ARIZONA COYOTES

Report: Coyotes receive permission to interview Todd Nelson for head coach

Jun 27, 2017, 12:50 PM | Updated: 1:09 pm

Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish, right, shouts instructions to Oilers players as so...

Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish, right, shouts instructions to Oilers players as soon-to-be interim head coach Todd Nelson, left, watches the action on the ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Todd Nelson, the coach of the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, has been granted permission by his parent team to interview for the Arizona Coyotes’ head coaching vacancy, according to Detroit Free Press reporter Helene St. James.

Nelson had been linked to the post formerly filled by Dave Tippett, but Coyotes general manager John Chayka said this weekend the reports were premature as the team continued to build a list of candidates.

“We’ll have a small group of names, a real small group at this stage, and then just try and be efficient moving forward,” Chayka told Arizona Sports’ Craig Morgan.

Chayka said youth is not an overriding prerequisite.

“I don’t think that’s necessarily the case, but with our younger players, we do want a communicator; somebody that does engage and have that relational type of approach to coaching.”

The 48-year-old Nelson went 44-30-2 with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2015-16 before putting together a 47-23-1 record leading into a 15-4 playoff run this year, which included a Calder Cup victory.

Nelson has 51 games of experience as Edmonton Oilers interim coach in the 2014-15 season.

Arizona parted ways with Tippett on Thursday.

While they search for a head coach, the Coyotes announced Tuesday that they had parted ways with associate coach Jim Playfair.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes F Logan Cooley...

Associated Press

Logan Cooley nabs 1st career hat trick as Coyotes end Predators’ points streak

Logan Cooley had his first NHL hat trick and the Arizona Coyotes snapped the Nashville Predators’ point streak.

10 hours ago

Matias Maccelli #63 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck during an NHL game at Mullett Arena...

Associated Press

Josh Doan nets twice in NHL debut, Coyotes score 4 goals in 3rd and beat Blue Jackets

Josh Doan had two goals including the go-ahead score in his first NHL game and the Arizona Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2.

2 days ago

ASU hockey player Josh Doan and father Shane Doan wave to fans before the ceremonial first puck to ...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes forward Josh Doan scores twice in NHL debut

Coyotes forward Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut on Tuesday. Doan had goals in the second and third period against Columbus. 

2 days ago

Josh Doan...

Damon Allred

Arizona Coyotes recall forward Josh Doan from Tucson Roadrunners

The Arizona Coyotes recalled former second-round pick Josh Doan, son of former captain Shane Doan, from the Tucson Roadrunners.

4 days ago

Miro Heiskanen #4 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck while being defended by Alex Kerfoot #15...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes fall to Dallas Stars for 2nd time in last 3 games

Miro Heiskanen broke a tie with 5:28 left and the Stars won their fourth consecutive game, beating the Coyotes on Sunday night.

5 days ago

Dylan Guenther...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther scores overtime game-winner vs. Kraken

Dylan Guenther scored in overtime to give the Arizona Coyotes a win over Seattle on Friday night.

6 days ago

Report: Coyotes receive permission to interview Todd Nelson for head coach