Senators fire coach Craig Hartsburg

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 2, 2009 9:38 AM PST Comment 6 comments

It took a lot of failures and second chances before Hartsburg was finally fired. The Senators have only won 17 of 48 games. They are 14 points out of a playoff spot in the East. A big damning stat for Ottawa is their road record, which is 6-16-3. Their home record is a decent 11-8-4. It is almost impossible to believe that the Sens rank last in the NHL in goals for. But their 116 goals for places them at the NHL basement.
More Senators team stats here.
The Binghampton Senators' coach Cory Clouston will take over as head coach of Ottawa. Clouston's profile can be found here.
The Sens could also use a decent starting goaltender as well. Ever since Ray Emery left down under lousy terms the Sens never found a suitable replacement. Alex Auld and newbie Brian Elliot have been stellar at times, great sometimes, and shell-shocked due to poor team play on other nights.
Murray was very patient with Hartsburg in order to let him stay that long and fall that far out of the playoff race. It's going to take a miracle for the Sens to make the post season now.

T Tags: Senators+fire+head+coach+Craig+Hartsburg

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Off-topic, but Ryan Kesler is the best player on the Canucks right now.

If he isn't re-signed I'll be pissed. He should also be given the Captain's C, after Saturday's efforts!

by Temujin on Feb 2, 2009 11:11 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he really showed his stuff. He is a checker but I'd to see him on Line 2 permanently. Put Ryan Johnson in his spot on Line 3.
Captaincy? Maybe. Luongo will suffice though. Kesler has the "A". He leads outside of the goal.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 2, 2009 1:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He really really impressed me. I could figuratively see him hoisting the team on his shoulders and carrying them, especially late in the third. That goal with 15 seconds left was pure heart, and his celebration on his knees on the ice was pure glory.

Everytime a Sedin gets a hooking penalty, he should be flogged and whipped and paraded down West Georgia in disgust. This is getting really annoying, and it is the same damn thing every damn game.

by Temujin on Feb 2, 2009 1:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I loved that visual of him on his knees, head tilted back and celebrating. And to think that he was on the ice instead of Sundin who was benched...

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 2, 2009 2:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This says it all.

by Sean Zandberg on Feb 2, 2009 2:44 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think that image of Kesler thanking the hockey gods is what the entire Canucks Nation was feeling at that moment.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

by Judy on Feb 2, 2009 3:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs