Hitchcock on the hot seat? Puljujarvi may welcome a change of scenery
Sportsnet: Edmonton Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock’s style of coaching may be wearing thin on their younger players and he’s been asked to be more positive.
“He’s certainly made a lot of noise in terms of the way he’s challenged his players,” said Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos of Hitchcock during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada. “I think it’s been noted within the organization and my understanding is they’ve addressed it and they’d like him to be a lot more positive, not only publicly but behind closed doors in the dressing room if he’s to remain behind the bench the next 24 games.
“If not, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see a guy like Glen Guletzan in the rest of the season.”
Kypreos thinks it’s highly unlikely that they trade forward Jesse Puljujarvi. His value is low and they are not just going to give him away.
Puljujarvi may be hoping he’s moved according to Elliotte Friedman.
“I think one thing about that is I think the player might want to go,” said Friedman. “So Edmonton has a bridge they’ll have to build.”
Canadiens GM happy but not satisfied with his defensemen
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Reilly knows that his position in the Canadiens lineup isn’t on steady ground.
Word is Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin could be looking for a defenseman that could replace Reilly on the second pairing. Bergevin when asked if some change could be coming to their blueline.
“I’m not hesitating to answer; I’m hesitating how to answer that,” Julien said. “You’re never satisfied, and that’s not a knock against the players. You’re always trying to get better, you’re always trying to improve your group. Having said that, I think this group here has done a pretty good job. Since December, I think we’re the team that’s given the third-least amount of goals against, so that’s gotta say something about our group of defencemen, and they’re doing a great job. Right now I’m happy, I’m not satisfied.”
Reilly’s game has been inconsistent at times and Bergevin made note of earlier this year.
