This edition of the PHR Mailbag discusses potential new candidates for head coaches and general managers, Anaheim’s disappointing summer, and more. If your question isn’t featured here, be sure to check last weekend’s column.
Gmm8811: GMs in trouble…Blake, Lamoriello, Yzerman. Coaches at risk…Richardson, Lalonde, Huska.
Who are the emerging candidates to take their places?
Let’s start with the general managers. Mathieu Darche has been a finalist several times and has been part of Tampa Bay’s front office for five years now, where he has seen his responsibilities grow. He belongs on that list. Another name that hasn’t received much attention, despite his age (56), is Paul Krepelka. He has spent the last four years in Florida’s front office after a long career as a player agent. We’ve seen several former agents step into GM roles, so he might be the next in line. Additionally, Ryan Martin, who has been an assistant GM in the NHL since 2010, is another candidate who could eventually get his chance. When it comes to replacing Lou Lamoriello, Chris Lamoriello, a long-time executive with both the Islanders and Devils, seems like a suitable option as Lou may transition to an advisory role when the time comes.
Regarding the coaching situation, I’m skeptical about placing Luke Richardson and Ryan Huska on the hot seat. If Chicago performs better this season, Richardson’s job should be safe, and since Calgary is entering a rebuild, a coaching change that quickly seems improbable.
That said, Jay Leach has been on the radar for a few years, having interviewed multiple times for head coaching positions. I believe it won’t be long before he gets an opportunity. Marco Sturm has been a finalist in San Jose, and although teams are often cautious about hiring international head coaches, Sturm’s experience coaching in North America over the last six years works in his favor. Seth Appert has been steadily climbing the coaching ranks in various leagues and will begin his first NHL season as an assistant in Buffalo. This could be the final step before he earns a chance to head an NHL bench in the upcoming year or two.
Jaysen: Vegas took a gamble on Holtz, hoping to tap into his potential. As a Habs fan, I’ve seen Montreal have some success with “reclamation” projects. I’m a big supporter of Dylan Holloway and Peyton Krebs. What are your thoughts on how both players would fit into the Habs lineup, and what would be the cost to acquire them? Thanks.
As I reviewed the questions last weekend, I thought it was wise to delay this question by a week. I didn’t anticipate any developments regarding Holloway until sometime in September. Oops… With Holloway now off the table due to a one-year trade moratorium following Edmonton’s decision to match the offer sheet from St. Louis, I’ll focus on Krebs instead.
While I understand the desire to add a younger asset as they have in previous years, I don’t see a strong fit for Krebs in Montreal, at least in the role he occupied with Buffalo. They already have Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans under contract on expiring deals this season to fill the third- and fourth-line positions. Though Dvorak likely won’t be returning after this season, Evans might be extended if the price is right. Alex Newhook is still part of the lineup and performed well down the middle towards the end of last season, while Kirby Dach is back after playing only four periods this past season.
Last season, he’s anticipated to be utilized down the middle on the second line, playing behind Nick Suzuki.
In addition, Owen Beck is a prospect who might quickly secure a spot on the roster, while Oliver Kapanen is also expected to get an opportunity at training camp (though he must return to Sweden if he doesn’t make the team). This gives Montreal several options in their bottom six, and it seems unlikely that anyone realistically expects Krebs to ascend beyond that position in the lineup. So, where does he fit on the depth chart? One possibility is moving Dvorak to the wing while keeping Krebs at center, but Montreal already has numerous costly bottom-six players; adding to this group would only complicate matters further.
There’s also the issue of Buffalo’s lack of incentive to sell low on Krebs. With plenty of cap space available, and at just 23 years old, he fits well within their core group. His upcoming contract is likely to be a low-cost bridge deal, allowing them the luxury of patience, as centers often take longer to develop. For context, I doubt they’d trade him for anything less than a second-round pick. If I were Montreal, I would also hesitate to part with one of their first-round selections given the season he just had. The Sabres are likely to demand a higher price for him in a trade than what any other team would be willing to pay, especially coming off a less-than-stellar season. Considering this, I don’t foresee a trade happening at this moment. However, if injuries strike midseason and he struggles out of the gate again, the asking price might become more manageable.
Schwa: Among the top remaining UFA names, where do you envision everyone ending up? Are we anticipating PTOs, or waiting for training camp to create some movement? Are there any players headed to Europe?
I assume you’re using ‘top’ in a relative sense, as there aren’t any true ‘top’ unrestricted free agents left at this stage. Currently, we’re looking at depth players, many of whom will likely pursue PTOs over the coming month. However, a few might land guaranteed contracts, so let’s make some predictions regarding those possibilities.
