The Capitals could have news on their head coaching search sooner rather than later.
The Washington Capitals could be getting closer to naming their next head coach, and a new report indicates that there could be a clear frontrunner in Spencer Carbery.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared in his latest edition of 32 Thoughts that he believes Jeff Halpern has already been in D.C. to interview for the head coaching job, and that the only reason he would go back is for a second interview. However, he's not sure if that will happen, because the team is thought to be among the top contenders to land popular candidate Spencer Carbery.
Per Friedman, Carbery has also spoken to the New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and possibly one other team, but the Capitals could be the best match.
"Everybody kind of thinks that Washington is the team to beat, they're the ones that are most eager to get him," Friedman explained. "I think we'll see an answer to that pretty soon."
Carbery, who was the Hershey Bears head coach from 2018 to 2021 before being hired as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been with the Leafs for two seasons and recently helped the club make it past the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 19 years.
He also played for the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays back in 2010. The Stingrays are the current affiliate of Washington.
Friedman also added that in addition to Halpern and Carbery, the Capitals have also interviewed Philadelphia Flyers assistant Brad Shaw.
It's been over a month since Washington parted ways with Peter Laviolette, and while things appear to be heating up, there's also no rush.
Ultimately, though, there are plenty of names that can help the team with an aging core, promising prospects and the desire to retool on the fly and return to top form.