NHL insider confirms Avalanche pursuing coach tied to division foe
Photo credit: ColoradoHockeyNow.com
The Avalanche have yet to fill the assistant coaching vacancy left by Ray Bennett, but according to one NHL insider, they may have their sights set on an AHL coach who could soon become available.
Dallas Stars AHL head coach Neil Graham could be exploring new opportunities if he isn't promoted to a spot on the Stars' NHL coaching staff.
NHL insider confirms Avalanche pursuing new assistant coach.
Aarif Deen from Colorado Hockey Now writes that NHL insider Elliotte Friedman had this to say on Sportsnet 590's The Fan Hockey Show...
"As for Neil Graham, (The Stars) have decisions to make. What do they want to do, What does he want to do. I'll tell you one thing, Colorado has an open job on the bench to run the power play. I heard Gulutzan was on their radar. I heard Steve Spott was on the radar but took the opportunity in Boston. I can see a team like Colorado asking for permission (for Graham)." -Friedman
Ray Bennett was dismissed nearly two months ago after Colorado's Game 7 loss to Dallas, largely due to the team's underwhelming power play performance in the playoffs. Since then, multiple head coaching and assistant coaching hired have been made across the league, but the Avalanche have yet to make a move.
In addition to Bennett's departure, the Avalanche organization also saw two more coaches leave the AHL ranks, as Dan Hinote and Aaron Schneekloth accepted assistant coaching positions in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Seattle Kraken, respectively.
Here's what Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland had to say about his ongoing search for a new assistant coach...
«We have got a lot of great candidates, and that process is ongoing. Similar here with our assistant coach position. I don't know exactly the timeline, but I would like it to be sooner, rather than later, that we get those three positions filled.» -MacFarland
Friedman's mention of the Avalanche's coaching search marks the first time any rumours or reports have surfaced regarding the vacancy.
We'll see how it all unfolds before the start of next season.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 2 | 17 ANSWERS NHL insider confirms Avalanche pursuing coach tied to division foe Would Neil Graham be a good fit for the Avalanche's coaching staff? | ||
| yes | 12 | 70.6 % |
| no | 5 | 29.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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