Isn't it a bit too late? Blue Jackets fire Coach Scott Arniel - NHL News
After becoming the poorest team in the National Hockey League (NHL), Columbus Blue Jackets finally decided to fire their Head Coach, Scott Arniel on Monday, January 9, 2012.
The Blue Jackets had a horrendous 2011 season and they are currently at the bottom of the Western Conference, going 11-25-5 this season.
The management made the decision as Blue Jackets struggled to get out of the rut and improve results, now replacing Arniel with assistant coach, Todd Richards in the interim period before a new coach can be hired.
Arniel who was hired in 2010 failed to invigorate the Blue Jackets even though the franchise signed big names to the roster on huge contracts this year including James Wisniewski and Jeff Carter. The team never looked to gel and everything went against Arniel
this year with the team ending up with just 27 points in 2011.
Richards who took over the Coaching duties will look to motivate the team again and build confidence in the side but having a key insight into the Blue Jackets system was disappointed by Arniel’s sacking.
"I don't think you could have thought about or created a scenario that actually got to this point," he said. "I don't think you could sit and dream it up. Just the things that went on, how we lost games and how it snowballed and manifested into bigger things."
General Manager Scott Howson who announced the decision said that he did not have any other choice left since Arniel could not resolve the team’s issues.
He was disappointed by the decision, but in his opinion, it was in the best interests of the franchise.
The GM said:
"We have two wins in our last 11 games, I just wanted to move the team in a new direction with a different head coach. Scott tried everything and he was running out of answers. I didn't see much hope in moving forward with him. I just felt this needed to
be done."
Blue Jackets started off the season with seven straight losses before finally picking up a win over the Detroit Red Wings on October 21st.
However, the lack of consistency in the team’s performance was glaring as Blue Jackets could win one game and then go on a long losing streak before finding some form again.
With the fans getting disenchanted with the team, it looked as if Arniel’s days in the hot seat were numbered.
The coach was fired a day after a 7-4 defeat against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, January 8th 2012.
The Blue Jackets will now face the Chicago Blackhawks in their first game with Richards in charge and the new Coach will be hoping to start off positively.
It is a bit too late for any change to make a real difference in the Blue Jackets season but it will be a welcome change from the same old poor performances.
Tags: