Mike Babcock is hindering the hiring process for coaches around the league. Babcock is the belle of the ball and it seems as though no team is prepared to move forward without knowing what he’s going to do. Because of that, Jeff Blashill remains unavailable which removes another coach from the pool.
Former Sharks boss Todd McLellan had a chat with Peter Chiarelli at the World Championships but I’d say that was out of convenience while Chiarelli, too, waits for Babcock to decide release the brakes on coaching searches league-wide.
Also hindering the process is Ken Hitchcock and the St. Louis Blues. Will he stay, will he go? No one knows the fate of two high profile coaches so no one wants to jump on any other moves. Babcock, Blashill and Hitchcock should be high on the Sharks to-do list for interviews but none of them are available. This is causing Doug Wilson to contact riff-raff like Randy Carlyle and ponder over other less desirable options – like friends he’s made from his playing days.
The best case scenario for San Jose is that Babcock stays in Detroit. That’s the only way that Jeff Blashill becomes available. It’s pretty safe to say the Wings would promote Blashill should Babcock leave because they know they have a beauty coach on deck. And why would Babcock pick San Jose if he left? Babcock leaving takes Blashill away from San Jose as well.
So, Mike and Ken, make a decision and stop wasting everyone’s time. You either like where you’re at or you don’t. And St. Louis, if you don’t like Hitchcock just announce a split and move on. We’re all waiting.
Other Notes:
- The Sharks are announcing their extension to remain at the SAP Center beyond 2017-2018 today. That will give them enough time to begin talks to get a brand new arena on the citizens dollar, even though Hasso Plattner could buy every arena in North America, probably.
- Brent Burns has three assists for Canada so far at the World Championships. Canada sits atop Group A with an unblemished record while Belarus leads Group B for some strange, unknown, reason.
- Ben Smith has zero points in four games for the Americans, who sit 4th in Group B.
- Tomas Hertl has a goal and an assist for the Czech Republic, who sit 4th in Group A.
- Sharks prospect Rourke Chartier is the WHL’s most sportsmanlike player, winning the Brad Hornung Trophy for the 2014-2015 season. Somewhere Logan Couture threw up a little. Chartier isn’t expected to suit up for Game One of the WHL Finals against Brandon but may be available later in the series.
Thanks for reading.