New York Rangers To Interview Gerard Gallant
After firing head coach David Quinn on Wednesday, the New York Rangers and new GM Chris Drury are wasting no time in their search for a replacement. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the club has already received permission to interview one of the biggest names on the coaching market. Gerard Gallant will get the first crack at interviewing for the head coach vacancy in the Big Apple.
The Vegas Golden Knights have approved of the interview, having fired Gallant from his role as head coach last January with term on his contract – to much surprise. The former Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers bench boss is a Jack Adams Award recipient with a .550 points percentage in his nine years as a head coach. He took the expansion Knights to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and then back to the playoffs the following year. Gallant has never made it through three years with any of his clubs, but has nevertheless established himself as an a valued name in the NHL coaching world. If Gallant doesn’t land the New York job, he will surely have interest elsewhere, particularly from the newest expansion team in the Seattle Kraken.
The timing of this interview does have some reasoning behind it. While Gallant may indeed be the Rangers’ top candidate, the rush to interview him has more to do with his upcoming plans. Gallant is getting ready to coach Team Canada at the World Championships, which begin on May 21. Gallant will actually depart for Riga, Latvia this weekend, according to Dreger, so the Rangers wanted to touch base with him before he left and his focus was elsewhere. Of course, Drury will be very keyed into the World Championships himself as the GM of Team USA. A strong outing for Gallant leading a Canadian roster that won’t have the typical amount of talent against Drury’s American squad could be what pushes Gallant to the top of the Rangers’ shortlist to be their next head coach.
PHR Live Chat Transcript: 05/13/21
Click here to read a transcript of this week’s live chat with PHR’s Gavin Lee.
COVID Protocol Related Absences: 05/13/21
Each day, the NHL will publicly release the list of players that are unavailable to their respective teams due to being in COVID-19 Protocol. Here is today’s list:
Colorado – Devan Dubnyk
St. Louis – Jake Walman
Washington – Evgeny Kuznetsov
As a reminder, inclusion on this list does not mean that a player has tested positive for Coronavirus or even that they have been confirmed as a close contact to another positive person. Included in the NHL’s list of possible reasons for someone being on the list is are the following:
(1) an initial positive test which remains unconfirmed until confirmatory testing is completed pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (2) mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals pursuant to the Positive Test Protocol; (3) required quarantine as a high-risk close contact in accordance with the Positive Test Protocol; (4) isolation based on a confirmed positive test result and/or; (5) quarantine for travel or other reasons as outlined in the COVID-19 Protocol
Players removed today: None
Kuznetsov and his teammate Ilya Samsonov remain in the protocol, meaning they will have at most one day of practice before their first-round series against the Bruins opens on Saturday. The 28-year-old center is a big part of the team but hasn’t played since May 1, first for disciplinary reasons and then after showing up on the COVID protocol. It’s unclear when Kuznetsov will be inserted into the Capitals lineup, or even when he will be allowed to practice with the team.
*denotes new addition
Brad Shaw Not Returning To Columbus Blue Jackets
It’s not just John Tortorella leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets coaching staff. The team announced today that assistant Brad Shaw will not return in 2021-22. No other coaching decisions have been made.
Shaw, 57, has been coaching professionally since his retirement from the NHL in 1999. He served as the head coach of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL for three seasons before joining the New York Islanders in 2005, where he quickly took over from the fired Steve Stirling. While he wasn’t given the permanent job with the Islanders following that season, he became a staple at the NHL level, serving as an assistant/associate coach with the St. Louis Blues for nearly a decade. Shaw joined the Blue Jackets’ staff in 2016 in Tortorella’s first full season and will leave the organization at the same time.
With his departure, it adds another potential head coaching name to the market this summer. In 2019, after the Blue Jackets swept the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the playoffs, Shaw told Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun that he would like to be a head coach at the NHL again, but wasn’t focused on it. His name has been brought up over the last few seasons as a potential candidate, but it is unclear if he will be pursuing the current vacancies around the league.
For Columbus, there are still assistants leftover from the Tortorella group, but perhaps their fate won’t be decided until a new head coach is brought in.
Reece Newkirk Signs With New York Islanders
The New York Islanders have agreed to terms with Reece Newkirk on a three-year entry-level contract, now that his WHL season has come to an end. Newkirk spent this season with the Portland Winterhawks.
Selected 147th overall in 2019, Newkirk will likely be ticketed for the minor leagues to begin his professional career next season. In 24 games with the Winterhawks this year, the 5’11” forward ended up with 27 points, tied with first-round pick Seth Jarvis for third on the team.
The Islanders needed to sign Newkirk before the end of the month to avoid losing him to unrestricted free agency, but there’s certainly reason to believe he can be a good depth player for the organization. While reaching the NHL is still a lofty goal, he’s been a point-per-game player in the WHL over the last three seasons and will try to take that production to the AHL next year.
Patrick Marleau Could Play Next Season
Earlier this season, Patrick Marleau became the NHL’s all-time leader in games played. After playing in last night’s season finale, the record now sits at 1,779. The ageless wonder hasn’t missed a game in over a decade as he chased down that record, even if his playing time in those games diminished.
Last night, Marleau was presented with a stick from Gordie Howe‘s final game. He saluted the crowd in San Jose, an emotional moment for many as the season came to a close. If you assumed, like many others, that was likely it for the 41-year-old forward, you might be mistaken.
Speaking to reporters including Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News, Marleau didn’t sound ready to retire, saying he’s “looking forward to a rebound season next year.”
Of course, there is another games played record within his reach. Though Howe was the leader for regular season games, Marleau still sits 18 games behind Mark Messier for the combined record of regular season and playoffs. He would obviously break that record with another full season and would become the only man to ever suit up 2,000 times in the NHL.
If Marleau is to return, he’ll need a new contract. He signed a one-year, $700K deal before this season, but would actually be due a raise even though his play didn’t warrant one. The NHL minimum increases to $750K next year.
In 56 games, Marleau recorded just four goals and nine points, easily the worst season of his 23-year career. He did admit to reporters that he was dealing with a high ankle sprain and a groin injury by the end of the season, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to provide much offense even if fully healthy.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Chicago Blackhawks Sign Arvid Soderblom
The Chicago Blackhawks have nabbed one of the top goaltenders in the SHL, agreeing to terms with Arvid Soderblom on a two-year entry-level contract. Soderblom, an undrafted free agent, will join the organization for the 2021-22 season and carry a cap hit of $883,750.
A casual fan would be forgiven for not knowing much about Soderblom, given he had rarely even appeared at the SHL level before this season, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been on the radar of NHL teams. The 21-year-old posted a dominant .924 save percentage at the Allsvenskan level (AHL equivalent) last season and then continued that performance in the SHL this year. In 22 appearances for AIK Skelleftea, he recorded a 2.03 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. In two playoff starts he stopped 58 of 61 shots.
After a brilliant start to the season, Kevin Lankinen came back to earth a bit for the Blackhawks, finishing with a .909 save percentage. Though a rookie, Lankinen is already 26 and will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. The same can be said for both Collin Delia and Malcolm Subban, meaning there is still an opening in the Chicago net down the line. Soderblom has a lot more to prove before he takes that spot, but adding another talented player to the depth chart is always worth it.
NHL Releases First Round Playoff Schedules
Even though the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights don’t know exactly who they will be playing just yet, the NHL has released the playoff schedules for the first round. Things will kick off on Saturday with a game between the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals, while the North Division won’t get going until May 19—the same day the regular season ends.
All times ET
East Division:
NYI @ PIT – Sunday, May 16, 12:00pm
NYI @ PIT – Tuesday, May 18, 7:30pm
PIT @ NYI – Thursday, May 20, 7:00pm
PIT @ NYI – Saturday, May 22, 3:00pm
NYI @ PIT – Monday, May 24, TBD*
PIT @ NYI – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
NYI @ PIT – Friday, May 28, TBD*
BOS @ WSH – Saturday, May 15, 7:15pm
BOS @ WSH – Monday, May 17: 7:30pm
WSH @ BOS – Wednesday, May 19, 6:30pm
WSH @ BOS – Friday, May 21, 6:30pm
BOS @ WSH – Sunday, May 23, TBD*
WSH @ BOS – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
BOS @ WSH – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
Central Division:
NSH @ CAR – Monday, May 17, 8:00pm
NSH @ CAR – Wednesday, May 19, 8:00pm
CAR @ NSH – Friday, May 21, 7:00pm
