Traverse City — It appears Todd Nelson will be returning to coach the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Nelson interviewed for the head coaching vacancy with the Arizona Coyotes last week, in search of moving up from the American Hockey League to the NHL.
But Arizona is zeroing in on former Coyotes player and assistant coach Rick Tocchet, who was an assistant on the reigning Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins the last four seasons.
Nelson, 48, coached the Griffins to the Calder Cup championship this past season.
“I spent time with them last week, and things went well,” Nelson said Friday at the Red Wings development camp.