According to the world famous Bob McKenzie, former Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault has removed himself from consideration to be the next coach of the Dallas Stars.

With Alain Vigneault withdrawing himself from DAL job, expectation is he has an offer to coach NYR tho no one has officially confirmed that. — Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 15, 2013

The Rangers were always going to be a more desirable option than the Stars simply because of prestige. They have been a better team over the past half of a decade. They play in the media spotlight of New York. They also aren't terribly far from his home. Other collateral damage of this deal could be that the Rangers don't buy Brad Richards out, thus eliminating another center option for the Stars.

According to John Shannon, Jim Nill has confirmed that Vigneault is no longer in the running.

Another name off Stars's coaching list.1st Dallas Eakins canceled his interview with Stars,now GM Nill confirms Alain Vigneault is off list. — John Shannon (@JSportsnet) June 15, 2013

Whether that means Vigneault turned them down, or the Stars have someone else lined up is anyone's guess. Regardless, Vigneault is gone.

The Stars options are starting to come off of the market. With both Vigneault and Eakins gone the Stars options appear to be Tom Renney and John Tortorella, Other names to watch are John Stevens of the Los Angeles Kings and old friend Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes should they be relocated in the near future.

More will come as this story develops for sure.

Update:

I'm told NYR had a very substantial offer on the table for Vigneault...meeting with Dolan might close the deal. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 15, 2013

So, it sounds as if the Rangers may have money whipped or otherwise enticed Vigneault to head to New York. Perhaps they offered him some decision making power when it comes to the roster? Who knows. Either way, Dreger says he's getting a huge offer.

Update 2:

Oops. Re-read tweet. Meant to say it's believed Stars had a substantial offer for AV...until he met with NYR's Dolan and co. — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 15, 2013

And...

Alain Vigneault is on the verge to be the next Rangers coach. #RDS — Renaud Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) June 15, 2013

Dreger updates to say what some of us already believed: the Stars made a substantial offer to Alain Vigneault. He decided to go elsewhere. That's unfortunate.

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