u/AggPuck-303

Says the news coming out has caused some issues in Edmonton as Knoblauch is still employed (his new 3 year extension starts in July).
Friedman believes Oilers wanted to quietly talk to Cassidy and then decide if they wanted to make the change. And maybe they would have just listened to him, but not made the change.
Now that the news is out and Knoblauch knows, Friedman believes they might have to make that change anyway because it’s out there.
It’s not pretty, but in sports it happens.
6:45 “I do think the Oilers wanted to get this done quietly, and they're just not going to be able to do that anymore. Now, what you're probably going to have to do, Kyle, is you're probably going to have to make the coaching change anyway.”
He feels confident it wasn’t the Oilers who leaked this.
A theory on why Vegas has not given them permission yet: Cassidy makes 4.5M, this executive thinks Vegas wants a guarantee that if EDM or LA or hire him, they pay all of his salary and Vegas won't have to pay any of it next season.
The league has indicated before it has to be a real good reason to deny permission to coaches, like Cassidy explicity saying he's not interested in LA or EDM for example.
He says the feeling now is that the news coming out will force the Oilers hand in making a change.

Link to episode: https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/buffalo-bensons-first-beer/

>"It’s time," Rutherford told us Wednesday before resuming the final phase of his GM search. "I have taken some time with this (decision), probably at least a year, not knowing exactly when I was going to make it. But you know, once you start thinking about it, then it's time."

>In an interview with Sportsnet, Rutherford said he knew this would be his final season involved in key hockey operations decisions.

>He has a grown daughter in Raleigh, N.C., which has long been Rutherford’s home, and a son going into his senior year of high school at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Academy in Minnesota.

>Rutherford wants to be nearer to them, which is why he will be based in North Carolina while he counsels Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini and the soon-to-be-named general manager. He will also be involved with the NHL as the Canucks' alternate governor

>Known GM candidates include Canucks assistant manager Ryan Johnson, and his counterparts Evan Gold (Boston Bruins) and Ryan Bowness (New York Islanders), as well as former Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion.

[NHL Player Safety] Vegas’ Brayden McNabb will have a hearing today for interference against Anaheim’s Ryan Poehling.

[32T] 2:10 Friedman says as of late Tuesday night neither Oilers nor Kings have been given permission to talk to Cassidy. The answer from Vegas is not a no, but they’re “dragging their feet” and it’s being delayed.

[Rosen] I've been informed Cassidy interviewed with the Kings this past Friday.

[Seravalli] League sources say Oilers have sought permission to interview Bruce Cassidy as they contemplate significant coaching staff changes. To this point, sources say Golden Knights have withheld permission from division rival. Gamesmanship? Perhaps. Mostly unprecedented for role.

[Dhaliwal] Sounds like Charlie Coyle and Columbus are getting close on a new contract. Would take 1 of the top centre’s off of the July 1st free agent market.

[Hanna] Jakub Dobes was asked what it’s like becoming a cult hero in Montreal, following the Habs 6-2 win over Buffalo: “I’m just a goofy goalie who tries to stop pucks and trust me, I don’t call myself a hero. I pretty much I will go home, eat, watch Game of Thrones and go to bed.”

[Masisak] Nathan MacKinnon confirmed the video floating around the internet yesterday was in fact from yesterday. When told there was a significant amount of support for him after the negative connotation of the OG post, he said he was very appreciative of everyone who had his back.