Don Waddell's search for a coach for the Thrashers has headed in a new direction: Mike Sullivan.

The Thrashers general manager has asked for and received permission to speak with Sullivan, the St. Petersburg Times reported Friday on its Web site.

Sullivan, 40, coached the Boston Bruins in 2003-04 and 2004-05. His teams went 70-56-15-23, and his first one won the Northeast Division.

Since then, he has been an assistant U.S. Olympic coach, head coach of the U.S. team at the 2007 world championships and assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning fired their coach, John Tortorella, this month.