The Puck Stops Here

With the Washington Capitals sitting in last place in the NHL with a 6-15 record (one loss counts as a regulation tie) it is no surprise that they fired coach Glen Hanlon. Hanlon has been coaching the Capitals since 2003 with little success. I think it is amazing he managed to keep his job this long.

Washington is a bad team (though I argue the Edmonton Oilers are worse). Washington only has three players with ten or more points this year (Alexander Ovechkin, Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov). Alexander Semin has not been healthy, but he also has scoring ability. Their defence is bad. Brian Pothier and Mike Green are leaders on their defence. Neither of them can be considered stars. In goal Olaf Kolzig is acceptable but aging at 37 years old. Brent Johnson is a relatively poor backup who cannot seriously challenge for the starting job. Washington is a bad team and Hanlon couldn't do anything with them. It would taker a special coach to do something with that team.

Bruce Boudreau will take over as interim coach. Boudreau coached the Hershey Bears to the 2006 Calder Cup. He has been a successful AHL coach, but has no NHL coaching experience. I doubt he can do much with this Washington team, though he will likely lead it out of last place.

More than likely, when the season completes, Washington will fire GM George McPhee and start again with a new man in charge. Unless a major turnaround is possible with this team.

Here is TSN's story on the firing.