MacTavish A Wild Candidate
01/06/2009 05:04
Craig MacTavish hasn't come up for air in the seven weeks since he parted ways with the Edmonton Oilers, but his name is certainly out there for the Minnesota Wild coaching job.
"They don't have to ask permission from us to talk to Mac," said Oilers president Kevin Lowe, who feels his buddy wants to jump back on the coaching horse.
Other candidates for the Wild include San Jose Sharks assistant Todd Richards and former Carolina Hurricanes head man Peter Laviolette.
New Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher is still compiling his list of coaching candidates but wants somebody by the June 25-26 National Hockey League entry draft.
The Oilers have to pay MacTavish for another season, but Lowe said there are no caveats for him coaching a Northwest Division rival like the Wild.
"There were no clauses in his contract (against that)," said Lowe.
If MacTavish doesn't want or get a coaching gig for next season, TSN or Hockey Night in Canada should be all over him. MacTavish has long been one of the game's most astute and quoteable guys.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
We wish Craig MacTavish all the best on landing a new job in the NHL. MacT is one of the ‘good guys’ in hockey.