NHL Rumors I: Coaching Edition – Babcock, Carlyle, Keenan and Stevens
Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: "I wouldn't be surprised if Holland and Babcock make a joint decision on Mike leaving. There is too much respect between the two" ... "Not a lot of love between Babcock and his players. People think there is, but…
NHL Rumors III: Red Wings, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Coyotes
Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said they need a "right-handed shot" to improve their blueline. It will be one of their priorities this offseason, either through free agency or trade. “Right-shot defensemen are at a premium…
NHL Rumors II: Flyers, Avalanche, Maple Leafs and Capitals
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers don't have a lot of cap flexibility and are likely stuck with Scott Hartnell (five years, $4.75 million cap hit remaining) and Vinny Lecavalier's (four years, $4.5 million cap hit remaining) contracts.…
NHL Rumors I: Coaching Edition – Panthers, Hurricanes, Sharks, Leafs and Predators
Josh Rimer: There have been 34 coaching changes in a little over three years. Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: "This is a funny business. Three-four years ago Guy Boucher had his pick of any job and now he's in Switzerland" Harvey Fialkov:…
NHL Rumors I: Wings, Sharks, Niskanen, Fiddler, Boyle, Gretzky and Carlyle
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Red Wings GM Ken Holland won't let teams talk to their Grand Rapids (AHL) coach Jeff Blashill. They can't afford to lose him if they can't sign coach Mike Babcock to a long-term deal.…
NHL Rumors II: Leafs, Predators, Blues, Wings, Avs, Sharks, Flyers and Offer Sheets
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: An NHL executive on pending RFA James Reimer: “If I’m the Leafs, I don’t make him a qualifying (restricted free agent) offer. The reason, you can’t get much for him in a trade. So…
NHL Rumors I: Coaching and Management – Sharks, Leafs, Canucks, Panthers and Predators
Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman on if he thinks both Sharks GM Doug Wilson and head coach Todd McLellan will survive: "I don't think so." ... "I would think that Wilson stays and there's probably a change in coach." ... "McLellan is like Trotz. There will…
Morning Hits: Mason, Jagr, Maple Leafs, KHL and Vasilevski
Ken Wiebe: Flyers Steve Mason confirmed that he missed Game 1 and 2 with a concussion. Chris Johnston: Devils Jaromir Jagr contract breakdown: $3.5 million salary with a $250,000 bonus every five games from game 10 to 45. Up to…
NHL Rumors III: Weber, Stars, Hayes, Panthers, Lupul, Tootoo, Spezza and Selanne
Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile says "no" every time he's asked if he'll trade defenseman Shea Weber. Weber will make $14 million, with a $13 million lump sum. Poile says the Predators are in a "rebuild…
NHL Rumors I: Coaching Edition: Panthers, Capitals and Maple Leafs
George Richards of the Miami Herald: The Panthers fired interim coach Peter Horachek yesterday. Barry Trotz is thought to be near the top of potential replacements. "Barry Trotz is a hell of a coach,'' Tallon said when prompted. Peter Laviolette…
NHL Rumors II: Blue Jackets, Capitals, Islanders, Hurricanes, Leafs, Stalock and Gretzky
Craig Custance of ESPN: Some things that could happen with the Blue Jackets this offseason. 1. Lock up Ryan Johansen - Johansen is a RFA and they'll have to decide if they want to do a bridge deal or a…
NHL Rumors: Spezza, Callahan, Panthers, Canucks, Kulemin, Islanders and Habs Ticket Revenue
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Warren thinks that Jason Spezza has likely played his last game in a Senators uniform. The Senators could trade Spezza for a package that includes a "harder"player that GM Bryan Murray is looking for.…