GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Dave King's path back to the NHL is taking him to the desert.
The veteran coach has been hired as an assistant by the Phoenix Coyotes.
King spent the past five seasons in Europe -- four coaching in Germany and another in Russia with Magnitogorsk, an experience he wrote about in the book "King of Russia."
Prior to that, he served as head coach of the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets and was an assistant with the Montreal Canadiens.
King's hiring comes with Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky's future unclear.
The Great One has been absent from training camp because of uncertainty brought on by the team's bankruptcy case. Associate coach Ulf Samuelsson has been in charge during his absence.
Also Monday, the Coyotes replaced goaltending coach Grant Fuhr with Sean Burke. Fuhr will remain in the organization and work with prospects.