Report: Sutter could be Devils' next coach

Jul 12, 2007, 15:55 GMT

- The New Jersey Devils are the only franchise in the NHL currently lacking a head coach, but they may not hold that distinction much longer as Brent Sutter is reportedly the favorite to fill the vacancy.

Sutter, general manager and head coach of the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, announced his resignation from that team on Thursday to pursue an NHL coaching job, reportedly that of the Devils according to TSN of Canada. The team has called a news conference for Friday.

Sutter spent 18 seasons with the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks from 1980 to 1998. One of six brothers from Viking, Alberta to play in the NHL, he won a pair of Stanley Cups with the Islanders in 1982 and 1983.

The 45-year-old is the most likely candidate to step into the vacancy recently filled by Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, who took over for the fired Claude Julien. He would become the 13th man to assume the position in Devils history.

Julien guided the Devils to a record of 47-24-8 in his first year as the club's head coach last season, and had the team in first place in the Atlantic Division, but was fired with three games left in the regular season and replaced on an interim basis by Lamoriello.

Lamoriello, according to the Bergen Record of New Jersey, originally tried to hire Sutter back in December 2005, after then-head coach Larry Robinson resigned, but he elected to remain in Red Deer to coach his son Brandon -- drafted last month by the Carolina Hurricanes.

© 2007 The Sports Network