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

There was a face-to-face meeting in a court-mediated hearing today.  At the meeting, Moore asked for $38 million in lost income and damages after his career was ended when Bertuzzi sucker-punched him and drove his head to the ice (I’m not in complete agreement that the last part was all Bert’s fault) during a game at Vancouver’s GM Place back in March, 2004.

Former Vancouver Canucks coach, Marc Crawford, was also at the meeting.

So far, Bertuzzi has been charged with assault, sentenced to probation/community service (after pleading guilty) and was suspended from the NHL for 17 months.  Additionally, this is what Wikipedia lists as the reasons by the NHL allowed him to come back to the game:

• Bertuzzi serving a suspension of 20 games, which at the time tied for 4th longest in NHL history (13 regular season games, 7 playoff games)
• Bertuzzi’s repeated attempts to apologize to Mr. Moore personally
• Bertuzzi’s forfeited salary ($501,926.39 USD)
• Lost endorsements (approximately $350,000.00 USD)
• Significant uncertainty, anxiety, stress and emotional pain caused to Bertuzzi’s family
• The commissioner’s belief that Bertuzzi was genuinely remorseful and apologetic for his actions

Do you really believe that Moore deserves $38 million?  Come on, now.  Would he have even earned that much?  I really was a big hater of Big Bert but I think he has suffered too.  It was probably the biggest mistake of his life and you can see that he’s a broken player.  He’s messed up, his life is not ever going to be what it would have been.

I say a settlement of $10-12 million (split between Bert and Crawford because there is no way that I believe that coach had nothing to do with this) is very reasonable.

Weigh in – what do you think?

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat