The Anaheim Ducks are interested in beefing up their team - although it's behind the bench, rather than on the ice.

The Ottawa Senators have given the Ducks permission to speak with Paul MacLean, ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports.

Anaheim is interested in MacLean for its vacant assistant-coaching position under head coach Bruce Boudreau.

LeBrun reports that the team will talk to other candidates as well.

MacLean, the 2013 Jack Adams Award winner, was fired as head coach of the Senators in December and could add a wealth of knowledge to an already impressive Ducks squad.

The 57-year-old owned a career record of 114-90-35 in the NHL before being replaced by Dave Cameron in Ottawa.