Q: Where do Wayne Gretzky and the Coyotes go from here?
— Michael B. from Kansas City, Mo.
A: Given that no one had high expectations for the Coyotes this season, Michael, they had a fairly remarkable season, especially out of veteran winger Shane Doan and rookie pivot Peter Mueller — not to mention the revived Ed Jovanovski on defense.

Best of all, GM Don Maloney got himself a franchise goalie, and for next to nothing, with his early-season swap that brought Ilya Bryzgalov from Anaheim. Want to stabilize a franchise?  Start with a franchise goalie, and that's what Bryzgalov is for the Desert Dogs. No small feat.

So, where from here? Well, check back after July 1. Right now, Maloney has less than $30 million committed in next year's salaries, and that includes long-term deals already on the books for Doan and Bryzgalov. I suspect you'll see him address scoring depth, first and foremost. With the a couple of strong acquisitions, and the continued improvement of some of the squad's young talent, I think you'll see the Coyotes slip into the playoffs next season. Not a bad turnaround.
 
Q: Which coaches have the most to fear if the phone rings on April 7 and it’s the general manager on the other end of the line?
— Vance Promler from Portland, Me.
A: Oh, let's be blunt, Vance and just ask, ''Who gets the axe?!''

Well, John Paddock already got that call in Ottawa and his former Senators are comfortably in the playoffs. Tough biz, isn't it.

Truth is, there is no way of knowing for sure who gets the heave-ho, but I suspect Ted Nolan on Long Island and Paul Maurice in Toronto won't be back with their respective clubs next season. I suspect John Tortorella has worn out his welcome in Tampa, too, but that's a tougher read because of the Bolts' changing ownership situation.

Out west, the only two guys with any worries are Marc Crawford in Los Angeles and Craig MacTavish in Edmonton. The Kings are a mess, in every way, and GM Dean Lombardi might turf Crawford just as a way of hitting the ''reset button''. MacTavish, his lineup crippled by injuries, got a decent response late from his Oil squad, and that could be enough to keep him in the job.
 
Q: Are the Blackhawks likely to part ways with Nikolai Khabibulin after the season?
— F.C. from Pasadena, Calif.
A: Easier said than done, F.C., but yes, I think the ''Bulin Wall'' will be coming down in the Windy City. Here's the issue, though: he has $6.75 million coming next season — the final year of his deal. No one will want to take him, unless they are swapping back nearly the same ''overpriced'' dollars to the ’Hawks.

If the ’Hawks buy him out — a real possibility — they get to trim one-third off of his salary, and then pay him over two years. It would drop their cap ''hit'' from $6.75 million to $2.25 million each of the next two seasons.  If that's the route they intend to go, they have to do it in the last two weeks of June.

Print this Email this Blog this  IM this

MORE FROM NHL

NHL Section Front

Talbot helps Penguins top Flyers   Hard feelings remain for Red Wings, Stars Opinion: Pens not on rise, they're already here Special feature: Swedes playing super for Wings Special feature: Stanley Cup surprise players Who has Edge in conference finals? You decide Impact players in conference finals Bellowing Moose: Plenty of dead men walking US loses lead, then cool in 3-2 loss to Finland Latest NHL videos NHL Section Front   Add NHL headlines to your news reader: