Gilmour to coach Kingston

by James Mirtle on Nov 17, 2008 1:10 PM EST

The Kingston Frontenacs are expected to name Doug Gilmour as head coach at a press conference today. Reports say Gilmour will replace Larry Mavety behind the bench.

The Frontenacs have five wins in 23 games and are last place in the Ontario Hockey League.

— Kingston Whig-Standard
From The Rink

PPP Update: Here is the TSN report, Duane Rollins at Out of Left Field just woke up Neate Sager to get him on the case, and Two Belefears was where I saw it first.

Andrew Bucholtz takes a look at the local coverage of the move and the interesting tidbit that Killer had a cameo in Slap Shot 3: The Junior League. No word yet on whether the Frontenacs will be able to bring their f*cking toys with them on the road.

Neate Sager posts his thoughts and they are pretty much in line with what I had expected. Dougie! is stepping into an extremely difficult situation. All we can do is hope for the best.

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From all I have read on OOLF the Fronts are an absolute joke so I am really surprised to see Gilmour leave an established career path for the clusterf*ck in k-town.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 17, 2008 1:21 PM EST reply actions

Dougie’s gonna make some changes. Oh yes.

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* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Nov 17, 2008 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

I also find this surprising and a little dissapointing. I really liked having Gilmour in the Leaf orginization and I liked the way they were grooming him. For Kingston, this has to be as much about PR as it is about long term hockey goals.

I guess it’ll be a thrill for the young kids to learn from Dougie, just hope he’s ready for it.

by general borschevsky on Nov 17, 2008 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe giving Dougie some experience behind the bench before he takes over the Marlies? Not a bad idea.

by Kobra29 on Nov 17, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

That’s one way of looking at it but he’s going into a really bad situation in Kingston from all accounts.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 17, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

I do think the impending* Burke arrival had something to do with Gilmour’s decision to leave for the O. Perhaps he saw his move up to the Maple Leafs coaching brass much more difficult now that Fletcher is going and Burke more than likely bringing his own people to key spots in the organization?

*I say impending with an asterisk, so it doesn’t seem like it’s an empty net decision. I hear assuming things is a Toronto-centric viewpoint that is paramount to the arrogance of this city, according to the rest of Canada.

by bkblades on Nov 17, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Good Point

Although why not wait a week (allegedly) and get some confirmation from Burke himself?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 17, 2008 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps, the offer from the O had a time limit?

Hah, I tired to say that with a serious face. We all know that the Frontenacs first and only choice is Gilmour, since their backup choice is a dressed up broomstick to look like Mavety.

by bkblades on Nov 17, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Good take. Gilmour might be able to do some good here in Kingston, as the Fronts do actually have a bit of talent this year, but his effectiveness will be limited by Mavety remaining as the GM. His hiring might be enough to keep the team relevant for another month or so, though, as he’s still a big hero in town.

Queen's Journal Sports Editor.
Personal sports blog at www.sportingmadness.blogspot.com.
Contributing writer at Out of Left Field: www.neatesager.blogspot.com.

by Andrew Bucholtz on Nov 17, 2008 3:06 PM EST reply actions

It’s certainly a gamble going to Kingston before he knows what his future with the Marlies/Leafs was going to be but knowing the Leafs they’ll always have something open for him.

Not to mention that he’s going in without a full-time GM (right?) so what if the new guy was an Oilers’ fan?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 17, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Nope, there is a full-time GM. Larry Mavety was the coach/GM (and apparently coached Gilmour way back in the day); this hiring is with his permission and he’s stepping back to focus on GM duties. He hasn’t done a terribly great job as the GM over the years, though, so there could be someone else down the road. That would be a ways off at the moment, as he seems to have the confidence of owner Doug Springer.

Queen's Journal Sports Editor.
Personal sports blog at www.sportingmadness.blogspot.com.
Contributing writer at Out of Left Field: www.neatesager.blogspot.com.

by Andrew Bucholtz on Nov 17, 2008 8:31 PM EST up reply actions