Mike Keenan's recent comments insulting Stephen Weiss, Jay Bouwmeester, and the rest of the Panthers organization is just another example of a runaway train of imbecility. It's not bad enough that he traded away the team's franchise goaltender for peanuts, but then spews this stupidity in the pages of The Hockey News.
In case no one has noticed, the Florida Panthers are on the up and up. After two injury-marred seasons that mirrored each other with late, but failed, playoff pushes, the team is now primed for a legitimate playoff run. Surely Mike Keenan has had little to do with this metamorphosis, as many of the players under his tutelage were run out of town (i.e. Luongo, Kristian Huselius and Marcus Nilson-won't that be a joyous reunion in Calgary), or treated like children by not seeing it "Iron Mike's" way. What a joke.
Keenan is currently 5th in all-time wins, and will be forever known for coaching the Rangers to the '94 Stanley Cup, but let's not stray from the truth. He lucked into that position by being an idiot in the Flyers and Blackhawks organizations, respectively, where he continued to lose power struggles to people that should have the power. He was blessed with an amazing roster in New York. Most coaches would have had tremendous success with that particular team. Even then he couldn't keep his job, weeks after winning the Cup.
His wake of manure then consumed St. Louis, Vancouver, Boston, Florida (twice), and now Calgary. It was no secret the hockey world was shocked at his recent hiring, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Flames fans already, for nothing positive can happen from here (by the way, Iginla and Phaneuf, the Panthers are waiting for your imminent trade demands, probably by the deadline next year. What high-caliber players such as yourselves would put up with such mind-numbing stupidity from Mike?)
That's why these recent Keenan statements are so pathetically predictable. He actually said Stephen Weiss shouldn't be playing the NHL, and that Bouwmeester still had pimples (which, not that it matters, doesn't have a one) Apparently, face acne is a major deterrent to playing good hockey in Mike's world. Is this all he's got? Ripping his former players, some of which he drafted, to feel better about himself? I get the feeling he doesn't like what he sees when he looks in the mirror. Can't blame him. Calgary fans are going to detest the look of him as well very soon.
What do these players have in common? Matthew Lombardi, Craig Conroy, Tony Amonte, Stephane Yelle, Wayne Primeau, David Moss, Marcus Nilson, and Jeff Friesen. These are Calgary Flames forwards who had fewer points than Stephen Weiss last year, with him missing 8 games. I guess Iron Mike is going to have to send them all down the minors or cut them since they aren't good enough to play in the NHL. Good riddance, Mike. We wish we never knew thee.
1 comment:
The only good thing Iron Mike did for the Panthers was getting Jokinen to play to his potential. Even with that said his best years production wise have come after Keenan.
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