Dave Tippett has been tapped as the next head coach and will be trying to bring the team to where Gretzky could not in the four seasons he was behind the bench. 

Tippett had a relatively good track record during his time with the Dallas Stars who, under his guidance, made it to the 2008 Western Conference Finals, captured two division titles and made it to the playoffs five times.

Of course, things were pretty nasty for the team last season.  About a million players were injured, including captain Brenden Morrow.  Goaltender Marty Turco was terrible and, naturally, there was the whole Sean Avery crap.

After the team finished 12th, Tippett was fired but I didn’t really agree with it but that’s the nature of the game, right?  Hopefully, he will help Phoenix pull it together this season.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat

NHL.com is reporting that, after six seasons behind Dallas’ bench, head coach, Dave Tippett has been relieved of his duties despite the fact that he has an impressive 271-156-28-37 record.  It had to be expected, however, that major changes would be on their way when Joe Nieuwendyk took over as the team’s general manager.

I know that things went off the rails for the Stars last season so I’m not overly surprised but a lot of it was not the fault of Dave Tippett.  They were plagued by the Sean Avery controversy and a host of injuries, leaving them with captain, Brendan Morrow, and Sergei Zubov for most of the season.  It’s hard to get things done when two of your most important players are out of the lineup.  Then, just when it seemed that things couldn’t get any worse, Brad Richards, got sidelined with hand and wrist injuries that prevented him from helping the team make a push for the playoffs.  It was just an overall bad year.  It was the first time in Tippett’s six years with the team that they didn’t make it to the postseason.

Of course, the rumors about a replacement have started.  The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly given the Stars permission to talk to coach, Marc Crawford.  He’s still under contract with LA and I wish he would just stay there.  I’m not sure how he would fit in with Dallas’ roster.

**UPDATE** NHL.com is now reporting that the Stars have, in fact, hired Marc Crawford.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat