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Derek Lalonde, left, and Todd Nelson are in the running to become the next coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

(Toledo Walleye (left) | AP photo (right))

Toledo Walleye coach Derek Lalonde and former interim Edmonton Oilers coach Todd Nelson are on a final list of candidates to take over as coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Both are among "two or three" candidates that may be further contacted this week, Ryan Martin, Detroit Red Wings assistant general manager, said in a text Monday.

As for a timeline to replace Jeff Blashill, Martin was hopeful it would be completed and announced this week. Blashill was officially announced June 9 to coach the Red Wings after three seasons with the Griffins.

The Red Wings' front office, which is in charge of selecting the new coach for the AHL team, planned to interview six candidates. They began the interview process three weeks ago when it became apparent Blashill would succeed Mike Babcock in Detroit. Lalonde was interviewed during that period. Nelson, meanwhile, interviewed Thursday.

Other names linked to the position have been Griffins assistant coach Pat Ferschweiler, Erie Otters' Kris Knoblauch and former Boston Bruins coach and recent Vancouver Canucks assistant Mike Sullivan.

Lalonde has been with the Walleye for one season, but it was a successful one. The Walleye reached the ECHL conference finals, losing in overtime in Game 7, after having the best regular-season record. They set 44 team and individual records along the way.

The 42-year-old Lalonde came to Toledo after three seasons as coach and general manager of the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. He went 111-54-14 and won regular season and playoff titles both seasons. He was the USHL coach of the year in 2012.

Nelson, 46, was the interim head coach for the Edmonton Oilers for 42 games this season and went 17-25-9. He previously spent four seasons as head coach with Oklahoma City in the AHL, going to the conference finals twice.

Nelson has a connection to the Griffins. He was the first player signed by the franchise in 1996-97. He played parts of four seasons and served as an assistant coach under Danton Cole in 2002-03.

Nelson was also scheduled to interview last week with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.