Lamoriello affirms Devils will not hire coach this week

Unless there is a complete 180 from Lou Lamoriello, the Devils will not have a coach in place by the end of this week and there were no guarantees that there will be on next week other than Lou saying, "We will have a coach in the very near Future." Larry Robinson, who ran the session yesterday is not likely to be the coach since he told reporters he has heard nothing, joining the likes of Guy Carbonneau, Mike Eaves and Ken Hitchcock. Albany coach Rick Kowalsky ran most of today's session, but he does not have the resume to be an NHL coach just yet, maybe another 2-3 years of AHL experience will help.

I highly doubt that a coach will not be hired next week simply because it would just be too long to not have one. I did say that the search will be a lengthy one back when John MacLean was fired in December, so I was damn right. Zach Parise's arbitration hearing is Wednesday August 3rd and I am sure he would like to know who the coach is before then so he can have time to avoid the evil "A" word "Arbitration." In my view the Devils would probably need to hire a coach no later than 10 days before the hearing meaning no later than Monday July 25th. However, best case scenario is likely to have one in place no later than next Wednesday July 20th.

So, now the question is why the long wait? Here are some factors:

1. The Devils already have had a little over 3 months to name a coach, but some things are getting the way.

2. Lou Lamoriello is probably too impressed with some candidates and he is having trouble picking one.

3. Lou is not as impressed and therefore is trying to find one that fits

4. Lou is still holding out hope that Jacques Lemaire un-retires and coaches at least one more year. Lamoriello has already reportedly begged him to come back on a number of occasions this summer. Its unlikely that will happen, but you never know with the Devils, strange things are meant to happen with them and with Lou Lamoriello.

5. Lou might be seeing if Larry Robinson has what it takes to get back behind the bench in this weeks developmental camp. However as mentioned above, Robinson is unlikely to coach again as he does have stress problems.

So, I think I will choose Option 2 as the reason Lou is taking so long to name a coach considering its the longest opened vacancy. Right now by next Wednesday is best case scenario for Devils to name a coach, so 7-9 days.