There is no bitterness.

In fact, Scott Stevens would like to stay with the Devils as an assistant coach and he will speak — essentially interview — with new head coach John Hynes sometime soon.

"I'm going to have a talk with John at some point and go from there," Stevens told NJ Advance Media. "I want to continue this path. I enjoyed what I did last year.

"It was a big challenge under the circumstances. I thought the coaching staff did a great job. We put in a lot of time, like I said, under difficult circumstances. But it was fun and convinced me that I want to pursue coaching and stay in coaching.

"I made that clear to Ray (Shero) when I talked to Ray. He asked me about being an assistant and I said I would still do that. I would not say 'no' to being an assistant. Absolutely not."

Is it likely to happen?

"I don't know. I have not met John. I've only talked with Ray a couple times," Stevens noted. "There is a lot going on. I look forward to talking face-to-face with John and Ray again. You've got to be on the same page.



"I don't know what their ideas are and if they have other people in mind. That's understandable. Nothing is in stone."



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Stevens, who returned on Dec. 26 last season to serve as a co-coach alongside Adam Oates and Lou Lamoriello, said he would not view a position as assistant coach under Hynes insulting or feel it was a comedown.

"Not at all. You never stop learning. You never stop learning as a player and you don't stop learning as a coach," Stevens said. "I love figuring out why people do things and how they benefit, the pluses and minuses.

"I enjoyed coming back last year and having a voice and being a real part of the team. I look forward to that with the next coaching staff I work with. It's all about teaching kids, building for the future and obviously getting into the playoffs and winning a championship. I was fortunate to do that as a player and I would like to be part of that as a coach some day."

If the Devils choose not to bring him back, would Stevens accept a job with another NHL team?

"Sure I would," he said. "I enjoy this job. I enjoy putting in the hours. I'm committed to this and I take it very seriously. I like coaching and I like teaching. I want to pursue that."

The Devils should think twice about letting Stevens get away.

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.