Last summer, the LA Kings created a special coaching position for former NHL scoring star Pierre Turgeon. “Sneaky Pete” was hired to be John stevens’ offensive coordinator.
Not assistant coach but
offensive coordinator.
By all accounts, Turgeon helped build the offensive production in 2017-18.
In 2016-17, the Kings were 25th overall in goals scored in the NHL with 199 GF (2.43 GPG).
In 2017-18, Turgeon's one anad only season as offensive coordinator, the Kings finished 16th overall with 237 total goals scored for (2.89 GPG).
The Kings PP finished 15th overall in 2016-17 and finished 17th overall in 2017-18.
On Friday, Turgeon abruptly resigned the position that was seemingly tailor made just for him.
Turgeon is leaving the Kings due to family reasons. It is not known at this time if Stevens will be replacing Turgeon.
Turgeon, 48, played 19 seasons in the NHL. He was chosen first overall by the Buffalo Sabres at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. In 1294 NHL regular season games, Turgeon scored 515 goals and 812 assists for 1327 points. In 109 career NHL playoff games, Turgeon scored 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points.
In a statement, Kings GM Rob Blake thanked Turgeon for his one year of service.
Pierre has informed us that he has decided not to return to his coaching position due to family reasons and we have accepted his resignation. We thank him for his efforts with the Kings this past season and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.
Under Turgeon's tutelage, Kings veteran forwards Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown bounced back from terrible seasons in 2016-17. Kopitar and Brown scored 92 and 61 points respectively to lead the LA Kings on their quest to secure a Western Conference playoff berth.
Family comes first. Turgeon has a private matter that he is tending to with his wife and family.
There's no word as to whether he will return to the NHL. However, if and when he does, it would be a great idea for Buffalo Sabres bench boss Phil Housley to hire Turgeon to coach more offensive production out of his 31st place Sabres.
Housley and Turgeon were Buffalo Sabres teammates for three seasons. The buffalo power play was a veritable freak show with Housley, Turgeon, Dave Andreychuk, Mike Foligno, Ray Sheppard, Christian Ruuttuu and Doug Bodger on it.
The Sabres power play was ranked #1 in the NHL in 2016-17. It went from penthouse to out house in 2017-18, finishing 31st overall.
Housley has not made changes to his coaching staff yet. After a careful review of hiss staff, I feel that Housley will be making changes in the near future. Will David Payne and Chris Hajt be returning next season? We will see in the next two weeks. Houlsey and Botterill will have time to interview coaching candidates while in Dallas for the NHL Draft.
Team Sweden World Championship gold medal winning head coaach Rikard Gronborg is a strong candidate to join the Sabres as an assistant coach.
Turgeon was a first overall pick in the NHL Draft. Two weeks from today, Sabres GM Jason Botterill will be selecting Rasmus Dahlin first overall at the NHL Draft in Dallas. Who better top mentor and coach a first overall pick than a former first overall pick in the draft?
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