Report: Avalanche have begun coaching search and we now have a few names.

It appears that the Avalanche are about to officially begin their search for a new head coach.

According to a report from Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, Avalanche spokesman Jean Martineau confirmed on Thursday that the team was entering the preliminary phase of the interview process.

There are a number of prospects for the coaching job according to Chambers, and his list includes Jared Bednar, coach of the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, New York Rangers assistant coach Scott Arniel and Travis Greene, coach of the AHL's Utica Comets. One of the names on Chambers lists stood out to us however, Washington Capitals assistant Lane Lambert who's name also came up in rumors earlier this week surrounding the Avalanche's coaching hire.

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These likely won't be the only candidates interview by the Avalanche, who will due as thorough a search as they can this close to the season, but these men likely are the front runners for the position.