9:00 AM
- Darren Dreger: Hearing that Willie Desjardins may no longer be a slam dunk in Pittsburgh following their meeting last night. Ulf Samuelsson?
8:40 AM
- Elliotte Friedman: Willie Desjardins interviewed by phone on Wednesday and they are now bringing him in. Darren Dreger: It’s believed that Desjardins has made his way to Pittsburgh. Desjardins is the frontrunner, but the deal still needs to be finalized.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford: “I’ve zeroed in on one guy.” No formal offer has been given, but it could happen in the next few days.
“All eight guys I talked to did a good job” in the interviews, Rutherford said. “There are a few guys that I could have selected, but this one person is a guy with great character and leadership qualities. He’s very well prepared.
“He should be the kind of guy that can do some of the things I talked about : more puck possession going into the offensive zone and making adjustments. It’s something he’s done very well during his coaching career, making adjustments at certain times.”
William DePaoli: The Penguins are preferring to give their new coach a two year deal with an option. Nobody that DePaoli has talked to believes that Desjardins would take the job without having three years guaranteed.
- Luke DeCock: No one may admit it, but to DeCock’s understanding, Bill Peters had offers from the Hurricanes and Penguins, and chose the Hurricanes.
- James Mirtle: It is starting to sound like Willie Desjardins will end up with the Penguins and Dan Bylsma could end up in Florida.
- George Richards: Outside source saying that the Panthers are close to hiring Gerard Gallant, but not done yet. As of last night, Gerard Gallant and Dan Bylsma were still in the hunt.