TV Job Looms in the Future for Melrose

Former King coach Barry Melrose, fired by the club Friday, may soon have employment with ESPN.

Negotiations started almost immediately after Melrose was fired, and he could begin by next week, sources said. He worked for ESPN as a studio analyst last spring after the Kings failed to reach the NHL playoffs.

A potential opportunity closer to home is with the Los Angeles Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League.

The team’s president, Greg McElroy, formerly the Kings’ vice-president of marketing, said Monday he will speak to Melrose about general manager and coaching positions.

The Ice Dogs, previously known as the San Diego Gulls, will play at the Sports Arena nextseason.

“I talked to him over the weekend but wanted to give him some time (to get) over the craziness,” McElroy said. “We have about four, five candidates. I wasn’t anticipating him being available. I think he’ll be very interested. We had a good relationship, and he loves it here in L.A.”

Said Melrose’s Seattle-based agent Carlos Sosa: “It’s premature at this time because I haven’t talked to Greg yet. We have to look at all opportunities.”

Melrose has one year, plus an option year, left on his contract, which amounts to a payout from the Kings of about $700,000.

A deal with ESPN would not affect that arrangement, but a coaching position in the NHL or minor leagues would.

Melrose led the Kings to the Stanley Cup finals in 1993 but his career record with the team was 79-101-29 in nearly three seasons. The ESPN contract could potentially be expanded beyond hockey duties.