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Capitals Interview Mike Babcock For Coaching Role

The Washington Capitals have interviewed Mike Babcock to potentially be the next coach of the team.

Last night during Hockey Night in Canada and today on Sportsnet.ca, NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman reported that the Washington have interviewed an interesting name for the vacant coaching job that was left open after the team moved on from Todd Reirden.

That name is former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock.

Friedman noted:

“Last week the reports got out that the Washington Capitals had permission to interview Peter Laviolette for their vacant head coaching job, this week it’s believed that they interviewed Toronto’s former head coach Mike Babcock, And he is a legitimate candidate for the position.”

Should the Capitals go this direction, it is a decision that will certainly be debated. Many consider Babcock and excellent coach and his winning record speaks for itself. At the same time, the circumstances under which he left Toronto and then the stories of how he treated players afterward led to a ton of speculation that it could be some time before he got another shot as a head coach in the NHL.

Babcock Not The Only Candidate Interviewed

Friedman also noted the team has talked to former Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights’ head coach Gerard Gallant. A veteran coach who was surprising let go by the Vegas Golden Knights in only his second season behind the bench, many are suggesting it’s only a matter of time before Gallant — the Jack Adams award winner in 2018 — gets another coaching job in the NHL.

There is no shortage of strong coaching candidates available for the Capitals to select from and while the team itself is getting a little older and perhaps their competitive window is closing a touch, they are still a very strong team where any coach would be happy to work with some of the better players in the game.

Next: Hurricanes’ Dougie Hamilton Watching Pietrangelo Negotiations Closely

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