The Washington Capitals have permission to talk to Peter Laviolette in their search for a new head coach, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Laviolette is "very much a contender," Friedman adds.

The Capitals fired previous head coach Todd Reirden shortly after being eliminated from the postseason in early August. Reirden was the head coach for two seasons and failed to get the Capitals past the first round of the playoffs both years, despite performing well during the regular season.

The Nashville Predators fired Laviolette in January during his sixth season with the team. His contract runs through the 2020-21 season, and Nashville must honor the remaining $2.5 million owed to the bench boss unless he finds a job elsewhere before the deal expires.

The 55-year-old has been head coaching in the NHL since 2001, landing with the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, and Predators. He led three of them to a Stanley Cup Final, winning the Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.

The veteran coach has 1,210 career games under his belt while compiling a 637-425-123 record.

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