NHL
Wings' Smith to stay
Associate coach turns down an offer to be a head coach for a team in Russian Super League.
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Associate coach Barry Smith, right, and coach Dave Lewis are safe as far as returning, the Wings say, after their contracts expire.
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DETROIT -- Knowing there would actually be hockey to coach was appealing, as was the idea of being a head coach in a world-class league.
But, for associate coach Barry Smith, being part of the Red Wings organization in a dormant NHL still sounded better than going to be head coach in Russia.
Smith, 54, said Tuesday he was offered the head-coaching position of Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League but declined.
"It's a good organization, nice people, and they did a good job of pursuing," Smith said. "But in the end, I want to be part of the Red Wings."
Smith was offered the head coaching position after conducting a seminar for Metallurg earlier in the summer. "I didn't expect it," Smith said of the job offer.
Smith informed Wings general manager Ken Holland of his decision last weekend.
Smith has established many contacts in Europe over the years. He was a head coach in the Swedish Elite League in 1998, for Malmo, before returning to the Wings.
Smith has conducted numerous coaching clinics and done extensive scouting work in Europe, mainly scouting on-ice systems for the Wings. With Russia not an option, Smith is concentrating on the Wings and the NHL, whenever the league begins.
The contracts for Smith, coach Dave Lewis and assistant coach Joe Kocur expire June 30. Senior vice-president Jimmy Devellano and Holland have both said the coaching staff will return.
NHL owners and players continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. The players have been locked out since Sept. 15.
"I'm optimistic we'll be at training camp in September," Smith said.
You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606, or tkulfan@detnews.com.
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