Many Devils Fans are expecting Lou to either announce the signing of star winger Zach Parise to an extension or the hiring of a coach. However, none have taken place this far and both will likely drag into July or maybe August. But, back to the coaching search. The Devils are currently preparing for the NHL Entry Draft, which begins next Friday in Minnesota and still do not have a coach in place and are unlikely to have one by then, but the 6 day break between the Draft and beginning of Free Agency could give Lou Lamoriello time to announce a coach.
How will it be affected by what Winnipeg does? As it turns out the current coach in Winnipeg is Craig Ramsay, who finished his first season as the coach of the currently relocated Thrashers. Winnipeg GM Kevin Chevaldayoff is not sold on keeping Ramsay as coach and is conducting interviews for the position and Ramsay would have to interview as well and he is on their list. Should Ramsay not return, he is expected to be very high on the Devils wish list.
With Minnesota's hiring of Mike Yeo as coach, the front runner for the Winnipeg position is former Oilers coach Craig MacTavish, who is also likely to be a strong candidate for the Devils job. Ramsay would fit the mold as the fiery guy the Devils could be looking for. He was Tortorella's right hand man when the Lightning won the cup in 2004 and came up with the phrase "Safe is Death." He is unafraid of singling players out and would fit well with the Devils. However, Manitoba Moose coach Claude Noel is the #1 front runner for the job if Ramsay is not retained and its likely going to come down to MacTavish, Ramsay and Noel. So, once Winnipeg makes its move, expect the Devils to follow shortly.
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