As the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars battled Saturday for the final spot in the Stanley Cup Final, the majority of teams are already looking ahead to next season.
Some teams will have big roster decisions to make, while some still need a general manager. There are also a few teams that are looking for a new head coach.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman joined Ron MacLean during the second intermission of the Golden Knights-Stars game to provide some insight into the NHL’s coaching carousel.
Here’s the latest on a few team’s search for a new bench boss:
The lone Canadian team in need of a new head coach, Friedman believes that the Flames’ search is about to really pick up now after officially hiring Craig Conroy as the team’s new GM earlier this week.
“The Flames, from what I understand are really going to begin their process now,” Friedman said. “They had their scouting meetings last week and they began to reach out to some candidates. For example, I think they did reach out to [Peter] Laviolette, but I think now they are going to get serious.”
In terms of who some other candidates might be outside of Laviolette might be? Friedman believes that the Flames are going to cast a very wide net and give legitimate chances to both internal and external candidates.
“The word is that they do plan on giving legit chances to their three internal candidates,” Friedman explained. “Ryan Huska, Kirk Muller, who I believe has interviewed with a couple of other teams, and also Mitch Love, the two-time AHL coach of the year.
But they are also going to go external as well. I’ve heard there are a lot of names on Calgary’s list.”
Friedman also thinks that many of the Flames’ players who could possibly sign a contract extension won’t really begin with those conversations until the team makes a decision on a head coach.
The Flames fired head coach Darryl Sutter after a disappointing season that saw the team miss the playoffs.
According to Friedman, many around the New York Rangers believe they could be close to hiring Laviolette as their next head coach, and if they do, a decision will be made within the week.
“I think a lot of people are starting to lean Peter Laviolette on this one,” Friedman said. “And if it is, I think we are going to find out this week.”
Laviolette parted ways with the Washington Capitals this off-season after three years with the club.
The Nashville Predators have not parted ways with head coach John Hynes yet, but Friedman believes that the team has also looked elsewhere.
“I do believe the Predators have talked to some other potential coaches,” Friedman stated. “I think some people would like to see Hynes get some clarity her on what his future is, but I think the Predators have looked elsewhere.
Hynes just completed his fourth season with the Predators and currently has one year remaining on his contract.
Washington Capitals
After parting ways with Laviolette, Friedman believes the team has narrowed in on Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Spencer Carbery. But he also believes they have some competition for might his services.
“In Washington, there’s a lot of focus on Spencer Carbery there who of course was the coach of their American League hockey team years ago,” Friedman said. “I think Carbery spoke to four teams this week so I think that situation is going to come to a head.”
Finally in Columbus, Friedman believes the Blue Jackets may have reached out to a familiar name to a lot of NHL fans — Patrick Roy.
“Last night at the Memorial Cup the Quebec Remparts looked really good,” Friedman told MacLean. “And if there is one team that I believe may have reached out to Patrick Roy, I think it might be the Blue Jackets.”
Roy last coached in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche for three seasons from 2013-14 to 2015-16.
