Swinging For the Fences

Who’s the next Head Coaching candidate on deck for the highly touted Saint John Sea Dogs? 

Well your guess is as good as mine, but I heard whoever that might be, NHL coaching experience is a must. Countless sources have reported that they are looking for a “big name.”

It appears to be high profile or bust for Trevor Georgie and the Sea Dogs brain trust. 

How many NHL “big names” are out there? How many NHL “big names” would be willing to return to the major junior ranks to ride the bus for a chance at a President Cup and Memorial Cup?  How many NHL “big names” would be willing to use this opportunity to jump back into the NHL? 

It’s very apparent that Trevor Georgie is swinging for the fences. When you swing for the fences, sometimes you strike out and sometimes you hit a homerun. It’s clear Georgie has to hit a homer for the Sea Dogs to have a chance at going to back to back.  

One can only speculate at this time who possible candidates are moving forward. Dave Cameron’s name surfaced on May 27^th. Summerside radio station Spud FM last week caught up Cameron at his summer home on.  The long-time NHL bench boss confirmed he had talks with the Sea Dogs, but has decided to return to Austria, where’s he’s coached the Vienna Capitals for the past two seasons.

“(Saint John) contacted me. I was flattered. Had some real good discussions with them and as you know I enjoy talking hockey at all levels. I talked to Trevor Georgie numerous times. I really enjoy junior, I really enjoy the kids or young men at that age and working with them and knew that Saint John had a real talented group coming back in there. It was very intriguing and very interesting,” said Cameron.

What other high-profile NHL coaches would be available and willing to take on the role in the Port City? 

Obviously, Gerard Gallant and Mike Kelly’s names have been thrown out there since their unexplained and unwarranted dismissal from the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Gallant and Kelly will ultimately find an NHL coaching job sooner than later.

What about other high-profile NHL coaches that have been let go earlier this season? 

What about former NHL coaches like Peter Laviolette, Jim Montgomery or Bruce Boudreau? 

If you’re swinging for the fences why not give Mike Babcock a call while you’re at it. If price point isn’t a consideration, why not it’s very clear that there’s a high-profile coaching carousel which is constantly spinning, like Chris Sale’s curve ball, swing too early or too late, you strike out.

What about coaches that have NHL experience that have applied their craft outside the NHL?Would the Sea Dogs brain trust consider taking a shot at landing Craig MacTavish? What about former Moncton Wildcats Director of Hockey Operations and Head Coach John Torchetti? 

It remains to be seen what direction Georgie will go especially with news coming out of Saint John City Council that the TD Station won’t be opening its doors in 2020.

Obviously, there’s a sense that TD Station would be ready to go if the Sea Dogs were given the go ahead by the QMJHL and by the Province’s Chief Medical Officer. 

Georgie might also opt not to hire a high-profile coach until things become a lot clearer. Another burning question is if you do hire a NHL high profile coach, would they want to assume control of player personnel decisions? 

There’s no question the Saint John Sea Dogs are swinging for the fences when it comes to hiring their next Head Coach.