Muller prefers role with Canadiens over head coaching job elsewhere

Kirk Muller is content with his new role.

For the time being, at least.

Muller was named an associate coach with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, an opportunity he willingly embraced shortly after notifying the St. Louis Blues he would not be returning as an assistant.

"I had a call from Michel (Therrien) to see if I had an interest in coming to Montreal. We had a long conversation and I got excited about it," Muller said Friday.

So excited, in fact, he chose not to pursue a bigger role elsewhere.

"I didn't really evaluate what was out there," he said.

"Working with Michel and the staff, working with the (power play), and the forwards fulfills me right now," he added. "I’m excited about it."

After helping the Canadiens win a Stanley Cup in 1993, Muller was named captain but later traded in 1994. He returned to the Canadiens in 2006, and spent five seasons as an assistant coach.

Prior to joining the Blues, Muller spent three years coaching the Carolina Hurricanes to a regular-season record of 80-80-27.

The added experience, he believes, served him well.