Originally published by NHLRumors.com
Maple Leafs assistant drawing interest
TSN: Pierre LeBrun says that Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Spencer Carbery is getting head coaching interest again this offseason.
“He met Monday with the Washington Capitals, we’re told. Remember he used to work in the Capitals’ organization. He also has drawn interest, we’re told, from the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers. So, we’ll see where that goes for Spencer Carbery.”
On the New York Rangers coaching front
Vincent Z. Mercogliano of Lohud: New York Rangers GM Chris Drury is keeping things tight and it’s hard to know when he will name their next head coach.
Pittsburgh Penguins ownership seems to want to keep Mike Sullivan around as they continue their front office search. Kyle Dubas’ sudden departure from Toronto may lead to Sheldon Keefe losing his coaching gig. The Maple Leafs new GM, when they announce one, may want a new bench boss. Keefe would interest the Rangers.
Joel Quenneville could be an interesting candidate if he gets reinstated by the league. He could be a long shot.
Multiple sources believe Peter Laviolette is near the top of the Rangers list. He’s also taking to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
A source said that the door isn’t closed on Mike Babcock.
Other coaching candidates include Spencer Carbery, Kris Knoblauch and Jay Leach.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets coaching front
Larry Brooks: If the Columbus Blue Jackets don’t hire Mike Babcock, one long-shot has been told that could be in the mix is Sergei Fedorov.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun said that the Blue Jackets cast a big net and could name a new head coach next week as GM Jarmo Kekalainen is at the World Championship.
“He has talked to a number of coaching candidates, some of them we’ve reported the likes of Peter Laviolette, Mike Babcock, also Travis Green and, of course, there’s internal candidate Pascal Vincent. But again, that’s just some of the candidates that we know that he’s talked to. But I think Kekalainen finally wants to announce someone next week.”
On the Calgary Flames coaching front
TSN: So Craig Conroy has been named as the next Calgary Flames GM and one of his first priorities is to find a head coach. Darren Dreger said that they’ll be looking for an experienced coach. Gerard Gallant and Mike Love would be among the candidates.
“Now, it should come as zero surprise to anyone out there that Gerard Gallant, who was let go by the New York Rangers, will be considered a prime candidate in Calgary. Of course, he’s got the history with Jonathan Huberdeau – and the Flames very much need Huberdeau to be comfortable and to be productive next season.
But it’s not just Gallant, they’ll interview other candidates; they’ll go through an exhaustive process and they’ll also look internally as well. Mitch Love had a successful season as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Calgary Wranglers so I think he’ll get a good look as well.”