NHL: Lewis’ stay at the helm of Bruins a brief one
Dave Lewis is out as Boston Bruins coach after just one season.
General manager Peter Chiarelli announced Friday that Lewis will be relieved as head coach and reassigned to another position in the organization. Associate coach Marc Habscheid also will be reassigned.
“Since the season has ended I have completed a thorough review of the team and the coaching staff, and I have determined that Dave Lewis and Marc Habscheid are not the proper fit for the Bruins at this time,” Chiarelli said. “I have a short list of candidates in mind.”
Lewis was 35-41-6 in his lone season on the Bruins’ bench. He also was the head coach in Detroit from 2002-04, where he had a 96-41-21-6 record.
The Original Six franchise hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since 1972, missing the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.
“Having come from organizations where you’re used to winning, that’s been very difficult,” Chiarelli said after the season. “But I also know quick fixes don’t work and so I have to be patient.”
Predators fans fight back
Nashville Predators fans are fighting back to hold onto their beloved team.
The threat of relocation has hung over the Predators since Craig Leipold announced May 24 he was selling to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie.
The co-CEO of Blackberry makers Research in Motion Ltd. told NHL commissioner Gary Bettman he didn’t intend to move the team but now is taking season-ticket deposits in Hamilton, Ontario.
Nashville’s best hope?
Sell more tickets – quickly – to keep whoever ends up owning the Predators from escaping from Nashville because of poor attendance.
“Our Canadian friend thinks we can’t sell 14,000 tickets,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I think he’s underestimated us.”
Montreal signs two
The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Christopher Higgins and defenseman Mike Komisarek to $3.4 million, two-year contracts.
The two Long Island, N.Y., natives will each earn $1.5 million next season and $1.9 million the year after.