TORONTO - Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn will return next season, ending speculation that there would be a change after the second-round loss to the Flyers.
"Pat will be back. He's our coach and his record speaks for itself," Toronto general manager John Ferguson said.
Quinn, who last summer relinquished his duties as general manager, has one year left on his contract.
Ferguson wouldn't say if Quinn will be offered an extension, but he did say that he hopes Quinn will coach beyond next season.
"He's had well over 600 career victories, a franchise-record 103 points this season," Ferguson said. "We knocked out Ottawa in the playoffs. We failed to advance past Philadelphia, but all in all it was a strong season for us."
But Ferguson did say the Maple Leafs failed to meet their goal of winning the Stanley Cup - something they haven't done since 1967.
"Make no mistake we had a team capable of winning the Cup, not just competing for it," he said. "His record of success over time, and his ability to compete for that Cup over time gives me a great deal of confidence."
Quinn acknowledged he's coaching for a new contract.
"I'm driven to help this team reach its goal," Quinn said. "During my tenure here we've had six very good hockey teams, but we haven't won it all and that's what's going to drive me."
CANUCKS: Vancouver introduced David Nonis as general manager, just three days after announcing predecessor Brian Burke's contract would not be renewed. Nonis spent the last six seasons as Canucks assistant GM. He was also the NHL's manager of hockey operations for four seasons.
"I'd like to thank Brian Burke for the opportunity he gave me and the friendship he showed me," Nonis said. "Without that I wouldn't be here today."
Nonis, 37, is the youngest GM in franchise history.
KINGS: Los Angeles re-signed defenseman Nathan Dempsey to a contract extension. Dempsey had 12 goals and 32 points this season.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: Dany Heatley scored in overtime to give defending champion Canada a 5-4 victory over Finland and a spot in the semifinals of the world championships in Prague, Czech Republic. "It's a big goal, and I'm excited right now," Heatley said. "I tried to get around the net, and in overtime you want to try to shoot everything." On Saturday, Canada meets 2002 winner Slovakia, which downed Switzerland 3-1. The United States plays Sweden in the other semifinal.
