Leading candidates are starting to emerge in the Panthers’ head coaching search.
After Denver University bench boss Jim Montgomery had a second interview for the job, former Habs head coach Michel Therrien is reportedly being brought back for another as well, per the Miami Herald.
This development comes after Florida GM Dale Tallon confirmed he’s spoken with a half dozen candidates for the job, adding he planned on interviewing another half dozen. Montgomery, Therrien and San Jose assistant coach Bob Boughner have been identified as three of interviewees.
Tallon certainly seems to have cast a wide net in looking for Tom Rowe’s replacement behind the bench. The veteran GM insisted it wouldn’t be a rush job to hire someone, and that has proven accurate -- Florida and Buffalo are the lone NHL franchises still with head coach openings.
“We’re looking for a modern day guy, a good communicator and a good teacher,” Tallon said last month, per WQAM radio. “Someone who is firm, but fair and can think outside the box a little bit, because creativity is important too as far as how you differentiate yourself from other teams playing a similar system.”
He added the club would wait “until at least mid-June” to make the hire.
