On the Expansion, Relocation and Coaching …
Gary Lawless of TSN: All has been quiet on the NHL expansion front. The executive committee still needs to decide on expansion before it’s presented to the board of governors.
“Nothing new to report. They have not met. They have not reached a decision.”
A decision needs to be made before the start of free agency.
One NHLPA insider said that the Hurricanes relocating to Las Vegas is something to watch. Relocation has been shot down before, but ownership in Carolina wants out and could be asking the NHL to take care of their situation first before expansion.
On rumor on Friday was announcing expansion, but delaying it until 2018-19.
Lawless keeps hearing Kevin Dineen’s name tied to the Flames as head coach.
Lawless thinks that Randy Carlyle could end up coaching the Ducks, and Guy Boucher coaching the Senators.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Ellioitt Teaford of the LA Daily News: LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi said that he has made a “very fair” offer to Darryl Sutter to coach the Kings next season. Lombardi added that money isn’t the issue, but the direction of the team is.
“Darryl has an offer on the table,” Lombardi said. “I think there’s an offer that’s certainly respectable. I don’t think this is about money. It’s, are we ready to do this? That issue of where we’re going and where we are is always out there. It’s a different challenge.
“You want to hear what our game plan is. It’s not different than when I first hired him.”
Lombardi said that they are farther along in contract talks with Milan Lucic than they are with any of their other free agent.
“We’re in uncharted waters,” Lombardi acknowledged. “We know we’re not where we want to be. Now you have to fix it.”