Thunder to interview other coaching candidates

The Las Vegas Thunder has been ready to name its new coach for a week.

Yet it's possible the team will not have one in place by the end of the month.

General manager Bob Strumm has pulled back in his pursuit of Utah Grizzlies assistant Bob Bourne as the successor for Clint Malarchuk. Strumm, citing a desire "too cool things off a bit," has decided to interview a few more candidates for the opening.

"We need to take some time to reevaluate," Strumm said. "We've said all along there's no rush, there are plenty of quality candidates out there. We still feel that way."

As time goes on, Strumm is less and less certain the Thunder will have a coach in place by the NHL Draft, which takes place June 27. That date is important in filling many management vacancies. Aside from the draft itself, networking is the major order of business as hockey executives from all levels convene.

Bourne's decision whether to join the Thunder was expected earlier this week, but he has been forced to wait on the fate of Grizzlies head coach Butch Goring. The Florida Panthers consider Goring among their top three head coaching candidates. If he gets the post, Bourne is interested in replacing him in Utah.

But the Panthers delayed their announcement from Monday until today. That, in turn, placed the Thunder in a holding pattern.

One factor working in the Thunder's favor, however, is that Bourne reportedly was eliminated from the running for the job with Lowell of the American Hockey League.

"We're just going to interview a few more guys and make sure we make the right decision," Strumm said.

Strumm intends to discuss the opening with Guy Charron, a former Calgary Flames assistant who has worked with the Canadian national team, and Walt Kyle, a former Anaheim Mighty Ducks assistant.

Other prospects still include Steve Martinson, head coach of San Diego in the West Coast Hockey League; Chris Nilan, head coach of Chesapeake in the East Coast Hockey League; and John Perpich, an assistant with Fredericton in the AHL who has been an aide with the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals.

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