CAR @ NSH – Sunday, May 23, TBD
NSH @ CAR – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
CAR @ NSH – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
NSH @ CAR – Saturday, May 29, TBD*
TBL @ FLA – Sunday, May 16, 7:30pm
TBL @ FLA – Tuesday, May 18, 8:00pm
FLA @ TBL – Thursday, May 20, 6:30pm
FLA @ TBL – Saturday, May 22, 12:30pm
TBL @ FLA – Monday, May 24, TBD*
FLA @ TBL – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
TBL @ FLA – Friday, May 28, TBD*
West Division:
STL @ COL/VGK – Monday, May 17, 10:00pm
STL @ COL/VGK – Wednesday, May 19, 10:30pm
COL/VGK @ STL – Friday, May 21, 9:30pm
COL/VGK @ STL – Sunday, May 23, TBD
STL @ COL/VGK – Tuesday, May 25, TBD*
COL/VGK @ STL – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
STL @ COL/VGK – Saturday, May 29, TBD
MIN @ COL/VGK – Sunday, May 16, 3:00pm
MIN @ COL/VGK – Tuesday, May 18, 10:00pm
COL/VGK @ MIN – Thursday, May 20, 9:30pm
COL/VGK @ MIN – Saturday, May 22, 8:00pm
MIN @ COL/VGK – Monday, May 24, TBD*
COL/VGK @ MIN – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
MIN @ COL/VGK – Friday, May 28, TBD*
North Division:
MTL @ TOR – Thursday, May 20, 7:30pm
MTL @ TOR – Saturday, May 22, 7:00pm
TOR @ MTL – Monday, May 24, TBD
TOR @ MTL – Tuesday, May 25, TBD
MTL @ TOR – Thursday, May 27, TBD*
TOR @ MTL – Saturday, May 29, TBD*
MTL @ TOR – Monday, May 31, TBD*
WPG @ EDM – Wednesday, May 19, 9:00pm
WPG @ EDM – Friday, May 21, 9:00pm
EDM @ WPG – Sunday, May 23, TBD
EDM @ WPG – Monday, May 24, TBD
WPG @ EDM – Wednesday, May 26, TBD*
EDM @ WPG – Friday, May 28, TBD*
WPG @ EDM – Sunday, May 30, TBD*
*If necessary
Taxi Squad Shuffle: 05/13/21
With the playoffs just around the corner, the taxi squad shuffle will start to look a little bit different. Instead of constant swapping between the active roster and taxi squad, teams will likely just make mass additions the way they usually recall “Black Aces.” That is, players who will practice with the playoff roster but aren’t expected to actually suit up for any game action. We’ll still keep track of any moves right here:
- After resting several regulars last night, the Montreal Canadiens have sent Alex Belzile, Jesse Ylonen, Xavier Ouellet and Cayden Primeau to the AHL. The Laval Rocket still have three games to play but their regular season schedule will be finished before the Canadiens actually start their first-round playoff series against Toronto. With that in mind, several players will likely be recalled once again in a few days.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled Boris Katchouk, Taylor Raddysh, Andreas Borgman, Cal Foote and Spencer Martin from the Syracuse Crunch, giving them a Black Aces group to help prepare for the playoffs. Syracuse has just one game remaining on Saturday before they shut the doors on a shortened AHL season.
- The Ottawa Senators have sent Olle Alsing, Jonathan Aspirot, J.C. Beaudin, Clark Bishop, Logan Brown, Filip Gustavsson, Parker Kelly and Lassi Thompson to the AHL. That’s a ton of reinforcements for the five games the Belleville Senators have left on the schedule.
- With several starters resting tonight, the Minnesota Wild have recalled forwards Luke Johnson and Kyle Rau and defenseman Dakota Mermis from the taxi squad. All three have suited up for Minnesota at times this season.
This page will be updated with further transactions
USA Hockey Announces World Championship Roster
The IIHF World Championship roster is always a little different. Because the tournament takes place during the NHL playoffs, many players are unable to attend. Many others choose not to participate because of injuries they sustained during the season, meaning there are often some interesting choices that compete for their country.
This season is perhaps even more difficult for U.S. Men’s National Team general manager Chris Drury. Not only does he have injuries and the postseason to deal with, but many players haven’t seen their families for months and just want to spend some quality time at home. With that in mind, this year’s team has both players not yet drafted and others that have already aged out of the NHL.
The full roster is as follows:
G Jake Oettinger
G Cal Petersen
G Anthony Stolarz
D Adam Clendening
D Matt Hellickson
D Zac Jones
D Connor Mackey
D Matt Roy
D Ryan Shea
D Matt Tennyson
D Chris Wideman
D Christian Wolanin
F Justin Abdelkader
F Matthew Beniers
F Colin Blackwell
F Brian Boyle
F Sasha Chmelevski
F Ryan Donato
F Jack Drury
F Conor Garland
F Kevin Labanc
F Trevor Moore
F Jason Robertson
F Eric Robinson
F Kevin Rooney
F Tage Thompson
The U.S. team will be coached by Jack Capuano. The tournament kicks off on May 21 in Riga, Latvia.