Habster:
There is no surprise with the firing of John Paddock and Bryan Murray replacing him behind the bench for the remainder of this season. The Senators have been in a tailspin since the new year, playing sub .500 hockey. The Sens have been shutout the last two game by a 9-0 margin and have stopped playing for Paddock…………I guess Murray had seen enough with the playoffs less than five weeks away and the Canadiens, Devils (already ahead of the Sens) and Penguins all threatening to pass them in the standing.
There are some serious issues with this team on and off the ice. Goaltending is an absolute mess, defensive zone coverage is non-existent and the highest scoring team in the NHL has all of a sudden had trouble putting the puck in the net.
Ray Emery’s off ice problems have been well documented and his work ethic has been questioned by management and his teammates.
During the last game against the Bruins, Martin Gerber made a point to talk to defenseman Anton Volchenkov during a TV timeout and appeared visibly agitated at him because Volchenkov had a puck deflect off him and ended up behind Gerber…….how many times has Volchenkov put his own body in front of shots and blocked them for his goalies. Gerber and Emery have to shut up and start producing for their teammates and team to succeed.
Bryan Murray had no choice but to replace Paddock and get this talented yet disoriented bunch back on the track towards a long playoff run.