As rumors continue to swirl about the likes of Tortorella, Trotz and Tocchet, one insider dropped an interesting tidbit about a new name in connection with the Flyers coaching vacancy today.
On the newest episode of 32 Thoughts, Eliotte Friedman mentioned that the Flyers have interest in former New Jersey Devils’ captain and longtime NHL assistant Kirk Muller.
“I still do think they’re a potential [candidate] for Trotz and I still think Rick Tocchet is going to interview there,” Friedman said. “The guy I’d like to mention is Kirk Muller. I’ve heard that Philly is interested in Muller.”
Muller, now 56, had spent parts of 19 seasons playing in the NHL for the Devils, Canadiens, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Panthers, and Stars before retiring in 2003. The former 2nd overall pick in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft enjoyed a fair bit of success over those 19 seasons, registering five 30-goal campaigns and winning a Stanley Cup in 1993 with the Canadiens. Since then, Muller has spent time in the NHL largely as an assistant with Montreal and St. Louis, and had a 3-year tour of duty with the Carolina Hurricanes as head coach in 2011.
Yesterday, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes confirmed a report that the Flyers had in fact interviewed the fiery John Tortorella, but this is the first time we’ve heard Muller’s name in connection with the Flyers, as the team appears to be playing their search very close to the vest.