Kevin Shattenkirk – Edmonton – The Oilers are set to lose a defenseman in one way or another. Whether it’s Philip Broberg departing to St. Louis via an offer sheet or unloading one (or both) of Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak to accommodate matching the offer sheet, they will need an inexpensive depth replacement. Shattenkirk plays on the position where they lack depth, can still manage a regular third-pairing role, and adopts an offensive style that aligns well with Edmonton’s playing style.
Kailer Yamamoto – Colorado – The Avalanche are currently limited to acquiring primarily minimum-salary players. However, although Yamamoto might earn a bit more elsewhere, I could see him opting for a situation where he can effectively showcase his skills within a winning framework rather than pursuing maximum financial gain. This strategy worked for Jonathan Drouin last year, and Yamamoto may choose to follow a similar path.
Tyson Barrie – Boston – The Bruins are unable to make significant moves until Jeremy Swayman signs, but having Barrie fill a role similar to that of Shattenkirk from last season would be beneficial. There are uncertainties surrounding Andrew Peeke after a challenging year, and Barrie could support the second power play unit behind Charlie McAvoy, thereby easing some of the pressure on Hampus Lindholm.
Players like Tony DeAngelo and Sammy Blais have been mentioned in connection with the K
Despite the absence of finalized deals in the HL, it seems that other options will ultimately shape their best fit for the approaching season, possibly leading to opportunities overseas rather than a low-probability PTO. If guaranteed contracts are not offered by preferred teams, I could envision some veterans, such as Max Pacioretty, Blake Wheeler, and Kyle Okposo, considering retirement. Most others will likely need to earn their spots through tryouts.
jminn: What is happening in Anaheim? They appear to have struggled with their offseason objectives. Aside from the progress made by some promising prospects and the addition of a few new assistants, what other positives can be highlighted?
After acquiring a top-six winger, Alex Killorn, and a top-four defenseman, Radko Gudas, in last year’s free agency, it seemed like the Ducks were poised to replicate their success this offseason. However, despite the trades bringing in Robby Fabbri and Brian Dumoulin, you’re correct; they did not achieve their desired additions.
The most promising aspect for the Ducks is their youthful core. With Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier, they have three potentially elite players aged 20 and under who are projected to play crucial roles this season. Additionally, they hold high expectations for defensemen like Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. This doesn’t even take into account key veteran Troy Terry, who remains significant both for now and in the future. These elements serve as important building blocks for what lies ahead. While the challenges of growth will be plentiful this season, this is the primary positive for fans of the Ducks.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that they opted not to trade Trevor Zegras, which can be viewed as a favorable decision. Even though I have concerns about his long-term fit within the evolving roster, his trade value was unlikely to reach its peak. I anticipate a rebound from him that could enhance his overall contribution.
That element provides something to anticipate for the upcoming season.
I’m interested to see if Anaheim can utilize its substantial cap space, which exceeds $21 million according to PuckPedia. While I believe budgetary considerations play a role, I’m not convinced that the current roster will remain unchanged as the season begins; there’s potential for them to acquire another short-term veteran. While this won’t elevate the team’s potential, it likely won’t detract from it either.
bigalval: What’s your take on the Kings’ offseason? Do you think they can make the playoffs in such a competitive conference? Personally, I believe Rob Blake has underperformed as GM. What are your thoughts on the Kings?
I’m not particularly impressed with Los Angeles’ actions this summer. I don’t mind the trade of Pierre-Luc Dubois for Darcy Kuemper, as it allows them to escape a poor contract while improving their goaltending. (In a more defensive setting, I expect Kuemper to rebound effectively.) However, when evaluating Blake’s overall performance, the considerations of what they sacrificed to acquire him significantly tarnish that trade.
Regarding their other transactions, Warren Foegele‘s contract aligns well with his performance last season. While I doubt he’ll replicate a 40-point season, the short-term nature of the agreement (three years) makes it acceptable. Conversely, Joel Edmundson’s four-year contract worth $3.85 million annually ranks among the worst free agency deals. Although he’s a competent defenseman when healthy, he has a long history of back issues; he has only completed one season close to playing all games (that being in 2020-21 when he suited up for 55 out of 56). This contract could quickly become a liability. Additionally, the Quinton Byfield deal only secured one more year of team control. Although it kept the cap hit manageable, I wonder if a genuine bridge deal might have been wiser since they’re only gaining that additional year at this rate.
Still, I believe they have a chance to make the playoffs. They’re in a division with three teams projected to struggle near the bottom of the standings, while Seattle remains an uncertainty. If they enter the season as a solid bet to be in the top four of their division, their chances of making the playoffs are good. While they aren’t contenders by any means, they certainly possess Wild Card potential once again.
