Panthers keep it all in the family

SUNRISE, Fla. -- In the end, Bryan Murray decided it wasn't so bad having his kid brother tag along.

"I really believe that one person stood out during the process. It happened to be my brother," the Florida Panthers' general manager said Sunday as he introduced Terry Murray as the team's new coach.

Terry Murray, whose last coaching job was when he led Philadelphia to the 1997 Stanley Cup finals, becomes the fourth coach in the Panthers' five-year history.

He will inherit the job from his brother who stepped in to coach the final 59 games last season after Doug MacLean was fired.

"I jumped on (the opportunity) right away because I knew it could work," said Terry, who spent seven years as Bryan's assistant in Washington before succeeding him as the Capitals' head coach.

"I really believe that with our past history of working together, which went so smooth, that we can create that kind of chemistry again."

The decision was one Bryan Murray agonized over during the two-month search for a coach.

The general manager acknowledged that Terry's name entered his thought process even during the latter stages of the regular season, but he hesitated in setting up an interview because of how it might be perceived.

It wasn't until two other candidates had been interviewed that Bryan finally called his brother.

"In the beginning I was a little sensitive," Bryan Murray said. "But as I talked to people and got some feedback, more and more I felt that it was OK. ... I tried very hard to make sure it was handled and conducted in a professional manner."

Panthers president Bill Torrey, who sat in on Terry's interview, had no reservations about the hiring.

"I don't think it's just a question of who's the best coach. It's a matter of chemistry," Torrey said. "I think this is a real plus in this situation. I'm sure the brothers will have differences in opinion. But in the end, this was a better fit."

Terry Murray said: "There was no compromise based on the fact that we are brothers. I feel very strongly about that. So it's time to move on."

Terry Murray has a 281-198-58 record in seven-plus seasons with Washington and Philadelphia. He was fired by the after they were swept by Detroit in the finals. He spent last season as a Flyers scout.

The Panthers are coming off a free fall in which they went 24-43-15, the second worst record in the NHL, just two years after becoming the quickest expansion team to reach the Stanley Cup finals.

Florida could have as many as a dozen players on its roster 23 or younger, and Terry Murray has a reputation for developing young talent.

"We've got some good talent on this team. Guys like Ed Jovanovski, Rhett Warrener, and Viktor Kozlovare young, skilled players," Terry said. "But you need young guys, you need middle-aged guys, and you need older guys. The most important thing you need is chemistry."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Terry Murray's agent, Robin Burns, reportedly had been seeking a deal in the $700,000 range, which would be among the top third among NHL coaching salaries.