Goal Eluded Chicago Coach

Once upon a time, Lorne Molleken wanted to be a King.

On Friday night, he coached against them.

Molleken, named to replace his buddy, Dirk Graham, as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night, spent time in Kings’ training camps as an undrafted kid goalie and played for the Springfield Kings of the American Hockey League in 1978-79 and Binghamton, N.Y., of that same league the next season.

“I was about to be called up when I broke my hand and they called up Doug Keans,” Molleken said Friday. “He never came back.”

Keans spent parts of two seasons with the Kings.

Molleken spent a career in the minor leagues, playing and coaching in various cities.

“I was in the North American Hockey League with the Philadelphia Firebirds,” he said. “You know, the league they made the movie ‘Slapshot’ from.’ ”

His title in Chicago carries an “interim” before it, and he knows the Blackhawks could seek a higher-profile coach at season’s end. Until then, he is talking with Chicago veterans and, more important, listening to them, something Graham did not do. And Molleken is allowing the Blackhawks offensive freedom after two-thirds of a season of “dump-the-puck” hockey.

Oh, and he’s dog-sitting Graham’s Labrador puppy while his former boss is on vacation.

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King Coach Larry Robinson said winger Pavel Rosa was sent to the Ice Dogs of the IHL because he was not getting playing time in the NHL and he needs to improve his work ethic.

Rosa, who had four goals and 14 points in 21 games, “has a ton of potential,” Robinson said. “He has the ability to score a ton of goals. But I’d like to see him work a little harder.”

Playing time is the most important thing for Rosa now, Robinson said, adding, “It was nothing he did that got him sent down. He just needs to play.”