While the Devils coaching position remains vacant, and obvious candidate Ken Hitchcock telling The Post last night that the team has not contacted him, there are indications perhaps, finally, general manager Lou Lamoriello is working on Zach Parise’s contract.
Parise could become a restricted free agent July 1 if the Devils don’t sign him or choose team-elected arbitration, a decision that must be made by Friday. It is expected Lamoriello will at least try to negotiate a one-year deal to avoid arbitration.
Meanwhile, Hitchcock is waiting.
“I haven’t heard from them,” Hitchcock said. “I haven’t heard anything.”
The Devils have been known to take their time hiring coaches. John MacLean was last year’s obvious candidate and he wasn’t hired until June 17. Their two previous hires, Jacques Lemaire in 2009 and Brent Sutter in 2007, both came July 13.
“You know when we hired a coach last year. This is nothing out of the ordinary. Lou is doing his due diligence,” owner Jeff Vanderbeek said last week.
The Devils hired MacLean last year to replace Lemaire, who then returned to replace MacLean on Dec. 23. Lemaire said last month he intends to remain retired this time.
Other possible candidates include Craig MacTavish, Mike Keenan, Wayne Gretzky, Kirk Muller and Michel Therrien.
Hitchcock coached Dallas to the 1999 Stanley Cup, then lost to the Devils in the 2000 Final. He also coached Philadelphia and Columbus, and was the head coach for Team Canada in last month’s World Championships.
The Devils do have their plate full. They also are deciding how to handle the June 24 draft. Their fourth-overall pick is their highest in 20 years, since they took Scott Niedermayer third in 1991.