The Eastern Conference Finals started yesterday, and the Boston Bruins’ bench will look a little different next season.
The Bruins let go of an assistant coach yesterday. It was his second stint with the organization, the first one coming in Providence. That might not be the only move, as an assistant coach spot has freed up on Long Island.
The Bruins also have a trade piece. They have talked about upgrading their lineup, and the free agency class is not too impressive. There are also four Bruins on the schedule today at the World Championships in Switzerland.
Elsewhere around the league, the Canadiens beat the Hurricanes 6-2 and won the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals. The 2022 second-overall pick reportedly requested a trade, but that was shot down. The Capitals hired an assistant coach, and the Islanders’ AHL affiliate revealed its name and logo.
Happy Friday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:
Boston Bruins
TRADE CHIP: The Bruins want to add speed and skill to their lineup, and they have a trade piece they dangled in talks this past season. Mason Lohrei still has a lot of offensive upside, and his defensive game improved, but a crowded blue line and a need for help on the right side may force the Bruins to move on from the 25-year-old.
JAY LEACH: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Bruins are not renewing the contract of assistant coach Jay Leach. He spent the last two years coaching the defense, and he spent four years as the head coach of the Providence Bruins.
He has been linked to the Maple Leafs’ head coaching vacancy.
IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Check out who is playing, how to watch, and the eight Bruins’ schedules for the IIHF World Championships.
Here are the Bruins who played at the World Championships yesterday:
Viaplay Urheilu (video via 𝕏): Here is Jokiharju’s goal, which was the game-winner.
Prospects Update
YEMELYANOV: Game 5 of the Kharlamov Cup is today. Kirill Yemelyanov and Loko are looking to take a 3-2 series lead on JHC Spartak today.
Catch Game 5 at 11:30 AM on the MHL YouTube:
NHL News & National Hockey Now
Montreal Hockey Now: What a first period for the Canadiens. After Seth Jarvis gave the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead just 33 seconds into the series, Montreal scored four goals in 10:32 and took a 4-1 lead into the first intermission. Marc Dumont has more highlights from last night’s win.
Carolina Hockey Now: Eric Robinson made it a 4-2 game 2:46 into the second period, but that did not provide the Hurricanes with any jump. Frederik Andersen made 16 saves on 21 shots. Rachel Barkley has more on why the Hurricanes should not be worried.
PLAYOFFS
M1 – Hurricanes (0) vs. A3 – Canadiens (1)
C1 – Avalanche (0) vs. P1 – Golden Knights (1)
New Jersey Hockey Now: Reports came in from Slovakia that 22-year-old Simon Nemec requested a trade and that new GM Sunny Mehta has not reached out. James Nichols of NJHN can confirm that Mehta has reached out to Nemec and his agent, and he can also confirm that Nemec did not request a trade.
Washington Hockey Now: The Washington Capitals hired power play specialist Ray Bennett as an assistant coach yesterday. Bennett spent last season with the Islanders, and the eight seasons before were in Denver, CO.
The Islanders are now looking for a power play coach; they let go of Bennett on Wednesday. Pete DeBoer and Steve Spott have an extensive relationship, and in DeBoer’s last 10 full seasons behind a bench, Spott has been his right-hand man.
Something to keep an eye on.
The AHL (via 𝕏): Staying on the Islanders, their relocated AHL affiliate announced their team name and logo yesterday. They will be known as the Hamilton Hammers, and they will wear blue and orange. The team name resembles Hamilton’s history as a steel town.
KHL (video via 𝕏): Lokomotiv Yaroslavl won the KHL’s Gagarin Cup yesterday, and goaltender Alexei Melnichuk took a spill with the trophy.
Today’s NHL Schedule
Golden Knights at Avalanche, Game 2 – 8:00 PM (US: ESPN; CA: CBC, SN, TVA)
Today’s IIHF World Championship Schedule
Germany (1) vs. Hungary – 10:20 AM (CA: TSN4)
Canada (1) vs. Slovenia – 10:20 AM (US: NHLN; CA: TSN1)
Finland (2) vs. Great Britain – 2:20 PM (CA: TSN4)
Sweden vs. Italy – 2:20 PM (US: NHLN; CA: TSN1)
(all times ET)