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NHL not quite ready to embrace the next generation in coach hires |
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When it comes to hiring head coaches, NHL teams still prefer the old guard to the next generation.
The Boston Bruins are interviewing multiple coaches, but former New York Rangers coach David Quinn seems to be one of the favorites. The Bruins have also interviewed Jim Montgomery who was once the Dallas Stars coach.
If Quinn wins the job, he would be the fourth former NHL coach to rejoin the league. New hires John Tortorella (Philadelphia), Bruce Cassidy (Vegas) and Paul Maurice (Florida) have a combined 51 seasons of NHL head coaching experience for 10 different NHL teams.
The other two new head coaches -- Lane Lambert (New York Islanders) and Luke Richardson (Chicago Blackhawks) are long-time assistant coaches. Richardson is 53 and Lambert is 57.
The coaching credo this summer seems to be: Don't trust anyone under 50.
Keep in mind that veteran coach Barry Trotz, 59, took himself out of contention or he might be the favorite for the Winnipeg Jets' job.
We certainly don't see teams looking hard at American Hockey League coaches, although the Detroit Red Wings and Jets still have to make decisions on their new coach.
One reason why the Red Wings’ coaching search has lasted this long is because GM Steve Yzerman wanted to interview the Tampa Bay assistants. They were involved in the NHL playoffs until the Lightning were eliminated Sunday in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Derek Lalonde was in Detroit Tuesday to interview for the vacant head coaching job, according NHL Network analyst Kevin Weekes.
Yzerman hired Lalonde in 2018 when he was the Tampa Bay general manager. He also hired Washington assistant coach Jeff Halpern. He is probably also on Detroit's interview list.
Lalonde turns 50 on August 18. Prior to becoming one of Jon Cooper's assistants, he was a head coach in the United States Hockey League, ECHL and the American League. He coached ECHL's Toledo Walleye in his climb to the NHL.
Joe Smith of the Athletic profiled Lalonde as a colorful, loveable character when he temporarily became Lightning head coach. Cooper was in COVID-19 protocol.
Smith said Lalonde has an outgoing personality and self-deprecating humor that helps him connect to player. He starts speeches with a joke. His sartorial missteps are the source of much humor around the team. Mismatched socks. Tie-shirt combinations that don't work. Old man shoes. He often faces jokes about his wardrobe.
"Lalonde can take it," Smith writes, "as the short-and-stocky, bald coach notes his resemblance to Uncle Fester from “The Addams Family.” He’ll tell players that he was a Division III goalie back in the day, but he’s still got issues skating crossing over to his left."
Both players and management appreciate Lalonde's approach in Tampa Bay.
After firing Jeff Blashill, Yzerman said he feels his best hires as a GM have been people he knew before the interview. Yzerman knows Lalonde. But he also knows Halpern. I have not been able to confirm whether Halpern has been interviewed or has a Detroit interview scheduled. He's 46 and seems like a youngster.
It certainly isn't shocking that GMs are more comfortable hiring proven NHL coaches. But it would be refreshing to see new faces now and then. There had been speculation that maybe teams would interview respected Chicago Wolves coach Ryan Warsofsky. He's 34 and seems destined to coach in the NHL. But it will not be soon. Based on what I've been told, calls didn't come.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
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