he used to coach in Cleveland so he has some Ohio roots
NontransferableApe
It’s a boring hire. And at this point I’m fine with boring
PrayingForACup
I’ll take NHL experience verses (the former) an unproven nobody with two first names.
Seattlekrakenlegend
Someone described him as “he takes bad to mid/get into the playoffs”
We aren’t ready to be a contender. We need “takes bad to competitive” right now.
ShartRat
I think in terms of getting competitive this will be an okay hire but I hope he’s gone in a couple years assuming we can stay on track to becoming competitive and reaching for playoffs by then. He’s shown that he can give you some fight but won’t get you far in LA and Edmonton which has me a little worried in the long term but for now I’m okay with this.
1oh_io3
Is it happening?! Are we actually doing things?
WytopitlockWinds
Meh. That’s all I have to say about that!
EverlastingEvening
Snore but guess it’ll be okay for a couple years.
ThunderousDemon86
I don’t hate it. Everyone wants to contend, but we are so freaking far away from even thinking of being within a country mile of a Stanley Cup that this McLellan hire will get us straightened out and give us some structure and whatnot, and then someone else can come in after that. Coaches only last 2-3 years anyway. Let’s get to a playoff level first, then worry about getting better at that point.
NeatTry7674
I am whelmed
junk-trunk
crap. I was actually pulling g for Gallant . meh
lelander193
A smart hire. Not a gutsy one, but this team needs consistency. I like the defensive schemes that McLellan creates. With how weak the metro is trending, this could lead to a wildcard spot.
cusidhe_
I will absolutely take this over another “surprise! we were actually stupid enough to hire Mike Babcock” any day of the week haha.
cookingwiththeresa
After watching LA, I’d rather not but it could be worse
tipinmy40
From the LA Times: McLellan is a good guy. A standup guy through difficult times. Maybe not the coach who would have led a better Kings team to the Stanley Cup but a good foundation builder
mickeyhause
He has a history of being clear, direct, and making paths clear to see for players. This is what this team has desperately needed
coyscbj
Surprised by the reaction here, he was one of my preferred choices
Conscious-Weird5810
I don’t love it. A recycled head coach doesn’t move the dial but I was expecting as well
captainkepi
I’m sure everyone will talk themselves into it but this just feels incredibly mid
1MashedPotatoes
I’m not crazy about it, but I’ll take his 14 years of experience of winning enough games (career .531 over 1,144 games) to get into the playoffs, vs. all of the ridiculous, clueless, nice-guy bozos we’ve suffered through over the last 3 years or so. Hopefully he brings a whole crew of knowledgeable assistants with him too.
Hazy_eyePA
Who did Gerard Gellant piss off in Central Ohio where he can’t get a coaching job here?
Hazy_eyePA
Off all the possible coaches to hire, this is certainly one of them.
SEND_ME_YOUR_CAULK
I’ll take it. Could be a LOT worse
titanup1993
Bad coaches are our brand now
Disaac614
To be honest. It is NOT a bad hire. Safe, yes but not a hire that will bite us in the ass like last year.
Elexeh
McClellan has a proven track record. Anyone disliking the hire doesn’t know hockey.
AceOut
Not a flashy hire, but I think he can build the foundation for the younger players until they are ready to compete for deeper playoff runs – then we bring in the big guns.
29 Comments
he used to coach in Cleveland so he has some Ohio roots
It’s a boring hire. And at this point I’m fine with boring
I’ll take NHL experience verses (the former) an unproven nobody with two first names.
Someone described him as “he takes bad to mid/get into the playoffs”
We aren’t ready to be a contender. We need “takes bad to competitive” right now.
I think in terms of getting competitive this will be an okay hire but I hope he’s gone in a couple years assuming we can stay on track to becoming competitive and reaching for playoffs by then. He’s shown that he can give you some fight but won’t get you far in LA and Edmonton which has me a little worried in the long term but for now I’m okay with this.
Is it happening?! Are we actually doing things?
Meh. That’s all I have to say about that!
Snore but guess it’ll be okay for a couple years.
I don’t hate it. Everyone wants to contend, but we are so freaking far away from even thinking of being within a country mile of a Stanley Cup that this McLellan hire will get us straightened out and give us some structure and whatnot, and then someone else can come in after that. Coaches only last 2-3 years anyway. Let’s get to a playoff level first, then worry about getting better at that point.
I am whelmed
crap. I was actually pulling g for Gallant . meh
A smart hire. Not a gutsy one, but this team needs consistency. I like the defensive schemes that McLellan creates. With how weak the metro is trending, this could lead to a wildcard spot.
I will absolutely take this over another “surprise! we were actually stupid enough to hire Mike Babcock” any day of the week haha.
After watching LA, I’d rather not but it could be worse
From the LA Times: McLellan is a good guy. A standup guy through difficult times. Maybe not the coach who would have led a better Kings team to the Stanley Cup but a good foundation builder
He has a history of being clear, direct, and making paths clear to see for players. This is what this team has desperately needed
Surprised by the reaction here, he was one of my preferred choices
I don’t love it. A recycled head coach doesn’t move the dial but I was expecting as well
I’m sure everyone will talk themselves into it but this just feels incredibly mid
I’m not crazy about it, but I’ll take his 14 years of experience of winning enough games (career .531 over 1,144 games) to get into the playoffs, vs. all of the ridiculous, clueless, nice-guy bozos we’ve suffered through over the last 3 years or so. Hopefully he brings a whole crew of knowledgeable assistants with him too.
Who did Gerard Gellant piss off in Central Ohio where he can’t get a coaching job here?
Off all the possible coaches to hire, this is certainly one of them.
I’ll take it. Could be a LOT worse
Bad coaches are our brand now
To be honest. It is NOT a bad hire. Safe, yes but not a hire that will bite us in the ass like last year.
McClellan has a proven track record. Anyone disliking the hire doesn’t know hockey.
Not a flashy hire, but I think he can build the foundation for the younger players until they are ready to compete for deeper playoff runs – then we bring in the big guns.
In Waddell I trust
I can live with that. There are worse ways to go.