This conclusion aligns with my assessment of Blake. He has effectively built a team capable of reaching the playoffs, but advancing beyond that is a different story. I don’t think he has adequately addressed that second aspect. There doesn’t seem to be significant potential for them to become true contenders, and they are far from weak enough to warrant a rebuild. They are likely to remain a consistently mid-tier team. If the aim is to generate two or three home playoff games, he has succeeded in that regard lately. However, if the objective is to assemble a squad capable of making a deep postseason run, I don’t believe Blake has provided sufficient resources or flexibility for that success.
Black Ace57: In the next CBA, do you think the league will consider solutions to address the advantage U.S. teams in states without income tax have regarding contracts, or anything to tackle the growing challenges Canadian teams face in attracting talent?
I believe this is a topic they’re already quietly examining. However, that shouldn’t be interpreted as a confirmation of the question.
Having ideas is one thing, but coming up with one that satisfies enough teams is another matter altogether.
What is this idea built upon? Taxation rates fluctuate yearly across various states and provinces. Conceptually, a system tied to these rates might necessitate that a team trade away a player they can no longer afford due to alterations in tax legislation in their area. Some may argue that looking at tax levels isn’t the most accurate measure; instead, the focus should be on the cost of living in each city. However, attempting to connect the two presents a slew of complications. Additionally, with seven teams generating a significant portion of their revenue in a different currency, the unpredictability that introduces can complicate matters even further. While I am not opposed to the idea, I struggle to conceive a solution that doesn’t have numerous vulnerabilities that could easily be exploited.
As we all know, teams will always seek loopholes or methods to challenge or outright circumvent any newly implemented rule. I recall when LTIR was introduced; many hailed it as a nearly foolproof solution. It didn’t take long for loopholes to emerge in that system. Establishing a rule that can be manipulated will not genuinely address the issue, so it must be robust and comprehensive. I’m skeptical that such a solution will materialize.
Moreover, since this is a component of the CBA, it requires ratification from both players and owners. Any proposal that diminishes the advantages of specific teams will likely face resistance from those teams. Likewise, some players may not appreciate losing certain benefits. At the ownership level, a two-thirds majority is necessary to approve the CBA, meaning 22 out of 32 teams must agree. Thus, even if a viable solution is proposed, just 11 teams opposing it could easily derail the whole idea.
While it’s not impossible, I don’t foresee any substantial changes regarding this topic in the upcoming CBA.
I digress: I’m intrigued to find out whether non-compete clauses and union fees are part of professional contracts, and if so, how they function in states like Minnesota where charging non-union members union fees is prohibited, and non-compete agreements are now also illegal.
To my knowledge, the NHL has its own union through the NHLPA.
Let me clarify that I’m not entirely certain about these details. However, as far as I understand, all NHL players are required to pay union dues and become members of the association upon recall. According to the NHLPA’s website, the mandatory union due amounts to $30 per day. There is also the PHPA, which represents AHL and ECHL players. From reviewing an older version of the ECHL CBA (currently, PHPA agreements are not publicly available), joining the PHPA is optional, but daily and annual dues are not disclosed.
Regarding contracts, the scenario differs from that of most people. Players work under fixed-term contracts, and once those terms are complete, they become entirely free; there is no non-compete clause. For many regular workers, their employment is ongoing instead of being for a specified length of time. Such employment may include non-compete or other clauses (like non-solicitation of clients), but the enforceability of these clauses has been challenged recently. Nevertheless, the employment structure of a hockey player is distinctly different, making comparisons difficult.
After examining a typical 12-page contract, the closest reference to any form of non-compete language I found is in section 2C. It states (with my emphasis) that “The Player further agrees to give his best services to the Club and to play hockey only for the Club unless his SPC is Assigned, Loaned, or terminated by the Club.” In essence, while under contract with a team, a player may not participate with another organization unless they are loaned or traded or the contract is terminated.
ates the agreement (either through buyout or mutual termination). However, once that contract concludes, they are released from their previous organization.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
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PHR Mailbag: Coaching Hot Seats, General Manager Changes, and Anaheim’s Offseason Struggles
Understanding Coaching Hot Seats in the NHL
The NHL is a league known for its high stakes and intense competition, leading to some coaches finding themselves on the infamous “hot seat.” As teams strive for success, they must consider whether their current coaching staff is the right fit. Here are some key factors contributing to a coach’s precarious position:
- Team Performance: A coach’s tenure is often tied to how well their team performs. Poor win-loss records can be detrimental.
- Player Development: Coaches need to cultivate young talent effectively. Failure to do so can put them in jeopardy.
- Culture and Morale: The locker room atmosphere is crucial. Coaches who can’t maintain a positive environment may face dismissal.
- Management Expectations: Front office expectations can vary widely, and coaches are often held accountable for meeting these standards.
