Reports: Boughner to be named Panthers coach Monday

San Jose Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner will be named head coach of the Florida Panthers on Monday, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie and confirmed by the Sun-Sentinel. It's a homecoming of sorts for Boughner, who signed with the Panthers as a free agent in 1994 but never played a regular season game with the team.

Boughner, who spent the last two seasons on Peter DeBoer's coaching staff, interviewed for the Florida job, as well as for the opening with another team from his playing days in the Buffalo Sabres, last month. He nearly left the Sharks last offseason, when he was a finalist for the Colorado Avalanche's opening that Jared Bednar eventually filled.

Boughner's second season with the Sharks was his third as an NHL assistant. He was an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2010-2011, but previously coached the OHL's Windsor Spitfires from 2006-2010, winning two Memorial Cups, and then again from 2011-2015.

With the Sharks, Boughner coached the team's defensemen. Under Boughner's eye, Brent Burns emerged as one of the league's best blueliners, and was nominated for the Norris Trophy each of the last two seasons.

In addition to the opening on the coaching staff, San Jose will also have to deal with one in the front office. Director of player personnel Larry Robinson will not return, and received permission to speak with other teams.