T1B

Keenan to Calgary? It's a possibility






TSN - The Sports Network

6/13/2007


It looks like "Iron Mike" could be back in business behind the bench of an NHL team.

Sources tell TSN that Mike Keenan is on the verge of becoming the new head coach of the Calgary Flames.

While the Flames declined to comment when contacted by TSN today, sources confirm Keenan is currently in Calgary and if all goes as expected, the well-traveled NHL executive and coach could be announced as the head coach of the Flames as early as Thursday.

If so, that would appear to leave current Flames' head coach Jim Playfair as odd man out, but if Keenan is able to finalize his deal with the Flames, it's possible Playfair may be kept in the organization, but his fate remains unclear at this point.

The Flames went 43-25-10, finishing 8th in the Western Conference last season under Playfair. They lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs.

Keenan's last job in the NHL was with the Florida Panthers where he was replaced by Jacques Martin just prior to the 2006-07 season. The Panthers were Keenan's seventh NHL team. He began his NHL career as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984. He captured the Jack Adams trophy awarded to the league's top coach in 1985 while leading the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final. He also took the Chicago Blackhawks to the Finals in 1988.

In 1993-94, he was hired as head coach of New York Rangers and led the franchise to its first Stanley Cup win since 1940. Keenan also served as head coach and GM as the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Boston Bruins.

Keenan began his coaching career with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League.

Iron Mike has been behind the bench for 1,014 games with 569 wins, 447 losses, 140 ties and 20 overtime losses.

Suffice to say the next 24 hours in Calgary are going to be most interesting.