from Larry Brooks of the New Yok Post,

- Chris Drury is a rising star who soon enough will be an NHL general manager. But it won’t be next season.

Slap Shots has learned the Rangers’ assistant GM has withdrawn from consideration for the vacant spot in Florida following an initial interview with the Panthers’ upper management conducted the week of Aug. 16. The Connecticut Yankees fan informed the team of his decision on Friday....

- Sources report that another rising star in the industry, Eddie Olczyk, has not only been in for an interview but is expected to be among the finalists for the GM position in Florida that became vacant when the team did not extend the expiring contract of Dale Tallon after the ne’er do well Puddy Tats were bounced out of the qualifying round by the Islanders.

- For Slap Shots has learned that cost-cutting measures in Arizona — now where have any of us heard that before? — have cost the universally well-regarded John MacLean his job as assistant coach. Johnny Mac, whose No. 15 should have been retired long ago by the Devils, served in that position for three years in the desert after joining head coach Rick Tocchet’s staff in 2017-18.

The Coyotes, operating under the ownership of Alex Meruelo since he purchased the team in July 2019, also relieved a video coach of his duties. Arizona, bounced out of the first round by Colorado after having dispatched Nashville from the qualifiers, are operating without a permanent GM in the wake of John Chayka’s resignation prior to the postseason.

more on each of the above and other topics too...