+a 2nd.or Nash pick +2nd +3rd. We have the picks to do it. You could end up with Strome and Huberdeau - that would be a success I think.
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+2 #38 Mike Bauer 2011-04-09 21:49
Clouston had to go. It was time for a change. People give him credit cuz the team was playing better, but the bottom line is they played better cuz of Anderson, Spezza and rookies going all out to earn spots for next year. Add that to the fact that they had ZERO pressure.

Although CC had SOME good hockey sense, he clearly couldn't communicate with players properly and was an over the top hardass...Milbu ry (i cant believe Im agreeing with him on this) said it right, they have to like you a little bit....look at Bylsma, Boudreau etc...they are tough but fair but likeable. Its a fine line.

25 games in next year, you'd all be saying FIRE CLOUSTON, cuz in all likelyness, the team will struggle again next year...here's hoping they dont. Ottawa should've waited til at least monday though, shown a bit of class, but they opted to give'em the boot right away i guess
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0 #39 JYT 2011-04-09 22:45
Quoting Canuck Abroad:

The system worked. Our team plays this blue collar type system very well. The poor coaching decisions and lineup decisions are what really killed this team this year.


I meant if the new coach brought in his own system, I hope it would work as well as this one.
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0 #40 edmontonSENS 2011-04-09 22:54
Ya cause anderson would have for sure resigned with us if we let him play 1 game in the 20 he was here. And I much as it hurt the draft winning was great. And if any player would have agreed with tanking they should be fired with the coach. All you posters who are probably middle aged and slightly overweight. Cause if you've ever played a competitive sport you know losing sucks and losing all season makes you want to win more.
I would like to thanks every ottawa senator for the last month of the season. Because they were out of the playoffs, guarenteed to get their paycheck. And they still played their hearts out for their REAL FANS!!
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-2 #41 SENS2013 2011-04-09 22:59
MIs anyone else wishing that a couple years back the sens organization woulda chose heatler iver clouston. With him fired now cloustons only lasting impact is getting rid of heater. I know we all hate him now but without the whole trade demand heatley still looks pretty good on spezzas left wing.
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-1 #42 sensrebirth 2011-04-09 23:13
Muller as Head coach
Cameron as Assistant

You can do it!
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-2 #43 Dørkiewicz 2011-04-09 23:19
OK Everybody. I'll be the Ottawa Senators' new head coach.
Someone has to do it. I'll apply tomorrow.

TOOKIE and HarvardYaleAndP rincetonMan will be my assistants.
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0 #44 MacK 2011-04-09 23:33
Quoting jakester:
Only options 1st-5th-or 6th That is correct.


I don't know why I had it in my head that there was more than just the single selection. I thought they would pick the first and then remove the winners remaining changes and pick the next ball and so on. Isn't that what they did when Pittsburgh got Crosby?
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-2 #45 Dørkiewicz 2011-04-10 00:02
Kevin Dineen and Randy Cunneyworth are Ottawa head coach candidates that make me think.

Found this on a Boo Boo Garrioch site of all places.
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0 #46 Sens97 2011-04-10 00:12
Quoting SensibleMac:
Quoting jakester:
Only options 1st-5th-or 6th That is correct.


I don't know why I had it in my head that there was more than just the single selection. I thought they would pick the first and then remove the winners remaining changes and pick the next ball and so on. Isn't that what they did when Pittsburgh got Crosby?


That was because no season had been played due to the lockout
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+1 #47 Bandit 2011-04-10 01:21
No coach could win with the Senators this season. I sincerely hope this decision was made earlier rather than after seeing his performance in 2010-2011.

He has consistently kept Butler/Greening /Spezza together on our top line because he recognized them as our top forwards. And with the rest of our team composed of injured players and fourth liners, I do not blame him for the constant shuffle of lines.

