Posts Tagged Mike Gillis

Morning Hits: Burish, Bolland, Emery, Rinne, Danis and the Canucks

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 10th, 2013

  • Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sharks winger Adam Burish will miss the second round with an upper-body injury. Burish was slashed on the hand by Alex Edler in Game 4.
  • Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks Dave Bolland is hopeful for round two.

    “I’m still day-by-day,” Bolland said. “It’s getting better. I just want to make sure it’s strong. I’m hopefully playing for that Round 2. I’ll keep on working at it and making sure it gets better.”

    Ray Emery is also close to returning.

  • Josh Cooper: Predators GM David Poile said it would be a “steep price” to trade for their fourth overall pick in the draft.
  • Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators Pekka Rinne underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip, recovery time is expected to be four months.
  • David Staples: Goalie Yann Danis has been solid for the Oilers AHL team, but is not the ideal NHL backup. Staples would rather see the Oilers trade or sign a goalie who could challenge Devan Dubnyk.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis talked to the media and how the Canucks may need to get bigger and grittier.

    “From my perspective … it’s been a terrible season for us,” Gillis said. “We’re going to have to reinvent ourselves and do things differently in order to be successful. The macro look at this team is that changes have to be made.”

    With the cap going down and some big contracts on the books, they’ll need to clear out some salary. Roberto Luongo will likely be traded and there is the amnesty buyout option for Keith Ballard ($4.2 million) and David Booth ($4.25 million).

    “We don’t have the luxury of having picked first overall in the last 10 years,” Gillis said. “We have to use the players we have, the core group that we have, and we have to build around them. There will come a point where that core group is going to be dismantled or will no longer play, but it’s not today.

    “When I took this job, we decided on a style of play that resulted in great success. And clearly, the landscape has changed and we have to address those changes. We don’t have a choice. It’s not something I necessarily agree with. But that’s what we face, and that’s what you have to do.

    “We have to make the changes and adjustments necessary to compete for a Stanley Cup. It’s my intention to do it and recognize what’s going on and make sure we have a team that’s better equipped.”

    “Changes have to be made, but I’m not going to commit today to what those changes will be,” Gillis said. “It’s difficult when things end so quickly and they end so negatively for all of us. It’s pretty emotional to go through.”

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Quick Hits: Horcoff, Simmonds, Kiprusoff, Gillis, NHL awards and the draft

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on February 6th, 2013

  • Joanne Ireland via twitter: Sounding like Shawn Horcoff won’t require surgery to repair his broken knuckle. Expected to be out a month.
  • Sarah Baicker via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Homgren said there is no update on winger Wayne Simmonds’ condition. He’s day-to-day with a concussion.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis is was at the Prudential Center last night. He’s making rounds in the East.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHL awards won’t be held in Las Vegas this year. Lack of available dates in June, and that the Stanley Cup finals could go well into the month. Not official, but the 2013 NHL draft could be a one day event on Sunday, June 30th. Free agency starts July 5th this year.

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More behind the Burke firing … Leafs still after Luongo … Flyers involved in a 3 way trade with Leafs getting Luongo

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 10th, 2013

  • Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Brian Burke was fired because he couldn’t get along with the new members of the MLSE board.
  • Tim Wharnsby of CBC: Burke and some new members of the board did not see eye-to-eye. Burke did not react kindly to some free hockey related advice he was getting from some new members. After several meetings with him, they decided it was time to part ways.

    The official word from Anselmi was the new ownership group wanted new leadership. But again, the new set of directors didn’t need seven months to determine they wanted new leadership. They simply learned over this time they needed somebody willing to work with them.

    It was not, as some speculated, a difference in opinion in whether the Maple Leafs should make a serious pitch for Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.

    Burke wanted to make a trade for Luongo.

  • James Mirtle via twitter: Reliable source said that Burke’s firing had nothing to do with his personal issues, although they are there.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Within days of the meeting Burke for the first time, the new board members had already began formulating a list of possible replacements.

    According to a source in the room, Mr. Burke offered few solid answers for why the losses on the ice kept piling up. Nor did he explain why his four-year rebuilding effort had failed to solve two key issues for the hockey team: finding a first-line centre and stabilizing the Leafs’ goaltending situation.

    Executives of BCE and Rogers Communications, who together control 75 per cent of the sports franchise, found Mr. Burke defensive and brusque – difficult to work with, the source said.

    A source on BCE and Rogers board members almost immediate dislike for Burke’s outspokenness:

    “New ownership didn’t like him,” the source said. “Fundamentally, they wanted a GM who would listen – for better or worse. They said they want a corporate guy and fired a Harvard lawyer.”

