Pens looking to LV?

Tim Graham

Tuesday, March 4, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Chris McSorley hears the rumors. But at least for now, he's trying not to listen.

With his name being bandied about as an eventual head coach in the National Hockey League, McSorley took note Monday when he heard the Pittsburgh Penguins fired head coach Ed Johnston.

And what makes Pittsburgh's transaction more notable than any other this season are the whispers McSorley has heard, linking him to the Penguins' bench.

"There has been some talk," said McSorley, who is in the second of a three-year deal as head coach of the Las Vegas Thunder. "Rumors are just that. They're non-truths until they're facts. My only concern at this point is getting through this season and having it be an extremely successful one.

"It is very exciting to have my name brought up in regard to any position at that level, but there's a lot more things that excite me at this point with things the Thunder is doing right now."

The Penguins aren't looking to fill their vacancy immediately. Craig Patrick, the team's general manager, will take over through the Stanley Cup playoffs. Pittsburgh will look for Johnston's successor in the off-season.

"I believe if my phone rings and I'm considered to be a candidate for an interview it would be a tremendous honor," McSorley said. "Obviously, a team of that caliber would be of great interest to any coach. It would be an exciting opportunity for any coach to stand behind that bench."

While fantasizing of his goal to reach the NHL is fun, the 34-year-old McSorley is serious about the present. His Thunder is hot of late, going 3-0-1 in its last four games.

"I hear some very positive feedback that I am considered to be a prospect," he said. "But what's important, first and foremost to be a top candidate, I must win at this level.

"I have another year remaining on my contract with the Las Vegas Thunder which I expect to honor. I'm young. If I spend one, two or three more years within the IHL, I know based upon performance jobs should be available."

In his seven-year coaching career, which includes five in the East Coast Hockey League, McSorley is 281-139-20 with 14 shootout losses in the International Hockey League.

Although he held the top spot earlier this season, he currently is the IHL's second-winningest coach by percentage behind Utah's Butch Goring by .0001. McSorley is 88-42-14 (.6597), while Goring, who coached the Thunder in 1993-94, is 191-92-25 (.6607).

Thunderbolts

* IHL TABS BASHKATOV: Thunder center Egor Bashkatov was named the International Hockey League's player of the week for Feb. 24-March 2. During that time, Bashkatov helped Las Vegas to a 3-0-1 record, recording four goals and five assists with a +9 rating. He also had three multiple-point games. On the season, Bashkatov has 18 goals and 30 assists, making him the Thunder's fourth-leading scorer despite missing 11 games due to various injuries. ... Las Vegas' Andre Racicot was a runner-up to Manitoba's Fred Brathwaite for goaltender of the week. Brathwaite entered training camp with the Thunder this season before being traded along with defenseman Jeff Ricciardi for what amounted to nothing more than salary dumping.

* BULLDOG LET LOOSE: The Thunder returned Greg Lakovic to Toledo of the East Coast Hockey League Monday. In four games with Las Vegas, the brawling winger didn't score, registered 20 penalty minutes and was a --1. The younger brother of Sasha "Pit Bull" Lakovic, Greg quickly was nicknamed the "Bulldog" as talk of reuniting the siblings escalated in the Thunder front office. But the younger Lakovic's tough-guy services were no longer in demand due to the completion of Jason Simon's suspension against the Houston Aeros, whom the Thunder played twice last weekend. ... In another move Monday, the Phoenix Coyotes returned defenseman Kevin Dahl to the Thunder.