Nashville Predators assistant Phil Housley was named head coach of the Buffalo Sabres Thursday beating out several accomplished candidates including Caps associate coach Todd Reirden.

But there’s a reason why Reirden didn’t get that job or any other positions around the league. According to Hockey Night In Canada’s Elliotte Friedman, the Caps are not letting Reirden, who is under contract, interview with other organizations.

Note on coaching searches: hearing WASH didnt allow interviews w/Todd Reirden. Word is he was promoted last year, they wanted to keep him.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 15, 2017

TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported earlier in May that Reirden, was up for the Florida Panthers and Sabres vacancies.

Add #Caps assistant Todd Reirden to #FlaPanthers head coach candidate list. Intvw forthcoming. He's also potential HC candidate in BUF. #TSN

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 15, 2017

This is an interesting development because the Caps’ current head coach, Barry Trotz, is in the last year of his deal and GM Brian MacLellan has said the team is not in talks with the veteran head coach about an extension. The Capitals have lost three consecutive years in the second round under Trotz’s leadership.

Reirden, who focuses on the Caps defense, ran training camp for Trotz last September while the team’s bench boss served as an assistant for Team Canada during the World Cup of Hockey.

S/T to Mark H. for the heads up.