NHL: Rick Bowness would be back as head coach

Rick Bowness is reportedly set to become the new head coach of the Winnipeg Jets, a hire that would end speculation about a possible position with the Montreal Canadiens.

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The TSN network reported the news on Friday noon, stating that the two parties are finalizing the details of an agreement. Rumors had it that Bowness was interested in mentoring Martin St-Louis with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge.

It would be a return to basics for the 67-year-old, since he was a pilot for the Manitoba club for part of the 1988-1989 campaign.

Bowness was in charge of the Dallas Stars until May 20, when he announced his departure. He had replaced Jim Montgomery on an interim basis on December 10, 2019.

After leading the club to the Stanley Cup Finals, where he lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fall of 2020, he became the permanent pilot on October 29 of the same year.

The New Brunswicker was hired as an assistant in June 2018. Previously, he also managed the Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders.

He has 212 wins in 639 regular season games in the National League.