In San Jose, Curtis Pashelka noted the Sharks on Friday told season-ticket holders that prices will “remain unchanged” for the ‘14-15 season. Sharks COO John Tortora in a letter to season-ticket holders “thanked them for their support.” Tortora later said the Sharks had been discussing ways "well before the playoffs began" to not ask fans to pay more for season tickets. But Tortora added that the Sharks' seven-game opening-round loss to the Kings after blowing a 3-0 series lead “was a factor.” It is the "first time since before the start" of the ‘09-10 season that the Sharks have “not increased season ticket prices.” There was a 6.5% increase before the lockout-shortened ‘12-13 campaign, and a 2.4% increase last year (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/24).
CAPITAL GAINS: In DC, Katie Carrera noted the Capitals yesterday named Assistant GM/Player Personnel Brian MacLellan GM and Barry Trotz coach, giving the organization “familiarity and experience, respectively, as it aims to usher in a new era.” MacLellan has “been a fixture” with the franchise for the past 13 seasons. But promoting MacLellan does not fulfill what Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis explained in April as a need for a “fresh set of eyes and new voice” to assess the team. There is “uncertainty with all first-time general managers, because they’ve never held the top job before and there’s no track record to evaluate.” But in selecting MacLellan, the Capitals “opted for an unknown they’re familiar with rather than bringing in someone new from the outside” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/26).
RONNIE FRANCHISE: In Raleigh, Chip Alexander noted Hurricanes GM Ron Francis, nearly a month into his new job, “has had little down time.” Francis said, “There are a lot of things going on. We have the coaching search, and decisions to be made on the team and the draft coming up. We have to look at the free agent list. We’re taking a look at the budget. It’s just a busy time of the year.” Francis said that he “hoped to have a coach in place” before the June 27 NHL Entry Draft (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/24).
