Rychel likely to stay on as GM

The head coaching job with the Windsor Spitfires is now settled and it appears the general manager position is slowly coming to a resolution.

New head coach Trevor Letowski said he looked at pro offers, but the former assistant coach said staying with the Spitfires was a no-brainer.

Spitfires’ general manager Warren Rychel said he has also been approached by pro teams, but the more he talks, the less it appears that he’ll make the jump.

“I’ll listen, but I think my heart’s here right now,” said Rychel, who has served as general manager since 2006. “There’s a couple things still on the burner, but I like it here. I have a good setup here.”

Most teams looking to make changes in the personnel and scouting department will do it after the two-day NHL Draft, which begins June 23. Rychel expects to talk to teams at the time, but leaving Windsor won’t come easy.

“If something came, I’d have to listen to it, there’s been a couple of things, but for me it has to be right financially and in the right situation to work with people that have the same views as me and want to win at all costs,” Rychel said. “That’s very important. I know I have a good place here.”

TRADE CLEARS NOTHING

The trade of Windsor defenceman Mikhail Sergachev from the Montreal Canadiens to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday might not be of any help to the Spitfires.

If Sergachev does not play 40 games for Tampa next season, he would likely be in junior and the Lightning would get a secondround pick from Montreal. If he does, no picks exchange hands.

“That could be a decision, but if he goes and plays the way he does, I don’t think Steve (Yzerman, the Tampa Bay general manager) is worried about the second-round pick,” Rychel said.

Rychel thought Sergachev was headed to the NHL next season with Montreal and feels there’s just as good a chance that it could happen with Tampa Bay.

“Steve called me before the trade and wanted to know about his character,” Rychel said. “I laid it out that he’s one of the greatest kids we’ve had here in 10 years.”

CHL IMPORT DRAFT

Rychel will head to the NHL Draft also to prepare for the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft on June 27.

Windsor has the 46 pick overall and, because Sergachev was a firstround NHL pick, can also make a selection in the second round, which is scheduled to be at 106.

“I think we’ll get a good, impact player,” said Rychel. “Could be a star where we pick, but we’ll see what happens.”