A couple of headlines buzzing around the media today that have rather significant impacts. The Phoenix Coyotes tentative deal, General Manager Mike Gillis’ extension and Claude Giroux suspension.
Starting with the Phoenix Coyotes, the saga that never ends, the team has a tentative deal. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the league has come to a tentative agreement on new ownership. The ownership, Greg Jamison, former Chief Executive Officer of the San Jose Sharks. Jamison is currently minority owner of the Sharks, and per terms of an agreement, will sell his shares of the Sharks. The sale will require approval of Glendale city council. The NHL community hopes that the two sides come to an agreement because we are tired of hearing about it.
Western Conference regular season champions Vancouver Canucks early departure from the playoffs generated a lot of buzz around General Manager Mike Gillis and his job security. Gillis can sleep sound, for now at least, as the team has extended his contract. Terms were not disclosed, but hopefully he has a non-fire clause unlike Ron Wilson, former Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. With that agreement handled, terms of Head Coach Alain Vigneault is still up in the air. When asked if he would like Vigneault to return as Head Coach, Gillis replied, “He’s done an excellent job, and he’ll obviously be the first thing on the agenda once I have an opportunity to execute on the plan we have.” Reading between the lines, someone needs to take the blame for the failure during playoffs.
Heart and soul of the Philadelphia Flyers Claude Giroux will be watching game 5 from the press box. After a late hit on New Jersey Devils Dainius Zubrus that targeted the head, law dog Brendan Shanahan came down with the hammer. Giroux initially thought he would not be suspended, calming he is not a dirty player, but unfortunately for him, his plea fell on deaf ears. Game 5 will be played in Philadelphia, a tough house to win in for the road team. The series is still very much alive.
