On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Martin Biron: “Golden Knights may have their new head coach handed to them on a silver platter.”
James Mirtle: Guessing that Gerard Gallant is now the Golden Knights front-runner for their head coaching position.
Frank Seravalli: Vegas GM George McPhee recently said they are not in a rush to name a head coach.
“We have time,” McPhee said. “We’re talking to people all along. When you’re vetting someone, you find people will be a little more open about someone than in the spring when it’s getting close to making a decision. They make be a little circumspect because they think that’s the guy you want for the job, they don’t want to prejudice them too much.”
McPhee added they would prefer a coach with NHL experience but they are open to any possibility.
On the Boston Bruins …
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Ryan Spooner’s two-year, $1.9 million contract is up after this season. The pending restricted free agent has struggled this season and has been dropped to the fourth line. If he doesn’t turn things around, it is unlikely he’d get a raise from the Bruins, and a return to the Bruins may not be guaranteed.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Vancouver Canucks are expected to start contract extension talks with defenseman Erik Gudbranson starting in January. There have been rumors that Gudbranson will be looking for something in the $5 million per season range.
The Canucks need to start planning for the March 1st trade deadline now. They need to accumulate more assets. They could look to move pending UFAs Alex Burrows and Ryan Miller. If the Canucks are going to go the full rebuild mode, they could look to move Jannik Hansen, Alex Edler, Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
