King of the Kings? He Seems to be Top Candidate

Former Calgary coach Dave King has emerged as the No. 1 candidate for the Kings’ coaching vacancy, according to club President Rogie Vachon.

Vachon said on Thursday that he has talked with King but gave no timetable for a decision. Another candidate, Denver Grizzly Coach Butch Goring, said he hasn’t heard from the Kings in a week.

Although Vachon will not rule out Larry Robinson, the New Jersey Devil assistant coach said this week that the Kings’ financial problems were too much of a concern. One report has Robinson headed to the Florida Panthers.

“I realize he has two or three options,” Vachon said of Robinson. “But if they don’t work out. . . . He’s in a pretty good situation. . . .

“We’ve been talking to Dave King’s agent, but we can’t stop at one candidate. If you are negotiating, you have to have other options.”

Said King, to the Calgary Herald: “I spoke with Rogie Vachon, and it looks like they’re prepared to talk on a more serious basis. I think they’ve narrowed it down to myself and one other person. In the next couple of days something should break one way or another.”

King, who coached Calgary for three seasons, won two Pacific Division titles, but the Flames did not win a playoff series. Last season, the Flames were 24-17-7 and lost in the first round to the San Jose Sharks.

Vachon said King fits well with the current makeup of the Kings--a cross section of older players and youth.

“You need someone who is willing to do that,” he said. “We haven’t made the playoffs in two seasons. It’s not a total mandate, but we’re getting to the point where we have to do something to generate revenue and to keep the fans. So far, the last two, three candidates we have can deal with that kind of pressure.”