Connect with us

Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Coach Search Update: Version 3.0

Published

2 years ago

on

Bruce Cassidy-Bruins-Boston

The Detroit Red Wings are one of several teams seeking to fill a head coaching vacancy. When Steve Yzerman opted to not renew Jeff Blashill’s contract, it signaled a pivot in the rebuild. Not only would Yzerman seek a new voice, but he would choose one to take the Red Wings to the next level.

As of Tuesday evening, there’s been movement in the carousel as two names, Bruce Cassidy and John Tortorella, have been offered positions with Vegas and Philadelphia respectively.

Meanwhile, in the latest 32 Thoughts Podcast with Elliotte Friedman, he indicated that Yzerman has cast a “wide net” that includes coaches of every kind. This goes in line with what Yzerman said at his end of the year press conference.

In other words, no one has the foggiest idea of what he’ll do. In the meantime, DHN will log coaches mentioned as well as those now off the list.

Here’s the most recent update on the latest coaching information, whose name has been mentioned, and whether the Detroit Red Wings have been involved with interviews. Last Updated: June 17 at 1:35 EST

Bruce Cassidy – Hired by Vegas Golden Knights

Just when the coaching carousel couldn’t get any more interesting, on hops Cassidy. In the same shocking category as Trotz, Cassidy left a very successful team and became available to curious teams. Might Yzerman have looked his way? Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff.com believed that Cassidy was on Philadelphia’s list for an interview. But as it would play out, Cassidy would go to a team that is built to win now.

By Tuesday afternoon, Cassidy was no longer unemployed. The Vegas Golden Knights have named him the third coach in team history:

John Tortorella – Hired by Philadelphia Flyers

For the segment of the Red Wings fans base that wanted nothing to do with Tortorella, they can breathe easy. The NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes reported Tuesday evening that Tortorella was in “late stages” negotiations to become the Flyers next bench boss and that he was offered the gig by the Flyers. He was officially named yesterday after the team hammered out a four-year deal:

 

David Quinn

Frank Seravalli tweeted that the former New York Rangers bench boss has interviewed with the Red Wings. Quinn has a history of coaching and developing younger talent, working as the head coach for the Lake Erie Monsters (2009-11) and also Boston University. His tenure in New York ended last season after the Rangers missed the playoffs. Quinn also interviewed with the Flyers per Seravalli.

Jeff Blashill

Speaking of the former Red Wings bench boss, Seravalli reports that Blashill has interviewed with the Flyers. There’s some speculation that Blashill may be a target for the Florida Panthers if they decide to not give Andrew Brunette the full time gig.

Current Florida general manager Bill Zito kept Blashill on as the US men’s coach in 2018, which earned the US a bronze medal at the World Championships.

If Zito is anything like Yzerman,  perhaps he’ll look closer at someone he has worked with before. In the meantime, Blashill waits as the Flyers have apparently chosen Tortorella.

Luke Richardson

The Montreal assistant coach has been sought after by the Chicago Blackhawks, who still haven’t removed the interim tag from Derek King. Chicago has asked for permission to speak to him, per Seravalli. Richardson has been an assistant with several teams and even ran the Montreal bench last season as the Habs pushed for the Stanley Cup Final. Richardson filled in for then head coach Dominique Ducharme, who was placed in COVID protocol.

Barry Trotz

Trotz has been linked to several openings, notably Detroit, Winnipeg, Philadelphia, and Vegas. Trotz was shockingly let go by the New York Islanders and immediately shot up as one of the most desired hires. It remains to be seen what Trotz would want, and he has indicated he’s in no hurry about where he’s going to go. He has interviewed with Detroit already.

Yzerman talked specifically about how the Red Wings needed to tighten up defensively and Trotz would certainly help there. The real question: Would he want to take a chance on a team that appears a bit further behind than others in the rebuild phase? Though prospects like Jonatan Berggren and Simon Edvinsson seem likely to be on the roster, Detroit still has a number of holes to fill.

A team ready for contention-such as Florida, should they want to go a different direction, might be more likely.

Derek Lalonde

Though he’s in a holding pattern due to the Lightning still being in the playoffs, Lalonde’s name continues to come up with insiders everywhere. The Red Wings could be a logical fit due to Yzerman hiring him in Tampa Bay back in 2018. But there will be many enticing jobs open for him should he make the leap.

Peter DeBoer

The former coach of the Vegas Golden Knights has been linked to the Dallas job. There’s also been some speculation that DeBoer interviewed with the Red Wings but that hasn’t been verified. DeBoer has taken two teams, the New Jersey Devils (2012) and San Jose Sharks (2016) to the Stanley Cup final.

Rick Tocchet

Another name on the radar is Rick Tocchet, who could certainly be looked at by Detroit. Tocchet has been linked to jobs in the past, with multiple interviews last offseason.

Kirk Muller and Mike Vellucci

The Calgary Flames assistant coach has purportedly generated interest from the Flyers and Jets. Muller had a go around as the Carolina Hurricanes head coach nearly a decade ago.

Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci has also interviewed with Philadelphia according to Elliotte Freidman. Vellucci has been an assistant with the Pens for two full seasons now. The Red Wings have not been linked to either coach as of yet.

BetRivers

States: Mi

GET THE APP
SIGNUP BONUSUP TO $250
BONUS MONEYBET NOW

Jim Montgomery

The former Dallas bench boss has reportedly interest by the Flyers according to Friedman. Philly Hockey Now‘s Sam Carchidi wrote that he expects him to be interviewed sometime this week.

He has not been linked with Detroit. Montgomery is currently an assistant coach in St. Louis.

Brad Shaw

Seravalli also listed Shaw as another coach on the Blackhawks’ list. They recently asked Vancouver for permission to interview him, as Shaw is currently an assistant head coach with the Canucks and has coached as an assistant for several NHL clubs in the past.

Marc Savard

Savard is currently the bench boss for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and has them in the OHL Final in just his first season. Jeff Marek said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Savard was on “Jim Nill’s list” as a potential hire. Savard was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues during the 2019-20 campaign. He stepped away in September 2020 and then was hired by Windsor in August 2021. Update: Savard recently tweeted this out following a Windsor victory:

Related Topics: