More candidates?
Don did a write-up on Mike Johnston the other day, since Johnston is, so far, the only confirmed candidate for the Kings' coaching job. With Don's big help, here's a rundown of some more potential coaches the Kings might look at. Obviously, some are more realistic than others and there are a couple names, a couple junior-level coaches, who could be included, but we'll see how things develop...
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Kevin Dineen, 44.
Current position: Head coach of the Portland Pirates of the AHL (2005-present)
Previous coaching experience: None
Playing career: 21 NHL seasons (Hartford, Philadelphia, Carolina, Ottawa and Columbus)
Mark Hardy, 49.
Current position: Assistant Coach of the Chicago Blackhawks (2006-present)
Previous coaching experience: Assistant Coach, Los Angeles Kings (1998-2006). Assistant Coach, Long Beach Ice Dogs, IHL (1995-98)
Playing Career: 18 NHL seasons (Los Angeles, NY Rangers, Minnesota North Stars)
Dale Hunter, 47.
Current position: Co-owner/president and head coach, OHL's London Knights (2001-present)
Previous coaching experience: None (director of player development for Washington in 1999-2000)
Playing career: 19 NHL seasons (Quebec, Washington, Colorado)
Dave Lewis, 54.
Current position: Assistant Coach, Los Angeles (2007-2008)
Previous coaching experience: NHL Associate or Assistant Coach (1988-2002), Detroit. NHL Head Coach, Detroit (2002-2004), Boston (2006).
Playing Career: 16 NHL seasons (NY Islanders, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Detroit)
Paul Maurice, 41.
Previous coaching experience: OHL Head Coach, Detroit (1993-1995), NHL Assistant Coach, Hartford (1995), NHL Head Coach, Hartford (1996), Carolina (1997-2004), Toronto (2005-2008).
Playing Career: Windsor, OHL (1984-1988)
Barry Melrose, 51.
Current position: Hockey Analyst, ESPN
Previous coaching experience: WHL Head Coach, Medicine Hat (1987), Seattle (1988). AHL Head Coach, Adirondack (1989-1992), UHL Head Coach, Adirondack (2003, 2005). NHL Head Coach, Los Angeles (1992-1995).
Playing Career: 7 NHL seasons (Winnipeg, Toronto, Detroit)
Mark Morris, 50.
Current position: Head Coach, Manchester, AHL (2006-present)
Previous coaching experience: NCAA Assistant Coach, St. Lawrence (1985-1988), NCAA Head Coach, Clarkson (1989-2002).
Playing Career: Colgate University, NCAA (1977-1981), Dallas, CHL (1981), New Haven, AHL (1981-1984)
Joel Quenneville, 49.
Previous coaching experience: AHL Assistant Coach, St. John's (1991-1993), AHL Head Coach, Springfield (1993), NHL Assistant Coach, Quebec/Colorado (1994-1997), NHL Head Coach, St. Louis (1997-2004), Colorado (2005-2008)
Playing Career: 14 NHL seasons (Toronto, Colorado Rockies, New Jersey, Hartford, Washington)
John Tortorella, 49.
Previous coaching experience: Head Coach, Virginia, ACHL (1986-1988), Assistant Coach, New Haven, AHL (1988), NHL Assistant Coach, Buffalo (1989-1995), Phoenix (1997-1999), NY Rangers (2000), Head Coach, Rochester, AHL (1995-1998), NHL Head Coach, Tampa Bay (2001-2008)
Playing Career: Maine, NCAA (1978-1981), 6 seasons in the ACHL (1982-1986), Hampton, Erie, Nashville, Virginia.
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Rich Hammond has covered the Kings, on a full-time or part-time basis, since the 2000-01 season. He was the beat writer for the entire John Torchetti era and has witnessed Bob Miller singing country music in a Nashville honky-tonk bar. A native of Los Angeles, Rich has worked at the Daily News since 1999 and also serves as the paper's deputy sports editor. E-mail Rich at rich.hammond@dailynews.com.
Jill Painter joined the Daily News in 2000 and during the last eight years she's covered the Dodgers, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, Kings, golf and everything in between. Even though she's from Colorado, she still freezes in the Staples Center press box but always manages to thaw her fingers in time to make deadline. E-mail Jill at jill.painter@dailynews.com.
Wow, I went out of town for a week and look what happened. I don't think this was a big surprise that Crawford got fired. After all it was Crawford who wanted Cloutier. And I am sure he was aware of Cloutiers health issues before hand. Also the unstructured play in the defensive zone made it inevitable for his departure. I think kinks are beginning to show in DL's armor, and it’s clear that DL was rusty in the GM role when he arrived and I don’t think he is going to remove that rust any time soon.
Roger
In addition to the names already kick about. How about taking a look at Butch Goring?
I know he's an assistant coach for the Isles right now and I heard he is very happy there.
But, he does have a reputation as being good for the younger players. He has multiple championship experience in the minors. A fan favorite with the Kings during his time as a King. Dynastic Cup experience as a player.
I think it would be worth an interview.
Mark Hardy would be a great choice. The more 'established' names listed are not going to want to coach an organization that has committed to developing younger players (translation-no playoffs), especially defencemen. Older coaches can't function without grizzled veteran defencemen.
What about assistant GM Ron Hextall?
What's wrong with John Anderson of the Chicago Wolves????
I'm a long time (yes... since the start) LA kings fan. I moved up here to the Pacific Northwest in the 90's (thank god for Cable and Center Ice package). I became a fan of our local WHL team the Spokane Chiefs when I moved here. If you remember, they were coached by Mike Babcock (the best there is out there today) for quite a while in the 90's. Coaches will always tell you that it’s the players that win championships. But for the Spokane Chiefs, their path to the Memorial Cup championship was clearly laid out by their current coach Bill Peters. Peters was an assistant under Babcock and from what we will all attest to here... and the Memorial cup proves... a good student under Mike.
I heard DL use the term "trust" quite a few times in his conference call. Well... the players on the Chiefs all will tell you that they trust Peters 100%. They will also tell you they won because of playing his system and for him.
Even if it was just the WHL, and JUST the Memorial Cup... I'd take a look at this guy. He may be EXACTLY what DL is talking about.