Mel Pearson/Hockey season postmortem
Obligatory thread. Here are my candidates for the next man behind the bench-
- Mel Pearson
- Mike Babcock*
- Rick Bennett (Union)
*Hackett got Harbaugh. I know there are some people on here who said the rumors were true. And he did have that random outburst of "yeah I'll be on the bench at Michigan working for Red Berenson" during a presser. That struck me is very strange since it was out of nowhere.
reflections on season: son of a bitch! When did it all go wrong? The weekend at Minnesota? The loss at OSU or the debacle at PSU?
March 21st, 2015 at 11:20 PM ^
March 22nd, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^
March 21st, 2015 at 11:26 PM ^
Maybe there is an ice loving branch of their family tree.
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March 22nd, 2015 at 12:14 AM ^
John and Jim played when they were younger...
On a similarly unrealistic note to Babcock, Michigan could hire JUB to coach. Huron River Rats legend.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:31 PM ^
how the hell do you miss the tourney with the highest scoring offense in the country
— mgoblog (@mgoblog) March 22, 2015
So I perused USCHO's database to see how the #1 offense fared as far back as their data went (2000-2001 season).
| Year | Team | GPG | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Michigan | 3.86 | NA |
| 2014 | Boston College | 4.10 | 1 |
| 2013 | Minnesota | 3.48 | 1 |
| 2012 | Minnesota | 3.60 | 2 |
| 2011 | Yale | 4.19 | 1 |
| 2010 | Yale | 4.15 | 3 |
| 2009 | Boston U | 3.93 | 1 |
| 2008 | Miami | 4.02 | 1 |
| 2007 | Michigan | 4.24 | 2 |
| 2006 | Minnesota | 4.12 | 1 |
| 2005 | Michigan | 4.24 | 2 |
| 2004 | North Dakota | 4.44 | 1 |
| 2003 | Colorado College | 4.52 | 1 |
| 2002 | New Hampshire | 4.60 | 1 |
| 2001 | St. Cloud State | 4.10 | 1* |
*2001 was still a 12 team format but SCSU was in the top 4 so effectively a 1 seed
So we're the first team to miss the tournament as the #1 (non-AHA) scoring offense in at least 15 years. In fact, 10 of 15 have been 1 seeds. This is a spectacular failure on our part. Goodness gracious
March 21st, 2015 at 11:40 PM ^
I agree re: spectacular failure, but I do wonder at least two things.
First, 3.86GPG is third lowest on the list. Where does a team averaging 3.86 end up on average (since being number one isn't something M can control)?
Second, are those teams scoring because they're dominating everyone or because they need to make up for bad defensive play/goaltending? The second wouldn't vindicate Red but I think it's worth asking.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:07 AM ^
so we are in fact not the top scoring offense anymore. 3.89 vs. 3.86. So anyway, closest to 3.86 gpg (non-AHA and non-MAAC)
| Year | Team | GPG | Off Rk | D Rk | Seed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Michigan | 3.86 | 2 | 38 | x |
| 2014 | Union | 3.81 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| 2013 | Minnesota | 3.48 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2012 | Minnesota | 3.60 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| 2011 | Boston College | 3.92 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | Wisconsin | 3.98 | 3 | 15 | 1 |
| 2009 | Boston U | 3.93 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2008 | Michigan | 3.95 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2007 | Minnesota | 3.66 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| 2006 | Minnesota | 4.12 | 1 | 17 | 1 |
| 2005 | New Hampshire | 3.95 | 3 | 22 | 2 |
| 2004 | Minnesota | 4.05 | 3 | 29 | 1 |
| 2003 | Michigan | 3.88 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
| 2002 | Denver | 3.85 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2001 | Western Michigan | 3.82 | 7 | 20+ | x |
Interestingly it's almost more damning with 8 of the last 10 scoring around 3.86 gpg being a 1-seed. Our D this year is a pretty notable outlier from that group though. So you don't exactly need a PhD to declare this, but the difference between horrible D and average D for us was the difference between no bid and probably a 1-seed.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:22 AM ^
That seems to have been true for the last 3 years. The difference between the 90's and 00's Michigan hockey and these recent outfits are almost exclusively on the blueline. Just below-average defensive performances.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:36 AM ^
but yeah, the crop of D men who have been in here since the class of 2010ish have all been shaky. We seemed to have a pretty good succession of solid, non-flashy defensemen even late in the 2000s
So I don't know if Red's recruiting really dropped off or it's some coaching issue, but the D seems to have been a mess for several years now. Any chance Pearson was coaching the D?