CC was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I wish him the best in the future.
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0 #48 MoeDozer 2011-04-10 02:12
so anyone else notice Yost's name is off the site now lol.
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+1 #49 383 2011-04-10 02:56
This whole Clouston situation reeks of a bigger picture.
Ya, we had a bad season, but as it's been pointed out, Clouston was given this team, created by a guy who just got a 3 year extension.
There has to be something going on that no one is talking about. It was no secret Clouston and the Vets didn't get along, (Kovie/Jarko/et c) could it be possible Clouston and Alfie/Phillips/ Spezza in the mist of an intense season had some sort of falling out?
Totally not claiming this ACTUALLY happened, but how else does this make sense.
I don't buy that Murray saved his job with all the trades. Let's be honest, blowing up a team is the easiest task an NHL GM has to do.
All I'm sayin' is that Clouston didn't deserve to be fired and for the way it happened like it did, there has to be something else, that as fans we will never know. Things like that happen and I'm certain this was the case.

All the best CC, you'll always be T1000 in my heart.
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0 #50 defplayer 2011-04-10 05:51
The classy move of the day was not bringing up cody bass. It was retaining luke richardson as assistant coach.
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0 #51 RUSHRLZ 2011-04-10 06:28
Wow. Waking up dunder-headed after too many tequilas last night and examining the aftermath across the NHL.

I was hoping the hockey gods would have had us finish below the Isles but what is done is done. Now it's all up to the lottery balls - that would easily be the best thing to happen to the Sens this year.

Glad to see Clouston gone, it was absolutely necessary, and from what I've heard, he was a problem with many of the veteran players, and I don't just mean Kovie and Ruutu.

Still surprised though that they fired him so fast, what was the point of that? Lack of class looks bad on us trying to recruit a new coach(es) going forward.

Good luck Cory, you had your moments with the Sens!
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0 #52 RUSHRLZ 2011-04-10 06:44
Fascinating comments from the Euge about the autonomy of Murray going forward. This is reassuring to me who in the past has been suspicious that Melnyk was 'interfering' in hockey decisions.

These comments are regarding the new coach, but the gist applies to all personnel decisions. Atta boy Eugene - stand back and let Murray rebuild this baby properly!

"I can tell you when you tell people to put their stamp on a team, don't tell them how to put their stamp on it," said Melnyk. "Do I have suggestions? Absolutely. Does (Murray) have the autonomy to override that? Yes, he does.

"Let the pros do what they do best. That's why they get paid the big bucks. If they come back and they know this is the guy for this team, I'm not going to stand in the way. You can't put your finger into things when you want and then blame them when it goes bad."
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0 #53 DB 2011-04-10 07:06
Carvel came with Murray from Anaheim where his was the video coach. I am sure he was Murray's pipeline from the dressing room. Murray like to surround himself with 'yes' men......Carvel , nephew Tim.....so on.

Quoting big_red_brandon:
finally the deed has been done... long time in the waiting!

i can't believe Carvel has lasted this long - he musta had something on Melnyk or Murray ! haha

here's hoping we can pry Kirk Muller away from the Habs !!
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0 #54 Sensations 2011-04-10 07:15
Its time for Ted Nolan to make a reutrn to the NHL...
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0 #55 THEBLACKTERROR 2011-04-10 08:33
Who f'ing cares that Clouston is gone? He should have been gone ages ago anyways.

This season was a mess and he was the biggest culprit.

As a coach, it is YOUR responsibility to put your players into a system that maximizes their potential for success.

He puts Gonchar on the left point on the PP. They develop a defensive system based on hitting and winning corner battles, when nearly all of their players are built around transition. He breaks up lines after 2 shifts. He had faith in all the wrong guys from the get-go (Elliott and Shannon come immediately to mind).

These are all coaching issues. Murray definitely gave him a few lame ducks, but Clouston turned the entire team into dead weight. It's no wonder Heatley didn't want to play for him.

With the right coach, this organization can become a destination where players want to be. Let's hope they hire the right guy.
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0 #56 Nimmsens 2011-04-11 07:28
Clouston had to go, bad communicator, didn't run the bench well, we lead the league in too many men penalties, mishandled the goalie situation and his idea of accountability was incorrect, why was Ruutu a healthy scratch for so long when Kelly, Ruutu and Neil was our most effective line, how about demoting Kovalev to the 4th line than have back playing the 2nd after one shift..

I am not sold on Hartley, some of his goon tactics in Atlanta was not appreciated around the league, Hitchcock is not right for this young team. Of the names been thrown around I like the idea of Deboer or Muller at this point, sure bring in Cameron as an Associate but also bring another veteran career coach as the other associate like a Mike Kitchen if he is available
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