Capitals Fire Bruce Boudreau

[TZ]

Per the team, the Washington Capitals have fired head coach Bruce Boudreau and replaced him with Dale Hunter.

In four-plus seasons behind the Caps' bench, Boudreau amassed an impressive 201-88-40 regular season record and led the team to four-consecutive Southeast Division titles.

But his 2-4 playoff series record - losing all four to lower-seeded teams, culminating with a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning last spring - and the team's recent slide after a perfect 7-0-0 start, doomed Boudreau in D.C
http://www.japersrink.com/2011/11/28/2154573/breaking-capitals-fire-bruce-boudreau
Not a huge hockey fan, and not really a Boudreau fan, but this REALLY surprises me...:wow:

[PRETZEL]

1. I think I heard over the weekend that

he was riding Ovechkins ass a bit.

Guess we now know who runs that team.

[TZ]

2. Yeah Boudreau and Ovechkin haven't gotten along for awhile

But people have been calling for Boudreau to be fired since the early exit in the playoffs last season...

[Chan790]

5. I can't think Hunter would have been Ovie's choice.

Hunter's always been a prick but he's an advocate of the "conditioning wins games late" and Ovie has a rep of not being the most-dedicated guy on that front. Expect if they don't come out of the gate like gang-busters that Ovie might find himself sucking wind and and 15# lighter by NYE, having been made an example of.

[inthebrain]

3. Dale Hunter is a dick

[TZ]

4. I agree.

This will be an interesting experiment I think :sarcasm:

[joeybee12]

6. I just checked the standings...

They're certinaly still doing ok, I guess, so so early in the season is a surprise....sounds like a "power play."

[TZ]

7. They've lost a bunch lately.

I think 6 of their last 8. And the scores weren't close, 7-1,6-3, etc

[joeybee12]

8. Still, it's early...

Must be more than just their losing streak.

[Chan790]

9. They admitted being very close to firing him after the playoff defeat last year.

The rep that he can't win in the playoffs was starting to stick, he had a short leash going into the season.

[Kingofalldems]

10. I saw it in his face as Toronto was crushing them

He knew he was done.

[mmonk]

11. I saw it coming, especially with the cut back in ice time for Ovie.

Also saw it coming for my team as well. Funny it all happened the same day.