Todd Reirden may not have to wait very long for his next coaching gig after being fired by the Washington Capitals. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wrote over the weekend that Reirden is a possibility for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers as an assistant.
Reirden, of course, spent several years as an assistant with the Penguins before joining Washington after being the head coach of their AHL affiliate. His familiarity with the organization is obviously a factor, though Friedman notes that taking an assistant role would be “pending any head coaching jobs he pursues.” Reirden posted an 89-46-16 record over his two years behind the Capitals bench but was ousted in the first round of the playoffs both times.
- Former Buffalo Sabres forward Matt Ellis has been hired by the organization as their new director of player development. Ellis has been a head coach of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and played 286 of his 356 career NHL games for the franchise. Undrafted, Ellis became one of the most respected leaders in the minor leagues, serving as captain on three different teams.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Sam Kim as their new video and coaching coordinator, taking him away from the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. Kim has previously served as a video coach for South Korea’s national team, as well as—amazingly—the New York Islanders mascot. The Maple Leafs have retained the services of Jordan Bean, but changed his title from video coordinator to statistical analyst.
Reirden is not head coaching material. We could do worse for an assistant to run the D, though.