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This article was published 11/6/2015 (1929 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Darren Dreger, a TSN analyst and former Brandonite, reported on Wednesday that Kelly McCrimmon has spoken to potential coaching candidates as the Brandon Wheat Kings owner, head coach and general manager considers a job offer from the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

Speaking on the Winnipeg-based Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Radio on Wednesday, Dreger said he heard that McCrimmon had spoken with Ryan McGill, who is a former head coach of the Western Hockey League’s Kootenay Ice and a former assistant with the NHL’s Calgary Flames, about the possibility of replacing him as coach in Brandon.

COLIN CORNEAU / BRANDON SUN FILES Speculation is swirling that Brandon Wheat Kings general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon may move to a position with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Dreger said he understands the role the Leafs have offered McCrimmon would keep him based in Brandon. He would operate on the same level as Mark Hunter, who oversees Toronto’s draft and scouting, and Kyle Dubas, who is responsible for analytics and the club’s American Hockey League farm team, the Toronto Marlies. They would answer to president Brendan Shanahan.

Both Dreger and show host Gary Lawless, who is also a Winnipeg Free Press columnist, said they believe McCrimmon will take the job, with Lawless saying McCrimmon told him at last year’s NHL draft he would like to work at the NHL level.

Dreger put a caveat on his prediction, though.

"Ultimately it’s up to McCrimmon now to make a decision," Dreger said. "Is this opportunity the right NHL opportunity?"

This week CKLQ reported that today is the deadline for McCrimmon to decide. Dreger said Wednesday he expected the decision "within the next couple of days."

» Brandon Sun