Kings coaching search
John Hoven: Originally the Los Angeles Kings had been looking to hire two assistant coaches but have now changed directions a bit. Marco Sturm will handle both the forwards and power play. They’ll look to add one assistant coach, and it will likely be Trent Yawney.
Dennis Bernstein: Had been hearing the same with regards to Yawney.
Bruins and Johansson haven’t spoken yet
Steve Conroy: The Boston Bruins haven’t had any contract extension talks with pending free agent Marcus Johansson. Johansson said that he has really enjoyed his time in Boston and is interested in seeing what they might have to offer.
Expect a change or two from the Predators
Adam Vingan of The Athletic: The Nashville Predators have just over $7 million in salary cap and are looking to clear some space and makes some trades. They are looking for some scoring help up front.
“There’s going to be some changes (across the league),” Poile said. “There’s going to be some trades. If we can improve our club, I’m all for that. I don’t think that we need to really revamp our whole team or have any type of a rebuild. But I do think that one or two changes might be the right thing to do this year.”
GM David Poile met with center Kyle Turris last week, who struggled in his first full year with the Predators. Turris has five years left on his at a $6 million salary cap hit and has been in the rumor mill.
Pending UFA center Matt Duchene has been linked to the Predators, but he could be looking for $9 million a season.
Poile hasn’t closed the door on re-signing any of their UFAs – Brian Boyle, Wayne Simmonds, Zac Rinaldo and Cody McLeod. Boyle seems the most likely of the four to return.
“I can confirm that we’ve had brief conversations suggesting a mutual interest in the possibility,” Rick Curran, Boyle’s agent, said earlier this week. “Nothing further as of the moment.”
Poile is hopeful to get Roman Josi signed to a contract extension this offseason.