Canada Passes on Murray

Team Canada made the right decision in compiling its coaching staff for the World Cup of Hockey, said King Coach Andy Murray, a finalist who was not chosen for one of four spots on the staff.

Toronto Maple Leaf Coach Pat Quinn was selected as Team Canada’s head coach, according to the Globe and Mail. Quinn’s assistants will be Ken Hitchcock of the Philadelphia Flyers, Jacques Martin of the Ottawa Senators, and Wayne Fleming, a Flyers’ assistant coach.

The same staff guided Canada to the gold medal at the Salt Lake City Olympics, ending Canada’s 50-year Olympic hockey drought. An official announcement will be made Friday.

“If I was hiring, I’d hire them,” said Murray, who has kept the Kings in playoff contention despite a rash of injuries. “They won the gold medal. I think the job was given to the guys who should have it.”

Canada’s first game in the World Cup of Hockey is Aug. 31 against the U.S. at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Murray coached Team Canada when it won a gold medal at the world hockey championships in May.

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Tuesday’s game against the Calgary Flames was the Kings’ final game before the All-Star break, one last chance to count those who can and can’t play.

Defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who went head-first into the boards Saturday after being checked by Edmonton Oiler forward Ethan Moreau, underwent MRI tests Tuesday in Los Angeles. Results were negative, although Visnovsky was placed on the injured reserve list because of a sore right shoulder. He will be eligible to play in the Kings’ next game, Feb. 10 against the Minnesota Wild.