Every time I try to get away, they just pull me back in! Well, for anyone (including me), who thought that the week after the Stanley Cup Finals concluded would be a slow week, they were sorely mistaken. Here I was thinking I’d have a nice relaxing week before I head…

But I guess the ice hasn’t melted just yet, and as I prepare for another journey “North of the Border” to Montreal and Ottawa for the NHL Entry Draft (and some radio work with the Team 990), there’s plenty to talk about in the NHL right now as teams gear up for what thus far apparently will be a busy off-season. By the way, I wouldn’t mind heading “On The Road Again” with Willie, and I’m sure many of my single male friends wouldn’t mind doing the same with Sheryl Crow!

So let’s take a peek back at this week and then into the crystal ball to see what each move may bring. There were four coaching moves in the last six days. Here’s my take on each of them:

Maple Leafs hire Ron Wilson

Haven’t been a fan of Ron Wilson the past few years as I think he mishandled what was a Stanley Cup-caliber lineup. Ironically though, the reason I think he failed with San Jose is the reason I believe he may just succeed in Toronto. Wilson has a habit of being too blunt at times and also alienating players if their play slips. There were numerous stories about his relationship, or lack there of, with Patrick Marleau. There were also rumors that he would use players as scapegoats and tell the rest of the team to “not play like this guy if we’re going to win.”

But while that act may have affected the room in a negative manner in San Jose, it may be just what the doctor ordered in Toronto where players seem to rule the room and in some cases are just plain spoiled. Wilson wasted no time in putting his act to the test in what this scribe felt was as honest and funny as any introductory presser you will see or hear. Had to love how he said he felt Darcy Tucker was “wearing down” or how he told the media the Sharks were a Stanley Cup contender and “at the present moment, the Leafs are no where near that.”

Maybe his blunt approach will rub the veterans the wrong way, and it already has with Tucker as his agent claims Tucker is prepared to play for another team, but if anything it will be a breath of fresh air and set an example to the young players that the inmates won’t be running the asylum anymore. More importantly, Richard Peddie won’t have to write the press conference scripts and there won’t be anymore lip-sync acts. Was Peddie behind these guys?

Kings fire Marc Crawford

This move came as no surprise but as my colleague Todd Carroll pointed out, if the Kings don’t improve under their next coach, then Dean Lombardi better not have a job at this time next year. The Kings have a talented young nucleus and Lombardi has made some questionable signings (hello Kyle Calder and Michael Handzus) and allowed Crawford to convince him that Dan Cloutier was the answer between the pipes.

Who Lombardi brings in as the new coach here will most likely determine his fate and if he wants to be heading to next season’s draft as the Kings GM then he may want ring the recently unemployed John Tortorella. Like Wilson, Tortorella will bring a no-nonsense attitude and won’t be afraid to let players know how he feels, but unlike Crawford, who could do the same, he backs up his criticism and rewards those who take it to heart.

Sharks hire Todd McLellan

It was only a matter of time before this rising star of the coaching rinks left the Red Wings for a head-coaching job. McLellan is a power-play genius and with weapons like Joe Thornton, Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek and Marleau, opposing teams may want to stay out of the box when playing the Sharks!

The key to McLellan’s success though may lie in whether he can revitalize Marleau, if Marleau isn’t traded as many believe he will be by July 1, the day his no-trade clause kicks in. If Marleau remains, McLellan needs to find a way to take advantage of this gifted player. Marleau still has the skills; the key now is how to use them.

One thing is certain: McLellan’s offensive mind should help what should be one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL.

Senators hire Craig Hartsburg

Craig Hartsburg is one of the most respected coaches and people in the hockey community and the Senators if anything brought respect behind the bench by hiring Hartsburg. After leading Team Canada to consecutive Gold medals at the World Junior Championships, it was only a matter of time before this former Blackhawks and Ducks bench boss got another job in the NHL. With the NHL becoming younger and Hartsburg proving to be a great mentor with young prospects, he should be the perfect fit in this league.

Only problem here is, the Senators pipeline of prospects is close to empty so there won’t be any young stars on the way there soon. However, he should be good for youngsters like Brian Lee, Nick Foligno and Cody Bass who all got a taste of the NHL last season.

In addition to the coaching changes, there was also a trade that could signify some moves in the very near future. The Anaheim Ducks traded Marc-Andre Bergeron for a third round draft pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. This move may signify two things: that Ducks (yes he is still with the Ducks!) GM Brian Burke is clearing space so he can sign Corey Perry and prevent the potential Restricted Free Agent from getting an offer sheet on July 1. The move may also signal that Scott Niedermayer could be coming back and Burke is making room for him on the blue line. One thing is for certain, keep an eye on the Ducks leading into the draft and during the draft weekend, as they could be very active on the trade front.

Looking ahead to free agency, sources tell Murphy’s Law that the Blues may pursue Canadiens defenseman Marc Streit should he become a UFA and that the Bruins are looking to bolster both their blue line by going after John-Michael Liles and their offense by grabbing a player they worked hard to get at the trade deadline in Marian Hossa.

One thing is for certain: if you’re an NHL fan, don’t take a vacation until about July 10 as the next three weeks will be very active as far as player movement goes!

Slainte,
Murph