Recent Coaching Changes
This offseason has seen significant movement in the coaching ranks. Here’s a brief overview of recent changes:
| Team | Former Coach | New Coach |
|---|---|---|
| New York Rangers | Gerard Gallant | Peter Laviolette |
| Vancouver Canucks | Bruce Boudreau | Rick Tocchet |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Derek King | Luke Richardson |
These shifts reflect teams’ desires to kickstart their seasons with fresh perspectives and strategies.
General Manager Changes: The Driving Force Behind Successful Teams
General Managers (GMs) play a critical role in shaping the roster and overall direction of an NHL team. The offseason is a prime time for management changes, which often leads to a complete overhaul of coaching staff, player acquisitions, and draft strategies.
Key Considerations for GM Changes
When evaluating General Manager changes, consider these essential factors:
- Management Philosophy: A new GM may bring a different approach to team building, focusing on analytics, player development, or immediate success.
- Budget Constraints: GMs must operate within salary cap limits, affecting decisions on trades and free agency signings.
- Long-Term Vision: Successful GMs balance immediate needs with long-term strategies, including the development of prospects.
- Fan Engagement: A GM’s ability to connect with fans and build excitement around the team can impact their job security.
Recent GM Changes
Here are some notable General Manager changes from across the NHL:
| Team | Former GM | New GM |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Steve Yzerman | N/A (remains GM) |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Chuck Fletcher | Daniel Briere |
| San Jose Sharks | Doug Wilson | Mike Grier |
These transitions signal a fresh start for these franchises and a chance to rebuild their identities.
Examining Anaheim’s Offseason Struggles
The Anaheim Ducks have been under scrutiny for their offseason moves, or lack thereof. After a challenging season, fans are eager to see how management plans to turn the team’s fortunes around.
Key Issues Facing the Ducks
Several factors have contributed to the Ducks’ struggles during the offseason:
- Inconsistent Performance: A lack of consistent performance throughout the season has left the team with more questions than answers.
- Player Development: The organization has faced challenges in developing young prospects, which is essential for long-term success.
- Trade Market Activity: Limited activity in trades has left the Ducks with a stagnant roster, making it difficult to compete.
- Salary Cap Constraints: Managing the salary cap has been a challenge, affecting their ability to pursue high-impact free agents.
Player Movements and Retentions
The Ducks have been relatively quiet in the free agency market, leading to concerns about their competitiveness. Here are some notable movements:
| Player | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| John Gibson | Retained | Critical for team success as starting goalie. |
| Troy Terry | Signed Extension | Key forward with potential for growth. |
| Adam Henrique | Trade Rumors | Possible move could free up cap space. |
These decisions will determine the Ducks’ ability to compete effectively in the upcoming season.
Benefits of Strategic Offseason Planning
A well-planned offseason can set the foundation for a successful NHL season. Here are several benefits of strategic planning:
- Team Cohesion: Ensuring that new players integrate well can enhance teamwork and performance.
- Increased Fan Engagement: Smart acquisitions can excite fans and drive ticket sales.
- Competitive Edge: Teams that proactively improve their rosters can gain an advantage over rivals.
- Long-Term Success: Planning for future seasons can ensure sustained competitiveness and stability.
Practical Tips for NHL Teams during Offseason
For NHL teams looking to optimize their offseason strategies, consider the following practical tips:
- Evaluate Current Roster: Conduct a thorough review to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
- Engage in Analytics: Utilize data analysis to make informed decisions regarding player performance and potential trades.
- Develop Young Talent: Focus on nurturing prospects through training camps and development leagues.
- Stay Active in Trade Talks: Being proactive in trade discussions can open up new opportunities for roster improvement.
Case Studies: Successful Offseason Strategies
Let’s take a look at a few teams that have effectively executed strong offseason strategies in previous years:
| Team | Year | Key Moves |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 2020 | Acquired Blake Coleman and Barclay Goodrow; won the Stanley Cup. |
| St. Louis Blues | 2019 | Midseason coaching change helped propel them to a Cup victory. |
| Colorado Avalanche | 2021 | Signed free agents like Devon Toews, enhancing defensive depth. |
These case studies illustrate how critical offseason planning and execution can lead to immediate and long-term success in the NHL.
First-Hand Experience: What Players Say About Offseason Changes
Players often share their perspectives on the impact of offseason changes. Here are a few quotes that highlight the importance of effective management:
– “It’s always tough to see teammates go, but we know it’s part of the business. A fresh start can give everyone a chance to shine.” – Veteran Player
– “I trust that the management has a plan. They’ve done a great job bringing in the right pieces.” – Rising Star
– “New coaches bring new ideas; it can be a great opportunity for us to grow as a team.” – Team Captain
These sentiments reflect the complex emotions tied to team dynamics and the hope that offseason changes can lead to greater results.
