The Athletic's Aaron Portzlein is reporting that Columbus Blue Jackets management plans to meet in person this week with two candidates to fill the team's head coaching vacancy, which Portzlein believes are former Minnesota Wild bench bosses. Dean Evason And then there's Jay Woodcroft, who was released by the Edmonton Oilers after they struggled to get off to a good start last season.
Blue Jackets General Manager Don Waddell Waddell has mentioned a third candidate, but that is believed to be on hold for now. Waddell also said he doesn't want to drag out the coaching search until August, so a decision is likely within the next few weeks. The two sides will need to negotiate details regarding contracts and coaching candidates, but that process should wrap up soon.
More NHL notes:
- Frankie Collado appeared on TSN Sports Centre to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs captain. John TavaresCollard was asked about Tavares' next contract and believes the Maple Leafs should try to extend Tavares' contract and keep his salary under $6 million. Collard added that Tavares is still a scorer, but not a player who drives play and is not a player Toronto can pay a high price for. He added that Toronto has never won anything with Tavares, so they may use that fact, along with the fact that Toronto is Tavares' hometown, to keep him cheap. Tavares is in the final season of a seven-year, $77 million contract and will count $11 million against the cap next season.
- Zach Parise Parise spoke with Kevin Karius on The Kevin Karius Show earlier this month, where he discussed his retirement from the NHL. Karius, 39, revealed that he has not officially filed his retirement papers, but added that his playing days are over. Parise signed with the Colorado Avalanche in January and has appeared in 30 games, recording five goals and five assists in just under 13 minutes of play per game. Parise was a key player in the first round of the playoffs, recording two goals in five games and scoring 11 assists. Jonathan Drouin On Colorado's second line.
