The Ken Hitchcock Circle of Life is Complete -- no, I don't mean he's dead

[Troy McClure]

[ScubaSteve]

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Oh for Allah's sake.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

There are only like 30 total NHL coaches and they kinda just rotate teams.

[Troy McClure]

Worst kept secret.

[SaintAngerBH]

[B Kat]

I'm usually pretty understanding, but *f-bomb* that.

[B Kat]

[B Kat]

Just kill me now.

[wonko80]

I'll just resign myself to have to be positive about this. For instance, we know our defense will be better. That coupled with the awesome goalie move I have to hope we'll make and next season should be fine.

[ScubaSteve]

https://twitter.com/9modano/status/852166936091807744

[ToddM]

*f-bomb* my eyes.

[cdanew]

Elliotte Friedman is reporting Hitchcock will be getting a one year contract with an option to become a consultant if he isn't retained as head coach. One year contract? That's almost unheard of for a new (old) coach coming in. Wonder if this illustrates some disagreement in the organization? Gaglardi/Lites have history with Hitchcock - maybe Nill isn't quite as sold.

[BigAl]

One year should be enough for Modano to get up to speed.

[wonko80]

My God, can you imagine Modano as a coach? Would he have a tanning bed on the bench, or just in the locker room?

[Eskimo Spy]

Modano's not smart enough to coach Junior D league.

[Troy McClure]

Elliotte Friedman is reporting Hitchcock will be getting a one year contract with an option to become a consultant if he isn't retained as head coach. One year contract? That's almost unheard of for a new (old) coach coming in. Wonder if this illustrates some disagreement in the organization? Gaglardi/Lites have history with Hitchcock - maybe Nill isn't quite as sold.

Or maybe Gaglardi is viewing this as one year for Nill to prove himself as well.

[SaintAngerBH]

https://twitter.com/9modano/status/852166936091807744

[atticus ross]

Not that I want him back (I don't), but why even bother bringing Hitch in for only a season when a new coach will be changing Hitch's system? Won't this be another wasted season?

[SaintAngerBH]

I guess they are delusional enough to think this team can win it all next year after learning an entirely new system in a matter of months.

[Eskimo Spy]

Maybe it's all Hitchcock wanted to commit to.

[Troy McClure]

Maybe it's all Hitchcock wanted to commit to.

Very possible. Impossible to say now.

[SaintAngerBH]

This is a huge gamble for Nill, considering the unwritten rule of a GM getting two coaches before they're fired. If Hitch fails, Nill might be gone at the end of next year.

[wonko80]

It would be amazing if he coached 5 or so games so he could move up in the all time wins and then retire.

[Troy McClure]

It would be amazing if he coached 5 or so games so he could move up in the all time wins and then retire.

Or... He coaches a season, retires, and then replaces Nill as GM this summer.

[#JTONTFJTGM]

Modano said it will be interesting to see who Hitchcock names as assistant coaches. Modano joked on Twitter that he was available for the job, but said on the phone that won't be happening.

"Hitch told me one time that I wouldn't like the hours," Modano said. "I think he's right about that."

But Modano said Hitchcock needs the proper buffer, and also needs assistant coaches who can connect with today's younger athletes.

"Kids really are different today, I can see that," Modano said. "Hitch knows it and we've talked about it, but I think the assistant coaches will be a big part of how he deals with the younger players."

[Knives Out]

I'll just resign myself to have to be positive about this. For instance, we know our defense will be better. That coupled with the awesome goalie move I have to hope we'll make and next season should be fine.

The goalie situation is the only one that I care about. If there isn't even an attempt to fix it then my apathy as a fan will reach defcon 1.

Not that I want him back (I don't), but why even bother bringing Hitch in for only a season when a new coach will be changing Hitch's system? Won't this be another wasted season?

This. This all day.
I'm sure there are a lot of factors as to why it's only a single season deal, but from a purely selfish fan POV, it's hard not to wonder if the org is only doing this as a quick fix for the abysmal ticket sales and doesn't give a damn about contending. It would explain why Nill displayed ZERO patience in hiring a new guy i.e. the right guy.

[SaintAngerBH]

Not that he's great. But, Sutter seems like a better candidate. His success is more recent.

[Troy McClure]

Not that I want him back (I don't), but why even bother bringing Hitch in for only a season when a new coach will be changing Hitch's system? Won't this be another wasted season?

This. This all day.
I'm sure there are a lot of factors as to why it's only a single season deal, but from a purely selfish fan POV, it's hard not to wonder if the org is only doing this as a quick fix for the abysmal ticket sales and doesn't give a damn about contending. It would explain why Nill displayed ZERO patience in hiring a new guy i.e. the right guy.

Would it surprise you if this wasn't even Nill's hire and was Gaglardi's move?

[Knives Out]

No.

Which then leads me to believe that Hitch will be the new head chef at Moxie's by the end of 2019.