Elliott Friedman on SportsNet saying that barring a major breakdown, Todd McLellan will be the next head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
Kevin Allen of USA Today: Most desirable coaching vacancies:
1. Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid and the young forwards they already have in place. Defense and goaltending need to be addressed.
2. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Eichel and the young group they already have in place – Sam Reinhart, Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov.
3. Philadelphia Flyers: Up front they have Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. The best years for Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn are ahead of them. Their blueline needs work and Steve Mason has mixed reviews.
4. New Jersey Devils: Play strong defense and have Cory Schneider in goal. Struggle putting the puck in the next.
5. San Jose Sharks: Have some proven talent up front but have seemed like a dysfunctional family the past few seasons. Blueline could use some help.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs: Need a tear down before the rebuilding can truly begin. Could trade Phil Kessel or Dion Phaneuf, and they could again be one of the worst teams again next season. Don’t currently have a GM. Lots of pressure in Toronto and it could be three or four years before they are able to contend.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Teams are lining up to speak with Mike Babcock, and Ken Hitchcock is still deciding/waiting on his future.
“Amazing,” said a long-time NHL general manager, who didn’t want his name involved. “You have one coach with one playoff series win in four years that everybody wants to hire, and one coach with exactly the same record, one playoff win in four years, that everybody wants to fire.”
Both Babcock and Hitchcock have won a Stanley Cup. Babcock has won two Olympic gold medals – Hitchcock was an associate coach on both those teams. Hitchcock has only won 10 of his game 27 playoff games. Babcock has only won 12 of his past 31 playoff games.
There are currently six head coaching vacancies, possibly up to nine if changes are made in Boston, St. Louis and Detroit.
