EDMONTON - Rob Daum has accepted the offered pro hockey scouting job with the Edmonton Oilers, which will also entail some video breakdown of other NHL teams.

Rob Daum

Photograph by : John Lucas/Edmonton Journal

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But the former assistant coach will also have a window of opportunity to accept a coaching position somewhere else.

Kelly Buchberger will be joining the Oilers staff for the upcoming season, although they haven't officially announced it.

Daum, whose coaching contract is due to run out June 30, will be helping Dave Semenko scout the Western Conference rivals with added responsibilities to break down video.

The Oilers want to expand their scouting to include that element.

"My passion is with coaching, and I'm going to continue to pursue that over the summer," said Daum. "But if that doesn't bear fruit, I have a job I'll like here."

Daum will likely have several weeks to look at other openings, but the Oilers don't want it dragging on all summer, because they want another pro scout, whether that's Daum -- the former U of Alberta Golden Bears/Houston Aeros head coach -- or somebody else.

Daum has touched base with other NHL head coaches about assistant vacancies in Detroit and Atlanta. Phoenix is also looking, with Rick Tocchet leaving Wayne Gretzky's side to work with Barry Melrose in Tampa Bay. The Red Wings and Thrashers are also looking for AHL head coaches.

SATAN SET TO RETURN?

Would the Oilers have any interest in bringing back unrestricted free-agent Miro Satan, who is not re-signing in Long Island?

Maybe down the line, but he's likely not at the top of their wish list now.

It's no secret the Oilers are small on the wings except for Dustin Penner, and have to get bigger and/or tougher. In a perfect world, they would love to sign Pittsburgh's Ryan Malone on July 1, but there might be 10 teams calling about the winger's services.

STILL NEGOTIATING

There's nothing new on Oilers unrestricted free-agent winger Curtis Glencross. The two sides will keep negotiating for several more days, with the July 1 marketplace opening at 10 a.m.

jmatheson@thejournal.canwest.com