Richardson dreams of NHL coaching job
Some speculate he could wind up in Buffalo, working for Tim Murray
Luke Richardson is exploring all options, including the possibility of being a head coach in the NHL next season.
“If the right situation presents itself, I would definitely look at it,” the Binghamton Senators coach and 20-year NHL veteran defenceman said Wednesday.
Richardson has happily spent three seasons in charge of the Ottawa Senators' American Hockey League affiliate, but he's not under contract for next season and wants to clear his head before deciding what's next.
Eventually, he wants to climb the coaching ladder to the NHL and there has been plenty of speculation that Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray — who worked closely with Richardson when Murray was Senators assistant GM — is interested in hiring him to replace Ted Nolan.
Senators GM Bryan Murray and assistant GMs Pierre Dorion and Randy Lee are also keeping open the head coaching position in Binghamton if Richardson opts to stay.
At the same time, Richardson wants to do everything possible to stay close to his daughter, Morgan, who will be spending her final year playing hockey at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., beginning in September. He's even considering taking a year off from coaching altogether.
“I've had a great time in Binghamton working with the young guys, but I just want to take some time to think about it, with no commitment to going back,” he said.
Richardson, who was working with Binghamton call-ups during the Senators playoff series against Montreal, plans on spending the next few days visiting with friends in Toronto, getting his mind away from hockey altogether.
“I'm going to take a week away and then come back to it and see if I have the same feeling. Coaching is important to me and (Morgan) has told me ‘don't not take a job because of me', but last year, I only saw her play three times.”
Currently, there are NHL head coaching vacancies in Buffalo, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Jose and Toronto. Todd Nelson is the interim coach in Edmonton, but now that Peter Chiarelli has been hired as general manager, that could change.
Boston coach Claude Julien could also be replaced by an incoming general manager. Detroit coach Mike Babcock is not under contract for next season and could land anywhere. In addition, Ken Hitchcock's future in St. Louis is in doubt.
So far, Richardson has had no talks with any team, including the Sabres, but he has heard the speculation about him landing in Buffalo.
“People have focused on the connection (with Tim Murray), but I haven't talked to him since his 25th wedding anniversary last summer in Shawville and everybody in Shawville was there,” he said, with a laugh. “I've heard the rumours, that they could go with an experienced guy like Babcock or a new guy like Richardson. Well, if that's the case, I know who I would hire.”
While Richardson is throwing his name out for NHL consideration, he's unsure of the interest level.
“Maybe I will get some interviews, but it doesn't mean there will be job offers,” he said.
“Maybe there will be some feelers to see if I want to be an assistant coach. And if that's the case, it's an easy answer. I'm not interviewing for that. I enjoyed my time as a part-time assistant coach in Ottawa (from 2009-12), but I knew at the end of that time, I wanted to be a head coach.”
Maybe I will get some interviews, but it doesn’t mean there will be job offers.