Jets insider believes Scott Arniel will be the next head coach
Photo credit: NHL on YouTube
Current Winnipeg Jets associate coach Scott Arniel is the odds-on favourite to become the team's next head coach after Rick Bowness retired, according to insider
There are plenty of experienced NHL head coaches looking for a new job after several were fired this season. However, it seems the Winnipeg Jets won't be hiring any of them.
On the latest episode of Winnipeg Sports Talk, host Andrew Paterson noted that Cool Bet Canada has Jets associate coach Scott Arniel as the odds-on favourite by a considerable margin to be the team's next bench boss. Paterson agrees with that assessment.
"I would say that that number probably makes a lot of sense considering what the general consensus has been for the last two years that there was a succession plan in place."
Paterson cautioned that it's not a done deal given the list of potential candidates.
"It does get complicated though when you've got some guys with pretty impressive resumes that are available that may be interested in taking a call and an interview with the Winnipeg Jets."
While Arniel is the heavy favourite, coming in second is former LA Kings coach Todd McLellan, while Craig Berube, formerly of the St. Louis Blues takes the third spot. Interestingly enough, there are rumours that the Toronto Maple Leafs also have interest in both McLellan and Berube as a replacement for Sheldon Keefe, who was let go after another early exit from the post season by his team.
"Today is about appreciating Rick Bowness for the Jets. Moving forward, the organization has a high level of respect for Scott Arniel and he will be strongly considered, but all options will be discussed as part of the process."
Arniel played 730 games in the NHL as a player, with the majority of them being with the Winnipeg Jets. He also played for the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins. From 2010 to 2012, he was the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, his only NHL head coaching experience. He also served as head coach of the Jets AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
| POLL | ||
14 MAI | 449 ANSWERS Jets insider believes Scott Arniel will be the next head coach Do you think Scott Arniel should be the next head coach of the Winnipeg Jets? | ||
| Yes | 180 | 40.1 % |
| No | 150 | 33.4 % |
| Not sure | 119 | 26.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
Latest 10 stories
