Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 14, 2024
Check out the latest on the Senators and Sabres in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup
MORE SPECULATION ON THE SENATORS’ OFFSEASON PLANS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch anticipates Senators general manager Steve Staios will ramp up his search for the club’s next head coach following the end of the Sens’ regular season on Tuesday.
The top candidates include Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden, former Los Angeles Kings coach Todd McLellan, former St. Louis Blues bench boss Craig Berube, and former Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason. Philadelphia Flyers associate coach Brad Shaw could also be a person of interest for the Senators.
Staios could wait until after the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to see if anyone else becomes available. The club wants a new coach in place before the NHL Draft on June 28-29.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There are several experienced candidates to choose from. Which one do you prefer, Senators fans? Let me know in the comments below.
Garrioch also reported Shane Pinto confirmed his agent is discussing a long-term contract with Staios. The 23-year-old Senators center is completing a one-year, $775K contract after missing half the season serving a suspension for violating the NHL’s sports wagering rules.
The two sides are believed to be working on a five or six-year contract. Pinto hopes to have a deal before he departs next month to play for Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Championships in Czechia.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto proved his value to the Senators this season despite his lengthy absence, netting 27 points in 39 games.
WILL THE SABRES RETAIN DON GRANATO AS HEAD COACH?
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn believes the Buffalo Sabres will enter this offseason with lots of questions to answer after missing the playoffs for a league-record 13th straight season.
The first will be the status of head coach Don Granato. He’s been behind the Sabres bench for more than three full seasons. Granato signed a two-year contract extension that starts next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Firing Granato means paying him for the next two years not to coach. That decision will need the blessing of team owner Terry Pegula.
Fairburn doesn’t see the same Sabres roster returning next season. Four players (Victor Olofsson, Tyson Jost, Zemgus Girgensons and Eric Robinson) are unrestricted free agents on July 1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Peyton Krebs and Henri Jokiharju are restricted free agents. The Sabres have a projected salary cap space of more than $20 million for next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres have the cap space if general manager Kevyn Adams wants to make an addition or two to his roster. They probably won’t bring back their UFAs. Luukkonen’s strong second half ensures he’ll get a new contract. We’ll see what happens with the other two.
Fairburn indicated the Sabres’ salary-cap payroll has been among the league’s bottom five in each of the last four seasons. They don’t have to go hogwild in spending but it may be time to add a little veteran experience that can finally get them over the playoff hump.
As of now I do not have too much confidence in Staios…missed out on Patrick and will probably hire a yes man .I think he let his ego get in the way…too bad he doesn’t seem to know the Ottawa/Gatineau community. We certainly do not want Alfredsson (that would be a mess)
I really doubt Alfredsson has any head coaching aspirations at this stage. He will – if he wishes -likely be offered the same position he now holds.
One name not mentioned is that of Claude Julien. He’s just 63 y/o – is he still in good health and interested in another go-round as a head coach?
Has anybody given former Oiler head coach Jay Woodcroft a thought in passing?
A rough start – an understatement if there ever was one – in Edmonton this year led to his dismissal but his long standing relationship with Staios and experience on the development side could make him a viable candidate in Ottawa.
Whoever it is, the Sens have been under performing for the last couple of years and the new guy behind the bench will justifiably face a lot of scrutiny from frustrated in Ottawa.
You got that right François! I just have a hunch that Berube will get the job.
Just glad no one mentioned Boudreau.
If Berube wanted the job, and the Sens wanted him, it would have been done already, to try to get things ahead of schedule. Like Tocchet in VanCity last year. I think Berube is waiting for greener pastures to open up this offseason. Maybe Toronto or NJ.
Or Detroit.
Or Detroit.