Coaches hired 'haven't affected' Devils' search: report

The New Jersey Devils could be the only NHL team looking for a coach with two of the three other remaining openings filled Thursday.

The San Jose Sharks hired Peter DeBoer, and the Buffalo Sabres hired Dan Bylsma to fill those vacancies.

Other than the Devils, the Detroit Red Wings are likely to promote Grand Rapids coach Jeff Blashill, according to reports.

"What's transpired around the League really hasn't affected me," Devils general manager Ray Shero told Northjersey.com on Wednesday.

The Devils reportedly had permission to interview Bylsma, who worked with Shero with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Northjersey.com said "it does not appear to be the right fit at this time."

Shero would not reveal to writer Tom Gulitti who the Devils' candidates might be, but speculation includes Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes, Washington Capitals assistant Todd Reirden and former Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean.

Reirden and Hynes worked together with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh's American Hockey League affiliate.

DeBoer was fired by the Devils 36 games into this season, replaced by co-coaches Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens.

Shero was hired as general manager May 8, replacing Lamoriello, who remained as president of hockey operations.

The Philadelphia Flyers (Dave Hakstol), Edmonton Oilers (Todd McLellan) and Toronto Maple Leafs (Mike Babcock) also filled coaching vacancies in the past two weeks, and Ken Hitchcock will return to the St. Louis Blues for a fifth season after he agreed to a one-year contract Tuesday.

The Red Wings are expected to hire Blashill after Grand Rapids is finished competing in the Calder Cup playoffs.