Today, the Calgary Flames made the news official, hiring Ryan Huska as their next head coach. It appears, however, that their AHL head coach, Mitch Love, is not entirely enthusiastic about the Flames’ decision. Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff reports that although Love still has term left on his current contract with the Flames’ organization, he is open to all options moving forward.
Over the last two seasons, Love has been the head coach of the Stockton Heat, and now the Calgary Wranglers. In 140 games leading the bench, Love has accrued a total record of 96-33-9-3, finishing first in the Pacific Division in both seasons. Last season, he led the Heat to the Western Conference Finals in the Calder Cup playoffs and surprisingly were upset in the Division Finals this year by the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
In speaking with the media this afternoon, new Calgary General Manager, Craig Conroy, had this to say about Love’s situation, “Mitch is going to be a head coach in the NHL, 100%. I don’t question that, nor does he. But it’s all about being in a room with elite athletes with huge contracts, the rinks, the media… it’s a whole different animal when you get to NHL. The pressure that goes along with being a head coach in a Canadian Market when you’re trying to learn on the fly, the refs, the travel… the media… it’s a different beast in the NHL and I think to put him in that situation now wasn’t fair” (Tweet Link).
Conroy does seem to have faith that Love will one day become a head coach at the NHL level but deemed that the pressure in a Canadian market would be too much to handle for the young coach. The question is up in the air for how many General Managers across the league share the same opinion when it comes to Love, which could project him to an assistant coaching role in Calgary in the near future.
Other snapshots:
- Having missed quite a bit of ice time during the Florida Panthers Game 4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports that forward Matthew Tkachuk was not seen at the Panthers’ practice today. Because of the nature of hockey players, especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs, it should still be expected for Tkachuk to play in an incredibly important Game 5. Being the deepest the young forward has ever gone through the playoffs, Tkachuk has shown signs of wear and tear throughout the last couple of series.
- In recent reporting, it has been indicated that center Pierre-Luc Dubois will not sign a new contract with the Winnipeg Jets, and has requested a trade from the team. Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period reports that the last time Dubois was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Los Angeles Kings finished second to the Jets. It appears that Los Angeles still has quite a bit of interest in bringing Dubois into the mix, but with only a projected $7.3MM in cap space this summer, it will be difficult to sign Dubois to a long-term contract without moving out a significant contract.
The Kings don’t need another forward as gifted as Dubois is, They have a really good team and should be focused on the goaltending that is the weak link right now in LA.
True, Kings need to zero in on unhappy netminders eager for a change of scenery; calling Hellebueck or Demko!
They don’t need any wingers. They absolutely need someone else down the middle
Dubois is a cry baby, he’ll only sign long term in Montreal
Maybe Hellebuyck & Dubois in a package trade to the Kings??? The Kings have a boatload of prospects, and that is exactly what Winnipeg is looking for. I would put together a package with QB, JDA, Iafallo, Grundstrom This years #2 and next years # 1.
Unrealated topic but what player do you want your team to draft? I’m a Habs fan and I want will smith and if he isn’t there then Reinbacher
I think John Gibson would be a good fit, The Kings have alot of prospects and the Ducks are rebuilding, It could be a good fit, And cheaper than Hellebuyck, And bonus, Gibson won’t even have to move.
Gibson has a pretty sizeable contract considering his pedestrian numbers the last couple of seasons. I think he’d rebound in a different environment but it’s a huge gamble with that contract attached
Gibby played behind one of the worst defensive teams in history the past several years. His so called “pedestrian” numbers reflect that. He’s a stud goaltender. King fans drool at the prospect of landing their dream goaltender.
People fawn over Hellebuyck even tho he’s been a dumpster fire in the post season… and his cap hit? Mammoth…
Personally, I think that’s a big deal, as teams seem to figure that dude out real quick in a series and send him to the golf course after a round-two. Sure, the Kings have some good centers, but adding Dubois would be massive.. plenty of players to send to Winnipeg, even Vilardi, if need be.
(yes, I know Gabe to WPG is risky since he might not want to sign there)
Teams are ‘winning’ without ELITE goaltending in this era…, the Kings might have a good enough squad to do the same if they can afford another piece-two that isn’t in net… ~O_o~ (just a thought)
#GoKings
I think you meant to say that Tkachuk has shown wear and tear in the past couple of games, not series. He was pretty good in that Canes series, no?