"By the time the Blue Jackets have their new coach, general manager Scott Howson will likely have spent hours with at least five bright hockey minds, poring over the talents of his players and prospects and picking apart the finer points of how his team operates. Searching for a coach can be tedious and lengthy, but NHL general managers say there are other eye-opening and educational benefits to the process. "You learn what people think about your team," Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said. "You get some rather deep, philosophical insights from some very smart hockey people. "You can talk to people around the league about players all the time, sure, but when the door shuts and you're talking to a guy one on one who's trying to become your coach, it's all laid out there. There's no filter. And that can be incredibly refreshing." Rick Dudley is one of four general managers, including Howson, who are looking for a coach. Only one year into his tenure with the Atlanta Thrashers, Dudley could gain a lot of insight - even from a candidate he might not hire."Any time you're talking to a coach at the level we're talking to, you're going to get something out of it," Dudley said. "I like to think we have a pretty good handle on our players, but it'll be good to see what the perception is out there of our organization, not just the players." Howson has interviewed two American Hockey League coaches: Portland's Kevin Dineen, a former Blue Jackets player and development coach, and Manitoba's Scott Arniel.Howson expects to interview three other candidates: Detroit Red Wings assistant Paul MacLean, Hamilton (AHL) coach Guy Boucher and Blue Jackets interim coach Claude Noel." http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live...coaching-search-provides-insight.html?sid=101
