Coyotes’ Tippett controls own destiny

Phoenix Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett will become a free agent July 1 if he doesn't sign a contract extension beforehand. (AP)

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COYOTES’ TIPPETT CONTROLS OWN DESTINY

The Arizona Republic asserts the real priority right now for the Phoenix Coyotes is coach Dave Tippett, who is approximately a month away from having his contract expire.

“Let’s face it: He’s a terrific coach in a great position to decide where he wants to coach next year,” general manager Don Maloney said. “His contract is up, so we have to work and see if we can come to some understanding that makes him confident enough to sign here with us, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”

Negotiations between Tippett and Maloney already have begun. Both are expected to reconvene later in the week.

“We’ve met now a number of times,” Maloney said. “I think we’re fairly close on the actual dollars and cents of it, per se. It’s just he has to be comfortable with our situation, where I basically jumped in with a leap of faith. I think he just wants to be a little more cautious.”

Since Tippett is still property of the Coyotes until July 1, other teams have to seek permission from team brass to talk to him. Teams have asked Maloney for that permission, but he has denied all requests. Maloney declined to say how many teams have asked to speak with Tippett.

MARLIES’ RIELLY TOUTS EAKINS’ NHL READINESS

The Vancouver Sun details how Leaf prospect Morgan Rielly enjoyed his stint with the Marlies and gave head coach Dallas Eakins, who has been linked in reports to the Canucks’ coaching vacancy, a hearty endorsement.

“It seems to me he’s prepared to be a coach at the next level,” said Rielly, the 19-year-old West Vancouver native. “In terms of how he was during games, he was always in control of himself. He would never jump the gun to hit the panic button. In terms of preparing us for games, I think he did a really good job. He was always sure the players were on the same page. He was always prepared.”

He also noted: “Dallas was always extremely open with me. He told me ‘you’re here to play and get better’ and he made me feel comfortable right from Day One. That helped me a lot in terms of playing the game there. I had a great time playing for the Marlies and I had a great experience under Dallas.”

PENS’ CROSBY LAUDS BRUINS’ BERGERON

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review projects that Sidney Crosby figures to see Boston’s Patrice Bergeron almost every time he touches the ice. Crosby compares Bergeron to Detroit’s star two-way centers, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, both of whom he holds in high regard.

“He’s right up there,” Crosby said. “He’s just so aware out there. There isn’t anything he doesn’t do well.”

Bergeron is the biggest reason Crosby struggles in the faceoff circle against Boston.

“He’s just so, so strong,” Crosby said. “It’s usually strong side against strong side (Crosby’s left circle, Bergeron’s right) when we’re taking a faceoff together. He takes a lot of pride in it. When you’re playing against someone who competes that hard to win every faceoff, you need some help from your teammates, too. Hopefully you win some clean, but you know you might not.”

He added: “Nothing is easy against him.”

BRUINS’ JAGR: SAVOR THE MOMENT

Ahead of the Conference Finals match-up between his current team, the Boston Bruins, and former longtime team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, CSNNE.com illustrates Jaromir Jagr’s excitement.

“There are only four teams left, and that’s pretty exciting,” said Jagr, who has four assists in 12 playoff games and went scoreless in five games against the Rangers in the second round. “I don’t even remember the last time I was in this position. It was probably 1996 or 1997, so it doesn’t happen very often.

“The players should realize that it’s not automatic to be in the playoffs, and it’s not an automatic to be one of the last four teams playing for the Cup. If you love something then you want to be with it all the time. I love this game. As long as I can play it, I want to play.”

MORROW CITES JAGR’S EXCITEMENT LEVEL

The Dallas Morning News believes that while some speculate what drives Jaromir Jagr at this age to chase the Stanley Cup, there’s someone on the other side of the ice who knows. Brenden Morrow and Jagr played together this season in Dallas before each was traded to his current playoff team.

“He’s still just as excited as any 18-year-old in the locker room,” Morrow said. “His skills are still there. His big body’s tough to move when he’s planted and has possession of the puck. He played real well for us in Dallas, scored some big goals.

“He’s a threat every time he’s on the ice.”

FLYERS TARGET AUSTRIAN WINGER RAFFL

CSNPhilly.com relays that pro scout Dave Brown said on Tuesday that he feels the Flyers have the inside track on landing 24-year-old Austrian left winger Michael Raffl, but admits they are competing against other NHL clubs.

Swedish newspaper Dalarnas Tidningar, which broke the story, said the Flyers’ top competition is Nashville.

“We were watching a bunch of guys over there,” Brown said of the recent World Championships excursion. “Raffl is probably a third line player and would need an adjustment period which is the way it is for a lot of guys over there.”

Brown said Raffl’s game “has some bite” to it.

“You have to almost project how are they going to play in North America and will they compete physically or not,” said Brown. “He showed it. Somebody gives him a push and gives them a crosscheck back … For me, really, are they competitive? You want to see if a guy gives him a shot he’ll do it back.”

DRAFT PROSPECT NICHUSHKIN READY FOR NORTH AMERICA

The Tampa Bay Times describes a story on the rsport.ru web site that quoted Valeri Nichushkin as saying he is ready to play in North America. That likely was of great significance to the Lightning, which it is believed to have a keen interest in perhaps drafting the talented 18-year-old Russian with the No. 3 overall pick of the June 30 draft. In fact, Nichishkin told the web site Tampa Bay and the Predators, with the No. 4 overall pick, have shown interest.

The unknown — and this is what the Lightning will try to find out at this week’s combine — is what happens if Nichushkin does not make an NHL team out of training camp. There was this quote in the rsport story about the player’s relationship with Moscow Dynamo: “We agreed they would let me go,” Nichushkin said, “but if something across the ocean goes wrong I’ll come straight back.”

WHAT THEY’RE TWEETING ABOUT

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