Thursday's surprise announcement that Patrick Roy is stepping down as head coach of the Colorado Avalanche will create a domino effect. The Avs are under the gun to act quickly to find a replacement before the beginning of September's training camp.
Here we go again with Travis Green rumors. Just when you thought it was safe. https://t.co/E6jVs5cbnQ
— Mark Caswell, Jr. (@MarkCaswellJr) August 11, 2016
Utica Comets head coach Greeen was in the mix for the Anaheim Ducks job that eventually went to Randy Carlyle and continues to draw a good deal of attention as one of the best young candidates for an NHL job.
.@RealBillWatters: Travis Green, I had him in Toronto. Wonderful personality - exact opposite of Patrick Roy. So he might be a good fit
— TSN Radio Vancouver (@TSN1040) August 12, 2016
I wonder, though—after taking a chance on Roy, who had never coached at the NHL level, will the Avalanche be more tempted to go with a bench boss like, say, Paul MacLean, who has big-league experience?
If the Avs choose to mirror the Ducks, they could go back to the coach who brought them a Stanley Cup—in their case, in 2001....
Sakic closes the interview saying he's a big fan of Bob Hartley (when asked about him specifically) but says will take time to make a hire.
— Altitude Sports 950 (@Altitude950) August 12, 2016
I can't get over the fact that now, the Jack Adams winners from 2015 (Hartley), 2014 (Roy) and 2013 (MacLean) are all out of their jobs. The most recent incumbent who's still in place is 2012 winner Ken Hitchcock, who has already announced that the 2016-17 season in St. Louis will be his last.
I wonder what this means for 2016 winner Barry Trotz in Washington?
Also from Utica this week, the organization has lost one member of its team to an NHL call-up:
#Comets' Brendan Burke lands 'dream job' calling Islanders gameshttps://t.co/IY1CxXLbSH
— Ben Birnell (@OD_Birnell) August 12, 2016
After the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, all prospects will begin with the Canucks training camp at Whistler, which starts September 22, before reporting to Utica.
Another new face at the Canucks camp will be Erik Gudbranson. Here's some video of him ramping up his offseason training, still working out in South Florida for the time being:
And finally, as of the noon hour, Sven Baertschi and his girlfriend have a ways to go before they'll be unlocked from their cage:
Sven & Laura are locked in with Cola!Help support @BC_SPCA at https://t.co/jqc4JiQn5M #LockIn4Love ðŸ¶â¤ï¸ pic.twitter.com/TQWWgYixPO
— Canucks For Kids (@Canucksforkids) August 12, 2016
They're just over the $2,500 mark for their fundraising, and will need to hit $4,000 before they're released.
Have a great weekend. Enjoy the Olympics! By Monday, we should start getting some clarity on the Jimmy Vesey situation, which should start a chain reaction for the other wingers that are still out in the marketplace.