Lightning Eye Ex-Flyer Coach

The Tampa Bay Lightning received permission Wednesday from Philadelphia to talk with former Flyers coach Terry Murray about its coaching vacancy.

Murray, fired after the Flyers were swept by Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals last season, currently is Philadelphia’s pro scout.

Lightning general manager Phil Esposito and his Flyers counterpart, Bobby Clarke, talked Wednesday morning. At that time, Clarke granted Tampa Bay’s request regarding Murray.

Oilers delay conference

The future of the Edmonton Oilers became further clouded when owner Peter Pocklington postponed a news conference that would have dealt with the team’s proposed sale.

The Oilers gave no reason for the postponement and the conference has been rescheduled from Friday until next week.

Bowman tops money list

Jacques Martin, who led the Ottawa Senators out of last place and into the playoffs, is the lowest-paid NHL coach, according to the Nov. 7 edition of The Hockey News.

Martin earns $236,000 this season to rank last in the league. Martin’s deal lags way behind Detroit’s Scotty Bowman, who tops the list at $970,000.

On the ice

The Detroit Red Wings ruined goalie Mike Vernon’s return to Joe Louis Arena with a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks.