Im not going to talk about it," Kiprusoff said. "Im going to

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CLEVELAND -- The Cavaliers are seeking a respected, defensive-minded, hard-working teacher to be their next coach. Those words describe Mike Brown, their former coach. He could be their new one, too. Brown, who along with superstar LeBron James led the Cavs to their greatest heights before he was fired three years ago, is one of the candidates the team intends to speak with as it looks to replace Byron Scott. The Cavs are in the initial stages of their coaching search after firing Scott, who went 64-166 in three seasons. Browns return -- once thought too far-fetched -- is a distinct possibility. "It should be," James said following practice on Friday as the Miami Heat prepared for their playoff series opener against Milwaukee. "It should be real." Brown is close friends with Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant, who would not answer a direct question about the teams former coach during a news conference to announce Scotts dismissal on Thursday. Grant, though, made it clear the Cavs need to improve defensively and would bring in a coach "who is strong defensively with proven systems." Browns forte is defence and during his time with Cleveland the Cavs developed into a sound defensive team, but one that relied on James to carry them offensively. James has credited Brown with making him a better defensive player and the current Cavs need some defensive discipline after finishing ranked last in the league in defence. Grant and his staff spent Friday going over their list of potential candidates, which could include college coaches, NBA assistants and former head coaches who have been out of the league. Scott Skiles, Stan Van Gundy, Avery Johnson and Mike Dunleavy are among the former NBA coaches who may be on the radar of Grant and owner Dan Gilbert, who will have an active role in the search to find Scotts successor. The Cavs will also scour a long list of up-and-coming assistants like Brian Shaw (Indiana), David Fizdale (Miami) and Mike Malone (Golden State), who previously worked on Browns staff in Cleveland and is highly regarded. Grant would like to get a coach in place as soon as possible, but wont rush the process. One of his first calls will likely be to Brown, who was fired just five games into this season by the Los Angeles Lakers. Coincidentally, and not related to Scotts dismissal, Brown is planning to move his family back to the Cleveland area. Brown wants to be close enough to watch his son, Elijah, play at Butler. The youngster recently committed to playing for the Bulldogs next season. Browns younger son, Cameron, has remained close to the friends he made while his dad coached the Cavs and intends to finish high school in Cleveland. If the Cavs, with their young roster, All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and future assets to build around, call him, Brown will listen. "Im not rushing to get back to (coaching)," he told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Whether its the Cavs situation or anybody else, it has to feel right for both sides. If they call, I wouldnt hang up the phone. Id definitely listen to what anybody has to say. But then you have to decide if its the right situation for myself, my family and the organization." Brown did not immediately return messages from the AP. He has two years and more than $8 million left on his deal with the Lakers. Brown was named the leagues top coach in 2009 with Cleveland. Gilbert may want to make a big splash with his next coaching hire. He pursued Michigan States Tom Izzo three years ago before the long-time Spartans coach decided to stay at the school. Gilberts wealth -- Forbes recently estimated his net worth at $3.5 billion -- could allow him to outbid other teams for candidates, and the right price could even be enticing to someone like Phil Jackson. With a record 11 NBA coaching titles, Jackson has hinted that he might come back for the right situation. Cleveland may not be the Zen Masters kind of place but Gilbert could make it seem a lot nicer with a mammoth salary, the promise to be active in free agency and perhaps the chance James could return in a year or two. Cavs forward Luke Walton, who played for Jackson with the Lakers, wouldnt rule out Jackson as a possibility. "I get surprised every day in this league," he said. "But were a pretty young team right here right now for coach Jackson to come back. I would be surprised if hed come to such a young team on that side of the process. But I get shocked every day in this league, so I wont say its not going to happen." Cam Fowler Team USA Jersey . That attitude may have cost the club one of its best players for the foreseeable future. The Oilers will be without Taylor Hall for tonight -- and the rest of the season -- as they kick off a five-game road trip against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Dustin Brown Olympic Jersey . A co-scoring leader with the Roughnecks last season, Dobbie was named the Offensive Player of the Week after scoring three goals, adding three assists and collecting three loose balls as the team rallied for a 12-9 victory on the