Coaching Searches and the Calgary Flames Rebuild Will Continue

Notes on the Kings, Oilers, and Maple Leafs coaching searches 

NHL Rumour Report: Darren Dreger on Barn Burner on the LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers: “For these veteran teams like LA and Edmonton, Craig Berube and Peter Laviolette are on their radar; a closer type of coach.”

NHL Watcher: Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast on the Toronto Maple Leafs coach search: “I think Malhotra, very legitimate candidate, I think Woodcroft, potentially a candidate, I do think if David Carle wanted to talk to them, I think he would be a candidate.”

Eric Stephens: Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Jay Woodcroft’s name coming up for some of the head coaching vacancies: “I would never hold a coach back from getting a head coaching job. There’s only 32 of them. That’s the pinnacle of his profession, so I would never hold him back from that.”

The Calgary Flames have more players and contracts to move to continue the rebuild

Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff: The Calgary Flames moved off of some big assets at the trade deadline – Rasmus Andersson, MacKenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri – and are stockpiling for the future. They added two first, and five seconds (three have conditions attached).

Sources say the Flames aren’t finished and are open to moving more. They’re “open to (move) any guys other than (goaltender) Dustin Wolf, (forwards) Matvei Gridin and Matt Coronato and defenseman Zayne Parekh.’’

Forward Blake Coleman has a year left at $4.9 million and a 10-team draft list. He’ll get interest from contending teams.

Forward Yegor Sharangovich carries a $5.75 million cap hit through 2030. He only put up 29 points last season in 79 games and was dropped down to the fourth line. He has a 10-team no-trade list. Won’t net much of a return.

Morgan Frost carries a $4.375 million cap hit through 2027 and an eight-team no-trade list. He put up 22 goals and 21 assists last season. He can play center and could be a valuable trade chip. He’d make sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and not having Brad Treliving as their GM might help the sides make a deal.

Connor Zary has two years left at $3.77 million. Only put up 27 points last year, and there may be some unhappiness on both sides. Can play wing and center. The Montreal Canadiens take chances on players like this.

Maple Leafs Coaching Candidates, and Stars Trade Candidates

Joel Farabee has two years left at $5 million. Would be a middle-six player for some teams, but may not bring back a big return. A team like the Tampa Bay Lightning may have use for his versatility.

There is little chance the Flames would be able to move Jonathan Huberdeau‘s contract. Forward Ryan Strome and defenseman Zach Whitecloud may be more valuable to the Flames than on the trade market.