Coaching Carousel claims another victim: Boudreau replaces Carlyle in Anaheim

The coaching carousel continued late last night when following a 4-1 win over the Canadiens, the Ducks fired Randy Carlyle and his entire staff. Taking over is Bruce Boudreau, who lasted a couple of days on the market after being relieved of his duties in Washington.

That Anaheim GM Bob Murray would make such a move 40 minutes after a game his team won stupifies. When the Habs made former Ranger assistant Perry Pearn the sacrificial lamb prior to a home game, that was disgraceful. But axing an entire staff that included a Cup winning coach following a game is classless. It's like when the Mets were on the West coast a few years back and fired Willie Randolph in a San Diego hotel after a game. I don't think I have to tell you what our resident Devil blogger, who also happens to be a huge Mets fan thinks. This was just as bizarre.

It's certainly understandable why Carlyle lost his job with a playoff team off to a dreadful start. Yesterday's win snapped a seven-game losing streak in which they entered with only one brownie point, sitting 14th in a deep West. They also happen to play in the league's most challenging division, the Pacific where every other team is ahead of them. It didn't matter that they won for just the third time in their last 15. The most successful coach in Ducks franchise history couldn't be saved.

It was only a few years ago that a group including Ryan Getzlaf, last year's MVP Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne went all the way for the team's first Stanley Cup. But that championship roster also included Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger along with Andy McDonald, Chris Kunitz, Dustin Penner, Joffrey Lupul, Sami Pahlsson, Travis Moen, and Rob Niedermayer. Only five are left from that team with tough guy George Parros and reacquired blueliner Francois Beauchemin the other two. In a Cap Era, this is what happens to great teams. Salaries increase for core players such as Getzlaf, Perry, much rumored Jersey native Bobby Ryan and struggling goalie Jonas Hiller. The overlooked spare parts get sacrificed or stripped down completely as the '09-10 Blackhawks show. All it takes is a mishap to throw things out of wack.

Is a team that boasts one of the most lethal lines in the game still good enough to compete? They should be. But the numbers don't lie with Perry and Getzlaf unable to match last year's output, while Ryan hasn't got untracked. In fact, only ageless Teemu has fulfilled expectations, pacing the club with 22 points (8-14-22). Perry leads them with 11 goals with Getzlaf's 14 assists tied with Selanne and 19 points ranking third. After second-year blueliner Cam Fowler, Beauchemin and vet Saku Koivu, it gets paper thin. Injuries to Lubomir Visnovsky, Jason Blake and Parros haven't helped the cause- further explaining the 7-13-4 start that has Anaheim in an early hole. The bottom six forwards aren't good enough and the back end misses Visnovsky, who put up nearly 70 points last year. After a solid start, Hiller has fallen apart getting pulled five times recently with his GAA ballooning to over 3.00. Dan Ellis isn't the answer despite good numbers. Tampa can vouch.

Is making Ryan available really the answer? He is all of 24 with three consecutive 30-goal seasons in which his production increased by seven points each year ('08-09-57, '09-10-64, '10-11-71). He has a cap hit of 5.1 million through '14-15 while Perry and Getzlaf can turn unrestricted following next season. You see the dilemma Murray has. Those are the franchise cornerstones who they can't afford to lose. So, Ryan is supposedly available for the right price. Is a team like the Rangers willing to pay up in players, prospects/picks? I've already suggested starting with enigma Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Del Zotto. Though I'm unwilling to part with Chris Kreider. They can have any other kid. Christian Thomas? Figure Anaheim to ask for a No.1 pick too. Of course, making such a blockbuster trade has risks when your team is going as well as ours. But the temptation to add another young, proven finisher is like seeing one of those Victoria's Secret models on the street. You just got to go over and talk to them.

If I were Anaheim, I'd hold off on giving up Ryan with Coach Haagen Dazs Bruce in the fold. One thing about Boudreau. He is an offensive mind who turned the Caps into a juggernaut before making players, including underwhelming captain Alex Ovechkin accountable. No wonder it fell apart. Boudreau will have just as much talent up front along with the young Fowler on the blueline. They may as well see what he can do before considering such a radical move.

It's December 1 and we've already seen four coaches given their walking papers. Davis Payne was fired by St. Louis last month and the Blues have responded under disciplinarian Ken Hitchcock by losing just once in regulation since. They were my sleeper entering the year. Business sure picked up after Thanksgiving with Paul Maurice and Boudreau sent packing Monday. Then two days later, Carlyle becomes victim No.4 with Boudreau landing on his feet. Guess he'll have to hold off on that Haagen Dazs franchise. It's part of the business. No matter how successful you are, things can change in a hurry. Ask Tom Coughlin, who probably is gone unless the Giants somehow beat Dallas twice. Nobody is untouchable. The Devils are one of the best run organizations and have gone through a plethora of coaches.

Randy Carlyle finishes with a 273-182-6 record- ranking first in Ducks history in wins. His teams made the postseason five of six years, including their run to the franchise's only Cup. That shouldn't be forgotten. A quality coach who will wind up elsewhere. Scott Arniel and Jack Capuano still have jobs. Either could be his next destination.

With the coaching carousel hitting victims at a frenetic pace that would make Freddy Krueger proud, who will be the next casualty? We're not even at Christmas.

NHL Awards On Tap

Every June after the Cup champ is crowned, the NHL wraps up with the NHL Awards, which for a second straight year will be in Las Vegas. With the Boston Bruins winning their first championship (5th overall- one more than the Rangers :P), there will be plenty of hardware on display Wednesday night.

The show can be seen on Versus, who will pick up the TSN feed. While I have little interest in seeing who wins the individual achievements, let's take a look at the key categories and pick who we'd like to see crowned.

CALDER- F Logan Couture, F Jeff Skinner, F Michael Grabner

The forward trio are all worthy of winning the award for top rookie. However, Skinner entered as an 18 year-old as compared to more experienced competition in Couture, who is easily the best overall. Meanwhile, Grabner finally stuck with his third organization after Garth Snow stole him on waivers from Florida. Shocking. Grabs had a tremendous second half but the other two were more consistent. It's really a toss up. I'll give the nod to Skinner, who became a key cog on an offensively challenged Carolina squad. The kid performed well down the stretch with his team just missing the playoffs.

Honorable Mentions: John Carlson, Corey Crawford, P.K. Subban, Brad Marchand, Michael Neuvirth, Tyler Ennis, Derek Stepan

VEZINA- Tim Thomas, Pekka Rinne, Roberto Luongo

While nobody would debate either Thomas or Rinne, it still boggles how GMs selected Luongo over Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist or Marc-Andre Fleury. I guess playing on the best team has its perks. Unfortunately, Lou's D broke down and he wasn't up to the challenge against Boston, who outscored Vancouver by a wide margin (23-8). It really is between Thomas, who shattered Dominik Hasek's single season GAA and Rinne, who backstopped offensively challenged Nashville to its first second round. If he won, I'd have no beef. But this is the Conn Smythe winner's award. Thomas became the first American to win playoff MVP since Brian Leetch. It seems like the affable 37 year-old deserves the icing on the cake.

NORRIS- Zdeno Chara, Nick Lidstrom, Shea Weber

Each are outstanding in their own right with the remarkable 41 year-old six-time winner trying to tie Doug Harvey. Lidstrom is up for the league's top defenseman for a ridiculous 11th time in 13 seasons. That the Detroit captain re-upped for one more year today is even better. One of the game's all-time greats gets one more chance to deliver another Cup to Motown. Still, it really should come down to defending champ Chara versus Weber, whose leadership/value cannot be overstated. Like Zach Parise, he's going to arbitration. Hopefully, the Preds will do everything in their power to retain their captain. I'd really love to see him win if for nothing else, because Nashville doesn't have one elite scorer and Weber's been waiting a while. Honestly, Chara's a freak of nature- able to impact games in so many ways. Whether it's sheer strength, brutality or even dexterity for the near seven-footer, he is the game's top blueliner. Whoever wins is deserving.

HART- Daniel Sedin, Corey Perry, Martin St. Louis

What's not to like about this class? All are dynamic forwards who are vital for their respective clubs. While it'd be fun to see another Sedin win in back-to-back years, I find myself rooting for '04 winner St. Louis, who is the backbone of the Bolts. He has always flown under the radar. Especially with Steven Stamkos emerging into one of the game's elite scorers. However, it's hard to argue with Perry, who carried the Ducks down the stretch with Ryan Getzlaf banged up. Perry is a throwback who will do anything to win a game, even if it means dropping 'em. His final month-plus was remarkable. If you're going for consistency, the other two were stronger. But let's give the nod to Perry.

SELKE- Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler, Jonathan Toews

What can be said about three of the smartest players on the planet. All are terrific in their own right with three-time recipient Datsyuk leading the way. There really is no better overall hockey player than the crafty Russian pivot, who also overshadows '09 Conn Smythe winner Henrik Zetterberg. How Detroit can have two of the best players in the world who have no flaws is beyond me. Especially when they stole them. I love watching Datsyuk fly. His effort is always there. Even when he's not producing, the backcheck is constant and nobody's better at stealing a puck and turning it into offense. The man is legendary. However, this really was Kesler's year with the American eclipsing 40 goals for the first time while shutting down opposing scorers. Outside of a quiet Cup, he had a terrific postseason while Toews did all he could to scare the Canucks. All three are worthy but it says here that Kes deserves his first.

JACK ADAMS- Dan Bylsma, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault

It comes down to Bylsma, who guided the Pens minus Sid and Geno to the playoffs. Sure. I will always have total admiration for The Czar, Trotz- who every year squeezes as much out of the Preds despite a lack of talent up front. It amazes how tough they are in the face of adversity. No matter who they lose, this team always finds a way. A tribute to Trotz. However, Bylsma did an outstanding job just getting his team in following the loss of his dynamic duo. Kris Letang had a brutal second half and Jordan Staal ran out of steam along with the grinding Pens against Tampa, which was predicted. He deserves to win. Vigneault is not a great coach. Not when he has the most talent. He was badly outcoached by Claude Julien, who finally got his due after an unfair exit from New Jersey. I still can't believe Guy Boucher was passed up. It is what it is.

LADY BYNG- Loui Eriksson, Nick Lidstrom, Martin St. Louis

Is there a more gentlemanly player than Lidstrom? Oh sure. St. Louis's won it before and one of the game's underrated finishers Eriksson is a fine choice. Amazing as it sounds, the do everything Swede who proved a European captain could lead his team to a Cup- has never won this prestigous award. Alright. You don't really care. But in an age where instigators like Matt Cooke, Alex Burrows and Jarkko Ruutu exist, it still is nice to reward character. The choice is Lidstrom.

BILL MASTERTON- Ray Emery, Daymond Langkow, Ian Laperriere

There is no more special award than this one, which rewards perseverance after overcoming great obstacles. All three are worthy of this award with both Emery and Langkow coming back from tough setbacks. Everyone knows about Emery, who was once of the NHL's bad boys before off-ice issues saw him wind up in the KHL. He returned to the league and fared well with Anaheim, helping backstop them into the playoffs- overcoming avascular necrosis, which interrupts blood flow. Without him, the Ducks don't make it. As for Langkow, he finally returned from a fractured vertebrae in April. Always an inspirational player who was overlooked on the old Flyers teams, Langkow is a good story. A high character guy that all teams need. Pencil in Mason Raymond next year. Of the trio, Laperriere's the best. The way his career ended was sad. Sacrificing his body to block a shot in the Flyers' first round triumph last year over the Devils. You're not taught to dive in front face first as he risked not only his manhood, but his life. That's why hockey players are toughest SOBs on the planet. I always had a soft spot for Ian stemming from his too brief stint here (thanks Messier/Neil Smith). He was forced to retire but still works in a capacity with the Flyers. I hope he wins. Imagine the reception.

LESTER B. PEARSON Corey Perry, Daniel Sedin, Steven Stamkos

The award for MVP as chosen by the NHLPA is pretty cool. Imagine being selected by your own peers as the game's best. I always like this award and we get three superb candidates, with Hart nominees Perry and Daniel up for it along with Stamkos, who cooled off considerably but still finished second in goals (45) and fifth in points (91). Give to the kid who made Barry Melrose eat his words.

Congratulations to Rocket Richard winner Corey Perry, who paced the league with 50 goals and to Art Ross winner Daniel Sedin, whose 104 points were five better than Martin St. Louis. Vancouver's duo of Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider will receive the Jennings for fewest goals allowed, combined by a team.

TOP EXECUTIVE- Mike Gillis, David Poile, Steve Yzerman

Nobody deserves it more than Stevie Y, who in Year 1 added all the right pieces even if his Bolts fell a little short against eventual champion Boston. Whether it was adding pieces like Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim and Eric Brewer or picking up vet Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders for the home stretch, Yzerman did everything in his power to deliver a second Cup to Tampa. With a nucleus that features Stamkos, St. Louis, rejuvenated Vinny Lecavalier, Victor Hedman, Pavel Kubina and Brewer along with the game's scrappiest line (Bergenheim-Moore-Downie), there's a lot to like about the Lightning's chances. Especially with one of the greatest captains running the show. They're not going away anytime soon. Don't forget the choice of Boucher too. Gillis is in there for a stellar season while Poile deserves inclusion for how he keeps the Preds competitive. But this is Stevie Y's.

MESSIER LEADERSHIP- Zdeno Chara, Shane Doan, Nick Lidstrom

It'd be easy for Mark Messier to present the trophy to either Chara or Lidstrom, who exemplify the unique qualities The Captain did. Anytime you got the only two European captains to lead their teams to Lord Stanley, it makes them co-favorites. While I respect both, there's a lot of love for Doan, who has been Mr. Jet/Coyote throughout. Despite a move, all the rumors and uncertainty, Shane's been a classy leader, who's helped get the franchise back to the postseason in consecutive years. He has always flown under the radar and deserves this award.


Coming Tomorrow: We present our All-Star Teams

Tracking The Race: Perry explosion ousts Iginla's Flames

The playoff races continue to be eye popping, especially in the West. While out East, it's still three teams for two spots with the Canes winning last night over the Red Wings, the West picture got a bit clearer thanks to wins from the Kings, Blackhawks and Ducks last night. LA's 3-2 shootout win over Phoenix clinched a playoff berth- vaulting them to fourth over the Predators with 98 points. The Coyotes need one point or any loss from the Stars or those behind them to wrap up a second straight postseason.

In the game of the night, the Hawks posted a wild 4-3 overtime win over old Norris rival St. Louis, increasing their chances of defending the Cup. Chris Stewart forced OT by powering past Duncan Keith and rifling one upstairs on Calder candidate Corey Crawford. In danger a second consecutive night of losing out on a valuable point, Crawford delivered a couple of money stops and captain Jonathan Toews beat Ty Conklin on a breakaway, lifting his team to the huge triumph. Toews' 32nd goal gave Chicago 95 points, who need just two more to qualify.

The Flames knew they needed help from San Jose even if they won. In the Battle Of Alberta, Calgary took care of business on the strength of captain Jarome Iginla's hat trick in a 6-1 rout of Edmonton. He once again scored 40 in a season, doing so for the fourth time in a brilliant career that's also included a 50 goal campaign in '07-08. Down the stretch the classy superstar was brilliant, putting up 14 points (9-5-14) over the last six games, featuring his second hat trick of the season. Since March 1, Iginla's scored a ridiculous 17 goals along with 10 assists, totaling 27 points- erasing doubts that the 33 year-old was on the downside. It's a shame that we won't get to see one of the game's brightest stars in the playoffs. If only they'd brought in Jay Feaster earlier to replace Daryl Sutter. During the run, Iginla's moved up to third in goals behind Rocket Richard leader Corey Perry (50) and Steven Stamkos (44) while tying Alex Ovechkin for sixth in scoring with 85 points (42-43-85). If not for a torrid pace from Perry, who now is front and center in the Hart discussion with The Sedins, Martin St. Louis, Tim Thomas, Carey Price and Pekka Rinne, Iginla would probably be at the top of the list for rescuing his team. Instead, he won't be part of the playoffs.

