from Damien Cox at the Toronto Star,

So, has the disgrace associated with Babcock and Quenneville worn off? Can two men who at one time were considered the best coaches in hockey come in from the cold? If they can — with 24 teams that either missed the playoffs entirely or were beaten in the first round examining their options moving forward — the veterans would join what could be the deepest and most talented coaching free-agent class in league history.

Remember, Barry Trotz is also out there. Peter DeBoer was fired by Las Vegas on Monday. Paul Maurice seems almost a certainly to get another head-coaching position after stepping down from that role with the Winnipeg Jets last season.

Three or four years ago, that group — Babcock, Quenneville, Trotz, DeBoer and Maurice — would have been considered the cream of the crop. Today? Well, Lou Lamoriello made his thoughts known on the available choices by promoting Lane Lambert to replace Trotz on Long Island next season.

more