Ducks Will Interview Kyle, Hay

Mighty Duck General Manager Jack Ferreira is expected to interview assistant coach Walt Kyle and former Phoenix Coyote Coach Don Hay this week.

Kyle was the only member of the Duck coaching staff to survive last Tuesday’s purge, but his interview is believed to be simply a courtesy. Coach Ron Wilson and assistant Tim Army were told Tuesday their contracts would not be renewed after four seasons.

Hay was fired after one season, primarily because Coyote General Manager Bobby Smith did not hire him and wished to make a change.

Kyle and Hay have similar backgrounds, having coached against each other in the junior-level Western Hockey League. Kyle coached Seattle and Hay coached in Kamloops, Canada.

It’s believed other candidates on Ferreira’s preliminary list include former Chicago Blackhawk Coach Darryl Sutter, current Blackhawk assistant Lorne Henning and Butch Goring, a former player for the Kings and now coach of the Utah Grizzles of the International Hockey League.

Two other dark horses could be Calgary assistant Kevin Constantine and Paul Holmgren, a scout for Philadelphia and Wilson’s assistant coach on the U.S. team that won the World Cup of Hockey title last September.

Despite persistent rumors from Buffalo, the Ducks say they have not asked for permission to speak to Sabre Coach Ted Nolan.

Nolan battled openly with General Manager John Muckler this season, which figures to be a turn-off for the image-conscious Ducks.

Meanwhile, Wilson’s job search will not take him to Detroit--no matter what Scotty Bowman decides to do at season’s end. Bowman, the winningest coach in NHL history, is rumored to be considering retirement after the playoffs.

The Red Wings apparently were as unhappy as the Ducks about Wilson’s frankness earlier this month about possibly coaching in Detroit.

Wilson is set to interview with the San Jose Sharks this week, according to an NHL source. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals also are interested in speaking to Wilson, who interviewed with the Coyotes on Saturday.

The Sharks already have interviewed Sutter and assistant Wayne Cashman--thought to be the top candidate to replace Al Sims, who was fired after one season.

Sims, Wilson’s top assistant in Anaheim for three seasons, said Monday he has not been contacted by the Ducks and is weighing several offers to coach in the IHL.