A little more about me PLUS Melrose, Gilmour and more!

Posted 2:58 PM ET | Comments 7

HockeyBuzz so far has been great to me. Being able to share thoughts, opinions and other things with fellow hockey fans all across North America and even overseas is awesome. Hockeybuzz also is my first experience in blogging. I have written in and was editor-in-chief for my school newspaper in high school, managing different sections from time to time and eventually, the entire paper. With that, I definitely am able to organize my thoughts in a respectful manner. Really blogging is for anyone. Anyone with an opinion and an open heart.
For a formal introduction, my name is Ramesh Ranjan and I am a 19 year old Economics student at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, BC. I live in Richmond which is just south of Vancouver. I am a proud Canadian (born and raised) who loves hockey and as stated in a previous blog, I want it to grow.

Moving on...
Well it looks like the man who made the Mullet even more famous than it already was in hockey, is now gone. Barry Melrose was fired over the weekend by the Tampa Bay Lightning. In speaking to the media after being fired, Melrose said that he asked for his players to play a full 60 minutes and even someone making millions of dollars should be able to do that. Obviously that was directed at someone. Sources say that Vinny Lecavalier was the one who complained to ownership.
It doesn't surprise me too much. While Melrose has been an analyst on ESPN for awhile, he hasn't been quite accustomed to the new NHL style of coaching it seemed. Har to come up with an analogy for this but to at least put it in perspective, Melrose was like a dinosaur and most of the players with the exceptions of Recchi and Kolzig were not around when Barry was coaching. Apparently, things came to a climax when Melrose walked off the ice in the middle of practice and the assistant coaches were left to run it Although, he strengthened the team's defense, that wasn't really a focus of concern out of the gate. TB's offense really needs some jumper cables.
Gee, when will TB find the right coach for their players?!? Well apparently Rick Tocchet has been well liked by the players and that can't come as a surprise from an assistant coach.

Doug Gilmour has a new job and its not with the Leafs. While he has been an advisor to the Leafs management, he has now been hired as a coach of Kingston Frontenacs. The Frontenacs have the worst record in the OHL at the moment. Here's Doug's time to shine, folks. I wonder how much of this story will be on Hockey Night In Canada this coming Saturday night. It'll definitely take up all of Coach's Corner. We all know Don's love and fascination with players who have played in the league. Not so many players who are currently playing. Expect Doug Gilmour to be a huge feature on HNIC.
Why the hell doesn't the guy just make a comeback to the NHL? I'm sure he still has it in him but anyways, good luck Doug!

Preds finished their sweep of the California teams over the weekend with a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Boy, Danny Ellis has really played well over these last few games. The Preds get outshot (as usual) and still come away with the victory. Shea Weber is still in his own league right now and nicely leading the Preds defense core.

Apparently, Steve Sullivan might really really really return to the Predators this season. I know Paul McCann and Brandon Felder have mentioned this in weeks past but from what I have heard, he is certainly working hard on returning for around Christmas time. Boy, its been a long time since he's played hockey. Last time he did was February 2007...yep long time. Its hard to say if he'll even be close to where he was before he went down with the bad back but if he is setting a high standard for his return, we might just get something pretty good out of him.

Preds take on the San Jose Sharks tonight at Sommet. I'm sure the Sharks will want revenge after being robbed of a victory last time these two teams met. I'm sure some of the Sharks bloggers on here will want the same...

Anyways, HockeyBuzz Nation, I will talk to you all later!

RR

Filed Under: Melrose Gilmour Predators Ellis Shea Weber Sullivan

blueline

November 17, 2008 3:53 PM ET | Delete
Strange situation/strange behavior/strange owners in TB. Firing not necessarily unexpected but 16 games in? Oh well - he's got a good salary for the next three years as consolation. Regarding Sully, I don't expect a return but it's nice to contemplate. Just curious - how is it you are a Preds fan all the way in BC? Whatever the reason, we're certainly glad to have your support. BTW, given the current times, your university major will prove a wise choice.

Predaceous

November 17, 2008 3:57 PM ET | Delete
Nice blog Remesh. Personally, I'm still taking an "I'll believe it when I see it" approach to Sullivan. I was told two years ago by someone who has connections to the Preds organization that Sullivan was done. So far that's come true. As for Melrose, I don't believe that you have to have been a coach recently in this league to be effective. Nolan was effective on the Island, and what about coaches like Trotz that come in for the first time and make an impact. Melrose wasn't given a fair chance to succeed, and the way the Tampa Bay organization handled his hiring then firing has made me lose a lot of respect for that organization. I'll bet Tocchet gets all the support that Melrose was denied though.

predram

November 17, 2008 6:28 PM ET | Delete
Thanks for the comments. I was a huge Canucks fan to be honest and I still am one at heart since I've realyl grown up with them. Essentially, ever since Brian Burke left that team, I really lost touch with them and really liked David Poile's job of creating a strong Predators team that has had success from 2004 til now. As for Sully, we heard rumblings that he might be returning at this time last season but the rumblings that I've been hearingnow are much more earthquake-like. but yes, we shoudl be cautious of these rumblings.

Pens871