>> Will he make a good NHL coach?  No one really knows, but he can develop
     >> young talent and that is a step in the right direction for the Bruins.
     >
     >But an NHL coach doesn't really do that -- he exploits the strengths of
     >talent that is already established.
 
     Actually, from what I've read and heard, Parker's teaching ability and
     kinship with young players was one of his most attractive qualities to the
     Bruins.  The well-chronicled trade where Oates, Tocchet, and Ranford were
     swapped for Carter, Allison, and Carey made the Bruins jump from the 6th
     oldest team in the league to the 3rd youngest.  With those young guys and
     recent draft picks Kyle McLaren, Cameron Mann, Jonathan Aitken, and Joe
     Thornton (we can hope, anyway), a coach with teaching ability would be
     worlds ahead of a dictator like Mike Keenan in my book.  Rooting for Parker
     rather than against him would take some getting used to (I'm a fan of RPI
     and Maine), but it's a transition I'm looking forward to.
 
     Matt
     RPI '94
 
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