In today’s episode of "The Daily Faceoff Show," Frank Seravalli and Mike McKenna discussed which head coaches available on the open market might be the first to settle into vacancies around the National Hockey League. Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Vegas and Winnipeg remain without head coaches into June.
Spoiler alert: Frank and Mike both had Barry Trotz atop their respective lists.
Frank Seravalli: We know that Barry Trotz, or at least it feels like, is holding up the coaching carousel from spinning too wildly. To start, we mentioned the Bruce Cassidy situation in Boston, one to watch. Andrew Brunette [in Florida] as well, Bob Boughner in San Jose — three guys that may not ultimately end up coaching their teams next season, so there could be even more openings. But my question to you is, “What’s the batting order of coaches hired?” You’ve got one at the plate, who’s on deck and who’s in the hole after that?
Mike McKenna: I think we all expect Barry Trotz to be first, so I’m just gonna say he’s the first one and then the waterfall happens afterwards. I actually have a lot of time for David Quinn, I think he might be the next one to fall, even though, to me, he’s been a little bit under the radar. I think it helps that he’s not still directly out of the game like, let’s say, a Pete DeBoer. I think DeBoer might have more time to take and figure out if he wants to do something [that] may not be back in the game. So, to me, I’ve got Trotz, then David Quinn, then I’ve got Rick Tocchet right there, shortly afterwards. I think Tocchet’s gonna have plenty of opportunities if he would want to take them. He’s got a great gig with TNT, but coaches want to coach. Frank, do you have any insight here on what you may think?
Seravalli: Yeah, pretty awesome gig at TNT with that panel. I am gonna say, as we mentioned, Barry Trotz at the plate. I will say Paul Maurice on deck. And then I will say Pete DeBoer after that, in the hole, and Rick Tocchet right behind him on the bench grabbing a bat. I think that’s sort of the pecking order as I see it. Rick Tocchet had some interviews last summer, some opportunities this season with the Dallas Stars at mid-season. They weren’t able to work it out based on the term of the contract that was offered. I’d be curious to see what moves the needle for Paul Maurice. I think he’s truly one of the best coaches in the league and for him to be available and out there, it’s also, like Barry Trotz, gonna have to be a curated fit moving forward.
You can watch the full episode here:
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