Kings Talk With McMaster, McCammon About GM Job

Sam McMaster, who has extensive managerial experience in junior hockey, has been interviewed by the Kings for their vacant general manager’s job.

Club executives have also spoken to Bob McCammon, former GM of the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers. Larry Pleau, the New York Rangers’ assistant general manager/player development, has been recommended to the Kings by Ranger GM Neil Smith but has not been interviewed.

McMaster, 50, said Sunday he was interviewed in Los Angeles last week. He said he talked to new co-owner Joe Cohen, minority owner Bruce McNall and Rogie Vachon, assistant to the chairman.

“They said they’d let me know this coming week, and I’m kind of waiting to hear,” McMaster said.

McMaster was Sudbury’s GM for six years before leaving to pursue NHL jobs. Before that, he scouted for the Washington Capitals from 1985-88. He has been GM of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, the Toronto Marlboros and Niagara Falls Flyers. Players he has sent to the NHL include Wayne Gretzky, who played in Sault Ste Marie; Steve Larmer; Greg Gilbert; John Vanbiesbrouck; Rick Tocchet; Ron Duguay and Bob Probert.

“Overall, in 13 years, my winning percentage is .600. I’m proud of that,” McMaster said. “I’m a career manager. I don’t want to be a coach. I look after the management end of things--the players and the finances.”

Pleau, 45, said he has not been contacted by the Kings. A Ranger official said Smith would give the Kings permission to interview Pleau.

A former NHL player and coach, Pleau said he would be interested should the Kings call. “It’s just that it’s a hard time right now. When you’re in the playoffs, your mind isn’t on another job,” said Pleau, who runs the Rangers’ scouting operations and negotiates contracts.

McCammon, according to a source, was interviewed by Cohen, Vachon and McNall and also felt the interview was promising.