36 replies to this topic

[Captain Quack]

Just heard this on Sportsnet heres the link:
SPORTSNET

[PortBeach13]

Does this mean that the Kings could fade away from the playoffs?

[jojo983]

wow! I wasn't surpised with the Kings firing him but he has been the coach for 7 years now. Good Luck to Andy Murray in the future.

[Dark Knight]

...

[Dark Knight]

TSN.ca Staff

3/21/2006 9:49:04 PM

The Los Angeles Kings have relieved head coach Andy Murray and assistant Coach John Van Boxmeer of their coaching duties.

The Kings have hired John Torchetti as interim head coach. 

LINK

[DropThePuck]

Well, darn ... this'll probably grab the Kings players' attention and get them motivated again.

[niltes]

van boxmeer too! both fired. torchetti new head coach.

[JasonAKADfan8]

Well we better see if the Kings get the wake up call or will they call it quits like they usually do. Bye Bye Andy!!!

[GLOVESAVE35]

I know Kings fans have been waiting for this moment for a long time. In that light, I'm sorry to see him go.

[Dark Knight]

Well, darn ... this'll probably grab the Kings players' attention and get them motivated again.

Nah... they'll fold like a flan in a cupboard. It's their tradition anyway. End of season = nose dive

[LUPUL15]

Andy is a good coach haha but its the teams fault

[Veca]

I'm just surprised that it took this long for them to do it. I had nothing against Andy other than he was with the Kings.
I wish him all the luck in the future. It has to be hard for him and his family after all this time but that is sports.

[TeMoZ]

Andy should use this time off to realy rest his voice... it was getting bad, very very bad.

good luck to andy in the future .

[ahtikullervo]

Who is this new guy???

Andy M was a good coach...

[THE Mighty Duck Man 84]

Who is this new guy???

Torchetti, 41, went 10-12-4-1 as the Florida Panthers' interim coach at the end of the 2003-04 season. He hasn't been working in the NHL this season, but had been scouting games on his own.

[DropThePuck]

The Kings long ago stopped listening to Andy Murray. He'd worn them out, pushing them past the point at which they paid attention to his fiery speeches or the strategy sheets and inspirational messages he'd slip under their hotel room doors.

But Tim Leiweke, the Kings' chief executive, on Tuesday issued a message they cannot ignore.

Play hard. Play with pride. Make the playoffs, or be gone.

And that applies as much to General Manager Dave Taylor as to any player.

<link>

[DropThePuck]

"Ultimately, I felt I had to make this coaching change or we weren't going to get this turned around," General Manager Dave Taylor said. "I haven't liked the direction of our team the last 20 to 25 games. I don't think we're playing with the same urgency and passion we had the first part of the season."
...
"When the team struggles like this, something has got to happen sooner or later," assistant captain Luc Robitaille said. "You can't fire every player, so sometimes the coach gets the brunt…. For us, the most important thing is to make the playoffs."

<link>

[DropThePuck]

(AFP/Getty Images/File/Jeff Vinnick)

[Veca]

Anyone else notice the way the Kings sort of "fell off" after Dave Tippett left for the Stars?? Might just be my imagination.

[Barmy Army]

Wow, this news gave me a bit of a surprise

[Dark Knight]

On LGK someone's suggested that Jim Fox (yes, LA's color commentator) become their permanent head coach, based on his comments on how the team plays...

[QuacksMeUp]

On LGK someone's suggested that Jim Fox (yes, LA's color commentator) become their permanent head coach, based on his comments on how the team plays...

Nah, they'll get McSorley to do it.

[DucksintheDesert]

all I can say is hahahahahahahaha at the kings fans!!!

**I PREDICT A CERTAIN TEAM NOT HAVING A CHANCE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NOW!!!**

[DropThePuck]

"That's the job and that happens," Murray said. "I was wondering more about practice this week and getting ready for Nashville than I was thinking about my job but when you get a call at 6 p.m. to Dave Taylor's office, it's not a good sign.

"I have nothing but respect for Dave and the team. I'm disappointed to not be able to be with the club in the playoffs because I know they're going to make it."
...
"We're getting beat in the basics of the game," Kings defenseman Mattias Norstrom said Monday. "I don't have an answer for that this time of the year. I'm embarrassed."

Taylor added, "If you look back, we're 2-5 in our last seven games and have been outscored pretty badly. In general, our play, particularly in our home games, has been a big concern for me.

"Ultimately, we have to play better. ... With John coming aboard, the players will hear a different voice and a different perspective and a different angle on things. Ultimately, we have to get a better response from our players."

<link>

[THE Mighty Duck Man 84]