Examining Replacement Head Coaching Possibilities in Winnipeg
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Following Monday’s news of former head coach Rick Bowness’ retirement, the Winnipeg Jets currently find themselves without a head coach.
After 38 years behind the bench, Bowness opted to ride into the sunset fresh off the heels of a first round postseason exit and his first career Jack Adams Award nomination.
“There’s no question that you’re not replacing Rick Bowness; there’s one of him,” general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said on Monday. “Every time you get into a situation like this, you want to make sure that the next person can be their own selves as well. This isn’t following Rick Bowness and all of the great work that he did. This is establishing, whoever that next person is, from that day moving forward. But it does take a special acknowledgment to understand the different levels of foundations that have been put in place here.”
His praises were heard around the dressing room and across the league.
“That’s a guy you want to talk hockey with because he’s got a perspective and experience from players, different leagues, assistant coach — I mean, just everything,” former Jets head coach Paul Maurice said of Bowness. “A lifetime. I’m happy that he has the rare opportunity as a coach to call your shot. He did a marvelous, marvelous job with that team over the last two years. They played exceptional. I hope he’s appreciated for the work he did there. I know the people there appreciate him, but he did a really strong job.”
It’s evident that Bones was well-loved in Winnipeg, and further as was evident by Maurice’s comments. But he will need to be replaced – and sooner rather than later.
Sure, the True North model has often been nurturing and developing in nature, but what if the organization chooses to look outside of current associate coach Scott Arniel – to whom has had ties to the Jets for nearly 45 years.
If general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and his management team opt to outsource another coach – much like they did in the summer of 2022 with Bowness – there are some highly-desired candidates currently out on the open market to be considered for the job.
Possible candidates for the Winnipeg Jets’ head coaching gig not named Scott Arniel:
Dean Evason – Manitoba-born and is very familiar with the Central Division.
Craig Berube – Recent Stanley Cup champion (St. Louis) and knows the Central Division very well.
Todd Nelson – Recently won the the Calder Cup (Hershey) and has worked under both Rick Bowness and Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Dave Hakstol – Has spent time at UND, which is a familiar landing point for Mark Chipman.
Todd McLellan – Very familiar with Winnipeg over his extended time in the Western Conference with San Jose, Dallas and Los Angeles.
Jay Woodcroft – Has recently proven his NHL coaching abilities in Edmonton, working with stars such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Gerard Gallant – Plain and simply gets the job done. A players’ coach who has a proven track record.
Sheldon Keefe? – Will he have a job by the end of the week? If not, his knowledge and experience of a wild Canada media market certainly means something, doesn’t it?