The Kings are on the verge of a deal that will see former Calgary Flames coach Darryl Sutter take over in Los Angeles. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS/Todd KorolTodd Korol/Reuters
Darryl Sutter has signed on as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
According to a report on the L.A. Kings website, Sutter has signed a multi-year contract and he will be introduced as their new coach on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Hockey insiders said that immigration issues had prevented the Kings from hiring Sutter earlier.
The 53-year-old Viking, Alta., native has already been in communication with members of team management regarding player scouting.
The Kings fired coach Terry Murray on Monday and replaced him with John Stevens on a interim basis.
Kings general manager Dean Lombardi had Sutter as his coach in San Jose from 1997 until he was fired in 2002.
Sutter's last coaching job was with the Calgary Flames but he stepped down in 2006 to focus on being the team's general manager.
In December 2010, he resigned as Flames general manager.
A Kings' hockey insider reported that the only remaining question is the make-up of the rest of the coaching staff. Assistant John Stevens is expected to stay aboard for at least the rest of this season.
With a report from The Canadian Press