Granato's Second Stint So Far: Some Perspective

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 9:44 AM MST in NHL News

Following the lead of my new best friend Terry Frei, we'll take a quick look at Tony Granato's first quarter season (or so) of being head coach of the Colorado Avalanche (again).

Overall, Frei's profile is more oriented toward Granato's coaching style and his relationship with the players than his actual on-the-job performance. Frei seems more interested in whether or not Granato is different from the first time he served as head coach. The best quote being---of course---from Ian Laperriere:

"He's different, which he should be. He's as approachable as if he was an assistant coach, though, which is good. You can't all of a sudden snap and be a jerk. I think he's doing great at the transition now."

Read the whole thing for some other interesting takes on Granato's stint so far from Avalanche players.

What I'm more interested in is the little block of stats Frei included at the bottom of his piece:

First year on the job

The 2008-09 records (through Monday) of NHL head coaches in their first season in their current stints:

FULL SEASON
Todd McLellan, S.J. 20-3-1 41
Tony Granato, Colorado 12-12-0 24
Ron Wilson, Toronto 9-9-6 24
Terry Murray, L.A. 10-10-3 23
Scott Gordon, N.Y. Isl. 10-12-2 22
Peter DeBoer, Florida 9-11-3 21
Craig Hartsburg, Ott. 8-10-4 20
John Anderson, Atlanta 8-12-3 19

Let's just pretend that McLellan guy isn't on the list. When you look at Granato from this perspective, he's not actually all that bad, in comparison to other coaches who are new to their respective teams. Of course, all the teams on the list with the exception of that McLellan jerk and his jerky Sharks are trying to cope with weak overall lineups, but that's how it goes.

So we know how Granato stacks up to other new and "new" coaches in the league right now. How does he compare to other Avalanche coaches? After 24 games, how were the other three (or four, if you count the first incarnation of Granato) coaches?

First Year On The Job

The records of each Colorado Avalanche coach after their first 24 games on the job.

Marc Crawford (1995-96): 15-5-4 34
Bob Hartley (1998-99): 11-11-2 24
Tony Granato (2002-03): 15-6-2-1 33
Joel Quenneville (2005-06): 13-8-3 29
Tony Granato (2008-09): 12-12-0 24

So it's not all bad. Bob Hartley had a rough start, too, managing only a .500 record after his first 24 games just like Granato this season. But Granato Version 1.0 was significantly better, having the second-best starting record right behind Batshit Crazy Crawford. But let's remember the quality of the lineups enjoyed by Crawford, Hartley and the first Granato Administration.

So what does this tell us? There's a precedent for 24 points in 24 games already in the history of Colorado Avalanche coaches. Hartley went on to win a lot of division championships and a Stanley Cup, so things could turn around. Does Granato have a chance in hell of doing the same this year? Don't answer that.

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Comments

Following the lead of my new BFF Terry Frei,

Fixed.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Dec 3, 2008 9:53 AM MST reply actions

In semi-related news

The Hurricanes are totally copying the Avs, firing Laviolette and bringing back Paul Maurice.

The artist formerly known as Draft Dodger

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 3, 2008 10:01 AM MST reply actions

I’d say the coaching options in the NHL are kind of limited right now.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 10:03 AM MST up reply actions

I may be in the minority

But I for one have decided that firing Granato would be pointless, atleast until after the season is done. I was on the fence about wanting his head before.

I think he should stick around for the season since firing him is such a knee jerk reaction at the moment. The options to replace him are not great and the initial shot of adrenaline teams get after the firing usually only lasts 8-10 games.

by InYoFace on Dec 3, 2008 10:18 AM MST reply actions

I’m fully on board with Granato.

The artist formerly known as Draft Dodger

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 3, 2008 10:21 AM MST up reply actions

I’m with you. I originally answered my own poll question with “After 31 Games” just because it would be poetic and there’s a tiny chance the Avs would rehire Hartley, but really I think the best scenario is to let him finish out the year, see what kind of draft and trade luck they get, and see which coaches are in the hiring pool.

But that’s just me. And you, apparently.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 10:22 AM MST up reply actions

and while I’m disappointed that the Avs didn’t at least give a cursory look to guys like McLelland (whose team will cool off at some point), I do appreciate that we haven’t seen Raycroft and Budaj alternating games. That’s an improvement over ~~Stalin~~ Quenneville in my book

The artist formerly known as Draft Dodger

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Dec 3, 2008 10:31 AM MST up reply actions

If they ever hit a 3-game losing streak, fans are going to be beside themselves. They haven’t even seen a 2-game losing streak yet.

But right now, after winning 8 straight, I’m going to start tossing some cash against them. Sooner or later, they’re going to lose.

by ShaneG on Dec 3, 2008 10:36 AM MST up reply actions

They’ll still choke in the playoffs so who cares how they do in the regular season.

"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost

by Savage33 on Dec 3, 2008 5:27 PM MST up reply actions

+1

Joe Thornton = usually 1st round playoff exit.

by Pookie on Dec 3, 2008 8:33 PM MST up reply actions

I wouldn’t say I’m fully on board with Granato but I’m fine with giving him the season.

He’s been good with making stable choices. When he finds a good combo, he sticks into some rough times as well before a knee-jerk line change. Plus Budaj has been giving the reins like a true #1. Luckily he’s been playing like a true #1 for the most part.

My biggest beef is his run-and-gun offense style doesn’t always seem to be in effect. But the players were flying in the last couple games so maybe things are turning around.

by ShaneG on Dec 3, 2008 10:35 AM MST up reply actions

Like I said, if we have to choose between crazy,offensive 6-5 wins and boring, trapping 2-1 losses, I’ll take the wins.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 10:41 AM MST up reply actions

And hey, at some point they might figure out how to walk away with 5-1 or 6-2 wins every now and again. One can hope!

by ShaneG on Dec 3, 2008 10:44 AM MST up reply actions

It blows my mind that only three of the Avs’ 12 victories this year have been by more than one goal.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 11:35 AM MST up reply actions

i am also with you. he deserves at least a full year to find his own chemistry with the team, if not a year+

in addition, the choices for replacements are better in between seasons.

by thedoctor on Dec 3, 2008 10:46 AM MST up reply actions

ok

So my so called minority may actually be a majority. Doesn’t feel like it ouside the MHH though.

by InYoFace on Dec 3, 2008 10:59 AM MST up reply actions

It’s not. Even the MHH poll currently ongoing suggests you’re still in the minority.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Dec 3, 2008 11:36 AM MST up reply actions

I have no problem giving him the season and going from there. It takes time to adjust to new coaches, players, styles etc. We all hoped it would be done by now and the Avs would be playing awesome hockey. Unfortunately it looks like they are still trying to adjust, find their places, or at least find a direction. Firing him now isn’t likely to change things too much; but what do we know?

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Dec 3, 2008 2:34 PM MST up reply actions