For years I’ve mocked Leaf fans as I watched their frustration at this time of year. Their team would show promise from time to time, lifting the hopes of their fans, only to fall short again. The Leafs still suck and I will continue to mock their fans, but …
Yesterday the Sens fired their coach.
I must admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of Hartsburg. I had mixed emotions at the news of his hiring, wondering if he really was the best choice for this team. I did like his talk of accountability, and believed him when he said that he would not allow his team to “coast.”
Well, he did. And the most puzzling thing he once said was that he didn’t believe in benching his superstars. For professional hockey players, how else can you hold them accountable? The only thing you have power over is their playing time. The moment he made that comment, I knew his time was short. He was not going to make it to the end of the season.
However, I’m a little surprised at the choice for a new coach. After all, there are some pretty strong coaches sitting on the side lines waiting for a call. But instead, Brian Murray went with Clouston — the coach of the Sens farm team. A guy with only a few years of junior experience and no NHL experience. What?
Now, I don’t know a thing about Clouston, and I hope he turns out to be coach of the year, but why on earth would the Sens make a decision to put a guy with zero experience behind the bench of a team than needs a massive turnaround?
I can only think of two reasons: Either the Sens have given up on the season and have put a “disposable” coach in place until the summer, or Murray is more of a control freak than he lets on, and he believes he can have his hand in making coaching decisions with Clouston. Put Tortorella behind the bench and try to offer your opinion as a coach. Let’s see how far that gets you.
I’m thinking it’s the first reason. The Sens wont admit that they have given up, but they have. This is the first of many changes to come. If they put a long term coach in place now, he would have to deal with all the changes and uncertainty. Instead, they put the rookie in for the remainder of the year. If he does well, Murray’s a genius. If he doesn’t, they simply admit they were rebuilding for next year.
Either way, it’s going to be a long season for us die hard fans. The first year the Sens were in the league, I was pastoring in Windsor. I cheered for this team in the middle of Leaf & Red Wing fans. I pastored in Northern Ontario during the years when the Sens won fewer than 20 games. Surrounded by Hab & Leaf fans, I cheered, “Go Sens Go!”
This season, as difficult as it is to watch, I continue to cheer for my team.
I just can’t wait for the season that never ends to … end.
Go Sens Go.
