|
|
| Earlier we reported Islanders GM Garth Snow was close to hiring a new coach. We have learned that decision has been made as the New York Islanders hired Scott Gordon, the AHL coach of the year, on Tuesday night to replace dismissed head coach Ted Nolan, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Gordon emerged as the choice of general manager Garth Snow after an extensive search following Nolan's departure on July 14 and agreed to a multiyear deal with the team. The 45-year-old Gordon, who guided the Providence Bruins to the second round of the playoffs last season and the AHL's best record, got the job over established NHL coaches such as John Tortorella, Joel Quenneville, Bob Hartley, Paul Maurice and Mike Sullivan, who all interviewed for the post.
|
|
|
|
| With 17 forwards under contract, Lightning left winger Jussi Jokinen and right winger Michel Ouellet are on the trading block, according to the St. Petersburg Times. |
Our View: The Tennessean reported the Predators might be interested in one of them, depending on whether forward Alexander Radulov returns to the team. Radulov has one year left on his contract but signed with Russia's Salavat Yulaev Ufa, and the International Ice Hockey Federation is expected to announce a ruling on his future later this week.
|
|
|
|
| Predators GM David Poile tells reporters that center Steve Sullivan is a "long shot" to be ready for training camp, according to the Nashville City Paper. Sullivan hasn't played hockey since February 2007 and has had multiple back surgeries. "He has been to the doctor," Poile told The City Paper. "He is working with his therapist. There has unfortunately not been a lot of change." |
Our View: Earlier this summer Sullivan told The Tennessean he had begun on-ice workouts and had undergone intense rehabilitation but continued to be hampered by spasms. Nashville is on the hook for Sullivan's $3.2M salary for one more season, but he told The Tennessean that Poile has been supportive even though it's been difficult to set a timetable for his return, and now we wonder if he will return at all.
|
|
|
|
| Wild GM Doug Risebrough is traveling to Slovakia and the Czech Republic to scout an under-18 tournament and will likely try to start talks with star winger Marian Gaborik about an extension while he's there, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "The player in this case will be a free agent in a year from now, and he should hear what the GM plans for the team and what we're trying to accomplish and how we're trying to accomplish it," Risebrough told the Pioneer Press. "I think it's probably fairly obvious, but I want to talk about it face to face." Gaborik, 26, can be an unrestricted free agent after this season, in which he will make $7.5 million. |
Our View: Risebrough wants to get Gaborik's extension locked up before the Wild begin training camp Sept. 19 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, according to the Pioneer Press. The Minneapolis Star Tribune previously reported the Wild will make Gaborik an offer in the range of $8.5 million per year among the variety of proposals they'll make. Risebrough previously told the Pioneer Press that Gaborik won't get a maximum offer in the range of $11 million per season. Gaborik had 42 goals and 83 points and was plus-17 in 77 games last season.
|
|
|
|
| An NHL source tells Newsday that Islanders GM Garth Snow is deciding between three finalists in his search to find a new coach and could announce his decision early this week, according to ESPN.com. After considering at least eight candidates and having contacted others, Snow's finalists are former Thrashers and Avalanche coach Bob Hartley, former Maple Leafs and Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice and Providence Bruins [AHL] coach Scott Gordon. |
Our View: Those known to have missed the cut were Isles assistant and former Blue Jackets head coach Gerard Gallant, former Kings, Canucks and Avalanche coach Marc Crawford, former Lightning coach John Tortorella and former Bruins head coach Mike Sullivan.
|
|
|
|
| It appears our overdue news on the future of Mats Sundin is close to arriving, according to ESPN.com. "He's working out off the ice and he's supposed to start on the ice the beginning of the week," Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher told reporters in Toronto today. |
Our View: J.P. Barry, the agent for Sundin, last week told TSN that the unrestricted free agent "isn't close" to making a decision on his future. Sundin, 37, had been expected to announce August 1st whether he intended to play or retire, but Barry clarified that to mean sometime in August. As a result, many believe the long time to make a decision means Sundin is leaning toward retirement. Barry previously said six teams are vying for Sundin's services. Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are confirmed to be pursuing him, with the Canucks' two-year, $20M offer the richest of any offer.
|
|
|
|
| Brett Hull is going to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Well, one of them anyway. Hull will be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, according to the AP. Joining him will be defenseman Brian Leetch, goalie Mike Richter and Cami Granato, the top scorer in history for the U.S. women's team. |
Our View: Hull had 741 goals in his career, so this was obviously a no-brainer. He'll make his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Canada when he is eligible in a few years.
|
|
|
|
| The Chicago Wolves of the AHL have signed 11-year NHL veteran Jamie Rivers, according to the Canadian Press. |
Our View: The Ottawa native collected 17 goals, 49 assists, 66 points and 385 penalty minutes in 454 career NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes.
|
|
|
|
| The Colorado Avalanche have signed Nigel Williams to an entry-level contract, according to the Rocky Mountain News. Terms of the deal were not released. |
Our View: Williams had 15 goals and 46 points in 67 OHL games last season. He will most likely start his career for Colorado in the minors.
|
|
