R.I.P 2010-2011 New Jersey Devils: Top 5 coaching candidates for Devils if Lemaire goes back into retirement (Part II)

I know its still early to talk about the offseason, but I know the field of candidates will be lengthy. Like I said, if Lemaire goes back into retirement like he has planned, Lou will conduct a very lengthy search most likely it will take until mid-August at the latest to hire a coach. Here are the top 5 candidates who could be useful to the Devils in no particular order:

Andy Murray (Former Blues and Kings Coach):

-He is a former Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues coach who play a defense first style and preaches a neutral-zone trap and aggressive fore-check. Jacques Lemaire is currently using a similar philosophy so he is likely the favorite. Plus, it is very likely that Lou will not hire a first year coach after the failed John MacLean experiment.

Ken Hitchcock (Former Stars and Flyers coach):

-He will definitely receive serious consideration like Andy Murray, because he also is a defense first coach, but he does not preach an aggressive fore-check, which might hurt the Devils. Hitchcock is a great teacher of the game, but he does not have good long-term relationships with the players. But, nevertheless, he might fill Lou's desire due to plenty of coaching experience.

Michel Therrien (Former Habs and Penguins coach):

-He is a no nonsense coach, who preaches team defense meaning forwards have to help defenseman out in the defensive zone. There were plenty of rumors that he was offered the position before MacLean was hired but those rumors were untrue. Currently, he is a scout for the Minnesota Wild and could succeed current Wild coach Todd Richards, who is on the hot-seat and has been since the beginning of the year. Plus with GM Chuck Fletcher's relationship with the Penguins and Therrien having coached there might force Michel to stay with the Wild Organization, but he will receive serious consideration from Lou Lamoriello and Lou loves to hire former Habs coaches. Also, he started the foundation for Pittsburgh's 2009 Stanley Cup Championship.

Mike Kitchen (Former Blues coach):

-He is very good friends with Lou and has played with the Devils. He is currently an assistant with Chicago and like Murray shares a similar philosophy. His time away from a head coaching stint might have been very beneficial.

Mike Haviland (Blackhawks assistant):

-Probably the only candidate with no NHL Head Coaching experience, but he is a Jersey resident, but being an assistant on a cup winning team in the new NHL could increase his stock. Plus, he should have been hired instead of MacLean as Devils would have been much better under him.