Meanwhile at The Pond Honda Center, the Sharks were no match for Perry, who continued his scoring assault by notching his third hat trick of '10-11 along with a helper in a 6-2 demolishing of their close California rival. So spectacular were the first two goals that they'll be replayed for quite a while with one an amazing forehand, triple deke to the backhand, roof job on a helpless Antero Niittymaki, who made his first start in 35 games, finally giving Finnish countryman Antti Niemi a night off. The poor ex-Flyer had no chance.

“Fifty is a huge number,” beamed Perry after increasing the NHL's streak of 50 goal scorers to six post-lockout.  “Everybody talks about it, (but) not a whole lot of people get to do it and be in that category. It hasn’t really sunk in.”

“It’s a tip to all of us when he can get 50, but it still takes a special player to get there,” proud linemate Ryan Getzlaf praised of Perry's work that's seen him rip up NHL goalies for 19 goals over the last 14 games. “He’s one of those guys who rise to the occasion. He plays playoff hockey any time you need him. He has proven time and time again he can play in those big games and have results.”

Perry's recent dominance that features a current 10-game point streak (14-8-22) has elevated the Duck to second in scoring with his 97 points (50-47-97) only trailing Daniel Sedin (41-59-100)
Ironically, the tear has him a point (28-27) better than Iginla since March. Going a step further, Perry is 25-20-45 since the All-Star break. No wonder he's at the top of many MVP lists. The Ducks aren't in yet with Dallas holding an extra game that includes a pivotal home-and-home versus the Avalanche tonight and tomorrow. With a home-and-home against the rival Kings tomorrow and Saturday, the Ducks can punch their playoff ticket by winning. They sit seventh in the West due to more regulation/OT wins than the Hawks, who also have two remaining in a home-and-home traditional theme versus chief rival Detroit Friday and Sunday. If Dallas wins its final three including a visit to Minnesota on the final day of the season, that would put them at 97 points. However, they'd come up short if tied due to the new tiebreaker. So, the Stars still need help. Quite fascinating stuff.

The East race is well documented with the Sabres (92 Pts), Rangers (91) and Hurricanes (89) all battling for the final two spots. For Buffalo, one point will ensure them a second straight postseason. They face the Flyers at home tomorrow and travel to Columbus Saturday. The Rangers need three points. A win tonight versus Atlanta would put them in good shape, forcing the Canes to stave off elimination tomorrow against those same Thrashers in Georgia. They could need to beat the Hudson rival Devils Saturday to wrap up the playoffs for a fifth time in six years. Meanwhile, Carolina will watch the action later and then battle Atlanta and finish with Tampa at home Saturday.

I Love Zach Attack

Woohoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Zach Attack comes through tying this unreal gold medal game with 24.4 ticks left!!!!! We're headed to sudden death. What guts by Team USA coming back from two down against Canada, who controlled the first half on goals by Jonathan Toews and Corey Perry. Hometown Canuck beat opposing teammate Roberto Luongo redirecting a Patrick Kane shot through to get the Americans on the board late in the second.

Canada had two goalposts early in the third which could've sealed it. One bounced off Ryan Suter past Ryan Miller but off the lucky left post. The Buffalo goalie who's been the best man in net all tournament then robbed Patrick Marleau on the doorstep extending his right pad. Ron Wilson pulled him with over a minute. The miracle took place after Luongo muffed a Joe Pavelski shot leading to sustained Team USA pressure. Off a Kane shot in the slot with both captain Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise in front, it deflected off Captain America and Luongo to Parise, who swept the puck in leading to an amazing tying goal celebration.

Fifty years ago today, Team USA won gold. Twenty years later, the Miracle On Ice team went all the way. Now, it's 30 years later with another zero in the year. Is it meant to be? We'll find out in what should be a riveting conclusion to an amazing tourney.