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TORONTO — Terry Murray is close to becoming a head coach in the NHL for the fourth time.
According to sources, the Los Angeles Kings are finalizing details on a contract with Murray to become their new head coach. Murray, who turns 58 on Sunday, spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers and previously had head coach stints with the Florida Panthers, Flyers and Washington Capitals.
Murray, a former NHL defenceman, steered the Flyers to the 1997 Stanley Cup final and was last a head coach in the NHL with the 2000-01 Panthers, when he was replaced mid-season by Duane Sutter.
Kings general manager Dean Lombardi is familiar with Murray and recently asked the Flyers for permission to talk to him. In between his GM gigs with the San Jose Sharks and Kings, Lombardi worked as the Western Conference pro scout for the Flyers.
The Kings, who fired previous head coach Marc Crawford on June 10, currently are holding their summer development camp in Los Angeles.
Lombardi was not immediately available for comment.
