4 potential coaching candidates for the Winnipeg Jets.

The Winnipeg Jets have been without an official head coach since the surprising departure of long time head coach Paul Maurice in the middle of the regular season, and with the season and the Stanley Cup playoffs starting to wind down it seems the Jets are beginning their search for a replacement in earnest.

On Saturday night National Hockey League insider Elliott Friedman and his co-host Jeff Marek shared the latest details on the Winnipeg Jets' coaching search, listing out the names of 4 head coaches that the Jets appear to have on their radar.

Marek would reveal the first 3:

"We know the Winnipeg Jets have interviewed Barry Trotz, they have also interviewed Scott Arniel and I believe they have also spoken to Rick Tocchet," said Marek on Saturday night's NHL broadcast.

Friedman though tossed an additional hat in the ring and may have even hinted at the fact that, along with Barry Trotz, he could be a favorite to land the job.

"One other name I think to keep an eye on for Winnipeg if it's not Trotz it would be Jim Montgomery... an assistant in St. Louis," said Friedman in response to Marek's comments.

Trotz is of course the hottest coaching candidate on the market and whoever lands him will almost certainly feel like they've won this offseason's coaching carousel.

Scott Arniel, the former head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is an interesting choice given his ties to the organization as a former 2nd round draft pick of the Winnipeg Jets dating back to the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. Arniel played several years for the Jets before becoming a coach, and has spent the last several years behind the bench of the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers as an assistant coach.

Rick Tocchet has spent the last several years coaching in one of the most difficult situations imaginable under the guidance of the Arizona Coyotes organization, but now finds himself on the open market. Tocchet has the most experience as a head coach of any of the candidates listed aside from Trotz, something that likely played a role in landing him on Winnipeg's list.

Jim Montgomery is perhaps the most interesting name mentioned here given that not so long ago he was fired as head coach of the Dallas Stars for what was described as unprofessional conduct. Montgomery's time in Dallas marked his only experience as a head coach in the NHL which could be viewed as a red flag. That being said he did seek treatment for alcohol abuse and has spent the last two seasons working as an assistant to Craig Berube with the St. Louis Blues. Prior to his slip up in Dallas Montgomery was a highly touted coach out of the University of Denver and he could be a great addition to any NHL team if he can stay on the right track.