To the surprise of few, the Columbus Blue Jackets recently fired coach Ken Hitchcock. You've probably read all about it, but the basic problem was that (much like fellow Central Division ex-coach Andy Murray) Hitch managed to lead the BJ's to an unexpected playoff berth last season only to see the bottom fall out this year.
Frankly, I think that's hogwash. Hitchcock has been a success with three different franchises (a Cup in Dallas, making the Eastern Conference Finals with Philadelphia and leading hapless Columbus to its first-ever playoff berth) even if his teams rarely lead the league in thrills and exclamation points.
I think Hitchcock was the easy scapegoat as is often the case in the NHL. Horrible GMs such as Glen Sather and Don Waddell keep polluting the on-ice product while competent coaches get canned. However I feel about the decision, the plain truth is that both Hitch and I have one thing in common at the moment: unemployment.
The Thrashers are about as wayward as a franchise can get right now. Obviously, the team didn't sell any season ticket packages by moving their one marquee talent Ilya Kovalchuk. If GM Don Waddell keeps his job then the world will continue to be an unjust place.
Some might say that Hitch's abrasive nature bars him from connecting with younger players (based on Nikita Filatov's defection to Russia) but I think that is a convenient excuse. Could it be that Filatov simply didn't want to put in the defensive work to fit in? Or - even better - that Columbus lacks the talent for any criticism to be valid?
Now, I don't know much about the job John Anderson is doing. Perhaps Hitchcock would be brought in either to be a GM or to, you know, bring actual hockey knowledge to a mess of a franchise.
It would be the first ray of light for what is becoming a profoundly somber franchise.
There's always a stench of desperation in bringing in an old coach (especially since Marc "owes his career to Sakic, Roy and Forsberg" Crawford is only in his first year) but there are a few reasons why Hitch might make at least some sense in Dallas again.
The Stars are clearly a nostalgic franchise in the first place. Mike Modano's skill is considerably diminished but only now is he really taking a backseat with the team. They even brought old Joe Nieuwendyk in as a GM.
With a possible new owner and a defense/goaltending that is in disarray, why not return to the discipline-based system that helped Dallas become a perennial contender?
The Oilers are another team that is an absolute mess. Still, there are traces of talent here and there; players like Ales Hemsky, Lubomir Visnovsky and (who would have thought?) Dustin Penner can play.
Edmonton might bring in Hitch, however, to do an about-face. Bland, defense-first hockey might not leave people engaged but it is the best way to win in small markets.
Some might say that the Oilers lack the appropriate roster to maximize Hitch's coaching abilities, but let's face it: bad teams tend to lack the appropriate talent for anyone. That's why they dwell in cellars.
As of this writing, the Lightning are (somehow) in eight place in the Eastern Conference. Let's face the facts, though: chances are the biggest day of the year for coach Rich Tocchet will be Super Bowl Sunday. (Hey-oh! Gambling joke!)
Anyway, Tampa is another team looking to turn the corner with new ownership. Of the crappier franchises, the Lightning provides one of the most talented rosters with trade rumor magnet Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Steve Stamkos and Victor Hedman in tow.
Maybe Vinny could use some tough Hitch love?
With a competent coach, decent owner and solid GM this team might actually be able to make Washington sweat a little bit.
Would it be easier to say that "every Southeast Division team other than Washington could use Hitchcock"? The Panthers haven't been to the playoffs in ages and seem to perpetually live on the bubble. They've lost almost every star and semi-star they've ever developed with Jay Bouwmeester being last year's Kovalchuk.
Like Atlanta's coach, I can't really say much about their coaching situation itself. All I know is that Hitchcock would bring instant credibility to a joke of a NHL team.
When you consider how much the Panthers struggle to acquire talent, a mindless defensive system (along with retaining underrated goalie Tomas Vokoun) could be the one way the rats make it back to relevance.
Sure, hiring Hitchcock might seem a little redundant after firing Murray but Hitchcock's resume is quite a bit more impressive. Besides, Murray's departure was just as flippant and unfair as Hitchcock's so perhaps there would be some harmony to the decision.
Did this mark the final resting place of "relevant NHL player Paul Kariya"?
Most importantly, though, the Blues might just be in a position to advance in the Western Conference. The majority of their high-end talent is young, gritty, defensive-minded or a combination of the three. They will soon rid themselves of declining veterans such as The Corpse Formerly Known as Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk.
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Keep in mind that this whole column is pure speculation. There is no guarantee that Hitchcock will ever get another NHL job, period. Consider this one man's opinion regarding how a few troubled franchises could find some much-needed direction.
What do you think? Do you think the Hurricanes and Islanders should take a look too? Or perhaps you believe that Hitchcock is a dinosaur in the post-lockout NHL. Do tell.
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