Kings coach Murray ready to take on former Flyers student

Bill and Kevin Dineen (photo: Flyers Archives)

Ah yes, more Kings-Flyers connections. It seems like there's a new one every week or so and tonight brings yet another one.

After practice yesterday, coach Terry Murray didn't have much to offer when asked about the Florida Panthers revamped roster this season - preferring to wait until after he watched some more game tape later in the day.

However, there was one aspect he didn't need to be brought up to speed on.

"I know they have a new coach in place and he coached in Portland, Maine (AHL)," said Murray, referring to Kevin Dineen. "I know Kevin real well. He played for me in Philadelphia."

Asked if he saw Dineen as a future coach back during his playing days, Murray said, "There's a few guys that I've had as players (who) I really didn't anticipate would be in the coaching side of it. But, it doesn't surprise me. Kevin's family is in the coaching side, his dad was a longtime coach [Bill Dineen, including coaching the Flyers], Peter's been in there [Kevin's brother, who also played 11 games for the Kings in 1986-87] and Gord's been in there [Kevin's other brother]. So, it doesn't surprise me that he's followed in those footsteps."

Murray continued by offering up an assessment of Dineen's performance in the AHL the last few seasons - "He did a good job in Portland. That's where I go in the summertime and there's always good things said about the team that played there. He's brought some good players along for Buffalo (including three straight AHL Rookies of the Year) and they were always near the top of the standings at the end of the season. So, he's done a a good job."

Master vs. Student, the bench battle begins at 7:30 pm PST.

For more of today's Panthers-Kings pregame material, check out the links below.

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