2019 has been a very busy year throughout the hockey world. There have been several big trades and free agent signings (including a record-setting contract), plenty of changes behind the bench, and much more. Over the coming days, PHR will take a look back at the top stories from around the game on a month-by-month basis. Next up is the month of April which featured plenty of activity when it came to the coaching carousel.
Quenneville To Panthers: Following a disappointing season, Florida decided to make a change behind the bench and fired head coach Bob Boughner. However, while other teams that were making changes embarked on searches for a new bench boss, GM Dale Tallon turned to someone he was quite familiar with from their time in Chicago and quickly hired Joel Quenneville as their new bench boss. He will earn $5.25MM per season for five years on the deal and with Mike Babcock now out of work, it’s believed that Quenneville is the highest-paid active coach in the league. This only marked the beginning of what was a very aggressive offseason for the Panthers as they look to quickly get back to the postseason.
Draft Lottery Movement: It wasn’t that long ago where there was minimal movement in the annual Draft Lottery but that has changed in recent years and this one was no exception. Colorado, who held the top odds of the first pick thanks to their Matt Duchene traded with Ottawa one season earlier, dropped out of the top three. The Devils jumped up two spots to get the first selection while the Rangers moved up four spots to get the second pick. The biggest move was for the third overall pick as the Blackhawks, who were originally slated to pick 12th, jumped up nine spots which was a big win for them even if they didn’t wind up with the top selection.
Yzerman Hired By Detroit: When then-Lightning GM Steve Yzerman suddenly resigned just before the start of training camp citing that he wanted to spend more time with his family, speculation became rampant that he’d eventually find his way to the Red Wings organization. That is indeed what happened as Yzerman was hired as their new GM with Ken Holland transitioning to more of an advisory role (which ultimately didn’t last very long). Yzerman spent his entire 22-year Hall of Fame career as a player with Detroit and then transitioned to the front office with them, spending four years as Vice President of Hockey Operations before taking over as GM with Tampa Bay in 2010. Although the Red Wings struggled last season, they opted to not make a coaching change and instead handed Jeff Blashill a two-year extension.
Voynov Suspended: Russian defenseman Slava Voynov has been seeking re-entry into the NHL over the last couple of years after having his contract terminated following a domestic violence incident back in 2014. One step towards accomplishing that objective was getting reinstated by the league. They did so, but fired handed him a suspension for the entire 2019-20 season plus the postseason with a plan to officially make him eligible to sign as of July 1st, 2020; his rights are still held by Los Angeles. The suspension was ultimately appealed by the NHLPA and was later reduced to half the season but he wound up signing in the KHL for this season and will once again seek an NHL deal next summer.
Interim Coaches Replaced: A pair of teams that made in-season coaching changes with interim replacements decided to go in different directions. Willie Desjardins didn’t have a lot of success with Los Angeles and was replaced by Todd McLellan (who Edmonton let go earlier in the year). Meanwhile, although Philadelphia had some success under Scott Gordon (54 points in 51 games), the Flyers opted to hire Alain Vigneault instead. Unlike Desjardins though, Gordon remains with Philadelphia’s organization as he agreed to return to their AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley for this season. Those weren’t the only other coaching changes made either as the Sabres let go of Phil Housley after two seasons with him behind their bench.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Brian, slight correction needed: “They did so, but fired handed him a suspension for the entire 2019-20 season…” (fired)