| | Associated Press
PVOORHEES, N.J. -- Roger Neilson wants to speak with other
NHL teams about coaching jobs but will consider a return to the
Philadelphia Flyers.
He denied a published report that said he would return to the
Flyers only as head coach.
"I'd like to permission to speak to other teams about being a
head coach," Neilson said after the team's season-ending meeting
today. "Failing that, I'll consider everything."
Neilson stepped down as coach to undergo cancer treatment in
February. He has said general manager Bob Clarke promised him he
could return to his old job after he recovered from a stem cell
bone-marrow transplant.
Neilson intends to bring up the subject in talks with management
this week, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.
"We'll be talking, either I or my agent, Rob Campbell, with
Clarkie this week and find out what's going on," Neilson told the
newspaper. "I still want to be a head coach, if not here, then
somewhere else."
Craig Ramsay, Neilson's best friend, has been interim head coach
since Feb. 20. He led the Flyers within one victory of the Stanley
Cup finals, which might help him keep the job.
Clarke has said he promised Neilson only that they would talk
about an extension this summer, according to the newspaper.
Neilson said recently on Toronto radio and in an HBO documentary
that he does not believe he will be given his job back. He also has
said that Ramsay proved he is head-coach material.
"I want to be a head coach," Neilson said. "I understand it
would be great for Rammer to be a head coach, and he certainly
deserves it. I thought Rammer did a great job."
Neilson said he wouldn't accept another position within the
Flyers organization. He also thinks he is healthy enough to handle
an NHL head coaching job.
Neilson will turn 66 on June 14 and is recovering from multiple
myeloma, a form of bone-marrow cancer.
"If they don't want me back as head coach, I am sure they will
let me know right away so it gives me some time to find a job
somewhere else," he said.
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