NHL Rumor Wire – May 20th, 2011

Could Bob Boughner be a candidate for vacant assistant job in Detroit? Boughner became available after he resigned as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

From Dave Waddell (The Windsor Star)

"An unexpected opening on the Detroit Red Wings’ coaching staff might just give Bob Boughner something else to ponder over the next couple of weeks as he does some ‘soul searching’ about what he wants to do next season.The Wings announced Thursday that assistant coach Brad McCrimmon will leave to pursue other career opportunities.“Bob Boughner is a young coach that would likely have to be a candidate,” Wings general manage Ken Holland said.“Obviously, he’s accomplished a lot as a junior coach. I think he’d have to be a name on our list.”"

AJC.com’s Chris Vivlamore reports that the Atlanta Thrashers are down to one group in active negotiations to keep Thrashers in Atlanta.

From Chris Vivlamore (AJC.com)

"There is currently just one group in active negotiations with the Atlanta Spirit interested in purchasing the Thrashers and keeping the franchise in Atlanta.The group, not from Atlanta, is working with team president Don Waddell. A deal is not imminent, according to Waddell.“My job is to try to find a buyer who will keep the team in Atlanta,” Waddell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “As long as they keep taking my phone calls, I’ll keep working.”"

After three seasons, Detroit Red Wings assistant coach Brad McCrimmon has decided to leave the organization to pursue other career opportunities.

From Bill Roose (DetroitRedWings.com)

"DETROIT – Besides looking to fill some key roster spots this off-season, the Red Wings will also be looking to fill a vacancy created by the departure of assistant coach Brad McCrimmon.McCrimmon finished his third season on coach Mike Babcock’s staff, but he’s decided to leave the organization to pursue other career opportunities.“I’d like to thank Brad for his dedication and tremendous work in serving as an assistant coach for the Red Wings,” general manager Ken Holland said in a statement released Thursday morning. “We wish Brad and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”"

New Jersey Devils‘ Jacques Lemaire said he will not come out of retirement.

From Mark Everson (NY Post)

"The Devils are right back where they were last May, without a coach. There have been suggestions that general manager Lou Lamoriello might eliminate the next middleman and just talk Jacques Lemaire back from retirement again.Lemaire said it isn’t happening.“I’m ready for retirement, for the rest of my life,” Lemaire said yesterday."

New Jersey Devils still have not talked to Zach Parise about a new contract. Parise will be an restricted free agent on July 1st.

From Tom Gulitti (Fire & Ice Blog)

"All is quiet, but I’ve been getting a few questions and we needed a new post, so here we go.Confirming what Zach Parise told me via e-mail earlier this week, agent Wade Arnott said today that there is “nothing to report” on contract talks with the Devils. Wade Arnott (Jason’s brother) said he spoke with Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello after the team’s season ended, but there has been nothing since then.“(Lamoriello) said they were going to have their internal (end of season) meetings and he was awaiting some direction on the whole ownership situation and once he had that he would reach out to us,” Wade Arnott said. “So, that’s where we stand.”"

Minnesota Wild’s prospect Mikael Granlund,19, will remain in Finland for 2011-12 season.

From Michael Russo (Star Tribune)

"Despite Mikko Koivu’s attempt to persuade him to play for the Wild next season, highly touted 19-year-old Mikael Granlund will remain in Finland another year, one of his representatives said Thursday.“The game plan is he’s going to be entering the army and fulfilling his service and finishing high school, and we’d come over a year from now,” agent Todd Diamond said.“Mikael prefers when he comes over to Minnesota, hockey is the only thing he needs to focus on in his life. He wants to get all these so-called housekeeping things out of the way and, a year from now, get ready to hopefully crack the lineup.”"