Rangers get OK to speak with Kraken’s Jay Leach in coaching search

Jay Leach is an official coaching candidate for the Rangers.

The Kraken granted the Rangers permission to speak to their assistant coach, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, which puts Leach on a list of options the club is known to be interested, along with the Maple Leafs’ Spencer Carbery and ex-Capitals coach Peter Laviolette.

The Rangers received the OK to speak with Kraken assistant Jay Leach.Getty Images

It is unknown if the Rangers have interviewed Leach yet, according to the report.

Leach, who has never been a NHL head coach, is coming off his second season as an assistant on David Hakstol’s staff in Seattle.

He has been with the club since their inaugural campaign in 2021-22.

The Kraken defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before losing seven games to the Stars in the conference semifinals.

Leach helped the Kracken to the Western Conference semifinals this season.AP

Leach, 43, has parts of five seasons of experience as a head coach at the AHL level.