That should read

Just good enough to not get early/good draft picks.

And yes late round gems are good, but top 5 picks are mucho betta.

And I agree about mediocre/average coaching. Many teams succeed DESPITE mediocre coaching, but rarely because of it.

Safe and mediocre are relatively the same. You get the right mix of guys to the playoffs and anything can happen. I said it a long time ago here but Q just never let the team become great. His tweaking kept the team competitive but never gave them the freedom to fail and learn and become a great team. By that standard, he might never be more than a mediocre coach. However, mediocre coaches can lead great teams to the finals and perhaps even a cup. Great coaches can do it more often with less talent.

My biggest fear with a continued Q-ationship was that it would have sent a clear message that ownership was happy to JUST make the playoffs. To do JUST enough to get to the golden parachute that is the post-season. Another word for that is Toronto Maple Leafs. The die-hard fans are getting screwed up there because even though the team sucks and there is no hope in sight, the ownership continues to make wads of cash. Therefore they have no reason to improve the team. It would be a bad business decision if they did.

interesting choice but I can see the reasoning behind it. Quenville has often got his teams to the playoffs, but then the fall flat on their faces. If your goal is to make the playoffs most years, he can do the job. But if your goal is to win the Stanley Cup, I don’t think you wnat a guy like Quenville. For all his so called strengths he has never coached a team that far, his second year in St Louis, I believe was the closest he got.

I know I won’t miss the inconsistent “dog-house” benching, the goalie-go-round, the constant line changes, nor the sit back in your own zone while trying to protect a 1 goal lead strategy.

I find it very curious that Brunette would even breath a hint of dissatisfaction with coaching decisions. First, he’s a veteran. Next, he’s tight-lipped about anything and everything else. Next, he’s very deliberate with anything he says.

Dario, I think it’s worth noting that these revelations didn’t come out until after the season was over. I have a feeling that Brunette said a lot of things off the record and requested they not get aired until it no longer mattered. There was no sense of grumbling during the regular season, and that’s the sign of a classy player.

And yeah, I share your speculation that Brunette was not the only veteran upset by the coaching. He and Sakic are pretty similar in temperament (from what I’ve heard), and Sakic’s been around since the start, so he knows what works and what doesn’t.

My father mentioned that Hartley was available and looking for work. With all the vets on the team, could it be a possibility? (just throwing it out there on no basis whatsoever). Whoever the coach is, they obviously have someone in mind. And the draft/free agency looms near - a coach is going to be necessary for those decisions.

My biggest problem with Quenneville was special teams. I thought they were absolutely horrible all year and arguably cost us the division. 5 on 5 hockey I can buy the argument of injured players, but on special teams I think a large majority of the success is coaching. I don’t know if it was Granato or the other assistant that worked on special teams (I’m assuming it was Granato - god help us if they name him HC), but someone had to be held accountable.

I’m guessing they’re resigning Sakic, Forsberg, Foote, etc. and they’ll bring in a veteran HC to match. I agree with everyone else that the personnel decisions will be interesting, and these will come from Giguere rather than the coach - we’ll find out if he is pro or con on a lot of these guys on the fence. Liles may have a shot of sticking now, as well as Finger and Richardson. Sauer probably loses some value without coach Q in his corner. And I still think Theo is gone. If/when Huet resigns, as it’s now looking like an almost certainty, Theo’s agent would be doing his client a disservice not to try and go grab a 3 or 4 year deal (I’m crossing my fingers the Avs are only offering 2).