Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press NHL joined Jon Burton on Nashville Sports Radio to discuss how Nashville Predators GM Chris MacFarland will handle Andrew Brunette and his status as head coach.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Jon Burton: “Jersey Jim Biringer is our guest. Andrew Brunette, interesting situation going on here because obviously the Preds have gotten off to slow starts the last couple of years under Bruno. How long do you think the leash is now that (Chris) MacFarland is in charge? How long of a leash do you think Bruno has as head coach?”
Jim Biringer: “Yeah, I mean, I think he has an option for one more season if they decide to give it to him come season’s end. I would give him the season before they decide to make a change. Let’s see if they can turn some things around. Let’s see if they can incorporate the defensive structure they want to have because, like, there’s a lot of chatter. Who’s the first coach fired around the league every year?
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I mean, you look up in New Jersey and see what’s happening with Sheldon Keefe, and I think he’s got a similar leash that potentially Bruno has. But I think his leash is a little bit shorter in New Jersey with Keefe when it comes to about the 15-20 game mark, because there’s more expectations in New Jersey than there are in Nashville.
I don’t know how many people pegged Nashville as an actual playoff team this year. But I think it’s more of, let’s see what Brunette can now do with the adjustment we’ve seen with the lapses defensively late in games, allowing shots, allowing goals, allowing leads to slip away.
If they win the Senators game, they win that Toronto game. Yeah, you get some overtime points; it’s great, but you gave leads away. If you can adjust and play better defensively and make those mistakes go away, and clean up the stuff in your own zone, and not allow those goals to happen.
If they can do that consistently throughout the year, maybe we’re not talking about Brunette getting fired right away. Maybe it’s going to be an evaluation process, and I think the evaluation process is the year because Chris MacFarland wasn’t here last year. He doesn’t know Andrew Brunette. He hasn’t seen how he coached, and it’s really early in the season to say, “Hey, we need to make a coaching change.”
But if they can’t turn it around, I wouldn’t be shocked if they decided to do something.”
NHLRumors.com Note: It is a big year for the Nashville Predators with MacFarland taking over as general manager. However, he knows the veterans will determine the direction of the club. Like with any new general manager, he is inheriting a head coach.
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So you have to wonder if there is an evaluation process for Andrew Brunette. MacFarland wants to get this team younger. But if they miss the playoffs, they may be looking elsewhere for a new voice in the room.
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