Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?
I absolutely believe that we need to have a transition plan in place for some time into the future.
However, from this list, I think we lose a lot more than just "38 years experience" and "a name."
And I see a lot of posts here about how Parker is "out of touch" with his players, but it seems to be based on a lot of speculation and no substance.
I really get the sense that a lot of posts here recently are overly, and perhaps understandably, reactionary. Maybe my perspective has changed over the years, but I don't remember having such a knee-jerk reaction to a short period of mediocrity after being 2 years out of the ultimate success. Well, except for Ray Handley.
To your points:
> I would bet big money that Parker already has a plan and short list.
> You are very correct that Parker brings much more than Defkit gives him credit for. You both forgot 3 NCs, all those Beanpots, a bunch of ECAC (4) and HE (7) titles, quite a few FF (13) appearances and perhaps the biggest, the new arena.
> I do feel he has lost touch with his players and no longer knows how to motivate them. In fact, Jack has been quoted as saying in the more recent years that he shouldn't have to motivate the players. If that is true, that is a VERY telling statement.
As far as the comments being speculation and without substance, I have heard rumblings in some hockey circles the past few years that question his ability to win big games. The running joke I hear is "wins all those Beanpots, but what about HE and NCAAs since 1997? Also, the problem with McQuirk in 2008 would never have happened with a captain in the past.
Reading the game recaps over the past 5-6 years, one recurring theme i see that frustrates Parker, but he does not know how to deal with anymore (IMHO), is the team's inability to come ready to play 60 minutes (2009 aside). He used to be able to deal with that problem by taking ice time away from players, but that tactic does not seem to work for him anymore. Outside of the "Burn the Boats" ploy in 2009, I feel Parker is the one that is not motivated the way he used to be.
Ask yourself, when was the last team (again 2009 aside) that had a work ethic you could be proud of? For me, it was the 2000 team, with the 2003 team a close second. Those were not real talented teams, but they fought hard and just missed out on FFs in the regional finals.
> Again, I think Parker has a short list and will probably turn things over at the end of this current contract. If he pulls a Paterno, then it will be heavy drugs and alcohol for me in 2015.
> Finally, I hardly think some of the comments the past week are knee-jerk. The melt-down in the 2006 regional vs BC, getting blasted by MSU in 2007, the McQuirk problem in 2008, show a pattern that had me saying it was time for him to go 3 years ago.
No use wishing we have a shot at a new coach until the end of his contract, but if next year's team is not a serious contender for the NC (assuming no impt defections), then all fingers should be pointed at the man in charge.
