Photo: Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, Washington Capitals assistant coach Scott Arniel is among five candidates for the Winnipeg Jets’ head coaching vacancy.

Former Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet, former Dallas Stars bench boss Jim Montgomery, ex-Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill, and Manitoba Moose (Jets’ minor league affiliate) head coach Pascal Vincent are the finalists for the job after former Capitals coach Barry Trotz turned down the Jets’ offer to run their bench.

Prior to coming to Washington, Arniel was an assistant coach for the New York Rangers and the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-12.

In addition, Arniel worked as an assistant coach for the AHL’s Manitoba Moose from 2000-02 before leaving to work as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres. In 2006, he returned to the Moose to become head coach where he led them to four Calder Cup Playoff appearances (including a final loss to the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ minor league affiliate, in 2009).

Arniel was drafted 22nd in the second-round of the 1981 NHL Draft by the Jets and spends his offseasons in Winnipeg.

The Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins are the only other teams currently without a head coach for the 2022-23 season.

**Keep an eye 👁 on **
Sources tell me as of today the @NHLJets HC candidates are down to ; Scott Arniel, Rick Tocchet, Jim Montgomery, Jeff Blashill, and Pascal Vincent. @espn @NHL #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) June 30, 2022

By Harrison Brown