Vachon Says List Is Down to Three

General Manager Rogie Vachon said that he has cut his list of potential coaches of the Kings down to three.

“What I’m looking for is a young guy who has some fire in him and a lot of enthusiasm,” Vachon said on Tuesday. “As we say in French-Canadian, someone who can kick some butt. We’ve got away from that, and I went to get that back.”

Among the three is Barry Melrose, coach and general manager of the Adirondack Red Wings, Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate. Melrose, 35, recently led that team to the Calder Cup championship.

Detroit General Manager Bryan Murray is aware of the Kings’ interest in Melrose, and said he was expecting Vachon to ask permission to talk to him. “Of course, I’d let them talk to him. Barry’s looking for a good situation,” Murray said.