The NHL has been without Patrick Roy since 2016, but his name is once again being mooted when it comes to opening a head coach in the league. I hope that will happen.
With help from Montreal Hockey Now, we’ve taken a look at what went down with Jonathan Drouin, what went wrong and why he might be a good fit for the Colorado Avalanche.
All that and more in this Tuesday edition of Evan’s Daily.
Colorado Hockey Now
Yes, Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin played together in the QMJHL over ten years ago. Everybody knows it. But beyond that, is there any reason Drouin might be a good fit for the Avalanche? I think so.
William Nylander is coming off a 40-goal season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to shake things up this summer after another disappointing spring. Are the Avalanche a potential candidate for Nylander?
On Tuesday, look for a movie theater on the incredibly talented but frustrating Ryan Merkley (+). Additionally, the Avalanche are tied at the 27th pick in the NHL Draft. Will they really make this choice?
Around the NHL
On the same 32 Thoughts podcast that mentioned Nylander as a potential candidate with the Avalanche, the idea of Patrick Roy returning to the NHL as a head coach came up.
“Let me throw you a name,” Jeff Marek said of the Columbus Blue Jackets opener. “It’s still a pretty young team. It’s going to be handed over to a lot of young hockey players. And, in your opinion, if they don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have coaching experience of the NHL, but you want someone who can relate to kids and has coached kids, would the name Patrick Roy resonate in Columbus?”
This isn’t the first time Roy has been mentioned for an NHL coaching job this summer. Just over a week ago, Kevin Weeks linked him to the New York Rangers job.
“I think this guy is burning for another opportunity,” Elliotte Friedman said.
Roy’s Quebec Ramparts are currently tied with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL final.
Let’s be honest, Patrick Roy leaving the Avalanche might have been the best thing that ever happened to the organization. Jared Bednar was a massive upgrade, although it didn’t feel like it right away. But still, it was never boring when Roy was the coach. Seven years later, the league could use a coach like that. Personally I support Rangers as Roy in a market like this would be amazing but as long as he is back in the league it is fine.
NHL playoffs
The story of Cinderella from the Seattle Kraken is complete. On Monday night, the Dallas Stars advanced to the Conference Finals, beating the Kraken 2-1 in Game 7.
The Stars will now face the Vegas Golden Knights.
Do you know what that means? Peter Deboer Revenge Match.
National Hockey Now
BHN: If the Florida Panthers make it to the Finals, would the Boston Bruins feel better?
PHN: Lots of holes in Philadelphia, so what are the things the Flyers need to do this summer?
WHN: Are the Capitals about to sign another Russian in the NHL Draft?
NHL: Phil Danault is tough to play against. On top of that, he had a career year with the Kings.
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