Kirk Muller hired as Carolina Hurricanes head coach

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 10:20 AM EST in Nashville Predators News

The second NHL head coaching change of the day sees the Nashville Predators lose Kirk Muller as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals, as he takes the job in Carolina after the Hurricanes fired Paul Maurice, as reported on Twitter by Bob McKenzie.

UPDATE: Per Josh Cooper, Ian Herbers will take over as head coach in Milwaukee on a permanent basis.

So far with the Ads, Muller compiled a 10-6-0-1 record, good for 3rd place in the AHL's Midwest Division. While he was never expected to be a lifer with the Preds, he certainly still had that "new coach smell" and it's surprising to see him leave so quickly.

The thing that worries me about this whole episode is the nagging impression that this could represent a long-term disruption to the normally smooth relationship between the Predators and the Admirals. Based on an interview that Muller did with the Montreal Gazette, it sounds like rather than marching to the Nashville tune, he was pretty much free to call his shots there:

One of the selling points for Muller in Milwaukee was the fact the Nashville Predators, the parent NHL team, allowed him to bring in his own system.

"I had a great conversation with (Predators coach) Barry Trotz and (assistant GM) Paul Fenton and (GM) David Poile, and they said: 'We certainly welcome you to bring in your own system that you want,' " Muller said. "That was one of the attractions about coming here - the opportunity to kind of put my own stamp on a team and my own identity."

So where does this leave the Admirals and the Predators going forward?

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Wow. I mean GB will be happy, but …wow.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 10:29 AM EST reply actions

I was hoping Muller would work his way towards Nashville after a year in Milwaukee. Carolina could be a career killer!

by grassman on Nov 28, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

I know this may not be good for the Ads situation, but this is fantastic for all the Caniacs of the world! Mo is gone!!!!! :)

Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!

by Grizzledbear on Nov 28, 2011 11:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

@Latta17 Michael Latta
this has the makings of an interesting morning
7 minutes ago

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 10:46 AM EST reply actions

Let’s go for the coaching trifecta today – c’mon Columbus!

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Nov 28, 2011 11:03 AM EST reply actions

Or Anaheim. Just for the fun of it.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

I'd be happier if Anaheim just straight up folded.

“Sorry guys, we’re done with hockey.”

by Old Kentucky Shark on Nov 28, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 7 recs

^^green it, kiddos.

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Done.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

You know, Columbus has actually kicked it into high gear recently! I don’t usually pull for other teams in my division, but good for them.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 1:03 PM EST up reply actions

so seriously

what happens with the admirals game this afternoon? does an assistant step up or something?

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 11:35 AM EST reply actions

Ian Herbers is the new head coach

He’s already the assistant there, and according to Josh Cooper’s tweet, it’s not an interim appointment.

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Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of Hockey Gear HQ, a site devoted to helping you save on hockey equipment, accessories, and NHL apparel.

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

is he a preds guy?

by predwheels on Nov 28, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

He’s been the assistant in Milwaukee for a while.

Follow @Forechecker

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

Dammit...

I was hoping he’d take over for Trotzy in the next couple years.

by DonBorvio on Nov 28, 2011 11:51 AM EST reply actions

Nah, I like Trotz! I wish he would stop effing with the lines, but other than that I think he’s a fantastic coach. I like what he demands from the players – mutual respect, flexibility (even if flexibility often means effing with the lines…….), dedication, and a solid work ethic. We’re just having a “moment”… we’ll pick ourselves back up and Trotz will keep doin’ what he does. Plus, he had better win the Jack Adams with us one of these years. He deserves it.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Nov 28, 2011 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Trotz

I like Trotz and I appreciate I’ve got to watch both him and the franchise grow in experience together….. But he is showing the vets a little to much respect in regards to the lines he is throwing out there.

He hasn’t played his best line together. I don’t care how old they are or thier experience level…..It is his best offensive line and they are not playing together.

Haven’t we learned that “spreading the wealth” doesn’t work?

My hockey team is better than your hockey team

by Predator Don on Nov 28, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Obviously not. I don’t understand it either, but it appears to be the case no matter what the sport. Munchak has done the same thing, playing the vets when it’s apparent that the rookies are better. But when you know what you’re doing is not getting the job done, why can’t you change? Of course, if I knew the answer to that, I would be enlightened and wouldn’t need hockey or football, would I? :p}

"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles

by amyinsparta on Nov 28, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

just noticed something.

has anyone else noticed that Hornqvist is on a 7 game pointless streak? and that it follows a 7 game point streak, which followed a 7 game pointless streak to start the season. I am now very interested to see if he registers a point tonight.

Keys to the game: GA<GF

by flyalder on Nov 28, 2011 2:19 PM EST reply actions

Lucky 7's?

by IG-PRED8 on Nov 28, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Lucky-unlucky-lucky-unl….well, let’s just leave it there, shall we?

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

by CAustin on Nov 28, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

scott walker

could he possibly be in the ads future plans now? does the muller move cause the preds to look for a closer distance farm team? how would our prospects be affected if a change is made to a new farm team?

by predwheels on Nov 28, 2011 4:23 PM EST reply actions

The move shouldn't affect the Nashville/Milwaukee relationship at all.

AHL coaches, just like (nearly all) players, are hired, paid, guided, and fired by the parent club. The Milwaukee ownership group runs the building, ticketing and various off-ice stuff, but hockey operations are strictly the Preds’ responsibility.

Poile and Trotz gave Muller permission to run his own on-ice system. Don’t confuse that for the Milwaukee ownership making any hockey decisions of its own. Any possible realignment of the Preds/Ads relationship would be based on other factors.

That Hokie freshman in the Greensboro Coliseum rafters didn't see any of this coming.

by JoshCVT on Nov 28, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

I hate the Muller is gone

I really looked forward to his mentoring the Ads and possibly moving up to the Nashville club eventually. I mean, I know he is a qaulity guy, but I thought we could have him at least a year…

by darth5 on Nov 28, 2011 4:47 PM EST reply actions

I’m pissed that Poile got zero, zip zilch nada from Carolina wrt compensation … terrible job Poile

by Dave_is_a_killer on Nov 28, 2011 5:43 PM EST reply actions

You can't get compensation for a coaching move

This was discussed when Ken Hitchcock was hired by St. Louis (while still under contract to Columbus). I can’t remember which reporter was tweeting about it, but he mentioned that the NHL changed the rules on that several years back.

Follow @Forechecker

by Dirk Hoag on Nov 28, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions