The Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as head coach, the latest Golden Knights news, two coaches receive contract extensions, Rangers center Vincent Trocheck changes agents, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
MAPLE LEAFS END COACHING SEARCH, NAME HILLER AS THEIR NEW BENCH BOSS.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs announced the hiring of Jim Hiller as their new head coach.
Hiller had been head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, hired midway through the 2023-24 season, and fired 59 games into this season. Before that, he spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, Maple Leafs (2015-16 to 2018-19), New York Islanders, and the Kings.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hiller was not among the candidates mentioned by NHL insiders covering the Leafs, earning that group considerable scorn on social media.
Eric Stephens of The Athletic covered Hiller’s tenure with the Kings, pointing out that they had success with him as head coach until pivotal moments.
Stephens cited Hiller’s interpersonal communication, adaptability, and willingness to shake up his lines when things weren’t working to be among his strengths. Nevertheless, his botched coach’s challenge during Game 3 of the Kings’ opening-round series against the Edmonton Oilers last year changed the course of that series, as did his player deployment as that series went on.
Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star noted that one reason the Leafs hired Hiller was that he’s considered a player’s coach and an early adopter of analytics. He also had a good relationship with Auston Matthews and William Nylander during his previous tenure with the Leafs.
Hiller’s hiring isn’t going down well in some part of Leafs Nation, with Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun calling Hiller an underwhelming hire whose limited resume leaves something to be desired.
Time will tell whether Hiller can silence his critics and get the Maple Leafs back on track. If he succeeds, he’ll be heralded as a coaching genius. If he fails, it’ll only deepen the dread and anxiety among Leafs supporters.
THE LATEST GOLDEN KNIGHTS NEWS
NHL.COM: As expected, the Vegas Golden Knights named Ryan Craig as their new head coach. It’s a promotion for Craig, who spent the past three seasons coaching their AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said his club permitted one NHL team to speak with former head coach Bruce Cassidy midway through the postseason. However, it did not come to fruition. He added that permission to speak to Cassidy will be handed on a case-by-case basis.
McCrimmon also provided updates on several injured players.
William Karlsson will require surgery for a broken wrist suffered during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Defenseman Noah Hanifin played with an upper-body injury that would’ve sidelined him for six to eight weeks during the regular season. Blueliner Brayden McNabb received 30 stitches to his nose after being struck by a puck, and he played through two other injuries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: SinBin.vegas reported team captain Mark Stone had a torn adductor muscle.
OTHER NOTABLE NHL NEWS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Washington Capitals have agreed to a multiyear extension for head coach Spencer Carbery, and Utah Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny got a one-year extension.
TSN: Darren Dreger said sources claim that New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck has hired Pat Brisson and CAA Sports to represent him. The move comes amid rumors claiming the Rangers intend to trade the 33-year-old Trocheck this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, and the Maple Leafs are believed to be among the suitors for Trocheck, who wants to remain in the Eastern Conference.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT/THE MERCURY NEWS: The Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in this year’s draft to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 20th overall pick that originally belonged to the Edmonton Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres acquired Kesselring last June from the Utah Mammoth in a blockbuster move that also saw Josh Doan head to Buffalo in exchange for winger JJ Peterka. He was projected to play top-four minutes alongside Owen Power, but he suffered early-season injuries and eventually lost his spot in the roster, playing only 34 games.
Kesselring will get a chance to reset in San Jose as GM Mike Grier attempts to bolster his blueline. The 26-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a two-year, $2.8 million contract, so he should be an affordable signing for the Sharks.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators hired Jamie Langenbrunner as special assistant to general manager Chris MacFarland. Langenbrunner had been with the Boston Bruins in various front-office roles since 2015.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche depth forward Zakhar Bardakov is reportedly returning to the KHL to play for SKA St. Petersburg. He had 10 points in 60 games with the Avalanche this season.
TSN: The NHL’s first contract buyout window opened yesterday and will close at 5 pm ET on June 30.
Arbitration hearings are scheduled from July 20 through August 1. The deadline for players to file for arbitration is 5 pm ET on July 5.