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Carbery In, Boudreau Out: Here’s Where Things Stand In The Capitals’ Head Coaching Search

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The offseason is in full swing for the Washington Capitals, and there is no item more pressing than finding a new head coach.

After parting ways with Peter Laviolette following the team’s first missed playoff appearance in nine seasons, the Capitals’ pursuit of a new bench boss is in full swing.

Here is a look at where things stand in the Capitals’ head coaching search.

Spencer Carbery, Maple Leafs assistant coach

Carbery, 41, is toward the top of the Capitals’ list, according to The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, who says Carbery met with general manager Brian MacLellan on Monday.

Fresh off three seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carbery has been one of the hottest names throughout this head coaching cycle. Outside of Washington — which would represent a reunion of sorts for the former Hershey Bears and South Carolina Stingrays head coach — he’s also interviewed with the New York Rangers and spoken with the Anaheim Ducks, according to reports.

However, there’s also the possibility that Carbery might not go very far. Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe is widely considered to be on the hot seat after general manager Kyle Dubas was shown the door, meaning that the Maple Leafs may soon enter the race for Carbery’s services.

Todd Nelson, Hershey Bears head coach

If the Capitals have interest in Nelson, they are likely waiting until the Bears’ run in the Calder Cup Playoffs comes to an end before having any formal conversations.

In his first season as head coach of the Bears, Nelson led the team to a 44-19-5 regular season record and a second-place finish in the Atlantic Division. The team is currently battling the Rochester Americans in the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals, and the series is tied at 1-1.

Philadelphia Flyers associate coach Brad Shaw.

Brad Shaw, Flyers associate coach

Shaw, 59, is in the running for the Capitals head job, according to The Fourth Period correspondent Anthony Di Marco.

Hired in Philadelphia last summer, Shaw has served in assistant coach roles for four other teams since 2005. A 36-game interim stint in 2005-06 is his only head coaching experience in the NHL, but he previously spent three seasons as an AHL head coach and one season as a head coach in the IHL.

Jeff Halpern, Lightning assistant coach

After TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported earlier this month that the Capitals would speak with Halpern, that conversation did happen, according to El-Bashir. However, there has been little noise for Halpern, in Washington or otherwise, since then.

Bruce Boudreau, former Canucks head coach

As of Monday, Boudreau, 68, has not heard from the Capitals, according to El-Bashir. He’s drawn next to no reported interest for any head coaching vacancies, but has had no problem finding ways to fill his time.

Andrew Brunette, Devils assistant

Brunette has spoken with the Blue Jackets and the Ducks, but there has been no reported interest from the Capitals.

Capitals coach Peter Laviolette

Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Washington. The Bruins won 7-3. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Peter Laviolette, former Capitals head coach

No, Laviolette is not coming back to Washington. But only one bad season during his three-year stint with the Capitals has done little, if anything, to deter teams.

This cycle, the veteran head coach has been linked to the openings with the Rangers and Blue Jackets, according to reports.

Jared Serre covers the Washington Capitals for Washington Hockey Now. He is a graduate of West Virginia University.