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch believes that new Leafs GM Dave Nonis will make the call to Canucks GM Mike Gillis. It could take Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and a 2nd round pick, or some variance of that to get Roberto Luongo. Garrioch notes that that Burke was afraid to pull the trigger on the deal, and he wouldn’t be surprised if Nonis pulled the trigger on this quickly.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: A reliable source said that prior to the Burke firing, the Flyers would be the 3rd team in a 3-way trade that would land Luongo in Toronto.
  • Chris Botta via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that Brian Burke’s firing doesn’t change the Roberto Luongo story.

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Capitals and Canadiens not in rush to name coach … Yzerman on goalies … Group to look at game in August

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on May 31st, 2012

  • Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Capitals GM George McPhee on their coaching situation:

    “I don’t know whether it’ll be done in a few weeks or a month, six weeks,” he said. “Take our time and try and do it right.”

    Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on their coaching situation that may happen before the draft but won’t guarantee it:

    “I continue to advance on it,” Bergevin said. “I’m getting closer to a decision but that decision has not been taken yet.

    “All the candidates I’ve met with all have elements that I like. It’s not an easy decision, that’s why I’m taking my time because I want to make the right decision.”

    The Wild will look to improve team skill through a trade or through free agent targets.

    Lightning GM Steve Yzerman on their goaltending situation:

    “We’ll explore all options and try and get something done that makes the most sense for us,” Yzerman said. “So I don’t want to really rule out anything but for various reasons there’s opportunities that may make more sense for us but until we know what all opportunities are I can’t say we’re going to do this or do that.”

  • Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: In August a group of coaches, GMs, officials and players will meet to discuss the state of the game. They’ll look at the increase amount of interference when players are entering the offensive zone. This meeting will replace the R&D camp. Some GMs are concerned about the “stifling nature of hockey this spring”:

    “Everybody would love to roll out the Edmonton Oilers or the New York Islanders of the 80′s and whatnot, but it’s virtually impossible to build that kind of a team so you try and figure out a way to be successful,” Tampa Bay GM and Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman said. “And teams have done that. There’s two different teams in the finals this year than last year. I think most people would say, hey, that’s a good thing. Next year everybody’s got hope of winning now.

    “But it’s definitely a different league. All the rule changes we made coming out of the lockout were designed to promote skill and whatnot; it hasn’t necessarily done that. It’s made a different game but it’s not necessarily about skill. The teams that compete the hardest and can stay healthy generally are going to win most of the time.”

    Canucks GM Mike Gillis:

    “There was some discussion about the style of play we’re witnessing and what’s happened, and my perspective is I want offense in the game and I want to see scoring (opportunities), and I think a lot of people feel the same way. But coaches are coaches, and they’re coaching to survive, coaching to coach another day, and they’re coaching the players they have,” Gillis said.

    The NHL will ask the AHL if they would test out the hybrid icing rule. One concept that will be discussed is rolling over penalties in a playoff series in attempt to prevent late-game nastiness.

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Questions for Predators … Sens should have some interest Penner … Extension for Gillis, Vigneault next? ‘Hawks, Oilers coaching notes

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 8th, 2012

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Questions now turn to the Predators free agents. Will Shea Weber and Ryan Suter be back? Will Radulov be re-signed? Does he even want to stay in the NHL? Predators GM David Poile brought in players at the deadline to improve the teams chances, and to show Weber and Sutur they want win. Did they make to many changes at the deadline which changed the chemistry:

    “I think we had a great group in here, just as good as we’ve had in the past,” Weber said, disagreeing with that notion. “It definitely wasn’t the case [of the additions hurting the team]. We didn’t accomplish what we thought we could have. It’s due in part to a great team in Phoenix, and don’t discredit them at all. They deserve to be going on and they’re going to do well.”

    Suter will be a UFA, Weber will be a RFA. Alexander and Andrei Kostitsyn won’t likely be back.

    “We’ll have to see,” Poile said. “There’s certain things that the club has rights to under the CBA and there’s certain things that we don’t. It’s a free world for some players. We have to hope and believe that what we’ve done this year and the growth of our franchise, whether it’s a player like Suter who’s an unrestricted free agent, that he sees that commitment and he wants to play with us and play for us. That he wants to play with Shea Weber as his partner and Shea wants to play [for the Predators] in the future. That’s why we signed Pekka Rinne and that’s why we’ve been trying to sign these guys. We’re going to have to see what we can do.”

  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: It shouldn’t come as a shock if the Senators show some interest in Kings UFA Dustin Penner. Penner will likely have to take a pay cut to the $1.5 million range, down from his $4.25 million. Penner had only 7 goals and 10 assists in 65 regular season games this past season, but has added 2 goals and 5 assists in 9 playoff games.
  • Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis received a contract extension yestreday and he hopes that one will be coming soon for coach Alain Vigneault.

