Owners Moving Ahead

The Mighty Ducks’ new owners are not sitting idle while waiting for the other 29 NHL owners to get around to approving the sale. Henry and Susan Samueli have agreed to purchase the team from the Walt Disney Co. as part of a $75-million deal, a sale that may be put to a vote at an NHL board of governors’ meeting April 20. The transition team is preparing to overhaul Duck management, possibly from top to bottom.

A source familiar with the team said that Neil Smith, former New York Ranger president and general manager, would be interviewed this week. Smith led the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years, in 1993-94.

Tim Ryan is expected to be named team president once the sale is approved. He is president of Anaheim Arena Management, a Samueli company that operates the Arrowhead Pond. Ryan will report to Michael Schulman, managing director of H&S; Ventures, the company the Samuelis used to purchase the Ducks. Henry Samueli is the chairman of Broadcom, a semiconductor communications company.

Al Coates, the Ducks’ interim general manager, will not be retained, the source said. Coates’ contract expires in June, as does Coach Mike Babcock’s.

Smith will be interviewed this week as a possible replacement for Coates. He spent 11 seasons with the Rangers, who made the playoffs seven times.

The Samuelis’ group is also expected to seek permission to speak with Kevin Gilmore, the Kings’ assistant general manager. Gilmore, believed to be the first choice to take over as the Ducks’ general manager, has spent the last five years with the Kings. He also spent five seasons with the Ducks, mostly as director of hockey operations.

Brian Burke, former Vancouver general manager, is also being considered, and Dean Lombardi, former San Jose general manager, is interested in the job.