Martin to get the axe...

cigarviper
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Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 12:00:46 GMT -5

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Post by cigarviper on Apr 22, 2004 12:00:46 GMT -5

Sympatico.ca Sports

Senators to make announcement
The Ottawa Senators have called a news conference this afternoon with the future of head coach Jacques Martin handing in the balance.

Speculation has surrounded the fate of Martin since losing Game 7 of their opening round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. Martin and goaltender Patrick Lalime were singled out in the loss, the fourth time in five year the team has been eliminated by the Maple Leafs.

"I can't imagine any scenario whereby head coach Jacques Martin will be back," NHL on TSN hockey analyst Bob Mackenzie said following Tuesday night's loss.

"Martin is a great NHL coach and a terrific guy but, when you lose as many times to the same team over and over again in a year when you're supposed to get to the Stanley Cup final and maybe win it, that's a likely change."

Martin has been head coach of the Senators for the past eight years and following Paul Maurice's dismissal this season in Carolina, he became the longest serving head coach in the NHL. He signed a two-year contract extension with the Senators in January, which includes an option for a third year if there's a lockout this fall.

Martin compiled a record of 341 wins, 249 losses and 96 ties in the regular season. However, he could not translate that regular season success into the post-season, finishing with a 31-38 playoff won-loss record. The former NHL coach of the year guided the Senators to three division titles, the President's trophy and reached the conference finals in the Stanley Cup playoffs last season.

Last Edit: Apr 22, 2004 12:03:44 GMT -5 by cigarviper

Good luck, Private Cigarviper Jr.!

"I met a couple of homeless guys on the street who know who I am. If a homeless guy knows his hockey, then you know you're in Montreal. "
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LoupDogg
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Keep on bandwagin'

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Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 12:07:41 GMT -5

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Post by LoupDogg on Apr 22, 2004 12:07:41 GMT -5

It's now comfirmed. Assistant coach Don Jackson and Phil Myre (goalies) are also out.

Martin will find another job easily. Nobody denies his coaching abilities. As for being the coach of Ottawa's goalies, that's a different story. Less success down that road.

franko
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Posts: 26,812

Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 12:23:46 GMT -5

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Post by franko on Apr 22, 2004 12:23:46 GMT -5

As otherwhere posted, its hard to be a goalie coach when you don't have a lot to work with. Lalime is adequate. He usually can do the job with a good defensive system in front of him, which is why he looked good these past few years. The Sens play tight defensively and don't give up a lot of quality shots. However, Lalime was weak this series. Let's not forget he was injured/not in top shape (a la Thornton). No excuses, though -- the Sens were picked to win it all, not to bow out in the first round.

I thoguht that the mourning period would go on a bit longer before Martin got the can, though.

cigarviper All-Star Posts: 4,918	Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 12:26:40 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by cigarviper on Apr 22, 2004 12:26:40 GMT -5 franko said: I thoguht that the mourning period would go on a bit longer before Martin got the can, though. I think that's an attempt to keep the fans faith intact. Another CYA move by Muckler.
	Good luck, Private Cigarviper Jr.! "I met a couple of homeless guys on the street who know who I am. If a homeless guy knows his hockey, then you know you're in Montreal. " -Hal Gill

CentreHice Global Moderator Posts: 43,063	Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 14:59:34 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by CentreHice on Apr 22, 2004 14:59:34 GMT -5 Did I hear correctly? After Game 7, Melnyk unloaded in the Sens' dressing room? Like to hear more about that.

Habs_fan_in_LA
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Posts: 9,879

Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 16:10:40 GMT -5

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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Apr 22, 2004 16:10:40 GMT -5

Take over a dismal team.
Win coach of the year once and runner up three times in 8 years.
Make the team more than just respectable.
Last year 43 wins and 29 losses.
Fired?
Not fair by any stretch of the imagination and I'm not usually sympathetic to well paid sports figures.

We will know soon.

jkr
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Posts: 22,302

Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 17:03:42 GMT -5

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Post by jkr on Apr 22, 2004 17:03:42 GMT -5

CentreHice said:

Did I hear correctly? After Game 7, Melnyk unloaded in the Sens' dressing room?

Like to hear more about that.

Yes that's right. Bob Mckenzie referred to it in his column today. Apparently he was in a rage and tried to "rearrange the furniture"

Maybe if Martin showed some of that passion his team would still be playing.

jkr
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Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 17:08:29 GMT -5

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Post by jkr on Apr 22, 2004 17:08:29 GMT -5

Habs_fan_in_LA said:

Take over a dismal team.
Win coach of the year once and runner up three times in 8 years.
Make the team more than just respectable.
Last year 43 wins and 29 losses.
Fired?
Not fair by any stretch of the imagination and I'm not usually sympathetic to well paid sports figures.

Yes but expectations were very high in Ottawa, especially after their trip to the conference finals last year. There were also some lacklustre efforts in game 5 & most of game six that are inexcusable considering what is at stake.

8 years is a heck of a run in today's NHL.

franko
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Posts: 26,812

Martin to get the axe... Apr 22, 2004 19:40:43 GMT -5

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