Whalers legend Kevin Dineen to be named Florida Panthers coach
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 4:49 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers News & Analysis
Email
Print
Reports via Twitter are beginning to circulate that Cats GM Dale Tallon will announce the naming of Portland Pirates bench boss Kevin Dineen as the 11th head coach of the Florida Panthers on Wednesday at 3pm.
This is a terrific hire for Tallon, as Dineen, 47, has been a spectacularly successful coach at the AHL level, widely viewed as among those ready to make the jump to the National Hockey League.
I personally watched this guy for many years in Hartford, and few could match his professionalism, character, or will to win. Ron Francis may have been the heart of that club, but Dineen was its spirit in every sense; my use of the word "legend" was not in error.
A perfect fit with the direction Florida is headed.
84 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Is Donny going to buy a number 11 Whalers jersey?
Or do you already own one?
by Alexander Calloway on May 31, 2011 4:52 PM EDT reply actions
Might have to now. Only have a #16 Turgeon (from ‘86) and #1 Burke (’94).
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
So for the young guys who weren’t alive at the time of this guy playing (me as one), can anyone explain a little bit about this guy? Does he coach offensively or defensively?
- Go Panthers -
Not familiar with his coaching style (guessing it’s offense-based, knowing him), but it obviously gels with what Tallon is trying to do.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Whatever the case, he’s earned rave reviews.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions
This is awesome!!! He doesn’t have NHL experience but he has a whole lot more than Petey had to offer!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions
I’m not sure what Dineen has to offer so I’m withholding my opinion for now until I learn more, but lets not throw DeBoer under the bus. He did the absolute best with what he had and motivated the young players very well. I guess I’m in the minority thinking he should have not have taken the fall, but I’m far from upset about it. Taking a wait and see
by HockeyKnight on May 31, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions
DeBoer was/is a great coach and did a lot with the very little he was given here. His style was “DeBoring” mostly because this team lacks the bonafide all-star players many contenders have. Try making a run-and-gun offensive team with the 2010 roster and the results would’ve been worse than they actually turned out to be.
I respected Pete as a coach and will always consider him as one of the better coaches the Cats had in the last decade.
Why is it reading “11th head coach” makes me think of Dr. Who. Just my brain working in weird ways.
The 11th form of “the coach” will be Kevin Dineen, although he’s different, it will be the same antics as the previous ten coaches. Join us in 2011-2012 for all of the adventures of 11th “coach” in “Coach Who?”
He had been in the league for over 15 years at that point.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Yet another Ottawa Senator working for the Panthers
Well at least it isn’t Clouston
by Alexander Calloway on May 31, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Amen!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Why? Doesn’t he want to be part of the next season or are you suggesting that he will not get along with Mr. Dineen?
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...
I think he’s suggesting that Vokoun will be much more likely to resign now that we have a legit coach
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Great profile on Kevin from Blue Jackets Xtra (from about a year ago)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Via PD, btw (who has a nice little story up as well)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow.. “Inspiration and Intelligence”
Those are two words I would not have used on the past few coaches we’ve had.
Add to it, Donny mentioned, professionalism, character and will to win. Sounds like a “winner, winner, chicken dinner” -RM, to me.
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...
+∞. I am very pleased with the hire of Dineen. I should say this as someone who believes Deboer was a great coach too, but he wasn’t right for this team right now.
by panthersfan27 on May 31, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
OnFrozenPond George Richards
In other #FlaPanthers news, the old red jersey becomes primary home sweater this season…will be unveiled at draft
Best. Day. Ever.
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
that means that last year’s home is completely gone. which sucks cause it’s 10 times better than kitty baby blue
Nows your chance to buy the best jersey ever Eli! Quick, before its too late!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
As I will be as long as Kulikov is here.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
As will I when Dvorak resigns this summer
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Assuming he’s saying the “old red” color is returning, not the old sweater (which wouldn’t translate well to the RBK threads, me guesses.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Rumor I heard was this year’s home with the blue replaced by red, but I can’t imagine they won’t have done a few things with it. Like getting rid of that yellow piping on the front.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Precisely what I hope it is.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
3 weeks!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
“This has been a very hard-nosed team (under Dineen),” said Paul Betit, who covers the team for the Portland (Maine) Press Herald. "They don’t have an enforcer, but there’s a physical style that he tries to assert. They go after the puck, they play with speed and they don’t back down or get outworked.
