Snapshots: Bowness, Kulikov, Rierden, Nash

The Stars are finalizing a deal with Rick Bowness to make him one of their new assistant coaches, reports Sportsnet’s John Shannon (Twitter link).  The veteran coach has received plenty of interest since being let go by Tampa Bay following their playoff elimination with Shannon noted that at least three teams made offers to him.  He will join a new-look Dallas staff including first-time head coach Jim Montgomery and assistant Todd Nelson.

Elsewhere around the league:

• Jets defenseman Dmitry Kulikov underwent back surgery following Winnipeg’s exit in the third round of the playoffs, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff told Postmedia’s Ken Wiebe (Twitter link). He’s expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp.  Kulikov’s first season with Winnipeg did not go particularly well as he missed time due to a back issue as well as a concussion and played a limited role when he was in the lineup, averaging just 17:04 per game, the lowest of his career.
• The Capitals will interview associate coach Todd Reirden for their now-vacant head coaching position, GM Brian MacLellan told reporters, including NHL.com’s Dan Rosen. He has long been expected to be the successor for Barry Trotz (who now is with the Islanders) and it’s clear the team views him the same way as no other interviews are scheduled at this time.
• While the Bruins have prioritizing signing UFA winger Ilya Kovalchuk, they remain in contact with winger Rick Nash about possibly extending his stay in Boston should they not land the Russian, GM Don Sweeney told Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston. However, Sweeney acknowledged that they won’t be able to sign both players.  Nash should have plenty of interest if he makes it to the open market but he will have to take a significant pay cut on the $7.8MM he made in 2017-18.