Power of Caring
  presented by CIGNA

Kings' job could turn on Bowman

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Tuesday May 18, 1999 06:20 PM

The Los Angeles Kings search for a head coach is directly linked to the future of Detroit Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman.

If Bowman decides to return next season -- he'll be 66 in the fall -- then the Kings are expected to interview Wings assistant coach Dave Lewis for their vacancy.

If Bowman quits coaching, Lewis probably would succeed Bowman in Detroit.

Former Buffalo coach Ted Nolan is interested in the Kings job. Indeed, his resume was on general manager Dave Taylor's desk almost as soon as Larry Robinson was dismissed. But if Nolan were the Kings first choice, he already would have the job.

Schoenfeld still hanging in Phoenix

In Phoenix, general manager Bobby Smith still hasn't made up his mind about Coach Jim Schoenfeld and his staff after the first-round loss to St. Louis, a series in which the Coyotes blew a 3-1 lead.

The knock on Schoenfeld is not his coaching acumen but the toll his demanding style takes on players. He seems to wear them out -- if the line-up in the training room is to be believed.

Schoenfeld's teams in Washington were injury-prone. And the Coyotes had a long list of injured players as they ran out of gas against the Blues.

Older Kaberle drawing attention

The 18-year-old Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, are drawing considerable interest for the NHL entry draft June 26, but a teammate of theirs at MoDo in Sweden has caught the attention of several clubs.

Frantisek Kaberle was the top defenseman in the Swedish Elite League this year and performed well for the Czech Republic in the recent world championship. He is 25 but never has been drafted.

Kaberle isn't physical, but he skates well and has a splendid shot. He would be a nice fit on a team looking for mobility on defense.

If the Kaberle name is vaguely familiar, it should be. His younger and bigger brother, Tomas, is the eye-opening rookie defenseman with Toronto.

 

Related information
Multimedia
Click here for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.