Todd Nelson officially joins Stars' coaching staff

Todd Nelson is back in the NHL.

The former Edmonton Oilers bench boss was named to newly appointed Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery's staff on Thursday.

On Wednesday, The Athletic's Sean Shapiro reported the Stars were close to a deal with Nelson, and The Athletic's Craig Custance took it one step further shortly thereafter.

This is happening. Nelson leaving Grand Rapids to join Dallas. I'd expect Ben Simon to get a look in GR as Nelson's replacement but Red Wings in early stages there. https://t.co/A4Dyefn779

- Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) May 30, 2018

Nelson had been behind the Grand Rapids Griffins' bench as head coach since the summer of 2015, and he's in his second stint with the Detroit Red Wings' AHL affiliate after serving as an assistant in 2002-03.

He took over the Oilers as interim coach after Dallas Eakins was fired in December 2014, but was replaced by Todd McLellan at the end of that season.

Nelson had frequently been in the mix for NHL jobs in recent years, most notably landing an interview with the Arizona Coyotes before they hired Rick Tocchet last summer.

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