Martin plans to return to Panthers as GM
MIAMI -- Jacques Martin will return as the Florida Panthers' general manager.
Another bad move
Nice job by the Florida Panthers to further deepen their hold on "worst-run franchise" in the NHL honors. Jacques Martin, a coach who failed to get the Senators beyond a conference final during his nine years in Ottawa and failed to get the Panthers into the playoffs for three straight seasons, is out as coach.
But Martin will remain as GM, a post where he has accomplished little and has almost nothing on his résumé to suggest he has the tools be a successful NHL GM. Worse for the hapless Panthers, according to TSN analyst Bob McKenzie, Joe Nieuwendyk, the classy longtime NHLer who was acting in an advisory role for the Panthers after he retired, has left the team.
Team officials did not respond to requests for confirmation, but we can only assume Nieuwendyk believed the team is headed nowhere fast, which has pretty much been its destination for more than a decade.
So, assuming Martin remains as GM, who does he hire to replace himself as coach? Interesting question.
What about Pat Quinn, who gave Martin a job as assistant coach on the Canada's Olympic and World Cup of Hockey teams? Quinn also schooled Martin four straight times in the playoffs, when Quinn was coach in Toronto. There's also Bob Hartley, a veteran of the Southeast Division and former Stanley Cup winner who has a long history with Martin. And, of course, there's Pat Burns, who has recently resurfaced and will be an assistant to Ken Hitchcock for Canada's entry at the World Championships in Quebec City and Halifax in May.
-- Scott Burnside
Martin, who was stripped of his coaching duties last week, said Tuesday he will accept the offer team owner Alan Cohen made to remain with the Panthers and focus on front office duties.
"I've talked with the ownership and I'll stay on as the general manager," Martin said when reached by phone in Ottawa. "It's an opportunity to continue the work I've started as general manager. I'm happy with and excited about the new challenge."
Martin said it was undoubtedly "too much for one man to do both jobs."
"I've enjoyed coaching but I'm ready to tackle a new challenge," he said.
Team spokesman Justin Copertino said a formal announcement is expected at the end of the week or early next week. Martin expects to sign a contract later this week.
Martin has held both roles since the 2006-07 season. He was one of three NHL coaches to take on dual roles this season. The other two, Ottawa's Bryan Murray and Atlanta's Don Waddell, are also expected to give up one role this offseason.
Cohen's changes come after another failed playoff bid from the Panthers. Florida went 38-35-9 to finish with 85 points, nine behind Southeast Division champion Washington. The team hasn't won a playoff series since 1996 and a playoff game since 1997.
They haven't reached the postseason since 2000.
Martin, who went 110-100-36 as Florida's coach, became Florida's general manager after one season as coach. He took over when Mike Keenan quit, shortly after trading star goaltender Roberto Luongo to Vancouver.
Martin filled that hole last offseason by acquiring All-Star Tomas Vokoun from Nashville but has been criticized for not adding a top scorer.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
