Silvertips looking at Craig Hartsburg?

Thanks to Gregg Drinnan (link at left) for the heads up on this one.

The Sault (Ontario) Star is reporting that Everett has contacted former NHL coach Craig Hartsburg about its vacant head coaching position.

Hartsburg began last season as the head coach of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators before being fired 48 games into the season. He has seven seasons worth of NHL coaching experience with Chicago, Anaheim and Ottawa, compiling a 201-208-69-13 record, though before this past season he hadn’t coached in the NHL since 2001. He also has six seasons of coaching experience in the OHL, going 226-125-23-23. Most recently he coached the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds from 2004-08, twice leading the team to division titles.

Hartsburg also played 10 seasons in the NHL with the Minnesota North Stars.

This is the first name that’s been linked with the Everett job. Hartsburg wouldn’t confirm anything in the story, but he didn’t deny anything, either. He also said he was looking at NHL options, too, so even if the Tips are after him they aren’t a lock to land him. But this certainly would fit into the category of a name hiring, as many (including me) suspect the Tips to shoot for.