The former Flyers coach appears to be in final negotiations for the Kings' head coaching spot. GM Lombardi says 'no agreement is in place.'

Not Andy Murray, who coached the Kings. Or Bryan Murray, who was the general manager with the Ducks and coached them for a season. It is Terry Murray, Bryan's brother, who is close to becoming the Kings' next coach, barring any last-minute contract negotiation snags. He would fill the vacancy created by Marc Crawford's firing in June.

Terry Murray has been a head coach in the NHL three other times, in Washington, Philadelphia and Florida. He will turn 58 on Sunday. The Toronto Globe and Mail reported on its website this afternoon that the Kings were finalizing contract details with Murray, according to sources.

"We are aware of some media reports as it relates to Terry Murray and our head coaching vacancy," Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said in a statement to The Times. "At this time, no agreement is in place with him.

"However, we have met with Terry on more than one occasion, and we consider him to be a strong candidate for the position. We will have no further comment at this time."

The Kings had started the coaching search process by interviewing one internal candidate, associate coach Mike Johnston, and spoke with him on several occasions.

Then Murray moved front and center. The link between Lombardi and Murray goes back to the Flyers. Murray has been an assistant coach with the Flyers and Lombardi worked with that organization for two seasons before joining the Kings as general manager.

Though the Flyers reached the Stanley Cup finals under Murray in 1997, he has not been a head coach in the NHL since the 2000-01 season with the Panthers.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com