Love it. More please.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
A signal to RFAs and UFAs
It is odd that they announced this signing during Stanley Cup Finals week and NBA Finals week. I think that this was a sign to some holdouts on RFA and UFAs that things have changed in Sunrise for the better.
The players now have a coach with more playoff games than the Panthers ever had in their franchise history. They have a coach that knows how to win in the NHL Playoffs as a player. I think the players will have a lot of respect for DIneen before even coming to camp. Great hire and the Red is great. I dont think the Rock the Red slogan for the Caps works for FLorida though. Perha[ps, welcome to prowl country? Red Country does not sound right. I’m sure YORMUCK and Co. will think of something.
Gotta think that the Panthers are on the upswing finally. All we need now is for the NBA ans NFL to lockout for the season, and all major FLA networks will be forced to cover hockey, and they need to win!
^YES
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting only to me:
Hartford’s top 3 scorers from 1988-1991…
Ronny Francis (CAR – associate coach, dir of player personnel)
Pat Verbeek (TBL – Dir of pro scouting)
Kevin Dineen (FLA – our boy)
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
To those who claimed this hiring will be a huge positive for the club re: UFAs...
…A brilliant assumption. Changes the entire equation.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
I don’t know—he’s an AHL bench boss who’s bringing a tried and true formula to the Panthers, don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to the hire one bit, I just don’t know if he’s a major draw for potential UFA’s the way say a Boucher is.
by Craig Fischer on Jun 1, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s a huge step up from the drawing power of DeBoer.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 1, 2011 10:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
For fun, check out Dineen scoring the final goal in Whalers history; the play is unremarkable, but the commentary says a lot.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
I can tell that you’re enjoying this hiring at it’s fullest, Donny!
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 31, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll be honest…it’s very strange that this news hits on the same day a team is sold for relocation. Bittersweet indeed, but my heart still goes out to those in ATL who have kept the faith in an (ultimately) unwinnable situation.
But yeah, I’m really stoked FLA chose Kevin.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure both are the result of the long weekend. The Panthers have wanted to get their news out as soon as they had some and with game 1 of the final tomorrow, I can understand them not wanting to wait until Thursday.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
You got a point there. They should’ve had the Press Conference for Kevin Dineen today then if they wanted to avoid all of the Game 1 media troubles.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 31, 2011 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Likely didn’t want to conflict with the ATL/WPG thing. Reasonable.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Always gotta think about those Thrasher fans indeed, they never had a huge crop of fans, but just like with the Panthers, they have a group of core fans that you just have to feel bad for.
Weird thing is, with the Panthers, it’s really odd that all of this news hit in one day rather than over the week. In one day we had learned about:
-Winnipeg Thrashers
-Skille and Derlyuk signings.
-New coach change.
-Bringing back the Red jerseys for next season.
Quite interesting that they chose today of all days to break out all of the news.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 31, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m stoked for this. I keep seeing his name everywhere with rave reviews. Another, for anyone who missed the NHL.com article Chris linked a few days ago:
Kevin Dineen — In six seasons as coach of AHL Portland, he’s led the Pirates to two division titles, two conference finals and won a coach of the year award. He’s also credited with helping develop a number of key players currently with the Pirates’ parent club, the Buffalo Sabres. His teams have won 45 games four times. He’s considered by some to be the top NHL coaching candidate working in the AHL, and it’s likely his name will be associated with all five openings.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Quick question: The Sabres are going to affiliate with the Rochester Americans, meaning all the players would move to ROC. Was Dineen going with them or what?
It would be the ultimate kick in the teeth for the Rochester Crybabies if we just stole their future coach!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 8:36 PM EDT reply actions
If he didn’t land an NHL gig, probably, as he was a Sabres employee.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
HAHAHA!!!!! That is soooooo awesome! First ROC opts out of the 2nd best prospect pool now we stole their coach!
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember Chris....
Roc did not screw up the Panthers ….The Panthers screwed up a really good AHL team with a long record of winning…They’re not the crybabies……..they just want a decent organization as their affiliate and we weren’t decent or organized……..
Oh I know ROC didn’t screw up the Panthers, Keenan and (he who shall not be named) screwed up FLA and everything else. But I still love that we stole their prospective coach.
The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall
by Chris S Roberts on May 31, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not like it’s the sole fault of the Panthers. The losing started when the Sabres were still there and they mostly left because of the franchise’s instability.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
The affiliation change you referred to is not by any means a done deal, even if Pegula buys the Amerks. Lots of hoops to traverse.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Can anyone explain why Wilson and another prospect would become UFA’s if they’re not signed by tonight? I’ve been hearing that from different people, not sure if it’s true though.
- Go Panthers -
If a player – outside of a college program – goes unsigned two years after he was drafted he is eligible for the current year’s draft.
Wilson was drafted in 2009, meaning expect an announcement on his being signed by the club very soon.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So he can be an UFA if not signed by 12AM tonight?
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 31, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Wasn’t aware that was the deadline, but essentially yes.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on May 31, 2011 9:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, forgot where I saw that, but hopefully Tallon will get workin to get them signed.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on May 31, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Outsider
looking in here.
I think the Panthers are going to benefit great from Dineen’s two approach and the Panthers have a good nucleus of rising players.
Should be interesting to see what they do with their first round pick, third overall.
I think a bigger Stephen Weiss type player would be a good move, say Sean Couturier.
I’m beginning to wonder whether Weiss fits the mold here any longer. He’s not terribly big, nor physical; two traits the Tallonistas hold in very high regard.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 2, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't wish to over-do this, but...
…Dineen went 266-155-59 with the AHL team in Portland, the best mark of any coach in that club’s history.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Ah, optimism. I’d forgotten what this was like since November or so.
New coach!
New jerseys!
Not moving to Winnipeg! (Sorry, ATL)
High draft pick!
Lots of cap space!
Prospects ready to fight for a job!
I’d say “wake me in October” but there’s no way I could sleep through the summer of high hopes.
The offseason is the best part of being a Panthers fan.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
I’d like to be reserved until I listen to the press conference, but while I was hoping we’d get a “Boucher” type coach—someone that was bringing something that no other team or coach could quite put a finger on, I think at the very least Dineen fits the “blueprint” and at least they are being consistent.
Any word on the assistants, if they'll change as well?
Special Agent 00Zero
Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Team: 12th Legion
Murphy likely stays; imagine Dino brings in his own guy for offense. No idea as to Tallas’ status.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 1, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's hope he brings in someone who can give the PP some fangs
Special Agent 00Zero
Hockey Wilderness Fantasy Team: 12th Legion
+1. I really hope that he brings in someone who can be half as good as Gord Murphy.
by panthersfan27 on Jun 1, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Congrats Kevin 11!!!
Hello from Connecticut, I was really happy to hear that Dineen made it to the NHL as a coach. I remember watching him play, and he was a blue-collar type of player who always gave 100%. There were players who had more skills, but no one ever worked harder.
I don’t know much about his coaching style, but he has won in Portland, and he’s definitely a class act. I wish him all the best.
You folks in Florida are lucky to have him.
Indeed we are lucky to have him; stars aligned in our favor.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 1, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Bummer...
As a lifelong Sabre sufferer, um, follower, I was disgustipated to see Dineen go.
I know well the “grass is greener” syndrome, but D is the guy credited for developing Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Ennis and now Luke Adam into AHL r-o-y winners in 3 straight years. Lindy Ruff is NOT known for getting players to the next level in that manner at all. (Dont ask about developing a backup goalie or the power play….ugh.)
So who do we keep? Riiiiiight.
Maybe the second decade will prove the charm , but Einstein’s definition of insanity is being proven empirically by Lindy , and Darcy Fudd the GM.
Said another way, what do (drumroll) Ken Hitchcock…
Larry Robinson…
Bob Hartley…
Pat Burns…
John Tortorella…
AND Peter Laviolette have in common?
ALL of them were hired after Lindy was in Buffalo, all have won Cups since AND been fired when the team fortunes took a nosedive….while Lindy remains. NHL tenure?
And if you suggest letting him go, the usual suspects reply “If we fire him, he’d have a job again in ten minutes!”
Like it matters? Improve the team and let him take his shopworn system elsewhere.
Very interesting – and intriguing – post, Boonies.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Jun 1, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Litter Box Cats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
