Kings’ coaching search zeros in on assistant coach John Stevens

Conventional wisdom suggested for years that when Darryl Sutter called it a day as Kings coach, then the job would be turned over to associate head coach John Stevens. That day was Monday, when the Kings fired Sutter and general manager Dean Lombardi.

Now, new general manager Rob Blake plans to speak with Stevens to make sure he’s still the right man at the right time to replace Sutter, a Kings spokesman confirmed Wednesday afternoon. Blake’s high level of interest in Stevens was first reported by TSN on its website earlier in the day.

Stevens’ familiarity with the Kings’ personnel coupled with previous NHL experience with the Philadelphia Flyers makes him an ideal replacement for Sutter, who…