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But, the discussions won’t stop at Crawford’s doorstep even if he does show he’s got what it takes to help lead this rebuild next season and the Senators owe it to themselves to speak to other possibilities after missing the playoffs for the second straight spring.

When Dorion hired Boucher in 2016, he did a thorough search that included interviewing nine or 10 candidates for the post. That won’t be the case this time, but you can expect Dorion will speak with at least five or six possibilities which is why there may not be a decision as quickly as everybody would like.

Dorion made a long list of names when Boucher was let go, cut it down to workable numbers and will start talks with other coaches once discussions with Crawford have been completed.

Expect the Senators to speak with Belleville coach Troy Mann as well. No, he wasn’t able to get to the club’s AHL affiliate to the playoffs on the final day of the season, but he did help the young players show progress. He’s under contract next year and he’s an in-house candidate who deserves consideration.

Yes, there are a lot of teams looking for coaches and the Philadelphia Flyers took one off the market with the hiring of Alain Vigneault Monday. Former Edmonton Oilers’ coach Todd McLellan agreed to a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday so that’s one less team looking for help.

Technically, the St. Louis Blues have an opening, but interim coach Craig Berube should have that title removed as soon as the playoffs finish. That leaves the Senators, Sabres, Oilers and Ducks looking for coaches, however, that pool may grow in the coming days, especially as teams get tossed from the first round of the playoffs.