Report: Dineen, Boughner major candidates for Avalanche job

Kevin Dineen and Bob Boughner have reportedly become prime candidates in the Colorado Avalanche's search for Patrick Roy's replacement.

Dineen, an assistant coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, and Boughner, who serves the same role for the San Jose Sharks, are major contenders to be named head coach of the Avalanche, Terry Frei and Mike Chambers of the Denver Post reported Monday.

Chambers reports that Dineen had a 3.5-hour interview with the Avalanche, and Frei says it's "fair to assume" both he and Boughner had productive interviews.

Dineen has been a Blackhawks assistant coach for the last two seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2015. He led the Canadian women's national team to the gold medal in Sochi one year earlier, and served as head coach of the Florida Panthers from 2011 to 2013.

Boughner won back-to-back Memorial Cup championships with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires in 2009 and 2010. He finished his playing career with the Avalanche, suiting up for Colorado in 2003-04 and 2005-06.

The pair join a list that already includes New York Rangers associate coach Scott Arniel, Washington Capitals assistant coach Lane Lambert, Cleveland Monsters head coach Jared Bednar and Utica Comets bench boss Travis Green.

Former Avalanche forward Brad Larsen was considered a candidate for the job over the weekend, but the Post now reports he won't be interviewed.

Roy announced his intention to leave the organization earlier this month.