Bruins mum on coach

Amid reports by TSN and Rogers Sportsnet that the Bruins have hired Claude Julien to replace Dave Lewis as coach, the team has not confirmed them and did not announce a hiring yesterday.

On Monday, general manager Peter Chiarelli said that, ideally, he would have his coach in place by this weekend's draft at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. But realistically, Chiarelli said, he would not name his coach until he and his staff return to Boston.

If Julien, 47, fills the vacancy, he would be the club's 28th coach. According to media reports in Ottawa, Julien also has been considered to take over the Senators' bench, left empty when the Eastern Conference champions fired GM John Muckler and promoted coach Bryan Murray to the front office.

FLUTO SHINZAWA