On the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes …
Sportsnet: Speculation regarding coach Joel Quenneville‘s future in Chicago continues according to Nick Kypreos.
“It’s no secret in our industry that Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville don’t have the healthiest of relationships.”
Things between Bowman and Quenneville may have “bottomed out” at the draft last year when the Blackhawks traded Artemi Panarin to the Blue Jackets for deal that included Brandon Saad.
Elliotte Friedman adds that Quenneville has two years and $12 million left on his contract.
If Quenneville is let go and becomes available, it could change the coaching market this offseason.
Friedman notes that Carolina Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters has a year left on his contract, but he does have an out clause. It’s not known at this time if Peters will exercise that option.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on 630 CHED on Friday and he was asked if the Hurricanes could look to trade defenseman Justin Faulk and/or forward Jeff Skinner this offseason.
Friedman notes that it may depend on who the GM is. Both Faulk and Skinner have had their name in the rumor mill and both of their contracts are nearing the end.
“I think that’s going to the question: Does Carolina see value as keeping them as UFAs, or do they go out and say, ‘You know what? This is not something we want to do.’
“So I think it’s going to come down to philosophy. But I do think it’s possible those guys would be available, yes.”
Nichols notes Skinner has a year left on his contract at a $5.725 million cap hit and does have a no-movement clause.
Faulk has two years left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $4.8 million. He doesn’t have any trade protection.