On Saturday during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada Sportsnet hockey insiders Elliotte Friedman, Chris Johnston and Nick Kypreos each reported about some coaching news within the NHL in regards to Alain Vigneualt, the Detroit Red Wings’ Jeff Blashill and Craig Berube with the St. Louis Blues.
Here’s what the three reporters had to say about that trio of bench bosses:
Alain Vigneault
“Alain Vigneault was named head coach of Team Canada for the World Championship and I think you’re gonna start to see his name come up,” Friedman said. “For example, I think if Florida makes a change he could be a guy who’s in the mix there.”
Jeff Blashill
“It seems that there will be some continuity behind the Detroit Red Wings bench in the form of a two-year contract extension for head coach Jeff Blashill, reported this afternoon first by Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,” Johnston said.
Of note, though Blashill’s future appears to be secure, there’s a chance the Red Wings might be looking to make a change in the front office.
“Though you have that continuity behind the bench, as we move towards the off-season I still think there’s some questions about what will happen in the front office,” Johnston continued. “Ken Holland, the long-time general manager, does have a year beyond this one but there’s been speculation there could be a change there. So we’ll have to see where that goes, but Jeff Blashill will be back for the foreseeable future.”
Craig Berube
“We heard earlier from Tampa Bay the announcement of Cooper’s contract extension because they didn’t want it to be a distraction, but that’s not necessarily the case with the Blues and Craig Berube,” said Kypreos. “They met earlier and decided they will not talk contract at all until the end of the season. They don’t think it’s a distraction at all.
“Basically, it’s Berube’s job if he wants it. The only thing is, if he keeps winning, maybe the price of poker goes up.”
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