Gretzky set to coach the Coyotes

[Arles]

As a Coyotes fan, this is great news for the franchise:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2128012

PHOENIX -- Wayne Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer, will be the new coach of the Phoenix Coyotes, The Arizona Republic reported on its Web site and ESPN confirmed Sunday.

Gretzky, the team's managing partner, is expected to be introduced as coach Monday.

There had been speculation for several months that Gretzky would move from the Coyotes' front office to their bench. But the nine-time MVP had said he would wait until a new collective bargaining agreement was in place before deciding whether to coach.

ESPN also confirmed former Detroit assistant coach Barry Smith will be one of Gretzky's assistants along with former Coyotes player Rick Tocchet and interim head coach Rick Bowness.

Gretzky, who is in the final year of a five-year contract with the club, is a longtime friend of Coyotes general manager Mike Barnett. Barnett said the day after the new NHL collective bargaining agreement was reached last month that Gretzky was very interested in the position.

Barnett, Gretzky's former agent, said the decision would rest with the hockey great and his family, who currently live in Los Angeles.

Gretzky retired in 1999 after 20 seasons in the NHL. "The Great One" helped the Edmonton Oilers win four Stanley Cups, and is the NHL's all-time leading goal, assist and point producer in the regular season and playoffs.

Gretzky has already committed to serve as executive director for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Turin in February.

The Coyotes have a new $220 million arena, which they have yet to play a full season in. They moved to the Glendale Arena in December 2003, but they didn't get the opportunity to open a season there before the lockout began.

[Johnny93g]

the coyotes have fans now?

[klayman]

Originally Posted by Arles

As a Coyotes fan, this is great news for the franchise:

This is good news because if there is one thing Wayne Gretzky has proven, it is that he's a top level coach who is deserving of a NHL head coaching job. I mean all those awards and victories as a Head Coach in the minor leagues and international levels, and years as an able assistant learning from other head coaches, is there really anybody who is more qualified then him? I think not. Good news indeed.

er...wait a minute.

[Cringer]

Arles, hope he turns out to be a better coach then Bart Starr or Forrest Gregg, for your sake.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Arles, hope he turns out to be a better coach then Bart Starr or Forrest Gregg, for your sake.

Hey, come on, that was uncalled far. Sheesh, talk about raining on our parade.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by klayman

This is good news because if there is one thing Wayne Gretzky has proven, it is that he's a top level coach who is deserving of a NHL head coaching job. I mean all those awards and victories as a Head Coach in the minor leagues and international levels, and years as an able assistant learning from other head coaches, is there really anybody who is more qualified then him? I think not. Good news indeed.

er...wait a minute.

Good point. Gretzky may stink and be unable to take the Coyotes deep into the playoffs like all the other coa..

er... wait a minute.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by Arles

Hey, come on, that was uncalled far. Sheesh, talk about raining on our parade.

Well, if you remember or not, I am a Packer fan/shareholder too. So even though I was a little too young during those years it hurt bad enough to read about them.

Just don't want to see the great one bomb....

[Danny]

Not sure about this, I'd rather see Gretzky in a league office position.

[Cringer]

He should be in the movies. Bad ones on late night Cinemax, with lots of T&A

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by Cringer

He should be in the movies. Bad ones on late night Cinemax, with lots of T&A

You want to see Gretzky's T&A? To each his own, I guess.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Apparenty Barry Smith (former assistant with the Wings, the man who brought the left-wing lock over to the US) is joining Gretz.


Also, Dude, there is already a thread for this type of information. Please see http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/foru...ad.php?t=40969.

[Arles]

I figured "the Great One" entering the coaching ranks deserved its own thread. I do agree on the staff though. That's one difference from stars like Magic, Starr and others that have failed. Having the former coach (Bowness), the replacement if Gretz had rejected (Tocchet) and a top assistant from Detroit (Smith) to help him out should really help Wayne. That's a really good staff to start out with.

[timmae]

Originally Posted by Cringer

Arles, hope he turns out to be a better coach then Bart Starr or Forrest Gregg, for your sake.

Gretzky isn't coaching for Edmonton, LA, ST Louis or NY tho... now if Gregg had coached the eagles into the ground well then...

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Apparenty Barry Smith (former assistant with the Wings, the man who brought the left-wing lock over to the US) is joining Gretz.


Also, Dude, there is already a thread for this type of information. Please see http://dynamic.gamespy.com/~fof/foru...ad.php?t=40969.

The same left-wing lock that was destroyed in the finals in 95 by New Jersey.

Seriously, I have always liked Smith. I hope he gets a better chance than his new job.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Cringer

He should be in the movies. Bad ones on late night Cinemax, with lots of T&A

Like Rowdy Roddy Piper?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by dangarion

Like Rowdy Roddy Piper?

But, really, who doesn't like movies where you find a box of magic sunglasses that allow you to see aliens and has a really long and somewhat lame fight scene?

SI