As we see so many times with other stories like this, we likely won't find out the whole story for a long time.
I liked Barry and was so grateful for having him here after the near 30 year clown show rotation of coaches before him. There were definitely plenty of decisions he made that drove me nuts but this happens with any coach. Lou insinuated this decision had been a process and had not been made overnight, which suggests there had been some internal fractures for a while. The fact that ownership went along with this suggests they are either completely hands off or they agree completely with the decision.
I have to also imagine that player feedback may have played a role. This is such an abrupt turn in the team's direction. It also makes you wonder how other coaches look at this opening....

As we see so many times with other stories like this, we likely won't find out the whole story for a long time.
I liked Barry and was so grateful for having him here after the near 30 year clown show rotation of coaches before him. There were definitely plenty of decisions he made that drove me nuts but this happens with any coach. Lou insinuated this decision had been a process and had not been made overnight, which suggests there had been some internal fractures for a while. The fact that ownership went along with this suggests they are either completely hands off or they agree completely with the decision.
I have to also imagine that player feedback may have played a role. This is such an abrupt turn in the team's direction. It also makes you wonder how other coaches look at this opening....
- keaner17

According to Lou there was no player feedback involved in the decision

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
2h
Lou: Spoke to Barry this morning, Those were the only people who knew of decision other than ownership. Did not consult players on decision.

According to Lou there was no player feedback involved in the decision

Andrew Gross @AGrossNewsday
2h
Lou: Spoke to Barry this morning, Those were the only people who knew of decision other than ownership. Did not consult players on decision.
- eichiefs9

Which you have to take with a grain of salt. Admitting if there was would potentially be damaging to the players and Barry.

Which you have to take with a grain of salt. Admitting if there was would potentially be damaging to the players and Barry.
- keaner17

Certainly possible, but it sure looks like Lou and Barry did not see eye-to-eye on a number of issues and that's why Barry will be working elsewhere next season. Lou may have asked some players about him in their exit interviews but I don't get the feeling he went to them directly asking if they were confident in his coaching ability.

Certainly possible, but it sure looks like Lou and Barry did not see eye-to-eye on a number of issues and that's why Barry will be working elsewhere next season. Lou may have asked some players about him in their exit interviews but I don't get the feeling he went to them directly asking if they were confident in his coaching ability.
- eichiefs9

I think my anticipation is that the decision was based on a wide range of things and there are just so many possibilities. It could be as simple as Barry wanting to pursue a management position and being realesed to ensure he got his final $4m. Could be that Lou felt Barry wasn't developing guys like Beau, Barzy, Wahlstrom and Bellows enough. Or Lou is old and out of touch and just made a Milburesque mistake. Who knows.
I said early in the year that while I think both are great, neither may be quite as great as many think. That said, Barry gave this team credibility and had them massively overaxhieve two consecutive years. Either way, Lou has officially taken full ownership of the team's fate

I think my anticipation is that the decision was based on a wide range of things and there are just so many possibilities. It could be as simple as Barry wanting to pursue a management position and being realesed to ensure he got his final $4m. Could be that Lou felt Barry wasn't developing guys like Beau, Barzy, Wahlstrom and Bellows enough. Or Lou is old and out of touch and just made a Milburesque mistake. Who knows.
I said early in the year that while I think both are great, neither may be quite as great as many think. Either way, Lou has officially taken full ownership of the team's fate
- keaner17

Full-agree on the last sentence. For better or worse, everything that happens from today forward is pretty much squarely on his shoulders.

The one thing in this whole mess I'm a little bit happy about is the potential to return to some more offensive hockey. I'd have greatly preferred to just keep Trotz around because they're proven to be successful under his system, but short of that...giving the forwards some more freedom might work out as well.

I'd like to see them continue to play strong defensive hockey, but if they can add some real offensive talent into the fold then they can still be a good team.

Full-agree on the last sentence. For better or worse, everything that happens from today forward is pretty much squarely on his shoulders.

The one thing in this whole mess I'm a little bit happy about is the potential to return to some more offensive hockey. I'd have greatly preferred to just keep Trotz around because they're proven to be successful under his system, but short of that...giving the forwards some more freedom might work out as well.

I'd like to see them continue to play strong defensive hockey, but if they can add some real offensive talent into the fold then they can still be a good team.
- eichiefs9

Did someone say more offensive hockey?

Did someone say more offensive hockey?


- JohnScammo

I said more, not only

No, like the Muppet
- eichiefs9

Gonzo did porn?

