2023-05-23 23:30:00
Five NHL teams are currently without a head coach. They are the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals. Which brings us to the next question: how might these teams afford to look up to Patrick Roy?
The big boss of the Quebec Remparts hockey operations is not the only good coach available. Darryl Sutter, who managed the Flames, led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup titles. Peter Laviolette, who was fired by the Capitals, gave the Carolina Hurricanes their only championship to date.
Joel Quenneville, who did not take action once morest his assistant Brad Aldrich in the Kyle Beach case, might be pardoned by Gary Bettman following the next final to obtain the cup. The second-most wins coach with 969 in NHL history, Quenneville has three rings won with the Chicago Blackhawks.
His name has been tainted in the history of Kyle Beach. But if he receives an absolution from the commissioner of the NHL, he should be coveted. Rangers have shown interest in his services.
So, as we can see, Patrick Roy is not alone in the ranks. But if one of the five organizations looking for a head coach really wants to go ahead, they will hire him.
Experience in reconstruction
The Ducks and Blue Jackets are going through a rebuilding phase. But it is not said that Roy might not wish to work for one of these teams.
The Colorado Avalanche had missed the playoffs for three straight years before he returned to Denver to coach. He was named coach of the year in his first season.
Things went downhill for the next two years and Roy and Joe Sakic’s association ended badly. Roy’s decision to leave the Avalanche just weeks before training camp hurt him.
Roy ended up on a blacklist.
The Canadian spoke to him, but out of politeness.
We never felt that the organization to which he gave two Stanley Cups wanted to bring him back into its fold.
Removing his sweater was enough.
Roy scares the general managers. They fear his impulsiveness. The man takes up space.
But it’s a winner.
No one can take that away from him.
Perfect for New York
Roy would be perfect for the Rangers. New York loves big names.
A guy of Roy’s caliber might help Alexis Lafrenière put his young NHL career on solid footing. He might transform the best elements of Rangers, like Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox, to name a few, into champions.
Roy might also give a big boost to the Flames, who many saw as Cup contenders this season. Jonathan Huberdeau’s first season under the direction of Darryl Sutter turned into a disaster.
The arrival of Craig Conroy as CEO is a step in the right direction. I knew Conroy while he was playing in the Canadiens organization, and later with the St. Louis Blues and the Flames.
He is an enthusiastic guy who will bring a breath of fresh air to the Flames. His predecessor Brad Treliving was a drab.
As for Darryl Sutter, it was Darryl Sutter.
A guy who can be charming in life, but who likes to make his players live under a tension that ends up being unbearable.
Why not the Leafs?
There is another team Roy would fit in well, but this one still has its coach for the time being.
Will Sheldon Keefe still be the Leafs’ trusted man behind the bench when Brendan Shanahan chooses Kyle Dubas’ successor?
At the point where the Leafs are, they have everything to gain and have nothing to lose. Roy would probably be able to bring the Auston Matthews, John Tavares and William Nylander to the same level of competitiveness as Mitch Marner, Ryan O’Reilly and Morgan Rielly.
Usually, players respect a coach who has four Stanley Cup rings, plus one Calder Cup, won as a player. Added to this is a Memorial Cup — and perhaps a second one soon — and the Gilles-Courteau Trophy.
If the leaders of the five teams looking for a new head coach have seen the celebrations of the Remparts following their victory once morest the Mooseheads last Sunday in Halifax, they will have noticed that a special bond unites their young players to Patrick Roy.
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