According to reports today from Radio Canada Sports and Le Journal de Montreal, Bryan Murray and Craig Hartsburg are being replaced by Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson and Canada’s WJC Coach Pat Quinn.

http://www.radio-canada.ca/sports/hockey/2009/01/07/001-sensCoach.shtml?ref=rss

Given owner Eugene Melnyk’s highly visible socializing with Quinn before, and both of them during, the WJC, the rumour and report have credibility. This would indicate Melnyk wants to appease the fanbase, and that he concedes a rebuild is necessary.

Posted by davetherave from Ottawa, Canada on 01/07/09 at 11:16 AM ET

I am waiting for more authoritative sources before I rush into that.

While some might suggest that Quinn brings experience that Hartsburg lacks, it’s the exact opposite switch should Murray be removed for potential-NHL-freshman Bob Nicholson.

Posted by SENShobo from Waterloo, ON on 01/07/09 at 11:23 AM ET

My question is, if a guy’s got your arms blocked, backing you into the boards, and perhaps ramming a big, hard thumb in your mouth, what is the League-advised protocol?

I think the league’s policy is somewhere between, “don’t bite other players” and “Jesus Christ, don’t bite another player”.

Sources inside the league office suggest the following will be added to their pre-season rules presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJCh6dB439k

Posted by shanetx on 01/07/09 at 11:33 AM ET

In other news, it’s snowing really hard in Ottawa with no signs of letting up. I hope that Alfredsson doesn’t put his back out trying to clear Donovan’s rink. Also if he chooses to use a snow blower he should keep his hands away from any moving parts, we definitely don’t need a Sakic incident.

I’ll admit that all this losing makes it pretty difficult to defend continuing on this path for much longer, but I’m just worried that the rapid turn over in the Ottawa organization is making it look more dysfunctional than the Islanders.

Posted by His Dudeness on 01/07/09 at 11:58 AM ET

You know what?  If there’s an unwritten rule, as they say in the ESPN clip, to not bite someone, shouldn’t there be another unwritten rule that says don’t jam your fingers in another guy’s mouth?

I’m sorry, but if some *#$%@& puts his fingers or thumb in my mouth (hell, bare finger is bad enough, but a sweat-drenched, gloved finger is even worse!), I’ve gotta say, the immediate reaction is going to be to chomp down on it.

If there’s a hearing, it should include someone slapping Peters in the face for shoving his hand in Ruutu’s mouth.

Posted by Garth on 01/07/09 at 12:21 PM ET

If there’s an unwritten rule, as they say in the ESPN clip, to not bite someone, shouldn’t there be another unwritten rule that says don’t jam your fingers in another guy’s mouth?

I think both are kinda amongst the basic “unwritten rules” of society.

As always, the guy who retaliates is who gets caught red handed (okay, so maybe not in the literal sense in this case).

Posted by shanetx on 01/07/09 at 02:28 PM ET