Another candidate has emerged in Anaheim’s search for Bruce Boudreau’s replacement:
Luke Richardson.
Richardson, the longtime NHLer that’s spent the last four years as the coach of Ottawa’s AHL affiliate in Binghamton, will reportedly interview for the gig after the Ducks received permission from the Sens, per the Columbus Dispatch:
Ottawa #Sens have granted #Ducks permission to interview former @BSens_Hockey coach Luke Richardson for coaching vacancy.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 12, 2016
Richardson, former #CBJ captain, wants to be an #NHL head coach, not an assistant. If it doesn't happen this summer, he'll take a year away.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) May 12, 2016
Richardson, 47, parted ways with the Sens last month, ending a decade-long relationship with the franchise.
He spent the final two years (2007-09) of his playing career there, then quickly transitioned to coaching, serving as an assistant for three years under both Cory Clouston and Paul MacLean.
In 2012, Richardson moved to AHL Binghamton, embarking on a four-year stretch in which he was widely praised for helping players transition to the big league level: Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, most notably.
When he was ruled out of the running for Ottawa’s head coaching gig -- one that eventually went to Guy Boucher -- Richardson decided to try and land an NHL job elsewhere.
This ambition should hardly come as a surprise. At one point, he was believed to be the frontrunner for the Buffalo job that eventually went to Dan Bylsma.
Richardson would certainly be interesting in Anaheim. Worked with MacLean in Ottawa. Coached Silfverberg in Bingo.
— Mike Halford (@MikeHalford604) May 12, 2016
Richardson will be facing some stiff competition for the Ducks job. Travis Green, the coach of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Utica, is believed to be in the running and reports from earlier this week claimed GM Bob Murray also received permission from the Wild to speak with Mike Yeo.