Scott Stevens hoping to stick with Devils as assistant under John Hynes

Scott Stevens is very interested in reaching a deal with the New Jersey Devils.

Passed over for the head coaching gig by new general manager Ray Shero, Stevens - who served as co-coach with Adam Oates for part of this past season - said Wednesday he'd be willing to remain in the mix as an assistant on John Hynes' staff.

"I'm just interested in being in hockey whether it's a head coach at some point or an assistant," he told Tom Gulitti of Fire and Ice. "I'm really passionate about the game and I really enjoyed the last year and the opportunity to do the job and try to help out.

"I thought it went pretty well, but I'm just interested in staying in the game and getting better and being part of the building process and being part of a championship in some way."

Stevens, of course, led the Devils to three Stanley Cups as a robust leader on the blue line. While he does have his sights set on a head coaching job at some point - and did, in fact, interview for the Devils job - he has not spoken to any other clubs, as the Devils remain his first choice of employer.

"I'm just going to wait and see," Stevens said of the Devils' plans, "but I plan on being in hockey."

Stevens has worked for the Devils for parts of the past eight seasons, and previously served as an assistant under Pete DeBoer.