Since the end of the regular season in the National Hockey League, a number of teams, disappointed with the way their season has gone, have been cleaning house.
Indeed, several teams have fired their head coaches and even their general managers.
In addition, teams that were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs were recently added to this group.
As a result, we now find ourselves with several vacant posters across the NHL, either behind the bench as head coach, or in the offices as general manager.
Among the teams that have cleaned house are the following:
- Pittsburgh Penguins – Vacancies : Head coach and GM
- Calgary Flames – Vacancies : Head Coach and GM
- New York Rangers – Vacancy: Head coach since yesterday
- Washington Capitals – Vacancy: Head Coach
- Anaheim Ducks – Vacancy: Head Coach
- Columbus Blue Jackets – Vacancy: Head Coach
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This leaves the way open for a busy summer of NHL hiring.
Vacancies mean endless rumours.
Well, there have already been a number of rumours, the most recent of which concerns former Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Calgary Flames are among the teams interested in his services.
Here’s Elliotte Friedman discussing Stan Bowman on Saturday’s 32 Thoughts intermission segment. pic.twitter.com/l9AUVKkTHh
– Ryan Pike (@RyanNPike) May 7, 2023
This means that Stan Bowman could very well be back in an NHL team’s front office, most likely as general manager.
Bowman was not, to put it politely, a very good GM in Chicago.
So it’s a bit of a surprise to see his name back in the rumour mill, but at the same time, we all know that the NHL is generally a little click that likes to recycle the same people.
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Another rumor, this one behind the bench, is that Joel Quenneville is not an option for the New York Rangers in their now vacant head coaching position.
Larry Brooks reports here that NYR will not pursue Joel Quenneville for their coaching vacancy https://t.co/ZwWAx2l5JP
– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 7, 2023
So, in a way, this puts to rest the rumour that came out earlier this week.
It’s surprising news considering that Joel Quenneville is seen as an excellent coach throughout the NHL, despite his past with the Blackhawks’ Kyle Beach saga.
This leaves the door open for other teams without a coach to hire Quenneville.
Finally, we recall yesterday’s news that Gerard Gallant is no longer head coach of the Rangers.
Clearly, Gallant didn’t leave that much money on the table to be out of a job.
The former CH man surely knew that several teams would be interested in his services.
It remains to be seen where he will end up next season, and who will replace him in New York.
Kevin Weekes mysteriously linked Patrick Roy to the Rangers after Gallant’s departure was announced.
In a gust
– Happy Birthday Josh!
Happy Birthday Powerhorse! 🎉
Happy birthday @joshanderson_77#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/WZZtXjYSTt
– Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) May 7, 2023
– Lots of action today.
We got ourselves an action-packed Sunday slate. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Wl86QM1bPP
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 7, 2023
– Things are definitely looking up for CF Montreal!
📈 CF Montreal is the best team in MLS since the Kamal Miller trade, which took place just under a month ago 👀.
3 wins in 4 games since the trade and a +5 differential during that stretch, could #CFMTL keep up the pace? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/kxdp0l0Tb3
– KAN FC ⚽ (@kanfootballclub) May 7, 2023
– Sad that it’s not enough to attract long-term players.
The #GoJetsGo are known to have one of the @NHL‘s loudest crowds. They also have one of the best playoff traditions, but there’s more to it than wearing white.
✍️: @JLStoller https://t.co/i2vRWliSA0
– The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) May 7, 2023
– They will indeed make a lot of money.
these unfortunate souls are about to make hundreds of millions of dollars, a sum that continues to rise the more bidders get involved. their dad’s Beloved Asset is now desired by multiple celebrities. let us please keep them in our thoughts and prayers. 🙏 https://t.co/g4H4bTC2Bx
– JFresh (@JFreshHockey) May 7, 2023