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:39 AM ^
You deserve more upvotes for both of these charts, very well done, +1.
I agree this is somehow more damning than the first chart.
March 22nd, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
It still matters that, relative to the rest of the NCAA, that we led the country is goals per game. This means that, given an average goals against number (again, relative to 2014-15 NCAA stats), our record would've been a lot better, in line with previous years' scoring champs.March 21st, 2015 at 11:33 PM ^
Thanks for the sizzling hot take, but Rick Bennett is not leaving Union. Just because he won a title at a small school doesn't mean he'll drop everything and come here.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:52 PM ^
Why would he stay at Union who doesn't offer scholarships and not come to a college hockey blue blood. If there's one thing I've learned about these coaching searches, it's that for every candidate brought up someone will say that there's no way that they're leaving.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:57 PM ^
Over the last few months, has this blog overused any term more than "hot take"? Give it a rest.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:14 AM ^
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March 22nd, 2015 at 12:15 AM ^
It's the entire internet.
I peronally like it as a family friendly synonym for "bullshit artistry"
March 21st, 2015 at 11:42 PM ^
This whole Babcock thing is just message board fodder gone ridiculously out of hand. It's not happening. Harbaugh or no Harbaugh. The guy lived 15 minutes down M14 from Ann Arbor, his daughter was a student, and he liked hanging around Red. That does not "gunning for future job" make.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:43 PM ^
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March 22nd, 2015 at 12:45 AM ^
Unlikely? Sure, but you can't rule it out.
ok, here is some legit inside info.
1) I am friends with an agent who represents (or has represented, some of the players are now retired) multiple players on the Wings - there is a core contingent of players who have been around for awhile who REALLY do not like Babcock. Like, can't stand him.
2) Illitch likes Babcock so this is why he's still around. Frankly, I am not very impressed with Babcock, I think his reputation far proceeds what he's capable of as a coach.
3) The Michigan thing is interesting to think about, but there has been no inquiry from Michigan or anyone who represents Michigan's interests.
1. Jed York called, he wants his brand of horseshit back.
2. To the first part, duh? To the second, LOL. Unless you are Scotty Bowman, you are delivering the Gettysburg Address out of your ass, but one that is "porely" written. The prefix you are looking for is "ex" not "pro".
3. Frankly I'm shocked and outraged that Hackett hasn't delivered a Brinks truck to Joe Louis yet. Or better yet we'll just have Stephen Ross bankroll the Wings' new arena!
Just a guess, is this the "insiderz" you're referring to?
Overall, re: your post:
March 22nd, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
Take your snark and shove it.
The whole situation started with how Draper was treated at the end of his career by Babcock. It has metastasized in the years since with Babcock's handling of other players.
Overall though with respect to your post - go post some more snarky gifs, asshole.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:19 PM ^
I highly doubt that if Draper was that pissed off at Babcock that he'd be still employed in the organization. The early retirement snafu was on the Red Wings front office not the coach.
Even if he was who are the buddy-buddies with Draper on the team that would just say "meh let's undermine the coach". Cleary is old...him? That seems like the only obvious parallel and if Cleary is bitter frankly he should be playing better. Helm? Abdelkader? I don't see the captains and assistants being that petty... This team is very different from the 08 and 09 teams.
Since you don't like gifs I won't post one. I'll just ask for a whole lot more detail than anonymous mud-flinging on the board. Your post doesn't make sense on this level, let alone calling Babcock overrated when he's regarded universally as the best coach right now in the league.
March 22nd, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
March 22nd, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^
Bowman put most if not all of that roster together.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:32 PM ^
Bowman also stopped being the GM in 97. Ten years prior.
And the 07-08 team was hardly filled with his guys: I'll give you the goalies in Hasek and Osgood Ozzie left on Bowman's watch previously though, and Hasek went to Ottawa/lockout. Draper, Maltby, Holmstrom, Chelios, Lidstrom and Pav also. Lidstrom came in before Bowman was around. Cheli was pretty pedestrian that year, at end of his career. Draper was even before Bowman as well by a year.
Unless it's a really wide net you're selling Holland quite a bit short in all of this as well by just saying Bowman built the team.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:43 PM ^
Mel Pearson for hockey Harbaugh! Beyond that maybe someone from the east coast?
March 21st, 2015 at 11:44 PM ^
In similar hot takes, no chance in hell Babcock is coming to Michigan. It's a joke, was from the start. And fuck everything if that happens. I want Pearson for sure. Have no interest in the Red Wings getting screwed to help out Michigan when we should be able to crush everyone in the league (besides Minnesota) with an average coach.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:46 PM ^
Babcock is not leaving the Wings to coach Michigan. College hockey and the NHL aren't as level as CFB and the NFL. He could however retire and decide later on that he wants to get back into coaching and take a lower stress job in college.
March 21st, 2015 at 11:54 PM ^
Michigan would not be #1 in scoring if they played in a decent conference.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:03 AM ^
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:55 AM ^
it will be interesting how their coaching search goes. Some think Babcock will be in Toronto next year. I wouldn't mind it at all.
I don't have a clue and I don't know if Babcock would listen to an offer or not.
If he does take the job in Toronto, it'll be a tall task that's for sure.
Hell I don't even know if Shanny will keep the GM. I don't expect Dion, Phil, or Lupul to return so it's a total tear it down and start building again so maybe that would excite Babcock.
If they got lucky in the draft that would make it a little more interesting.
Maybe the Leafs will hire Cherry. Rock'em Sock'em Go Leafs Go.
The Toronto thing was started by who else, TSN and Sportsnet. I don't think it's going to happen, but it is interesting and worrisome to me that he hasn't reupped with the Wings yet (as a Wings fan.)
Pros of Toronto:
- Be a legend forever if you win. Akin to resurrecting the Knicks to become NBA champs. The Leafs' situation is a bit better than that, but similar expectations and media attention. Don't think its necessarily a childhood dream of his but maybe.
- Back in Canada, although not really near Babcock's home.
- Best facilities, resources etc. in the NHL. Basically infinite budget for players, proved in Clarkson trade for Horton to not play anymore. Presumably best possible contract for a coach. Hopefully (for Leafs) in Shanny a competent front office guy.
- Chance at McDavid or Eichel to rebuild around.
- If ego is factor...there isn't a better on paper job than to coach the Maple Leafs. Same as managing Yankees or coaching the Lakers.
Cons:
- Team/Locker room is a shambles right now. Team is going to be in full on rebuild, but with no certainty of McDavid or Eichel. Without them winning is going to be years out. I don't think Shanny is going to keep all of Phaneuf, Lupul, Kessel, Kadri, etc. in town...some will be moved.
- With ego comes ridiculous scrutiny. Even in Detroit the Wings are clearly not the main focus of media...Toronto is a madhouse. Have to win right away.
- Why leave Detroit? You have "rebuilt" on the fly, Eastern Conference is going to be wide open, Tatar and Nyquist are budding and Wings have a still decent farm system. Babcock's home for what, 8 years now? And tradition, resources will be close to Toronto's especially with the new rink. Why rebuild when you've already rebuilt.
- Other teams have more upside. Pens, Ducks could be looking for coach to get them over the hump. Plenty of other teams could be looking to rebuild. Maybe the Habs even break the francophone rule (he did go to McGill).
I think it's a longshot but it is a possibility that he would go to the Leafs.
How about Penn State's coach? He knows how to whip a team full of NHL draftpick with inferior talent repeatedly.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:01 PM ^
Please don't ever mention Guy Gadowsky on here again. He isn't from the same universe as Red. Take a peek at his career record. Also the guy coaches thugs man we don't want him at Michigan. It will work out much better than Guy Gadowsky regardless.
March 22nd, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
What makes people think Mel would drop everything and come back here? He's got a good thing going at Tech!