Jacques Martin Out as Coach

[MarlinFan10]

From the Herald:

 

PANTHERS

Martin will not return as Panthers coach

 

'More than anything, we needed a change as coach,' Panthers owner Alan Cohen said. However, Jacques Martin is expected to remain the general manager.

 

Jacques Martin will not return as coach of the Florida Panthers next season, although it appears he will continue in his role as general manager of the team, The Miami Herald has learned.

 

On Thursday night, team owner Alan Cohen told a group of season ticket-holders meeting at BankAtlantic Center that Florida would not have a dual coach/general manager setup, as it has for the past two seasons.

 

When reached outside the arena, Cohen confirmed those remarks and added that he and Martin have spoken and determined the roles needed to be separate.

 

''More than anything, we needed a change as coach,'' Cohen said. ``Jacques has done a good job as GM. That's the bottom line.''

 

Later Thursday night, Cohen clarified Martin's role with the team.

 

''Jacques and I have talked about splitting the responsibilities and him staying on as GM,'' Cohen wrote in an e-mail to The Miami Herald. ``In that role, he would be responsible for selecting the new coach.''

 

Martin, an NHL coach for parts of 14 seasons since taking over in St. Louis in 1986, is in Rochester, N.Y., home of the Panthers' American Hockey League affiliate. He did not return phone calls Thursday night.

 

Martin was brought in to coach the Panthers in the summer of 2004, not long after he was fired in Ottawa, despite having led his hometown team to the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. With Florida, Martin worked under general manager Mike Keenan for two years, taking over as coach and GM when Keenan was fired just weeks before the 2006-07 season began.

 

In his meeting with season ticket-holders Thursday, Cohen focused on the changes necessary for the Panthers to be competitive. Despite a late run, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.

 

With rumblings of discontent swirling around the team, it became apparent Martin and his defensive system weren't popular with a number of players. Although captain Olli Jokinen has continued to deny the two have issues, there was talk early in the season of Martin ``losing the room.''

 

Some players, however, refused to blame Martin, instead putting the blame on their shoulders.

 

''As a player, you really can't blame the coaches when you don't win games,'' winger David Booth said Thursday night. ``Players decide the game, and that will to win has to come from within. But everyone knows the coach gets the blame.

 

``I'm pretty sure everyone on the team knew something was going to change, either players or coaches. I just didn't think something would happen this soon, so yes, I'm surprised.''

 

As far as coaching candidates go, the Panthers could promote an assistant. Guy Charron served as interim coach of Anaheim in 2000-01, and Mike Kitchen coached St. Louis from 2004-06.

 

Rochester Americans coach Randy Cunneyworth is expected to get a look from the Panthers, as well as Ottawa, once its postseason is complete. Last summer, Cunneyworth was a finalist for the Senators job, which eventually went to John Paddock (who was fired and also could be a consideration for Florida.)

 

Former coaches Bob Hartley (Colorado, Atlanta) and Pat Quinn (Toronto) have relationships with Martin and could be options.

 

''It's a tough situation,'' Booth said. ``I think [Martin] staying on as GM is good. It's real hard to juggle two jobs like that in the NHL.''

 

Martin was 110-100-36 in three seasons as the Panthers' coach, with Florida finishing fourth in the Southeast Division during Martin's first two seasons. The Panthers were third in the division this season.

 

I think this had to be done, the team underachieved this season.

[Rabbethan]

REALLY?! NO! SAY IT AINT SO...

 

This is the most unsurprising thing ever. He probably had a bit too much on his plate anyways. Plus, the way the Panther's lost their games this year, someone had to take the blame for that, and that would be Martin.

 

Wonder who will replace him....even though I won't know who they are regardless.

[The_Godfather]

So does he call himself into his office and fire himself? Whatever. Does it really matter who they hire at this point? We are a joke of a franchise in the NHL.

[SoFlaFish]

Wait? South Florida still has a hockey team? I didn't know they existed since you never "hear" about them on "sports radio".

 

Now we've got to go to a short break, but I'll hang up and listen to your comments . . . .

[The_Godfather]

It really is unfortunate the state of affairs the Panthers are in. This town has shown they can and will support a good hockey team, but the Panthers haven't even been average for a long, long time.

 

Hockey is such an exciting live sport too, it really is a shame. The year of the rat was probably one of the most exciting seasons ever for South Florida sports fans IMO. I love my Marlins, but that was just so much fun watching those guys make it all the way to the Stanley Cup.

[Hotcorner]

On to yet another coach....

[Rabbethan]

Wait? South Florida still has a hockey team? I didn't know they existed since you never "hear" about them on "sports radio".

 

Now we've got to go to a short break, but I'll hang up and listen to your comments . . . .

Actually, on 790, the have shown that they are willing to talk about the Panthers...the problem come that as soon as they start taking calls , no matter what time of year, "So...um...Do you think the Dolphins will trade for Chad Johnson? Because he would be a great fit here..."

[Erick]

I hate the Dolphins.

 

Seriously, yesterday, Jim Mandich said "freaking Marlins." You can tell he's already semi-jealous at our 6-3 start b/c his precious Dolphins suck.

 

As for the Panthers (a team I love like the Marlins)...this organization is disfunctional. No consistency. Who knows what will happen? This is such a huge offseason.

[MarlinFan10]

I hate the Dolphins.

 

Seriously, yesterday, Jim Mandich said "freaking Marlins." You can tell he's already semi-jealous at our 6-3 start b/c his precious Dolphins suck.

 

As for the Panthers (a team I love like the Marlins)...this organization is disfunctional. No consistency. Who knows what will happen? This is such a huge offseason.

No consistency. Have you been paying attention to what Allen Cohen has been doing? We've got all the top players signed long term, unlike another South Florida franchise.

[Erick]

I hate the Dolphins.

 

Seriously, yesterday, Jim Mandich said "freaking Marlins." You can tell he's already semi-jealous at our 6-3 start b/c his precious Dolphins suck.

 

As for the Panthers (a team I love like the Marlins)...this organization is disfunctional. No consistency. Who knows what will happen? This is such a huge offseason.

No consistency. Have you been paying attention to what Allen Cohen has been doing? We've got all the top players signed long term, unlike another South Florida franchise.

 

 

I meant no consistency in management. Like we've had so many coaches over the last decade.

I agree though...Weiss and Horton are locked up. Vokoun is here for another 3 years. Booth is here. Hopefully we re-sign Olesz this summer, and most importantly, we re-sign Bouwmeester, long term.

 

...then add a scorer in free agency.

 

Get rid of Stumpel, Peltonen, and Van Ryn too.

[Rabbethan]

I hate the Dolphins.

 

Seriously, yesterday, Jim Mandich said "freaking Marlins." You can tell he's already semi-jealous at our 6-3 start b/c his precious Dolphins suck.

 

As for the Panthers (a team I love like the Marlins)...this organization is disfunctional. No consistency. Who knows what will happen? This is such a huge offseason.

No consistency. Have you been paying attention to what Allen Cohen has been doing? We've got all the top players signed long term, unlike another South Florida franchise.

 

 

I meant no consistency in management. Like we've had so many coaches over the last decade.

I agree though...Weiss and Horton are locked up. Vokoun is here for another 3 years. Booth is here. Hopefully we re-sign Olesz this summer, and most importantly, we re-sign Bouwmeester, long term.

 

...then add a scorer in free agency.

 

Get rid of Stumpel, Peltonen, and Van Ryn too.

I like Van Ryn...

[Beinfest4Prez]

I hate the Dolphins.

 

Seriously, yesterday, Jim Mandich said "freaking Marlins." You can tell he's already semi-jealous at our 6-3 start b/c his precious Dolphins suck.

 

As for the Panthers (a team I love like the Marlins)...this organization is disfunctional. No consistency. Who knows what will happen? This is such a huge offseason.

No consistency. Have you been paying attention to what Allen Cohen has been doing? We've got all the top players signed long term, unlike another South Florida franchise.

 

 

I meant no consistency in management. Like we've had so many coaches over the last decade.

I agree though...Weiss and Horton are locked up. Vokoun is here for another 3 years. Booth is here. Hopefully we re-sign Olesz this summer, and most importantly, we re-sign Bouwmeester, long term.

 

...then add a scorer in free agency.

 

Get rid of Stumpel, Peltonen, and Van Ryn too.

Van Ryn is not the issue.

 

 

In fact, when healthy, I want him on the ice a lot. He is a smart player and by all indications he is healthy again.

 

 

Oh, and bring me Joe Nieuwendyk for coach.

[MarlinsMS_35]

Nieuwendyk for Head Coach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr Beinfest]

So does he call himself into his office and fire himself? Whatever. Does it really matter who they hire at this point? We are a joke of a franchise in the NHL.

 

 

No, Majority Owner Alan Cohen doesnt offer him another contract in the coaching departament but offers him a contract for General Manager. And yes, it does matter who they hire. People dont realize this team is so damn close to the playoffs, yet so far at the same time every freakin season. Hire a top of the line coach and sign a decent 2nd or 1st liner rather than 3rd liners to play 1st line and we could easily make the post season. We have one of the best cores in the NHL, but absolute sh*t built around it.