Bowman Mulling Offer To Return

Scotty Bowman is “leaning toward” returning to coach the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings for another year, according to a published report.

“It’s not a decision that’s going to linger on,” Bowman told The Detroit News in Tuesday’s editions. “If I don’t come back, I want to make that decision now so I can make plans.

“If I am coming back, I want to get started again,” he said. “But I am leaning toward coming back.”

Bowman said he was waiting for an offer from owner Mike Ilitch to return for a fifth year. Ilitch made the offer Monday, Bowman said.

On Thursday, he will undergo a physical, and Bowman said that if everything goes well he will likely make an announcement Thursday or Friday.

“I don’t relish the fact of not being very active,” he said. “I don’t want to be retiring and then later wanting to come back.”

Bowman turns 64 on Sept. 18, and is the only coach to have won Stanley Cups with three teams.

The News reported that several players, including team captain Steve Yzerman, have lobbied Bowman to return.