On the coaching, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Have to think there could be some coaching changes from teams who will likely miss the playoffs – Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Willie Desjardins in Vancouver likely won’t be back. Dave Tippet in Arizona also has a role in player decisions as well and they haven’t looked good. Lindy Ruff in Dallas isn’t under contract next year. The Stars goaltending hasn’t been good, but they could use a fresh voice.
The Devils haven’t looked good under John Hynes. Tom Rowe hasn’t turned the Panthers around after firing Gerard Gallant. The Jets won’t fire Paul Maurice, but they should be looking for a change.
If there were 10 to 12 interested in Radim Vrbata, how did the Coyotes not trade him? They said they have to keep some players.
“You’re a seller, you go get assets and you play some young guys,” said a league executive. “They’ve been in the tank in the four months and they don’t trade one of their rentals What’s going on there?”
Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray was working the phones before the trade deadline but wasn’t able to do much. Not a lot of teams were interested in defenseman Cody Franson, and no one wanted to take a chance on defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and his injury.
The Sabres will likely revisit Evander Kane trade talk in the offseason. He’ll be a UFA after next season. There was some interest in Kane at the deadline, but he’s more of an offseason move.
There is the belief that Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic isn’t going anywhere. It’s doubtful they fire him. They will try to move Matt Duchene again in the offseason. It won’t be a quick fix in Colorado.
If the LA Kings miss the playoffs, you have to wonder about the future of GM Dean Lombardi. He could be moved upstairs with either Mike Futa or Rob Blake taking over as GM.
