Paul Maurice, fired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs after two seasons on May 7, will interview for the coaching vacancy with the Florida Panthers.
Panthers general manager Jacques Martin has received permission from acting Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher to talk with Maurice.
Maurice has one year remaining on his contract with Toronto.
Martin told the Palm Beach Post that Fletcher again requested permission to talk to Florida consultant Joe Nieuwendyk about a front office position with Toronto. Nieuwendyk is under contract with the Panthers until July 1.
"I told him I couldn't let him speak to Joe, because he was still valuable to us from a scouting standpoint," said Martin. "Then I asked him if it would be OK to speak with Paul and he said yes."
Maurice compiled a 76-66-22 record in two seasons with Toronto, with the club missing the playoffs in each season. Maurice, 41, coached the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup final in 2002.
Maurice is 344-356-33 with 99 ties overall in his NHL coaching career.
Martin has served as Florida's coach since 2004, adding GM duties in 2006. Team CEO Alan Cohen requested in April that Martin concentrate solely on being general manager, an offer he accepted.
Martin said he was just at the beginning of the process of hiring a head coach.
Markov signs with Moscow Dynamo
Veteran free-agent defenceman Danny Markov signs with Moscow Dynamo, but he has an out for next season
Heatley could return for Sens, Alfredsson still out
Dany Heatley might be back in the lineup Thursday when the Ottawa Senators host the streaking Florida Panthers
Flames begin series of division clashes
The consistently inconsistent Calgary Flames will try and stick to the formula Saturday night on the road in Minnesota.
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