road over the defending champion Toronto Rock on Sunday. www.usateamhockeyjersey.com/jimmy-howard-usa-jersey/ . If Vettel wins at Suzuka on Sunday, and his nearest rival Fernando Alonso finishes worse than eighth, the German driver will join his compatriot Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan-Manuel Fangio as the only men to win four consecutive titles. Kevin Shattenkirk Team USA Jersey . Boonen quit 90 kilometres into Fridays seventh stage of the race between Le Mans and Chateauroux. Boonen, who won the best sprinters green jersey in 2007, crashed heavily during Wednesdays stage when he finished more than 13 minutes behind the main pack. Paul Stastny Jersey . -- Packers tight end Jermichael Finley has tweeted that he left the intensive care unit and had full feeling in his arms and legs after injuring his neck in a game.CALGARY -- The Calgary Flames woke up to life without Jarome Iginla on Thursday. While Iginla sat out the previous nights game as his trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins was negotiated, his dressing room stall was still full of his equipment and bore his nameplate. His teammates were also preoccupied with beating Colorado, whether their captain was in the lineup or not. But Iginlas stall was empty and stripped of his nameplate Thursday. A Flame for all of his 16 seasons and the teams captain for nine, his departure left a void and questions about the future of the franchise. "Its weird. Its definitely weird," Flames forward Mike Cammalleri said. "Theres no downplaying the significance and the presence hes been in the room, on this organization and in this city. Its a little different today." Iginla bid his teammates a hasty goodbye prior to a morning news conference at the Saddledome. The players thoughts reflected that of many Calgarians and hockey fans. Theyre sad to see their captain go, but hope Iginla wins the Stanley Cup that has eluded him in Calgary. "Its a unique situation here, just because hes been here for so long and he really is the face of the franchise and done so many great things," defenceman Jay Bouwmeester said. "You play long enough, you see guys come and go. It doesnt mean you have ill-will or anything like that. "I think everyone in here wishes him the best of luck. Its a great opportunity for him." Calgary (13-15-4) is ranked 14th in the NHLs Western Conference. At six points outs, the Flames are not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but face a fourth straight season finishing out of the post-season. The urgency to turn the hockey clubs fortunes around prompted the trading of the face of the franchise. "Were not where we want to be and unfortunately Iggy was the first guy to obviously get moved because of it this year and so you feel youre a bit responsible for it," defenceman Mark Giordano said. The Calgary ownership group hasnt traditionally held firesales, but if this is one, they started at the very top. Iginla waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move to Pittsburgh and had a say in his destination.dddddddddddd But general manager Jay Feaster hinted when he announced the deal with Pittsburgh for two college forwards and a first-round draft pick that he is not done on the trade front. He said weekend meetings with head coach Bob Hartley, assistant general manager John Wiesbrod and the Flames scouts will determine their strategy for the NHLs trade deadline next Wednesday. "I know you guys like the rebuild word," Feaster said. "Our goal is we want to retool to the point where were a competitive team and a legitimate playoff team. "Were going to continue to look for ways to improve our hockey club. There are any numbers of ways to do that and thats through the draft, through trading and through free agency. Were going to avail ourselves of all of those avenues, but I dont want to use the rebuild word. "I think were going to be busy. Were going to be active in the process of trying to stockpile assets. We are not looking to move draft picks or prospects to get players right now." Lost in the trade speculation surrounding Iginla was the rumbling about the future of goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff in the organization. The 36-year-old has one year remaining after this season on a contract that counts $5.8 million annually against the salary cap. The no-trade clause in Kiprusoffs contract has expired, according to Capgeek.com. Sportsnet has reported that Kiprusoff would refuse a trade, but the goaltender would not address that report after Wednesdays game. "Im not going to talk about it," Kiprusoff said. "Im going to concentrate on playing games with the Flames here right now. I like it here a lot." Meanwhile, the Flames host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday and look to extend their winning streak at the Saddledome to nine. Road games have been their downfall this season with a team-record 10 consecutive losses. "In our business you find motivation in a lot of places," Cammalleri said. "Until someone actually tells me were mathematically out of it, no one in this room will feel that way. "Guys are competing hard for their own livings as well. You dont throw in the towel as a player ever." ' ' '