Quenneville gets three-year deal
The deal wasn't finalized until Wednesday, but Hawks GM Dale Tallon said after the 3-0 win over Edmonton at the United Center that Joel Quenneville signed a three-year contract earlier in the day.
Quenneville's deal will keep him behind the bench at least through the 2010-11 season while Tallon is signed only through next year.
"Maybe it should have been a five-year deal," Tallon joked after watching the Hawks dominate the Oilers...
Defenseman Brent Sopel was an "unhealthy scratch" against the Oilers, according to Quenneville, who took advantage of the new rule from the NHL that teams no longer need to disclose injuries.
So from now on players are either hurt or not hurt. Quenneville wouldn't even say if Sopel had an upper body injury or lower body injury. Maybe it's an out of body injury.
damnkraut
he was no head coach at the time.
nice example of present coach.
As a player, yes!
As a coach, anybody can see Queeneville has won, Savard has not.
Unfair to say that, since Savard has not the horses that Queeneville had?
Well, yes, but let's not forget Queeneville can fix problems that Savard never could. The results are to be seen the reaminder of this season in how the players perform and the mistakes or improvement in coverage issues, for example.
Please understand Savard had some good points as a coach. But Queeneville is better. And when Tallon told Savard to play Huet because "I paid him a lot of money and he starts," Savard threw up his hands, exasperated, and said, "he's the fourth best goaltender." I have this on authority of someone who gets comments from a person connected (works for) can't say who, it would get rather easy to figure it out. Also, the word is that Queeneville's DUI only slowed down the process of his taking over. The goaltender issue just brought it to a conclusion sooner rather than later. The experience explanation was more a cover for Savard's shortcoming in teaching and implementing the style of play. Ask yourself, why never under Savard "man in front of the net?" Or how predictable the break out pattern/Savard couldn't see this? Whom was responsible more often than not for the horrible ranked power play as ast coach and head coach? If Savard wasn't in direct charge of the powerplay, then as head coach he better do something to improve upon it. People are loyal to Savard because he was a fan favorite and this is understandable. But see the facts for yourself. No, I won't carry on more in other post about it.
Great to hear that you have personnel inside the Hawks. Good for you. I highly doubt that savard would say that Huet was his 4th best goalie. Maybe 2nd, but not 4th. He wasn't that stupid, but I could see him playing Bulin and pissing off Tallon and McDonaugh.
I agree that Quenneville is a better coach. That's pretty much a dead issue.
It's also obvious that Tim is not a big Dale Tallon fan, as I see subtle, yet effective, jabs at the egomaniac in almost every article since Savard was canned. Rightfully so.
The problem still lies in the fact that Tallon loves his kids. In fact he'll go down in flames contesting that Versteeg, Skillie, Brouer, and Bolland are top notch players. Why not call Minnesota and see what it would take to Gaboriak? Deal these guys before they turn into pumpkins.
Lastly, hold onto Khabibulin for as long as you can. Look, it's only going to force him and Huet to play better to get that #1 spot. A team is always looking to shop for a goaltender in March, and I'm sure an Eastern conference team will need one then (Ottawa, Philly, Carolina, Washington, etc...)
I took Savard comment about Huet to mean Huet was fourth best in preseason. Savard probably felt pressure to win and wanted to go with whom was playing the best as the exhibition season concluded. I'm sure Savard realized Huet is probably the first or second best goaltender in the long run, or at least until a Niemi and Crawford can show that they are as good as their billing. Of course that comes with a chance to prove themselves up here. That won't happen until Khabby is moved. As some post said, we aren't necessarily in a bad position having Khabby around. He has something to prove. His trade value only increases the longer he stays here and if he plays well. Since Sharp is adequate as a #2center, we also have an opportunity to slide in Rockford recalls. Tallon needs to see more clearly what he has in them and what he will do with them. Meanwhile, a descent player in Cr Adams sits on the sideline.
Is it possible to be diagnosed as "bad at hockey"?
3 non playoff teams.
team turned around with savvy behind the bench.
they would have lost the first 2 games with any coach in the world you wanted behind bench.
now habby paying attention,last year of contract.
what a joke.
all these homes games in oct, better win most of them.
see if the miracle worker drunk coach has any major injuries to deal with,
like savvy faced for 2 straight years.
Apparently joe180 has forgotten that Savvy got arrested in 2001 for DUI in Naperville, IL. He later pled that to reckless driving. Maybe it's time to let the job Q does as a coach speak for itself instead of taking bush league shots at him.
The debate will rage all season whether it was Q or if they would have played the same under Savard. It is way early to anoint them as a top 8 team in the conference. We'll chat after November or December. Their position in the conference at that time will be a good indicator. Once the firing fiasco dies down, they will be playing more under Q's system/guidance. We'll see how they respond over the next month or two. Staying healthy is a huge part of the equation.
Of course he got a contract. I doubt he would have taken the job without at least a 2 yr deal promised. So what's next? Bergevin's on board, Steve Smith is hanging around, Manson & Marchment can't be far behind. Whatever it is, this team will play hard and fast. As they gel over the next month, they are going to make us all smile.
They fired Denis after 4 games, and give Q a contract after 3. The Rocky/McDonough/Bowman Hawks are awfully quick on the draw, eh?
(That being said, the Hawks looked AWESOME tonight.)
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If the last 3 games are any indication, the Hawks future this season & beyond looks very bright.
Fast skating, getting on their opponents quickly - even the fourth line has looked good in being aggressive on the forecheck. They are also moving the puck well - defensive zone coverage is much, much better - the forwards are coming back & putting themselves in good support positions to provide outlets for the Dmen. Quickness of guys like Kane, Sharp, Versteeg, Havlat, etc. is especially evident on turnovers/counter-attack which puts defenders on their heels and opens up time & space for guys like campbell & keith to jump in on the rush - seabrook made a great read to jump in on the shorthanded rush - bolland with good paitence to wait for the play to develop.
Lots of good things happening with the team and given their youth, energy, desire, etc., it's only going to get better with Q at the helm.
Denis who? ;-)