Senators fire goalie coach Eli Wilson

by DarrenM on Jan 13, 2010 12:53 PM EST

I think it's fair to say that more than a few of us saw this coming.

Ottawa Senators goalie coach Eli Wilson was fired today after being with the team since the 2007-08 season. Somewhat coincidentally, that's about the time that everything started to go wrong for the Ottawa Senators. The Sens have not had a solid net presence since that time (or before it, really), and it was only a matter of time before Eli was fired. The final nail in the coffin was the poor play of Pascal Leclaire, who presumably should be playing better given his history of solid goaltending. Bryan Murray had the following to say:

"Performance of the goaltenders in the organization had everything to do with it. I think Eli was a hard worker and paid a lot attention to it, but for some reason, both at the NHL level and American league level, we felt that the goaltenders weren’t where we thought they were going to be and where they have shown they can be."

No word yet on who his replacement will be, but we'll keep you posted. Also, check back tomorrow for a full examination of the current goaltending conundrum, including a statistical comparison of our current goaltenders to some of the worst goalie performances in Senators history to see where they stand.

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Comments

Wow... expected, but unexpected

I thought it would happen, but it surprises me that it happened now. I sort of thought it would wait until the off-season, but don’t get me wrong: It’s better to do it now, because goaltending is obviously the chief problem for this team.

I’ll be interested to see who the Senators may be courting as a replacement goaltending coach, because someone’s going to have to come in soon, I would think. Robin Lehner’s dad seems like he’d be good, especially with Lehner in the system, but there are plenty of options. I’m not sure, really, what a team wants in a goaltending coach, but hopefully this solution improves sooner. Our season depends on it.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 13, 2010 1:14 PM EST reply actions

They should only hire Lehner's dad if they list him as "Robin Lehner's Dad" on the staff page.

Still, he’d be a great option of we can get him. Lundqvist is proof enough for me.

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

Wowww

Do they get all their advice from this blog or what?

by oldmonk on Jan 13, 2010 1:19 PM EST reply actions

PeterR is actually Regin

I don’t think we were the only ones calling for Wilson to be fired, though.

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Um...

No. No you weren’t.

by SLC on Jan 13, 2010 3:32 PM EST up reply actions

And you have stats!

Belatedly: loved the post. Thank brebs for pointing me to it.

ryanclassic.net

by Ryan Classic on Jan 13, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks

Aw shucks. ’Twern’t nothin’.

by SLC on Jan 13, 2010 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

It'd probably be harder to find people arguing for him to stay

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

Mrs. Eli Wilson might have wanted him to stick around

ryanclassic.net

by Ryan Classic on Jan 13, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

@wifeofagarbagegoaliecoachwhoruinedthesenators

Sorry about your hubby. Can’t ride Emery’s coattails forever.

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

It’s amazing to think that Emery’s coattails actually got someone a job.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 13, 2010 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

That really says a lot about how desperate this franchise has always been for a top goalie. It also makes it more confounding why they’ve invested so little in developing one over the years.

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

Meanwhile my second team can look at the free agent market and go, “hmmm… Craig Anderson!” and get a really good year out of $1.7M.

ryanclassic.net

by Ryan Classic on Jan 13, 2010 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe you should suck it.

by Mark Parisi on Jan 13, 2010 11:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd.

Also, I believe having more than one team is a cardinal sin in the sports world. Perhaps it’s just a personal opinion, but I’d liken it to being a turncoat.

by Mike Hurley on Jan 14, 2010 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

Opposite conferences, opposite divisions, and they only meet once a year. If my teams were, say, Ottawa and Boston, then we’d have a problem. But Anderson was a calculated risk: price was low enough to make it worth the contract offer, but he was still unproven.

I’d say Leclaire is a better goaltender in terms of pure skill. I really really really hope he pans out, even if it’s just a couple more years until we can anoint the young Swede (knock on wood) the franchise goalie.

All with the help of Goalie Coach Robin Lehner’s Dad.

ryanclassic.net

by Ryan Classic on Jan 14, 2010 1:56 AM EST up reply actions

Wow

You hate to see a hord working guy get fired, but it’s a good move nonetheless. “Robin Lehner’s Dad” would be a great move, but does anyone know whether he is Lundqvists personal trainer, or is he under contract to the Rangers? If the latter, then it will be easier said than done.
Suppose their’s any chance Murray will take a giant bite of humble pie and try to entice Ron Lowe to come back?

by Smiles on Jan 13, 2010 2:51 PM EST reply actions