Adam Oates and Scott Stevens had conversations with Ray Shero about coaching the New Jersey Devils next season. But as the week began, Shero continued to weigh his options.
Just weeks into his job as Devils GM and replacing Lou Lamoriello, Shero has other options. One name mentioned: John Hynes.
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Here's what you should know about Hynes:
— He has connections to Shero as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins' top AHL affiliate. Shero was Pens GM and build their 2008 team that went to the Stanley Cup finals and the 2009 team that won.
— The Penguins gave permission to Hynes, 40, to interview for an NHL coaching position.
Tom Gulliti of NorthJersey.com mentioned Hynes and former Pens coach Dan Bylsma as Devils options.
Shero would not name names or specific a date for having a coach, other than possibly before the 2014 NHL Draft begins on June 26.
"I don't have a deadline or a timetable," Shero said. "If I can have it in a perfect way, yeah, for sure [on hiring a coach before the draft], but it's more important to find the right fit for us and certainly for the coach. So, in terms of a timetable, I don't want to limit myself to any date or time frame."
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Another possibility? Guy Boucher, former coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning and current coach of the Swiss league's Bern club.
Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., mentioned both men last week. Chere cited a report from Canada's TVA Sports as saying Boucher had spoken to the Devils.
Here's what you should know about Boucher:
— He took the Lightning to the Eastern Conference finals in 2011, but the Bolts missed the playoffs in 2012 and Boucher was sacked by GM Steve Yzerman after a 13-17-1 start in 2013.
— Boucher was 97-78-20 in Tampa and at 43 is considered a bright young coach with a future in the NHL.
— Boucher was a candidate for the Maple Leafs job before team president Brendan Shanahan made his max offer to Mike Babcock.
He is open to returning to the NHL. "It would certainly be in the right situation, with the right people, Boucher told Toronto radio station TSN 1050 earlier this month. "And if I fit, it would certainly interest me, but like I said, it has to be in the right situation because I have a very good situation right now. I've been approached, so it's a possibility. We'll see what happens."
Remember, Byslma is still out there and arguably the best coach available. He is expected to interview with the Buffalo Sabres this week.
Asked about Bylsma, Shero said this:
"Obviously, he's under contract to Pittsburgh. We've worked together, certainly. For both Dan and myself, it's been a year we haven't been together on a team. Our relationship is very good in terms of my respect for him, and vice versa. All I can say is I'm looking for certain things in terms of a coach for this team."