Connect with us

Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Coaching Search Update: Version 4.0

Published

2 years ago

on

The Detroit Red Wings are one of several teams seeking to fill a head coaching vacancy. When Steve Yzerman opted to not renew Jeff Blashill’s contract, it signaled a pivot in the rebuild. Not only would Yzerman seek a new voice, but he would choose one to take the Red Wings to the next level.

As of Monday morning, rumors are afoot that Pete DeBoer is heading to Dallas and a couple expected names that are linked with Yzerman via Elliotte Friedman.  Additionally, the latest news includes updates on DeBoer, Barry Trotz, Derek Lalonde, Jeff Halpern, Travis Green, Rick Tocchet, and Paul Maurice.

Here’s the most recent update on the latest coaching information, whose name has been mentioned, and whether the Detroit Red Wings have been involved with interviews. Last Updated: June 24 at 10:00 pm EST

Confirmed Hires

  • Bruce Cassidy:   Vegas Golden Knights
  • John Tortorella:  Philadelphia Flyers
  • Peter DeBoer: Dallas Stars
  • Paul Maurice: Florida Panthers

Luke Richardson – in negotiations with Chicago Blackhawks

Updated: Per Seravalli, The Blackhawks are putting the “finishing touches” on a contract to name Richardson the next head coach.

The Montreal assistant coach has been sought after by the Chicago Blackhawks, who still haven’t removed the interim tag from Derek King. Chicago has asked for permission to speak to him, per Seravalli. Richardson has been an assistant with several teams and even ran the Montreal bench last season as the Habs pushed for the Stanley Cup Final. Richardson filled in for then head coach Dominique Ducharme, who was placed in COVID protocol.

Barry Trotz – No Longer Seeking Coaching Opportunity

The latest from Darren Dreger indicates that Trotz has pulled his name from consideration, wanting to spend time with his family. According to Dreger, he informed Winnipeg of this decision, throwing a damper on the Jets’ courtship of the highly successful coach.

Trotz has been linked with a number of teams and was also interviewed by the Red Wings. Winnipeg seems a likely destination as Trotz is a Manitoba native. Friedman jokes that if he were the Jets, he would “kidnap” him. It just goes to show how respected he is in the game. Frank Seravalli reported Saturday that Trotz interviewed in Florida as well.

Coaching Candidates

Derek Lalonde & Jeff Halpern

Lalonde was already popping up in previous iterations of the DHN updates but now Friedman is adding another name: Jeff Halpern. Freidman seems to think both Lalonde and Halpern are the logical picks for Detroit but cautions it by saying: “Until Steve Yzerman closes the book, don’t close the book.”

Either Tampa Bay assistant wouldn’t be surprising as both have ties to Yzerman’s previous organization. Halpern started cutting his teeth shortly after his playing days ended as an assistant with the Syracuse Crunch, the Bolts’ AHL affiliate.

In Tampa Bay, he’s worked his way up and could seemingly be ready to take over as a head coach. Halpern’s advantage is being in charge of both the forwards and the power play. With experience working at the AHL and NHL level, Halpern certainly fits the bill for developing young and coming talent. Not to mention he could help fix a Detroit power play that has struggled mightily for years.

Descriptions are calling Lalonde the “yin” to Jon Cooper’s “yang” and he seems the likelier of the two to be ascending from an assistant coach to the bench boss. Responsible for the penalty kill and being the eye in the sky, Lalonde would presumably shore up the side of the ice Yzerman was most concerned about: defense.

Bowness A Possibiility?

While on the Tampa kick, one other name to potentially watch is one time Tampa assistant and former Dallas head coach Rick Bowness. Yzerman spoke of his comfort working with those he knows, and Bowness’s time in Tampa certainly intersects with Yzerman’s years with the Bolts. Working for trusted friend Nill in Dallas, and guiding the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 also helps.

Though there hasn’t been any linking to Bowness, he might be an under-the-radar look should Yzerman not tap someone else.

Travis Green

Reported by Seravalli, Green interviewed with the Panthers for their potentially open position should they not promote interim coach Andrew Brunette. Green was fired by Vancouver this past December after being the bench boss since 2017. Of his four seasons in Vancouver, the Canucks finished above .500 once, bowing out in the second round of the 2020 playoffs to Vegas.

Rick Tocchet

Another name on the radar is Rick Tocchet, who could certainly be looked at by Detroit. Tocchet has been linked to jobs in the past, with multiple interviews last offseason. He was recently interviewed by Florida according to Seravalli.

David Quinn

Frank Seravalli tweeted that the former New York Rangers bench boss has interviewed with the Red Wings. Quinn has a history of coaching and developing younger talent, working as the head coach for the Lake Erie Monsters (2009-11) and also Boston University. His tenure in New York ended last season after the Rangers missed the playoffs. Quinn also interviewed with the Flyers per Seravalli.

Jeff Blashill

Speaking of the former Red Wings bench boss, Seravalli reports that Blashill has interviewed with the Flyers. There’s some speculation that Blashill may be a target for the Florida Panthers if they decide to not give Andrew Brunette the full time gig.

Current Florida general manager Bill Zito kept Blashill on as the US men’s coach in 2018. The club wound up earning a bronze medal at the World Championships.

If Zito is anything like Yzerman,  perhaps he’ll look closer at someone he has worked with before. In the meantime, Blashill waits as the Flyers have chosen Tortorella.

Kirk Muller and Mike Vellucci

The Calgary Flames assistant coach has purportedly generated interest from the Flyers and Jets. Muller had a go around as the Carolina Hurricanes head coach nearly a decade ago.

Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci also interviewed with Philadelphia according to Elliotte Freidman. Vellucci has been an assistant with the Pens for two full seasons now. The Red Wings have not been linked to either coach as of yet.

BetRivers

States: Mi

GET THE APP
SIGNUP BONUSUP TO $250
BONUS MONEYBET NOW

Jim Montgomery

The former Dallas bench boss had reportedly interested by the Flyers according to Friedman.

There’s been nothing linking him with with Detroit. Montgomery is currently an assistant coach in St. Louis.

Brad Shaw

Seravalli also listed Shaw as another coach on the Blackhawks’ list. They recently asked Vancouver for permission to interview him, as Shaw is currently an assistant head coach with the Canucks and has coached as an assistant for several NHL clubs in the past.

Marc Savard

Savard is currently the bench boss for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and has them in the OHL Final in just his first season. Jeff Marek said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Savard was on “Jim Nill’s list” as a potential hire. Savard was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues during the 2019-20 campaign. Stepping away in September 2020, Savard then was hired by Windsor in August 2021. Update: Savard recently tweeted this out following a Windsor victory:

Related Topics: