Don Waddell Gives An Update On His Progress Since Taking Over As GM
New GM Don Waddell called a press conference for Thursday morning. We assumed it would just be an update as to how he was doing in his new role, and that was exactly it. You can watch the full presser below.
Here are some highlights of the press conference:
- About Patrik Laine: He expects Laine to exit the Players Assistance Program "any day." He also says it's "too early" to talk about retaining money in any Laine trade. Teams want to talk to him. "We want to make a hockey trade if we can." Waddell has given Laine's agent permission to seek a trade. He says everyone is "playing nice in the sandbox."
- On firing Pascal Vincent: Says he did his due diligence on Vincent, meeting with him several times. Waddell says this team needs an experienced coach. Said he just felt they needed to go in a different direction.
- He says he has a list of 12 people, but won't be interviewing 12 people. "We have to get this right."
- "Players don't have any say on who's coaching this hockey team." He says he's talked to 15 players so far, but only about on-ice things.
- Waddell all but ruled out Joel Quenneville as being the head coach.
- DW says again that having an experienced coach is a must.
- Waddell says his list is longer now than when he started three weeks ago. Says he's happy with the progress they've made.
- "We have a lot of good pieces here. Would we like to upgrade at certain spots? Absolutely, 100%." He says whatever trades they might make, it's important to get fair value back.
- In regards to the Assistant coaches: No decision will be made until they hire a head coach. He's unsure if the new head coach will want to bring his own guys. "There's a good support staff here."
- Waddell says he won't sell the coaching candidates on the team itself. But will on the city, arena, facilities, and the family aspect.
- About the 4th pick in the draft: "Teams around us are talking about moving around (in the draft)." "We're open." "If we trade a pick, it's going to have to be a great deal for us."
- He says there's no timeline for putting a coach in place. With the draft and free agency, it's really busy.
- On Free Agency: Some spots they might want to address are defensemen and bottom-6 forwards. No major gamechangers he says.
- Waddell again says how important he thinks players getting AHL time is especially long AHL playoff runs. "It's a great league."
- DW says the fans will enjoy the Stadium Series game.
- He says they've started the conversations about the RFAs the team has. There's "no rush" except for those players with arbitration rights.
- Regarding Bob Hartley being a head coaching candidate. He says Hartley has reached out but they haven't spoken yet.
- Regarding injuries: Says there were a lot of "freak injuries" which is something you can't prepare for. He says the trainers and strength coaches are meeting with players if they can during the summer. They're monitoring the activities the players are doing with their trainers.
- Waddell says that meeting with the fans has been great and getting to know the fanbase. Says "I'm a big believer in connecting with the fans."
- "I love the cannon now!"
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