- Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Capitals GM George McPhee on their coaching situation:
“I don’t know whether it’ll be done in a few weeks or a month, six weeks,” he said. “Take our time and try and do it right.”
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on their coaching situation that may happen before the draft but won’t guarantee it:
“I continue to advance on it,” Bergevin said. “I’m getting closer to a decision but that decision has not been taken yet.
“All the candidates I’ve met with all have elements that I like. It’s not an easy decision, that’s why I’m taking my time because I want to make the right decision.”
The Wild will look to improve team skill through a trade or through free agent targets.
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman on their goaltending situation:
“We’ll explore all options and try and get something done that makes the most sense for us,” Yzerman said. “So I don’t want to really rule out anything but for various reasons there’s opportunities that may make more sense for us but until we know what all opportunities are I can’t say we’re going to do this or do that.”
- Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: In August a group of coaches, GMs, officials and players will meet to discuss the state of the game. They’ll look at the increase amount of interference when players are entering the offensive zone. This meeting will replace the R&D camp. Some GMs are concerned about the “stifling nature of hockey this spring”:
“Everybody would love to roll out the Edmonton Oilers or the New York Islanders of the 80’s and whatnot, but it’s virtually impossible to build that kind of a team so you try and figure out a way to be successful,” Tampa Bay GM and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman said. “And teams have done that. There’s two different teams in the finals this year than last year. I think most people would say, hey, that’s a good thing. Next year everybody’s got hope of winning now.
“But it’s definitely a different league. All the rule changes we made coming out of the lockout were designed to promote skill and whatnot; it hasn’t necessarily done that. It’s made a different game but it’s not necessarily about skill. The teams that compete the hardest and can stay healthy generally are going to win most of the time.”
Canucks GM Mike Gillis:
“There was some discussion about the style of play we’re witnessing and what’s happened, and my perspective is I want offense in the game and I want to see scoring (opportunities), and I think a lot of people feel the same way. But coaches are coaches, and they’re coaching to survive, coaching to coach another day, and they’re coaching the players they have,” Gillis said.
The NHL will ask the AHL if they would test out the hybrid icing rule. One concept that will be discussed is rolling over penalties in a playoff series in attempt to prevent late-game nastiness.