Did someone say more offensive hockey?


- JohnScammo

I can’t wait to see who Lou has on his list. Who could possibly be a comparable replacement? Quennville? Is he even allowed to coach anymore?

Gonzo did porn?
- Atomic Wedgie

Well he always had a fist shoved up his rear opening

I can’t wait to see who Lou has on his list. Who could possibly be a comparable replacement?
- Cptmjl

Claude Julien
David Quinn
Rick Tocchet
John Tortorella
Mike Babcock
Joel Quenneville
Jeremy Colliton
Travis Green
Alain Vigneault
Dominique Ducharme
Dave Tippett
Paul Maurice

are all unemployed at the moment

Boudreau could join that list as well

Full-agree on the last sentence. For better or worse, everything that happens from today forward is pretty much squarely on his shoulders.

The one thing in this whole mess I'm a little bit happy about is the potential to return to some more offensive hockey. I'd have greatly preferred to just keep Trotz around because they're proven to be successful under his system, but short of that...giving the forwards some more freedom might work out as well.

I'd like to see them continue to play strong defensive hockey, but if they can add some real offensive talent into the fold then they can still be a good team.
- eichiefs9

I think Barry's main curve was playing a style that kept games tight regardless of the talent level. There was always some concern that his style wears his teams down over the course of a season, in which case we benefitted by going to conference finals in two shortened seasons. I will say, If covid didn't interrupt our 2019-20 season, we wouldn't have made the playoffs. I'm not sure how much we benefitted last year.
I do think that in today's NHL it is much tougher to build teams the way Lou desires and win a championship than in 1995. He's left a couple of trainwrecks behind in recent years. I hope he figures things out here fast

Claude Julien
David Quinn
Rick Tocchet
John Tortorella
Mike Babcock
Joel Quenneville
Jeremy Colliton
Travis Green
Alain Vigneault
Dominique Ducharme
Dave Tippett
Paul Maurice

are all unemployed at the moment

Boudreau could join that list as well
- eichiefs9

Quinn would be my odds on bet from that group

Claude Julien
David Quinn
Rick Tocchet
John Tortorella
Mike Babcock
Joel Quenneville
Jeremy Colliton
Travis Green
Alain Vigneault
Dominique Ducharme
Dave Tippett
Paul Maurice

are all unemployed at the moment

Boudreau could join that list as well
- eichiefs9

Babcock is his guy.

Babcock is his guy.
- Feds91Stammer

That's what I'm afraid of

Quinn would be my odds on bet from that group
- keaner17

I hope not.

Not sure the optics on hiring Quenneville would be too good, but he'd be my first choice, in a vacuum. But with that whole Blackhawks disgusting mess still not far in the rearview mirror, I'm not sure he'll be seriously considered.

Babcock is his guy.
- Feds91Stammer

Wouldn’t shock me and I’m down if it means hazing Bailey.

Wouldn’t shock me and I’m down if it means hazing Bailey.
- Cptmjl

Sure seems like Lou's trigger finger is itchy. I'm probably more confident now then I've ever been that he may move Bailey.

Sure seems like Lou's trigger finger is itchy. I'm probably more confident now then I've ever been that he may move Bailey.
- eichiefs9

OR he’s blaming trotz for Bailey’s shortcomings.

I hope not.

Not sure the optics on hiring Quenneville would be too good, but he'd be my first choice, in a vacuum. But with that whole Blackhawks disgusting mess still not far in the rearview mirror, I'm not sure he'll be seriously considered.
- eichiefs9

Yeah, Quinn would definitely NOT be my choice. Just thinking through that whole Team USA connection that Lou and Garth before him valued

Sure seems like Lou's trigger finger is itchy. I'm probably more confident now then I've ever been that he may move Bailey.
- eichiefs9

Well, Trotz was the one reason I felt sure we would keep him, so there's that

Well, Trotz was the ine reason I felt sure we would keep him, so there's that
- keaner17

That's a good point. I get the feeling this could be a wild offseason (or I guess "continue" to be one after today) for the Isles.

Couple of Fourth Period guys saying to keep an eye on the Isles/Patrick Kane and claiming that Lamoriello has inquired about him before. Hardly Elliotte Friedman or Frank Seravalli, but they're usually pretty on-point. Seems like the cost would be astronomical for what could end up only being one year of his services.

OR he’s blaming trotz for Bailey’s shortcomings.
- Cptmjl

I don't know what's happening anymore

I don't know what's happening anymore
- eichiefs9

Which is exactly how Lou likes it....