There are a few indisputable facts about former Lightning coach Guy Boucher: He’s has a brilliant mind, is a passionate man and by all accounts is a very affable fellow. It’s easy to see why a majority of Lightning fans are upset over his firing.
He’s the best coach the team has had since John Tortorella and he almost led the team to the Stanley Cup Finals just two short seasons ago. Let’s not debate the merits and drawbacks of his firing or whether or not it was the correct move. (Photo/Jane Juran)
Let’s be happy that it happened because of what it represents.
Lindy Ruff’s name has been bandied about as a Boucher replacement and he is the example that will be used here. Ruff is a good coach who spent 16 years in Buffalo doing…nothing. However, before Terry Pegula bought the Sabres, Ruff was deemed to be a suitable fit for the new owner. With a big money owner comes big expectations and after a rough start, Ruff was shown the door.
Lightning fans should be happy that Boucher did not become our version of Lindy Ruff. The fact of the matter is that the team is not performing and has indeed been sliding further and further down the standings since their 2010 near-Stanley Cup Final berth. Everybody Loves Guy (After all, Martin Raymond is a dead ringer for a French Brad Garrett), but Steve Yzerman was not satisfied with his results. It’s reasonable to assume that Jeff Vinik was not satisfied either and that should make Lightning fans very happy. The team is still loaded with prospects, has its bankable stars and could be just a few tweaks away from becoming a perennial playoff team. It may not even happen with Steve Yzerman at the GM position, but the fact remains, his decision to fire Boucher sends a very strong message to his team; mediocrity is not an acceptable result.
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