AROUND THE NHL

The Chicago Blackhawks named Alpo Suhonen as their new coach, making the Finn the second European-born and -trained coach in NHL history.

An assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs the last two seasons, Suhonen, 51, is expected to be joined in the NHL coaching ranks by Ivan Hlinka of the Czech Republic, who is poised to take over as coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer.

The only other European-born coach in NHL history was Russian Johnny Gottselig, who coached the Blackhawks from 1944-48.

Suhonen technically replaces Bob Pulford, who fired general manager Bob Murray on Dec. 2 and demoted Lorne Molleken from head coach to associate coach after the Blackhawks got off to a 5-15-4 start.

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The Detroit Red Wings have chosen not to exercise a $3-million team option on defenseman Larry Murphy’s contract for next season.

“It’s a case of economics, as it is the case in professional sports often these days,” General Manager Ken Holland, who wants to work out a less expensive deal.

Murphy, 39, had 10 goals and 30 assists in 81 games during the regular season. He added two goals and three assists in the playoffs.

Murphy earned $2.5 million this season. He would become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if he doesn’t come to terms with the Wings.