As the playoffs move onto a conclusion and as we head into the off-season, head coaching vacancies should soon be addressed. The one question that will soon be asked is how many rookie coaches will be hired and how many veteran coaches will be given one more chance. In total there is five openings, and all five teams are seeking a coach to take them to that next level, for most of those teams it would be the playoffs.
Dark horses emerging?
When experts mention the names up for the head coaching jobs, the same names are always mentioned. With the Vancouver Canucks making a deep run into the playoffs, their two assistant coaches Rick Bowness and Newell Brown might garner more attention than more would think. Bowness last coached in 2002-03 when he was behind Phoenix’s bench for 20 games. Brown has been an assistant for 14 years, including one Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. Brown would likely get the nod before Bowness, because of his lack of success in the past.
Ottawa front runner?
It was said immediately after the Sens fired Corey Clouston that the front runner would Dave Cameron. Cameron currently coaching St Mike’s Majors of the OHL and coach of the 2011 World Junior Championships for Canada. Another tie is current Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melynk is the owner of the Majors as well. Would Ottawa really want to go back to Junior Hockey for another head coach, their past two coaches Craig Hartsburg and Clouston had more experience in the Junior ranks than pro hockey.
Other potential candidates could be former Detroit assistant Brad McCrimmon, then there is Guy Carbonneau or Craig MacTavish.
Two front runners in Florida
Two names keep getting mentioned in regards to the Florida Panthers head coaching job. Both of those coaching candidates have ties to current Florida general manager Dale Tallon. Both Mike Haviland and John Torchetti won Stanley Cups with Tallon in Chicago serving as assistant coaches to Joel Quenville. When one of the two gets hired it makes sense, simply because Tallon knows what he’d be getting in either one. The only way he learns to another coach is if he gets blown away during the final interviews.
Will Minnesota hire within the organization
My personal opinion is the Wild will hire within their organization. Current Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher was the assistant general manager in Pittsburgh when Michel Therrien was the Pens head coach. Fletcher was responsible in bringing Therrien into the Wild staff as a pro scout for the past few seasons. After Fletcher terminated Todd Richards of his coaching duties, he started the search for his new head coach. Its unlikely the Wild would hire a rookie head coach like Richards, some veteran coaches will not be hired. Ken Hitchcock as an example would not be hired, because he’d want to much input on player personal, Fletcher wants to maintain that power. It comes back to Therrien, he’s the opposite of Richards, more of demanding coach, he also has past head coaching jobs with the Pens and the Habs.
Devil of a coach
Hitchcock’s best chance at becoming a head coach again could be in the Swamp in New Jersey. Both Hitch and Devils GM Lou Lamierello enjoy success when playing a defensive style of game, Hitch also can be a task master, which doesn’t mind. But it could come back to how much control does Hitchcock want and require? If the Devils take a crack at someone else, it could former team captain Kirk Muller, current Canadiens assistant. But, after last years coaching debacle with rookie coach John Maclean, Muller might need to sell himself as the man for the job.
Dallas coaching job wide open
The only thing that jumps out about the Dallas head coaching vacancy is Hitchcock likely would not be considered because he's been there and done that. But from there its anyone's guess on who could be hired. With the exception of Rick Wilson in 2002, the Stars have never had a rookie coach, then again that was the old Stars management. Current Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk could likely turn to a rookie coach, Muller, McCrimmion or Kevin Dineen.
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