    “I feel very comfortable with Alain as the coach, I told everybody that at my season-ending press conference,” Gillis said. “I think he has done an excellent job and I don’t know why you wouldn’t want somebody back who has done an excellent job and has the results to show for it.”

  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: There is some friction between the Blackhawks and their coac Joel Quenneville, and there is speculation that they wouldn’t stand in the Canadiens way if they came calling. Quenneville is a close ally of new GM Marc Bergevin.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The perception is the Oilers are looking for a new head coach, though they haven’t informed their current head coach, Tom Renney, of anything. Brent Sutter could one option they are considering.

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Fleischmann done for year … Red Wings sign Nabokov, awaits waivers and waiver rule craziness … Sturm and Niittymaki to IR

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 21st, 2011

  • Terry Frei of the Denver Post: The Avalanche will be with Tomas Fleischmann for the remainder of the year, as he was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. He has a blood clot in each of his lungs and will be on blood thinners “for several months.”
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings and Evgeni Nabokov have agreed on a one year, pro-rated $570,000 contract, $250,000 for the rest of the year. He’ll have to clear waivers now, and we’ll know by noon tomorrow if someone claims him. Backup Chris Osgood is expected to be out 6-8 weeks after sports hernia surgery. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch thinks the Senators should make a claim on Nabokov. Bob McKenzie via twitter: McKenzie thinks there is something in the deal that would “discourage” teams from claiming Nabokov. Spector Hockey via twitter: Would be surprised if he goes unclaimed, deal has a no-movement clause. Rich Chere via twitter: The Devils could claim Nabokov (first waiver priority), put him on waivers, the Red Wings could claim him and complete their transaction. Capgeek via twitter: “Any team with unsuccessful first claim on Nabokov would have priority if acquiring team turned around and placed him on waivers again.” If Nabokov has an NMC and was waived a second time, he could potentially block waiver process but not choose a claiming team.” “If ONLY ONE team submits a claim for Nabokov, acquires him, and waives him again, Detroit would then have priority.” Elliott Friedman via twitter: “@capgeek However, section 13.20 (b) also says team in your case number one would have to accept same deal as Detroit offers. Interesting.” “So, possibility exists Detroit could offer more (a higher draft pick, maybe?) than other teams willing to pay. We’ll see how it plays out.”
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis told a Toronto radio station that Sami Salo may not return this year, which is nothing new as he’s said that along. “Nothing has changed,” Gillis added after yesterday’s practice “We’re unsure about whether he’ll play, but he’s making progress. That’s completely consistent with everything we’ve said. This is a devastating injury. It can be a career-ending injury. Sami’s at the point where he’s not 24 or 25, so this is going to take time.”
  • John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Patrick Kaleta, who just returned on Tuesday from his broken (still wearing a cast), blocked a shot with at that hand. Results came back negative and he’s not expected to be out too long.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Chris Phillips hasn’t had any recent discussions with the Senators. “I’d like to be part of the solution here,” said Phillips. “We’ll find out if I’m part of the plans.” Garrioch thinks he’ll be traded.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch wonders if Senators coach Cory Clouston will be fired after last night’s ‘gong show’ 6-2 loss to the Flyers. Craig Hartsburg was fired 2 years ago with the same 17-24-7 record.
  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Antero Niittymaki has been placed on the IR with a lower-body injury. The Sharks had to sign Jordan White of UBC to a one game amateur tryout contract yesterday.
  • The Globe and Mail Podcast: “Globe hockey writers Eric Duhatschek, David Shoalts and James Mirtle join host Darren Yourk to talk about changing attitudes in the head-shot debate as Sidney Crosby remains sidelined, woeful losses for the Leafs and Flames and Evgeni Nabokov exploring a deal with the Detroit Red Wings.”
  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Marco Sturm has been placed on the IR by the LA Kigns with tendinitis is his left knee, not the knee that he had surgery on last year. Wings Scott Parse skated yesterday for the first time since having hip surgery in November, his return had been set for 3-4 months.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wonders why the Maple Leafs don’t go with a lower salary and different structure? A longshot but it’s possible.
  • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Leafs goalie JS Giguere once again said he’d consider waiving his no-trade clause.

    “I haven’t waived my no trade, I haven’t talked to Burke at all about it, but I’ve said, if Burke was to come see me, I would owe him the respect to think about it and talk to my family about it,” said Giguere.

    “When and if this happens, we’ll see what happens.”

    Giguere carries a $7 million salary and $6 million cap hit this year. Giguere likes it in Toronto, and they may consider keeping him around to mentor the younger goalies,

    “I see it (a role for myself in Toronto), but I don’t know what management wants,” said Giguere. “Maybe they want to go with the young guys. Maybe they want to have an older guy with a young guy. “

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