Thrashers coaching candidates

From Mike Knobler of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Todd McLellan, John Anderson and Brad McCrimmon are candidates to become the Thrashers’ coach. One of them could have the job by next week. But, Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said Monday, he might hire someone else.

Waddell said he will begin interviewing three or four candidates later this week and that two of them will be Anderson, coach of the Thrashers’ top minor-league affiliate, and McCrimmon, the Thrashers’ associate coach. McLellan, an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings, was in San Jose on Monday interviewing for the Sharks job and will interview for the Thrashers job, too, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

“He’s one of several people we’ve reached out to talk to,” Waddell said of McLellan, but there’s no guarantee he’s one of the ones who will have a face-to-face interview.

A coach will be in place before the NHL draft June 20-21, Waddell said.

Read more on the Atlanta coaching situation here.

After the success of Bruce Boudreau in Washington, you have to think that long-time minor league coach John Anderson would be the favorite in Atlanta. Anderson has certainly paid his dues and has been one of the best AHL coaches for a long time. His Chicago Wolves teams are always in the mix for the Calder Cup. It would be nice to see the veteran coach get a chance in the NHL.