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Ducks stay busy, name former Adams winner MacLean assistant coach

Paul MacLean

Paul MacLean speaks with the media after being named head coach of the Ottawa Senators hockey team during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Tuesday June 14, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

AP

Just minutes after swinging a deal to acquire d-man Kevin Bieksa from Vancouver, the Anaheim Ducks bolstered their coaching staff by hiring Paul MacLean as an assistant to Bruce Boudreau.

MacLean, 57, has been out of work since getting fired as the head coach in Ottawa last season. A former Mike Babcock assistant in Detroit, MacLean achieved great success with the Sens -- twice being nominated for the Jack Adams as coach of the year, winning once -- but was dismissed after a lackluster start to the ’14-15 campaign amid criticisms of his blunt, occasionally harsh approach with players.

MacLean was tied to a few head coach openings after being fired but failed to land any of them and, as such, was available for Anaheim after GM Bob Murray fired assistant coach Brad Lauer earlier this month. Lauer had been on Boudreau’s staff since their arrival in November 2011 and coached the Ducks’ power play, which ranked 28th in the NHL this season.

One would think MacLean’s hire is tied directly to Boudreau’s future employment. If the Ducks falter at some point next season and Boudreau is dismissed, MacLean would be an easy in-house replacement to take the reins.