from Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday he is “real close” to choosing the team's next head coach.

“The process is coming to an end,” said Rutherford, who has made a decision on one of eight candidates. “I'm still checking a few points with the lead candidate, but a decision is coming real soon.”

Rutherford declined to provide specifics regarding candidates or his choice. An announcement could be made within days provided details of a contract can be worked out.

Team and league sources said Rutherford's candidates included: former NHL coaches Ron Wilson and Marc Crawford; assistants Ulf Samuelsson (New York Rangers) and Bill Peters (Detroit); and Willie Desjardins, coach of Dallas' AHL affiliate.

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