The Daily: Keefe Firing Has Ramifications; Devils Rumors

The only move NHL general managers seem to embrace more than firing coaches is recycling coaches.  The moment an NHL coach is fired, he quickly becomes the hottest coaching candidate in the marketplace. That’s true today for Sheldon Keefe.

Not long after the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Keefe, speculation began about Keefe being a candidate for the New Jersey Devils job.

“Fitzgerald wants to hire someone who can perhaps be a bit more demanding in the locker room, on the ice, and behind the bench,” New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols wrote.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski wrote that Pittsburgh’s respected coach Mike Sullivan is feeling more heat because Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas and Keefe have a long history together.

Meanwile, Craig Berube, fired by the St. Louis Blues in December, remains the hottest name in the marketplace. He seems like a leading candidate for Toronto, along with veteran coach Todd McLellan. Berube has also been mentioned in New Jersey.

We have reached the point that all NHL coaches should be considered interim, or maybe temporary employees. Since the end of last season, 11 months ago, 18 of the 32 NHL teams have changed coaches.

Thank you, Leafs Nation 💙✌️ pic.twitter.com/WN4iXJZjjE

— Sheldon Keefe (@SheldonKeefe) May 9, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

It’s hard to believe it has been 12 years since Red Wings defenseman Nick Lidstrom retired from the NHL. He turned 54 in April.

TSN analyst Craig Button’s post-NHL draft lottery 2024 mock draft has come up with a logical selection for GM Steve Yzerman at No. 15.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now columnist Dan Kingerski said the Pittsburgh Penguins are missing the boat if they don’t act quickly to sign a former Red Wings player.

Paywall option:  The Red Wings were second in the NHL in five-on-five scoring. Michael Rasmussen might have been the team’s most valuable five-on-five scorers. Bob Duff has the story. If you want to subscribe, click here:To receive a $10 discount on a yearly subscription, use the promo code bob10 or kevin10.

Red Wings Offseason

GM Steve Yzerman has plenty of players to re-sign this summer, and the order in which he signs them matters. Ideally, he would re-sign restricted free agents Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond first. Those contracts could eat up the majority of his available cap space. If he knows what he’s paying for those key players, he will know how many of his unrestricted free agents he can sign. For example, right now he can’t be sure he has enough cap space for both Patrick Kane and Shayne Gostisbehere. The problem is that the Seider and Raymond negotiations may not be settled quickly. You never know with negotiations. Once July 1 hits, Detroit’s free agents aren’t going to wait on the Red Wings.

Hockey Now Network

Colorado: CHN’s Evan Rawal wrote that Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen dropped the ball in the loss to Dallas in Game 2. That seemed to be the coach’s view as well. Colorado Avalanche. 

Nashville: Potential UFA Jason Zucker says he has more to give if GM Barry Trotz re-signs him. Nashville Predators. 

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey makes the case for the Flyers to move up in the upcoming NHL draft. The Flyers currently own the 12th pick. Philadelphia Flyers. 

San Jose: Sheng Peng reports general manager Mike Grier has interviewed assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky for the vacant head coaching job. San Jose Sharks.