Jets having 'ongoing' talks with Barry Trotz about vacant coaching position

The Winnipeg Jets may be getting closer to finding their next head coach. 

According to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, talks between the Jets and former New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz are heating up. 

While the two sides have yet to agree upon a deal, the likelihood of Trotz being behind the Jets' bench next season seems only to be improving. 

"Additional talks between the parties to take on the head coaching role are ongoing, with two independent sources telling the Free Press on Thursday the next few days could be critical," McIntyre wrote. "It's just the latest sign that the planets appear to be aligning for a happy homecoming for Trotz, who grew up in Dauphin." 

Trotz, 59, was a finalist for the Philadelphia Flyers' vacant head coaching position. However, that spot vanished when the Flyers hired former Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella earlier this week. 

There were also rumors that Trotz could return to the Nashville Predators. Trotz's first head coaching job in the NHL came with the then expansion Predators from 1998-2014. Though, on Thursday, the Predators signed coach John Hynes to a two-year extension, putting an end to that pipe dream. 

Trotz has spent 24 years coaching in the NHL with the Predators, Washington Capitals, and Islanders. Coaching in over 1,000 games, Trotz has compiled a record of 914-670-60-168, helping lead the Capitals to a Stanley Cup win in 2018.