from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

- Edmonton’s interview list for the GM position is around 10 to 13 names long. As Mark Spector reported last week, you should add Pat Verbeek’s name to whatever roster you’ve put together. My suspicion is he was recommended by Steve Yzerman. His candidacy could be affected by Yzerman’s own decision, since he might want Verbeek with him should he go to Detroit.

The expectation is Bob Nicholson begins his quest as soon as this week. There are a lot of different ways this can go, from the number of candidates to the eventual structure.

- My sense is Sabres GM Jason Botterill does not want a coaching change. That would make five bench bosses since Lindy Ruff was fired in February 2013. It’s too much, and the problem is bigger than Phil Housley. But the pressure is mounting and, as the season grinds to an end, results are getting worse. (Even if something does happen, it seems certain that roster surgery is coming with it.)

It may come down to what the Sabres think their options are. If they cannot attract one of the free-agent heavyweights, I’m curious to see how much of a look is given to their AHL coach, Rochester’s Chris Taylor. The Americans are very good, with key prospects showing improvement. Botterill was part of three Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh won by coaches promoted from the AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.

- As Alex DeBrincat surpassed 40 goals (he’s now at 41) for this season, I wondered why it was Chicago that chose to select him in 2016. The Blackhawks took him with their first pick of that draft, 39th overall. Their head Eastern Canadian scout, Jim McKellar, did a lot of the legwork. But he would not consent to an interview unless it was made clear that he did not deserve sole credit for the selection.

“There were a lot of people who came to see (DeBrincat),” McKellar said. “And (vice president of amateur scouting) Mark Kelley is the one who has to make the pick. He liked Alex a lot.”

McKellar paused and laughed a little.

“I don’t want these guys killing me at our next meeting.”

Crisis averted.

many more thoughts (a must read if you want to keep your finger on the NHL pulse)...