Who's next? – Winnipeg Free Press

Kevin Cheveldayoff tried to stay focused on the news of the day, but the Winnipeg Jets general manager understands the head coaching vacancy is making noise.

After all, there are only 32 of those jobs in the NHL.

With the Stanley Cup playoffs underway and expectations not met, there were several more potential openings in the coming days and weeks.

During the last two seasons Rick Bowness was away from the team, Jets associate coach Scott Arniel filled in admirably as head coach. (Fred Greenslade/Canadian Press Files)

As he sat on the podium discussing the retirement of Rick Bowness, Cheveldayoff was asked what he was looking for in his replacement.

When Cheveldeiff was asked a direct question about the interview process, he shed light on what he looks for when asked about the importance of his next hire.

“There's no question you're not going to replace Rick Bowness. He has one,” Cheveldeiff said. “Whenever you're in a situation like this, you want to make sure the next person can be themselves. It's not Rick Bowness and all the great work he's done. It's just moving forward from that day, whoever the next person is. But to understand the different levels of the foundations laid here, special recognition is needed.”

The Jets already have a head coach in waiting on staff in assistant coach Scott Arniel, who has filled in admirably for Bowness in several absences over the past two seasons.

On a day when the Jets organization went out of its way to celebrate Bowness' illustrious career, Arniel didn't want to look like he was standing in the stands for the job.

“Chevy, Mark (Chipman), they know my intentions, they know what I want, what I want. We talk more. It's really in the early stages.”– Scott Arniel

“Like you said first, it's Rick's day, so I won't go too far into it,” Arniel said. “Chevy, Mark (Chipman), they know my intentions, they know what I want, what I want. We talk more. It's really in the early stages.

“At the end of the day, we let the process play itself out. We will solve the problems presented here.”

Is being the Jets head coach one of them?

“Yes, it is,” said Arniel.

It's no surprise that Arniel is throwing his hat in the ring, as he was a candidate for the job when Bowness was hired in the summer of 2022.

The latest search included interviews and/or discussions with a number of interesting candidates, including Barry Trotz, Rick Tocchet, Jim Montgomery and John Tortorella, so expect the Jets to cast a very wide net before a final decision is made. .

Six candidates for this post:

Scott Arniel

Age: 61

Current job: Assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets

The skinny – Arniel spent parts of two seasons as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets between 2010 and 2012 and was replaced midway through the second season. He has also been a longtime NHL assistant and has been associated with the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and Buffalo Sabres.

His head coaching history includes leading the Manitoba Moose to the Calder Cup Final in 2009 and a stint with the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves. Arniel was with the Rangers when they reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.

His history with True North is considered a bonus, but his credentials are legitimate and he's put in the time to deserve another chance.

Craig Berube

Age: 58

Current job: The St. Louis Blues are free agents after being waived 28 games into the season

Skinny – Ex-NHLer gets a lot of interest when the coaching carousel spins. He has interviewed for several opportunities, and his 2019 Stanley Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues will only increase his stock.

The Jets know Berube well from many battles in the Central Division. Berube also spent one season as head coach of the Wolves, where Cheveldayoff still has connections from his time as GM.

Berube was 281-190-78 with the Blues and Philadelphia Flyers and had a 27-31 playoff record.

Todd Nelson

Age: 54

Current job: Head coach of the AHL Hershey Bears

Lean – Nelson helped the Bears win the Calder Trophy last spring, and he helped the Grand Rapids Griffins do the same in 2017. He also helped the Muskegon Fury to a pair of United Hockey League titles in 2004 and 2005.

He went 17-22-7 as the interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers during the 2014-15 season and has extensive experience as an NHL assistant with the Oilers, Dallas Stars and Atlanta Thrashers.

Jay Woodcroft

Age: 47

Current job: Free agent after playing 13 games with the Edmonton Oilers this past season.

Lean – Helped the Oilers reach the Western Conference Finals in 2022 before the team collapsed in an avalanche.

The Oilers have struggled to start the season under the weight of expectation and Woodcroft has fallen victim. He was a longtime assistant with the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings before joining the Oilers organization.

He spent parts of four seasons with the Bakersfield Condors and won the Calder Trophy in 2021. Woodcroft replaced Dave Tippett in February 2022 and had a .643 winning percentage and hit .500 during the regular season (79-4-13). Playoffs (14-14) before Chris Knoblauch took over.

Woodcroft's brother, Todd, previously worked as an assistant coach with the Jets.

Ryan Warsofsky

Age: 36

Current job: Assistant Coach with the San Jose Sharks

Aryk is one of the newcomers in the coaching ranks. He spent the last two seasons with the Sharks after spending the last two seasons as a head coach in the American Hockey League with the Wolves and Charlotte Dockers.

He helped the Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup before leaving to join the Sharks.

Warsofski also spent two seasons as head coach with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, losing in the 2017 Kelly Cup Final.

David Carl

Age: 34