Red Wings GM Ken Holland’s media availability after Mike Babcock signed with the Maple Leafs.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Jeff Blashill will likely be the next head coach of the Red Wings. GM Ken Holland said his search will start with Blashill, who is still leading the AHL Grand Rapid Griffins.
“I know you guys would like me to announce he’s the new coach, but I think there’s a process,” Holland said Wednesday as he addressed the media in the Red Wings’ locker room.
Five teams asked the Red Wings for permission last summer to speak with Blashill. Holland told Blashill that he could talk with them or have his salary doubled to remain with the organization for at least one more year.
- Ken Campbell: Trustworthy source said it’s “close to 100%” that Blashill will be named the next head coach of the Red Wings soon. No search.
- Darren Dreger: Randy Carlyle spoke with the Sharks earlier this week. Adam Oates spoke with Sharks GM Doug Wilson yesterday.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins will be looking for draft pick compensation from the Oilers for signing Peter Chiarelli.
“We are . They have a choice to give us over the next three years,” confirmed Neely.
The CBA says that executives moving in-season is suppose to be a 2nd round pick. The Oilers are unlikely to give up their 33rd overall pick or their 57th that they received from the Jeff Petry trade this year.
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Devils GM Ray Shero has reportedly interviewed Guy Boucher. TVA’s Louis Jean said talks were preliminary. Boucher is coaching in the Swiss National league. The Leafs were said to have offered Boucher an assisting coaching position, but he turned it down as he wants to return to the NHL as a head coach. John Hynes (Penguins AHL head coach) has also been mentioned as a candidate.
- Adrian Dater: Adam Foote doesn’t want to be a bench coach just yet. The Avalanche are looking for one to run their defense.
- David Pollak: Two potential Sharks coaching candidates: Kevin Dineen (CHI) and Trent Yawney (ANA).
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Adam Oates and Scott Stevens have spoken with Devils GM Ray Shero, and also have permission to speak with other teams.
“We’ve agreed to keep in touch, and same with Scott Stevens, in terms of I just need time to sort through and get this process under way,” Shero told The Bergen Record. “But, it was important for me to talk to those two first before anybody, No. 1, because they’re here, they coached the team. That was important and that was the first thing. Then, from there, as I told them, it’s going to take some time for me to go through this process. I don’t know (how long) that’s going to be, but they’ll be in the loop.
“If someone is going in a different direction, then we’ll we be in touch on both sides.”
Todd Reirden and John Hynes are candidates for the Devils head coaching vacancy. The Sharks are considering Peter DeBoer, Randy Carlyle and Dan Bylsma.