Friday Roundtable: The Crow is Back

Marc Crawford is back in the NHL, returning to the bench as an assistant to Guy Boucher with the Ottawa Senators. This, after a long and successful stay in the NLA of Switzerland.

That’s an interesting fit, to be sure. And one that has we wondering about his long-term prospects in the NHL. Could a return to the role of head coach be forthcoming?

Assuming that’s the case, I’ve asked the Canucks Army staff for their thoughts on the possibility of Crawford as a Canucks head coach in the not-so-distant future, assuming there is a vacancy.

It wouldn’t be worst case scenario. He has a cup win (albeit 20 years ago in a whole different game) but his veteran experience could prove valuable to a younger core like the Canucks will have for the foreseeable future. He knows how to deal with pressures of the market, too.

For sure. Crawford is to be open-minded towards analytics and focusing on the process rather than just the end result. He posted great results in the National League while “utilizing statistics for zone time, zone exits, zone entries, scoring chances, momentum swings and of coarse, shots,hits, giveaways, takeaways, and goals.”(http://www.todaysslapshot.com/nhl-west/marc-crawford-on-learning-auston-matthews-and-analytics/).

For me, that is what I would like to see out of a coach is one who is willing to focus on the process and also incorporates data to help with his decisions. He has the experience of winning the Cup, has experience of the market, and has experience of working with young players to develop skills. With the influx of young talent coming to the Canucks over the next few years, he might just be a great fit. If he can continue his success in Ottawa there is no question I would like to see the Crow fly in Vancouver again.

I like Crawford, I really do, but I lean towards no. I think the front office is already enough of an old boys’ club as is, and bringing in Crow could have the potential to go south more quickly and drastically than hiring a fresh face.

As long as we’re discussing former Canucks coaches, I’ve always thought Rick Bowness could handle a head coaching job. I’d me more open to something like that.
I think Crawford will be a head coach in the NHL sooner rather than later, just not for the Canucks. That’s probably for the best. Ask me in a few years when the roster looks different and maybe I’ll change my mind.

I would be okay with it, but I doubt that he will be the best coach available at the time. If/When Willie D is let go, there will likely be a few ‘up and comers’ or high-end coaches that may fit with the makeup of the Canucks better.

As this group has changed a lot since his departure, I would be open to it. Having Matthews would have been a nice fit for the two of them but wouldn’t be necessary. He is a great coach, a Cup winner and quite likeable.
Does he have the NHL feel still? We’ll find out. I think he does. As an assistant, Crow will no doubt be a favourite for HC somewhere really soon. I think he’s a winner.