In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Dallas Stars head coach position is open, and just hours after Pete DeBoer was fired, there are already some reported front-runners for the job. Elsewhere, despite his name being mentioned as a trade candidate, all rumours surrounding Drake Batherson have been shut down by the Ottawa Senators. Finally, 2025 NHL Entry Draft top prospect James Hagens has spoken about his desire to play for the New York Islanders and be selected first overall.
Woodcroft & Laviolette Linked to Stars
Just hours after the Stars announced that they would be parting ways with DeBoer, two reports came out about what the future may look like behind the bench.
Andy Strickland, who is tapped into the St. Louis Blues very well, as well as the rest of the league, stated that the positive relationship between Stars general manager Jim Nill and Ken Holland could lead to Jay Woodcroft being a target for the Stars.
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Strickland writes, “Jay Woodcroft is a person of interest in Dallas. Jim Nill and Ken Holland are close; Holland thinks highly of Woodcroft. Would think Dallas has identified a name or two to replace Pete Deboer, considering how late he’s being let go.”
Woodcroft was reportedly in the running for the head coaching positions with the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, but was ultimately passed over for other candidates. Woodcroft had a good run with the Edmonton Oilers, but failed to get the team going at full speed to start the 2023-24 season, and was fired just a month into the season.
Another coach linked to the Stars is Peter Laviolette. After being fired by the New York Rangers, Laviolette’s name hasn’t been out there as much, but Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli linked Laviolette to the Stars as well, and it would make sense for them to want to target a coach with experience and could bring them over the hump of the third round.
Senators Shut Down All Batherson Rumours
Over the past few weeks, there have been some reports that the Senators could look to move Batherson. The 27-year-old winger has set a new career-high in points in each of the past three seasons, is a regular 60-point player with physicality, and is signed for under $5 million for two more seasons. All of those things add together to make a player that it doesn’t make much sense to trade.
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