NHL Rumors: Rangers coaching candidates, Jack Eichel has not asked for trade, and is Seth Jones available?
Anthony Scultore
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NHL rumors begin as New York Rangers coaching candidates emerge. Earlier today they dismissed David Quinn and his staff after three seasons on the job. “I would like to thank David Quinn, David Oliver, Jacques Martin, and Greg Brown for all of their efforts and dedication to the Rangers,” Chris Drury said in a statement. “I wish each of them the best in their future endeavors. We will begin our search for a new head coach immediately.”
New York Rangers coaching candidates
As soon as the firings of both John Davidson and Jeff Gorton took place it was expected that Quinn would be the next to fall. Already at that time two names were immediately brought to my attention and they were John Tortorella and Gerard Gallant. Since then names like Bruce Boudreau, Patrick Roy, and Claude Julien followed. Another name that came up was Mike Babcock, but that sounded like it was coming more from his camp as having interest.
Today, Larry Brooks who broke the firing noted the new coach must be an experienced one.
It is expected that Drury will replace Quinn with an experienced NHL head coach who will face a mandate to take the Blueshirts to the next level, and sooner rather than later. Gerard Gallant, Rick Tocchet, Bob Hartley, John Tortorella, Mike Babcock and Patrick Roy are among the early candidates to follow Quinn, who came to New York three years ago after a successful stint behind the bench at Boston University.
NY Post
As far as I know, John Tortorella has the inside track and the Rangers don’t want to drag this on. Expect a decision this month.
Sabres GM: Jack Eichel has not asked for a trade
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams spoke with the media today to address the season. Immediately he was asked about Jack Eichel. The focus was on the disconnect with him and the organization with regards to his neck injury.
“We all want the same thing. We want Jack Eichel to be healthy, to be able to play at the top of his game,” Adams said. The biggest issue is that according to the GM, Eichel wants to do a surgery that they are uncomfortable with (cervical disk replacement).
As far as a possible trade, Adams says he has not asked for one. Of course, we all heard him clearly say, “I want to get healthy to play next season, WHEREVER that might be.”
“On the trade front, it’s probably been one of those questions I’ve been asked every time I’ve had a press conference and I’ve given the same answer,” Adams said when asked if Eichel had submitted a trade request. “The answer is no.”
Sportsnet
Seth Jones watch?
On the latest TSN Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun pointed out comments from Seth Jones during his exit meetings about weighing his options. LeBrun stressed to Blue Jackets fans to not panic, but notes that Jones will be a free agent next summer.
Could he be available at the trade deadline? That’s the big question.
Jones’ agent, Pat Brisson is going to be sitting down next week with the Jackets and Jones to start discussions on what a new deal would look like.