Hartsburg Fired!

Team 1200 is pre-empting Jim Rome to cover the coaching change. Steve Lloyd is the moderator and Mike Eastwood is at the Sens' practice. Lloyd pointed out that Hartsburg's contract is guaranteed so he gets paid for next two-plus years. Hartsburg is due to sit down with Murray to discuss a possible future role in the organization.

Here is the report from the Press Connects Binghamton:

February 2, 2009

Hartsburg Out, Clouston In As Ottawa Sens Coach

Cory Clouston, second-year coach of the Binghamton Senators, will replace Craig Hartsburg as the new Ottawa Senators coach.

A formal announcement on the coaching change was made at 11 a.m. Curtis Hunt, the Ottawa Senators assistant coach, has been offered the the job as head coach in Binghamton, Brian Murray, Ottawa Senators general manager, said. Management gave him 24 hours to make his decision.

Hartsburg's firing comes on the heels of Sunday's 7-4 defeat Sunday night at the hands of the Washington Capitals.

Under Hartsburg, the Ottawa Senators compiled a 17-24-3-4 record and sits 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference. The Senators are 14 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot.

It is widely believed that the Ottawa team has underperformed considering the team's talent.

So, they're saying that Cory is NOT a player's coach and will light fires when needed.

We'll have to see...

I think we should fire 3 more coahces before we start to blame the players.

yeah why not, eh LOL

Neely4Life wrote:I think we should fire 3 more coahces before we start to blame the players.

I believe Hartsburg was blaming the players and their lack of effort... but you can't fire players. It's the risk that comes with coaching jobs.

The evaluation from top to bottom starts now - and I'm sure Murray's job is most certainly on the line after these debacles. It can't not be. This circus can't continue.

shabbs wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:I think we should fire 3 more coahces before we start to blame the players.

I believe Hartsburg was blaming the players and their lack of effort... but you can't fire players. It's the risk that comes with coaching jobs.

The evaluation from top to bottom starts now - and I'm sure Murray's job is most certainly on the line after these debacles. It can't not be. This circus can't continue.

Remember how we kept saying that about Jacques Martin? How year in, year out, we were the best (talent-wise, regular season) team in the league, yet every year we seemed to hit a roadblock in the post-season. He lasted probably 2 seasons more than he should have, and he's proven to be inadequate as a coach now in Florida.

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:He said it's his job for the remainder of the year, meaning he's not going to actively look for someone to take over now. He also said that he hoped he will continue next year. "This is a good coach" he said. I don't feel reassured, sorry Bryan.

Yeah. "Good coach" "knows the players" etc...

Sounds like what he said when Paddock was brought in.

It's like a time warp...

I am starting to think about the words that were used, and "translate" them in my head.

"This is a good coach" = "he's the best I could find on short notice. I couldn't openly interview without tipping my hat, but now I can, especially if the team continues to tank."

"He's here for the rest of the year. I hope he stays for next year." = "We didn't make the mistake of another guaranteed contract (again), so it's year to year. If he succeeds (then he's a god, but anyhow), he stays, if not, then I bring in one of the guys I have interviewed. He isn't upset, or fired, since he knows it is short term anyhow"

"He knows the players" = "he may not know the players in Ottawa, but he sure as hell knows the players in Bingo, so when they come up, they will listen to him, and respect him. The players in Ottawa are likely on the way out anyhow, so their opinion matters less to me"

"I don't know how this happened completely" = "I'm not sure how or why Melnyk is giving me more rope to hang myself with, but I've brought in one more sacrificial lamb, to give me time to make some dramatic moves so it looks like I'm doing something."

They are about to undergo the most massive rebuild in team history; I can't recall the last team to do this (I suspect this is going to be bigger than what Philadelphia did). Murray's legacy and place in hockey history is built in the next three months. But there's no pressure, big guy.

Well, he did say not to worry about his job. The guy could retire if he wanted, he's set for life. And in about 10-15 years he can come out of retirement to be the Leafs' next interim GM.

Did I hear Alfie correctly..

"We're all frustrated, the coach with the players, and us with the coach". Then he said something like we looked to the coach as to why we couldn't get things going.

Finially,

Corey is a fiery guy he's definately going to practice us harder than we ever have before.

Sounds like despite his words Hartsburg wasn't tough on the players at all.

Clouston will get this team nowhere.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Clouston will get this team nowhere.

fast

TheAvatar wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Clouston will get this team nowhere.

fast

Well, isn't that what half of us want?

wprager wrote:

TheAvatar wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Clouston will get this team nowhere.

fast

Well, isn't that what half of us want?

Losing with effort while Heatley and Spezza open the bench doors for the kids would be nice.

well said Robby...

I want Sens players who not only WANT to be here but who care enough about their job, their fans and their sense of pride to compete each and every time they lace 'em up! Period!!

Cronenbergfan wrote:well said Robby...

I want Sens players who not only WANT to be here but who care enough about their job, their fans and their sense of pride to compete each and every time they lace 'em up! Period!!

Is that avatar of yours from The Wall?

wprager wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:well said Robby...

I want Sens players who not only WANT to be here but who care enough about their job, their fans and their sense of pride to compete each and every time they lace 'em up! Period!!

Is that avatar of yours from The Wall?

Why yes it is!
I am a HUGE Floyd fan!

I still remember how that movie made me feel. A feeling hard to describe. It certainly wasn't "Comfortably Numb".

These flowers gave me nightmares: