Boston Leaf said:
Horacheck moving Kessel to 4th line at least shows he doesnt care abotu who you are much or salary
Horachek's obviously not getting the results, but one thing I will give him major credit for is that he is willing to actually follow through with decisions that typically no one would ever make. He has:
-- Moved Kessel to the 4th line and limited his playing time.
-- Benched Clarkson. A feat in and of itself. Him admitting that in general, not benching Clarkson is political based on his salary, was extremely respectful.
-- Has given Rielly way more ice time and responsibility. Phaneuf out of the lineup obviously helps that cause, but the kid is running with it and not disappointing.
-- Actually put Gardiner out there instead of Phaneuf in the last minute of the game while trying to score the tying goala few weeks back. Going back to the political aspect, I thought a coach would never have the guts to do it based on Phaneuf's salary and letter on his jersey.
-- Has given Reimer more rope than Carlyle would have.
Some decisions he has made have been baffling -- putting Bernier back in only to see him lose that one game; Holland on the 1st PP -- but he is coaching like a man who knows will not be given a shot at the job next year and is trying to play around with the lineup, salaries, politics and stature be damned.