Usually at this level within the hockey calendar, we’re centered on the big-name pending free brokers on the ice. The place are the likes of Steven Stamkos and Elias Lindholm going to finish up come September?
This 12 months, maybe the extra fascinating storylines are brewing off the ice — extra particularly, behind the bench.
There have been a whopping 10 coaches that misplaced their positions this season in Edmonton, Minnesota, St. Louis, Ottawa, Los Angeles, Buffalo, San Jose, Seattle, New York and New Jersey. Of these groups, the Sharks, Senators, Kings, Kraken and Devils have spots to completely fill whereas large names like Craig Berube, Dean Evason and Todd McLellan are on the hunt for a brand new touchdown spot.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday’s 32 Ideas Podcast that McLellan specifically is sparking curiosity amongst some groups nonetheless trying to find a everlasting bench boss.
“I’ve heard McLellan has spoken to 4 groups, and my guess on that record is New Jersey, Ottawa, St. Louis and Seattle.”
McLellan was let go amidst a Kings’ downturn that threatened their playoff place and was changed by interim head coach Jim Hiller. In his 4 full years with the Kings, McLellan led their staff to back-to-back playoff appearances and had a win proportion of .385
Berube, one more coach fired amidst his staff’s lacklustre begin, has been drawing some consideration across the league, and Friedman believes his subsequent gig could come sooner slightly than later.
“I nonetheless surprise if he’s a man who somebody jumps at and makes a suggestion — anybody who’s not presently in however is likely to be interested by it, particularly based mostly off playoff outcomes — can’t take part. I’ve had individuals inform me, ‘You’ve obtained to maintain on that one, as a result of it’s going to come back in the end.’”
Friedman names Ottawa and New Jersey, non-playoff groups trying to find their subsequent coach, as potential suitors, however does surprise if different groups will reveal themselves as events for the Stanley Cup Champion.
Complicating these searches are the conditions brewing with Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour, Winnipeg’s Rick Bowness and Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan. Whereas Friedman believes that the Hurricanes’ entrance workplace is able to nip all rumours within the bud with an official extension for his or her Jack Adams Trophy-winning head coach, the trail forward isn’t as clear for Bowness and Sullivan.
“Rick Bowness stated on Thursday that he was going to fulfill with the Jets on Friday. They’ve a staff choice, however I believe we’re going to know sooner slightly than later,” Friedman reported on the Jets’ head coach. “As we’ve stated, actually robust 12 months on the Bowness household, and I don’t suppose anybody would maintain it towards him if he simply stated, ‘It’s time.’”
Friedman additionally posits that if Bowness does select to depart, Scott Arniel, who took over for Bowness throughout an prolonged absence as a result of a household emergency, may very well be a candidate to interchange him.
Bowness simply capped his personal Jack Adams Trophy-calibre season, main the Jets to second within the Central Division earlier than their five-game exit to the Colorado Avalanche. He was away from the staff for a couple of month after his spouse suffered a stroke.
In Pittsburgh, Sullivan’s state of affairs is exclusive and ongoing.
Although Friedman believes that Sullivan and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas aren’t going to half methods, he does observe that there are some challenges.
“There’s been quite a lot of rumours about assistants, and I believe that’s probably a problem,” Friedman reported. “Look, Sullivan has had quite a lot of energy within the group. His contract dictates it, the very fact he was given an extension with possession dictates it. Now you get Dubas coming in, he’s obtained an enormous contract too, he’s obtained quite a lot of energy. I do suppose these guys, at occasions… Sullivan desires it a sure means, Dubas desires it a sure means… I do suppose you’ve obtained to determine how that is going to work.”
An fascinating addendum to Friedman’s report is the information that the Penguins fired assistant coach Todd Reirden on Friday, reportedly inflicting some friction between Dubas and Sullivan.
With many teaching vacancies left to fill, Sullivan’s future with the Penguins is probably going prime of thoughts for common managers on the hunt for a contemporary voice within the room.
