The Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes have asked the Los Angeles Kings for permission to interview assistant coach John Stevens for their respective head-coaching vacancies, according to the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman also assumes Vancouver has asked, or will ask, for permission, “but I can’t prove it yet.” Stevens was a candidate to coach the Canucks last season, but the job went to John Tortorella, who’s since been fired.
The Penguins will also reportedly interview former NHL coaches Marc Crawford and Ron Wilson, while the Hurricanes will also reportedly interview Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson.
Meanwhile, Texas Stars coach Willie Desjardins could be available for interviews later this week, if his team can beat St. John’s tonight in Game 5 of the Calder Cup finals. The Stars lead the series, 3-1. Game 6 is Thursday, if necessary, while Game 7 would go Monday.
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Bylsma to Florida, Ulf to Carolina, Desjardins to Vancouver. That's my coaching prediction right now. No idea about Pens. Stevens? Hynes?
— Jason Brough 🙁 (@SadClubCommish) June 7, 2014
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