A Whirlwind Of Change

I spent the weekend looking for some fun stories after a couple of newsworthy firings last week, and it seems that the whole hockey world is now either terminating people or having people step away from the game. Four significant hockey people over the last two days will be absent for the future, and it's hard to understand why the terminations had to happen as they did. I get there are likely reasons for the two men being fired, but the loss of the man and woman who have decided to take a step back are, in my view, bigger losses for the game. Let's get into hockey employment news tonight!

We'll start on Long Island where a four-game losing streak might have been the catalyst for the change that GM Mathieu Darche made as he fired head coach Patrick Roy, replacing him with Pete DeBoer. Roy has two years left on his contract, so it seems like this move was made out of necessity, and DeBoer signed a three-year deal that will also include the rest of this season as he and Darche will see their contracts expire at the same time. With the Islanders falling out of a playoff spot this weekend during this losing skid, it appears that Darche had seen enough to know that a change was needed.

Will DeBoer make the Islanders better? In the long-term, there's a chance that he can. I'm not sure they're going to reach third-place in the Atlantic as they likely need to win three of their four games while getting help to overtake Philadelphia, but they can jump into a wild card spot by Saturday if they beat both Toronto and Ottawa. From there, they'll have to play well to beat Montreal and Carolina, but an improved focus on the defensive side of the game - something DeBoer can bring - would go a long way for the Islanders' playoff hopes.

With the New Jersey Devils on the verge of missing the playoffs as they sit seven point back of the second wild card with five games to play, the architect of the Devils' roster was fired today. Tom Fitzgerald had held the general manager's position since 2020, but Devils managing partner David Blitzer felt that "it was time to move in a new direction". Twice in Fitzgerald's six seasons at the helm have the Devils made the playoffs, losing both appearances to the Carolina Hurricanes. While both sides agreed to part ways, the Devils will begin their GM search immediately to begin preparing for the NHL Entry Draft. Fitzgerald, meanwhile, could be a likely candidate for the GM role in Nashville if he wants other immediate options.

After losing Vic Rauter earlier in the week, I'm not sure sports broadcasting was prepared for Scott Oake's announcement yesterday. The longtime Hockey Night in Canada interviewer and broadcaster made the announcement that he would be retiring from broadcasting following the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year, and it's hard to deny that the 74 year-old hasn't earned the right to walk away. Scott Oake is one of the people I tried to emulate with my interviews as he was factual, fair, and funny no matter who he was speaking with during his few minutes of questions. I don't know if Sportsnet will be able to replace him because he was so good at what he did. On top of that, he was simply an incredibly generous man both with his time and his graciousness. Scott Oake will be missed for his interviews, but he absolutely deserves a happy retirement!

And if there weren't enough hits taken by the hockey world today, the Ottawa Charge announced that head coach Carla MacLeod would be stepping away from the team to continue her medical treatments as she looks to emerge victorious against breast cancer. Assistant coach Haley Irwin will assume the role of interim head coach effective immediately, but it's pretty clear that everyone's thoughts will be with Carla as she undergoes another round of treatments. I have zero doubt that she's going to overcome this, so I want to wish her all the best as she continues to kick cancer's butt! If you know Carla, that's her attitude in this fight!

This is a woman whose presence in and around the game is second-to-none with her knowledge, her quips, and her smile. I'd go to the ends of the earth if she asked just because of how much fun I had in speaking with her on The Hockey Show, so I'm hoping that she's back sooner than later after these treatments. She's a gem, and hockey needs more people like her. We're all pulling for you, Carla!

Obviously, the last 36 hours have seen a whirlwind of change in the hockey world, and that's not even counting what happened on the ice. We saw a head coach fired, a head coach hired, a general manager and a team part ways, a broadcasting icon retire, and a head coach take a leave so she can be stronger. With seasons coming to a close, you expect these changes in the summer, not two weeks before the end of the season. However, that's hockey this year.

I'm not here to celebrate the two men who lost their jobs. That sucks, and there's no other way to say it. I am happy for Scott Oake, and my thoughts are with Carla MacLeod. These four people will likely find their way either back into the game or into a new chapter of life where they can be just as effective. I doubt this is the last we'll hear from any of them, but it's certainly been a crazy 36 hours of changes to say the least with all the announcements from teams.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!