NHL COACHING CAROUSEL ROUNDUP: LATEST ON MIKE SULLIVAN, CRAIG BERUBE

Typically at this point in the hockey calendar, we’re focused on the big-name pending free agents on the ice. Where are the likes of Steven Stamkos and Elias Lindholm going to end up come September?

This year, perhaps the more interesting storylines are brewing off the ice — more specifically, behind the bench.

There were a whopping 10 coaches that lost their positions this season in Edmonton, Minnesota, St. Louis, Ottawa, Los Angeles, Buffalo, San Jose, Seattle, New York and New Jersey. Of those teams, the Sharks, Senators, Kings, Kraken and Devils have spots to permanently fill while big names like Craig Berube, Dean Evason and Todd McLellan are on the hunt for a new landing spot. 

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday’s 32 Thoughts Podcast that McLellan in particular is sparking interest among some teams still searching for a permanent bench boss. 

“I’ve heard McLellan has spoken to four teams, and my guess on that list is New Jersey, Ottawa, St. Louis and Seattle.”

McLellan was let go amidst a Kings’ downturn that threatened their playoff position and was replaced by interim head coach Jim Hiller. In his four full years with the Kings, McLellan led their team to back-to-back playoff appearances and had a win percentage of .385

Berube, yet another coach fired amidst his team’s lacklustre start, has been drawing some attention around the league, and Friedman believes his next gig may come sooner rather than later.

“I still wonder if he’s a guy who someone jumps at and makes an offer — anyone who’s not currently in but might be thinking about it, especially based off playoff results — can’t participate. I’ve had people tell me, ‘You’ve got to keep on that one, because it’s going to come sooner or later.’”

Friedman names Ottawa and New Jersey, non-playoff teams searching for their next coach, as potential suitors, but does wonder if other teams will reveal themselves as interested parties for the Stanley Cup Champion.

Complicating these searches are the situations brewing with Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour, Winnipeg’s Rick Bowness and Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan. While Friedman believes that the Hurricanes’ front office is ready to nip all rumours in the bud with an official extension for their Jack Adams Award-winning head coach, the path ahead is not as clear for Bowness and Sullivan.

“Rick Bowness said on Thursday that he was going to meet with the Jets on Friday. They have a team option, but I think we’re going to know sooner rather than later,” Friedman reported on the Jets’ head coach. “As we’ve said, really tough year on the Bowness family, and I don’t think anyone would hold it against him if he just said, ‘It’s time.’”

Friedman also posits that if Bowness does choose to leave, Scott Arniel, who took over for Bowness during an extended absence due to a family emergency, could be a candidate to replace him.

Bowness just capped his own Jack Adams Trophy-calibre season, leading the Jets to second in the Central Division before their five-game exit to the Colorado Avalanche. He was away from the team for about a month after his wife suffered a stroke.

In Pittsburgh, Sullivan’s situation is unique and ongoing.

Though Friedman believes that Sullivan and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas aren’t going to part ways, he does note that there are some challenges.

“There’s been a lot of rumours about assistants, and I think that is potentially a challenge,” Friedman reported. “Look, Sullivan has had a lot of power in the organization. His contract dictates it, the fact he was given an extension with ownership dictates it. Now you get Dubas coming in, he’s got a big contract too, he’s got a lot of power. I do think these guys, at times… Sullivan wants it a certain way, Dubas wants it a certain way… I do think you’ve got to figure out how this is going to work.”

An interesting addendum to Friedman’s report is the news that the Penguins fired assistant coach Todd Reirden on Friday, reportedly causing some friction between Dubas and Sullivan.

With many coaching vacancies left to fill, Sullivan’s future with the Penguins is likely top of mind for general managers on the hunt for a fresh voice in the room.

2024-05-03T20:05:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd