Rangers can speak with Kraken’s Jay Leach in coach search

NHL

as if Molly Walker

May 26, 2023 | 7:25 p.m

Jay Leach is the official manager candidate for Rangers.

Kraken has given the Rangers permission to speak with their assistant coach, according to Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman, who puts Leach on the list of options the club is known to be interested in, along with the Maple Leafs’ Spencer Carberry and former Capitals coach Peter Laviolette. .

The Rangers have yet to interview Leach, the report said.

Leach, who has never been an NHL head coach, is entering his second season as an assistant on David Hakstol’s staff in Seattle.

He has remained with the club through their inaugural 2021-22 campaign.

The Kraken defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before losing seven games to the Stars in the conference semifinals.

Leach, 43, has five seasons of experience as a head coach at the AHL level.