Former DU hockey coach George Gwozdecky holds back his emotions as he addresses the media at a news conference April 2, 2013 at Magness Arena. Gwozdecky was on hand to discuss the school firing him on Monday. This ends his Pioneers coaching tenure at 19 seasons. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
Our Sunday NHL column is on George Gwozdecky, the No. 2 assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The former Denver Pioneers head coach, 61, discusses the , 47, defensive bench-boss Rick Bowness, 60, and Steve Thomas, 51 — who played in 1,235 NHL regular-season games.
The staff reports to general manager Steve Yzerman and assistant GM Pat Verbeek, who combined for more than 1,200 NHL regular-season goals and four Stanley Cups. Similar to the Avalanche’s front office with Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy (six combined Cups), Tampa Bay’s suit-and-ties know how to get it done.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks is Wednesday in Florida.
Tampa Bay is the first NHL team to play four playoff series against Original Six teams. The Bolts ousted the Detroit Red Wings in seven games, the Montreal Canadiens in six and the New York Rangers in seven. In respect of Gwozdecky, DU assistant coach David Carle (brother to Lightning defenseman Matt Carle) and DU hockey PR guy Rick Bowness Jr. (son of Rick Bowness Sr.), I’ll take Tampa Bay.
Odds to win the 2015 Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP via Bovada:
center Jonathan Toews (CHI) 7/2
center Tyler Johnson (TBL) 4/1
winger Patrick Kane (CHI) 9/2
goaltender Ben Bishop (TBL) 5/1
defenseman Duncan Keith (CHI) 5/1
center Steven Stamkos (TBL) 8/1
goaltender Corey Crawford (CHI) 12/1
winger Nikita Kucherov (TBL) 15/1
winger Marian Hossa (CHI) 25/1
winger Patrick Sharp (CHI) 25/1
