On the Edmonton Oilers …
Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli said last night that he has no intentions of making a coaching change.
“I have no intentions of firing Todd (McLellan). I want to work with the coach, and I think he’s a very good coach,” Chiarelli said over the phone from Nashville. “As far as Todd goes, and (his staff), I am not considering firing them. At this point we’re going to solve it together.”
Chiarelli adds that everyone is under evaluation, including himself. They have considered bringing in another assistant coach to help out, but that is unlikely to happen. The Oilers would be trading from a position of weakness if they tried to make a big trade.
“I have to have a clear head,” he said. “I have to stick with what we have in place, what we’re trying to do, for more than two months or a (bad season). But, we also owe it to our fans to make sure the team is in a position (to win), whenever that time is. I have to look at the bigger picture, but having said that, that bigger picture includes the coaching staff, the players …”
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin met with the media yesterday, talking about the state of the Canadiens. Bergevin said the blame starts with him.
Bergevin admits that Jonathan Drouin is better off playing on the wing.
“We’re not throwing in the towel,” he said. “We’ve put ourselves in a very difficult situation, but I’m going to fight and I expect the same thing from .”
Montreal Canadiens: Bergevin: “I believe is possible, but a lot of things have to change. There are times where I’ve seen them capable of doing it.”
John Lu: Bergevin on the significant amount of salary cap space they have: “In the short term solution, there’s no one that I’m aware of that can turn this thing around.”
John Lu: Bergevin on if they become sellers, moving veteran contracts at the trade deadline: “If I think it’s worth it for the future I will consider it.”
Montreal Canadiens: Bergevin on Victor Mete: “From what I’ve seen of Victor Mete in Buffalo, because I was there, he’s a young player, and he can help us. He’ll probably be here for the rest of the season.”
