Thrashers general manager Don Waddell denied a Canadian report Thursday night that the team has hired John Anderson as coach.

Sports television network TSN reported, without attribution, on its Web site that the Thrashers had hired Anderson, coach of their top minor-league affiliate, to succeed Bob Hartley, who was fired last October. Waddell coached the rest of the season on an interim basis.

Waddell, through a team spokesman, denied the report. He said earlier Thursday evening in a teleconference with reporters that he was continuing to do "due diligence" in the coach search and that no announcement was likely before tonight's NHL draft.

Anderson, 51, coached the Chicago Wolves to the Calder Cup last month. The American Hockey League championship was his fourth minor-league championship in 13 seasons as a coach. Anderson played 12 seasons in the NHL.

Anderson did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone Thursday night.