ALL THINGS HOCKEY: SULLIVAN TO RANGERS?
It’s open season on NHL goaltenders. If there was
any doubt, New Jersey’s TIMO MEIER ran over
FREDERICK ANDERSON yesterday, knocking
the Carolina goalie into his net and out of the game
(possibly the rest of the Stanley Cup playoffs) … and
wasn’t penalized for it … I know, I know, the refs
checked the replay and decided Meier couldn’t help
it … that he was hit by a Hurricanes' player from
behind.
Except, he wasn’t … a stick around the skates isn’t
enough to let him off. No, Devils’ forward made
no attempt to avoid a collision with the goalie
owning the best save percentage (.943) in the first
round – all teams – to date. Meier should have gotten
something.
Believe it or not … the Montreal Canadiens have
become hockey’s darlings because, I guess, they are
making their first Cup appearance in more than 10
years … That helps to explain, at least in part, why
everyone seems to be rooting them on against the
Washington Capitals. TV’s talking heads, most of
them from north of the border, you can understand.
(Whatever happened to NO CHEERING IN THE
PRESS BOX?) … But when it carries over down on
the ice … It says here the Canadiens lead the league
in interference not called. And when it is (not often
enough, given the volume of obstruction), how in the
world can they object? … which, nevertheless, they
always do.
Keep it up, and one of my pre-Cup choices to reach
the playoff finals won’t. I know, I know … the
Capitals were runaway regular-season winners in the
East yet hardly anyone thinks they can go all the way
… not in a conference that includes defending
champion Florida, our No. 2 choice Tampa Bay, and
the mighty Toronto Maple Leafs. The Caps,
however, have been a great story. Why write The
End so soon? … especially to a first-round opponent
that didn’t qualify until the final regular-season game
… Also, I think the LA Kings will come out of the
West. If they could play every game on home ice, it
would be a no-brainer.
Rangers’ search for a new coach, their fifth in six
years, was said to include JOHN TORTORELLA,
who had the job once before; RICK TOCCHET,
who turned Vancouver into a solid, tough team and a
Cup contender in 2023-24: career NHL assistant
JAY LEECH, who won a couple of AHL
championships; and DAVID CARLE, – and two-
time NCAA winner – at the University of Denver.
Updating … Tortorella, a favorite of Rangers’ owner
JAMES DOLAN, reportedly is no longer on GM
CHRIS DRURY’s wish list … Saturday, the
Canucks decided not to negotiate a new contract for
Tocchet, making him available … although he is said
bound for the Flyers as replacement for Tortorella
(fired) … Earle also made news yesterday when he
withdrew from the Chicago Blackhawks’ search.
Although Earle is considered the game’s
latest/greatest bright young mind. People who
“KNOW” don’t think Drury will peg his failing
popularity in the Big Apple, and hope to come about,
on another coach without pro experience, not since
DAVID QUINN failed so miserably … and was let
go by Drury during his first year on the job (2021) …
Leech is among eight NHL assistants
supposedly being considered, They include – are you
ready for this? – JESSICA CAMPBELL, Kraken
assistant and first female to be hired as NHL coach
She made her debut this year with Seattle, which
fired coach DAN BYLSMA after one season.
Campbell previously worked with Bylsma on the
Kraken’s AHL team in Concha Valley.
Yesterday morning the Penguins announced they
were parting ways with MIKE SULLIVAN,
winningest coach in franchise history and two-time
Cup champion. It was said to be a mutual decision
although Sullivan had two years remaining on his
contract and said he intended to live up to it …
which supposedly ended speculation he was Drury’s
first choice … Just like that Sullivan now becomes
odds-on favorite to replace PETER LAVIOLETTE
(fired) in New York … although the Islanders are
said in the mix, too..
Richmond’s ZAC JONES, an unrestricted free
agent, says he isn’t sure whether he will re-sign with
the Rangers. The 24 year old defenseman played 46
games in 2024-25 after appearing in only 31 the
previous year (both under Laviolette). In all, Jones
was a healthy scratch in 80 games.
Until next time ...
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