With one deal done, what's next for Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy to do?
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The unrestricted free agents
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On locker clean-out day at the Saddledome, Dan Vladar revealed that he's been talking contract with the Flames for months already, reiterating his desire to stick around as Wolf's backup. Will he put pen to paper soon, or will the 27-year-old Vladar be tempted to find out what sort of opportunity and loot he may be offered in unrestricted free agency? With Frederik Andersen staying for another season in Carolina, the goalie market is thin. Justin Kirkland and Joel Hanley have also expressed that they'd love to re-sign with the Flames. Kirkland, who was one of the NHL's feel-good fall stories before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury, should appeal as a guy who can provide some versatility in a bottom-six forward role and can snipe in the shootout. Hanley was an unsung hero on the blue-line but he is also 33, so Conroy may be better off shopping for a permanent partner for MacKenzie Weegar.
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It's no secret the Flames are desperate for right-shot centres, but are they second-guessing Jaden Lipinski's potential as a pro? Perhaps they feel his progress has stalled since he was selected in the fourth round in 2023? Conroy & Co. have a few more weeks to determine if they will offer an entry-level contract to Lipinski or instead wish him all the best. If he isn't signed by June 1, he would re-enter the draft. Lipinski, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, scored 17 goals and totalled 58 points in 59 outings as an overager this season with the Vancouver Giants. He was also one of the WHL's best faceoff men, winning 58.2 percent of his draws. But can he push his pace enough to be a future factor for the Wranglers and, eventually, the Flames?
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A contract for the coach?
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This is last on our list because there's not a massive rush. Besides, Ryan Huska is currently overseas with Team Canada, so his contract status is probably the furthest thing from his mind. When Huska was promoted to head coach in June 2023, he signed a three-year agreement. That means there's still one season to go, but there's sometimes a worry that a bench boss on an expiring deal is stuck with 'lame duck' status. Conroy recently praised that his skipper 'has done an amazing job.' Is he ready to reward him with an extension or does he want to wait and see if Huska can guide this group to a playoff berth next spring?
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CTV News
9 hours ago
- CTV News
Stanley Cup game control: A question of style, puck possession and exploiting mistakes
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Obviously, we didn't do it (Monday night).' Yes, the Oilers feature two of the National Hockey League's best players in McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But the Panthers are considered the NHL's fiercest and finest forechecking team. They feature the likes of Sasha Barkov, arguably the best two-way player in the game and this year's Selke Trophy winner as the league's top defensive forward, and Gustav Forsling, among the best defensively on the blueline. Tenacity is in great supply on south Florida ice, too, with the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen in the Panthers' forward ranks, and Aaron Ekblad and Seth Jones on the back end. Did I mention they're the defending Stanley Cup champions? Panthers vs. Oilers Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) celebrates his goal against the Edmonton Oilers with Eetu Luostarinen (27) during the second period in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Monday, June 9, 2025. 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The Province
9 hours ago
- The Province
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'It's much like making the NHL as a player. It take years of working on your craft. Same thing as coaching.' — Travis Green on the rise of Manny Malhotra as rookie Abbotsford head coach Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra in May. Photo by Jordan Jones Travis Green knows taking the time to reach an NHL career objective is comforting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Ten years ago, he guided the Utica Comets to the Calder Cup Finals, the first time an AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the championship series. The Comets fell in five games to the favoured Manchester Monarchs — three one-goal contests and two that required overtime — but the players and Green were much better for the experience. Green parlayed four seasons as Utica bench boss into head coach of the Canucks in 2017, transitioned to the New Jersey Devils, and is now at the helm of the vastly improved Ottawa Senators. The Abbotsford Canucks open their Calder Cup title quest Friday in Charlotte, N.C. with rookie head coach Manny Malhotra in the spotlight. He has been widely saluted for a seamless transition to the demanding position and has a confidant in Green to live in the career moment and not dwell on the future. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Green knows you have to look before you leap. Timing should be everything for Malhotra. What would Green tell the 45-year-old Malhotra as he preps to face the Checkers in the AHL championship? Malhotra served as a Canucks assistant to Green for three seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in the same capacity. He was also a Canucks centre for 159 games over three NHL seasons. That's a pretty good book of work. Any advice, Travis? 'Doesn't look like he needs much right now,' Green chuckled Wednesday during an interview with Postmedia. 'Just keep doing what he's doing. He's obviously doing a hell of a job. I'm not giving him advice. He doesn't need it. I just sent him a note the other day to wish him luck and congratulate him on getting to the finals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I didn't know Manny before I got to Vancouver, but I consider him a good friend now. I'm happy and really proud of him.' Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra (in dark blue) behind the bench during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday, May 31, 2025 Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr That's where time can become a factor. Malhotra is the talk of the town as a hot NHL bench-boss prospect. He was a finalist here to replace the departed Rick Tocchet, but the Canucks pivoted to Adam Foote. That didn't stop speculation. As soon as Pete DeBoer was dismissed by the Dallas Stars on Friday, one betting site had Malhotra as a 3-to-1 favourite to supplant the veteran head coach. But the Stars have five key unrestricted free-agent forwards north of 30 years in age. The better bet would probably be a proven NHL bench boss to finally get Dallas over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Finals. Then again, if the Stars braintrust was curious about Malhotra, he was down the road in Cedar Park, Texas last week for three games against the parent club's AHL affiliate in the Western Conference final series. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Green once thought he had a serious shot at a Anaheim Ducks vacancy, and an opening with the Colorado Avalanche, the summer before he signed in Vancouver. Patience paid off. He could have also leapt at assistant NHL posts long before leaving Utica. However, he stayed put for two more seasons after that Calder Cup Finals run in 2015. Canucks head coach Travis Green celebrates 5-4 overtime victory over the Wild on Aug. 7, 2020 during the Edmonton bubble to advance to first round of NHL playoffs. 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The Capitals went 51-22-9 this season, improved by 20 points, and won a Stanley Cup playoff series for the first time since 2018. They finished second in goals per game (3.49) in the regular season after being ranked 28th last season (2.63). They were also tied for eighth in goals against per game (2.79) after tied for 16th in 2023-24 (3.07). Washington was fifth on the penalty kill (82.0 per cent), first in comeback wins (25), and tied for first in road points (53). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A lot of (NHL) coaches have come through the AHL,' noted Green. 'Part of it is earning your stripes. The AHL is not always an easy place to coach. You've got injuries, call-ups, and some teams are just based on playing young guys. And, sometimes, your hands get tied a little bit, but for me, it was the greatest place to learn.' It's also where you have players on the way up the career ladder and some on the way down. 'You have to adjust your lines, the messages to your team, and rally them at certain moments,' added Green. 'You play a tough schedule and find way to have energy, even as coach, when you're tired. It challenges you in great ways and is such a good breeding ground for coaches.' Like Malhotra. bkuzma@ Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks NHL News
National Post
9 hours ago
- National Post
Abbotsford Canucks: Travis Green knows 'it's not a race' for Manny Malhotra to run an NHL bench
Article content 'It's not a race,' stressed Green. 'I know that personally, and even going back to junior (Portland, WHL), I went there to learn to coach. It's much like making the NHL as a player. It take years of working on your craft. Same thing as coaching. Manny was a great hire by the Canucks. Article content 'You're seeing between Ryan Johnson (Abbotsford general manager and Canucks AGM) and Manny two guys who will be a GM and coach in the (NHL) at one point.' Article content Victoria native Spencer Carbery, 43, turned his second season running the Washington Capitals bench in 2024-25 into the Jack Adams Award. He was a unanimous winner as the league's top head coach over runner-up Scott Arniel of the Winnipeg Jets. Green finished sixth. Article content Carbery's acknowledgement came after doing predatory work as a Leafs assistant for two seasons and earlier running an AHL bench with the Hershey Bears for three seasons. Article content The Capitals went 51-22-9 this season, improved by 20 points, and won a Stanley Cup playoff series for the first time since 2018. They finished second in goals per game (3.49) in the regular season after being ranked 28th last season (2.63). They were also tied for eighth in goals against per game (2.79) after tied for 16th in 2023-24 (3.07). Washington was fifth on the penalty kill (82.0 per cent), first in comeback wins (25), and tied for first in road points (53). Article content Article content Article content
