Dave Tippett and most of his staff have been given contract extensions by the Stars’ GM pair of Brett Hull and Les Jackson.
This is good news. I think Dave Tippett has done a wonderful job since he’s been here. It’s often been pointed out that he has the best regular-season record of any active NHL coach. His teams have had some playoff issues, but unlike a lot of people, I believe that it’s been despite his coaching, instead of because of it. I think it’s just a matter of time before he wins a Cup, and I hope it’s while he’s still the coach of the Dallas Stars.
I was pretty upset when Doug Armstrong was fired, but I can see now that it has really lifted a weight off the team’s shoulders. And the man that seems to be benefitting the most is Tip. I don’t have any inside information, but I have read things that lead me to think he wasn’t the only one holding the reins while Army was here. Now, he seems to be settling in with lines and he’s letting the kids play and we’re seeing a looser and much more confident team.
Of course, a contract extension doesn’t mean he can’t be fired on a whim, but I do think it means that the GMs are liking what they’ve seen so far this season.
Ulf Dahlen, according to the press release, has decide to wait until the summer to sign an extension. I’m sure he’s looking to move up in the coaching ranks and doesn’t want to be tied down when this season ends up being a huge success.
I’d hate to see Dahlen go, though. Aside from keeping the hot quotient fairly high for the coaching staff, he is supposedly the architect of the Stars’ 4th-ranked power play and top-ranked penalty kill. We need him to stay. They made a big mistake letting him retire from playing, in fact. Maybe he could be the right-winger we’ve been looking for for Modano!
I’m glad they did this, because I really like Tipp and the coaching staff. I think if you read a lot of the press, etc. about the Stars it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that Tipp has an extremely good record and is a good all-around coach.
I still can’t believe that I’m taller than Dave Tippett, though. (Random. I know.)
I am really glad they extend his contract. And you’re right, I think our Playoff problems are despite his coaching. As Brenden Morrow has put it before, once they get on the ice, it’s their job to get it done and it can’t be put on anyone else but themselves.
I think Tipp gives them all he possibly can, it’s up to the players to get it done on the ice.
I still can’t believe that I’m taller than Dave Tippett, though. (Random. I know.)
That was pretty funny though.
He even has the third shortest trip to 200 wins in NHL history. (Something like that.)
I’m really getting excited about this season, and I’m trying not to because I’ll jinx it.
I’m really getting excited about this season, and I’m trying not to because I’ll jinx it.
I am too, on both counts. We’ll see. That PBC line only seems to be improving….*knock on wood*
This is a fortuitous top post, because I was just coming here to tell you that Tippett is Bob Errey’s midseason choice for the Jack Adams award (and – of course – Zubov’s his Norris choice). Thought you might like to hear that!
No way, Pensgirl! That’s very cool. We never hear stuff like that from people outside of our neighborhood!
That would be so great if Tipp won that, after everybody was calling for his firing when we were 10 games into the season. :D
And he sounds like a smart guy with his Norris pick, too.