Krueger's NHL stock bolstered by World Cup run with Team Europe

Ralph Krueger lost the World Cup of Hockey final, but his performance at the tournament vaulted him back into the conversation for future NHL coaching positions.

Watch: Marchand's shorthanded goal clinches World Cup for Canada

Team Europe's unexpected run to the best-of-three championship series - during which the underdogs outplayed Canada for much of Game 2 - undoubtedly put its head coach back on the NHL radar.

"If he wants to coach in the NHL again, I'm sure there's a team out there that would love to have him," Team Canada head coach Mike Babcock said about his adversary after Thursday night's final game, according to the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan.

The new NHL franchise in Las Vegas hasn't filled its head coaching position, but Krueger said he'll be focused exclusively on his duties as chairman of Southampton FC in the English Premier League now that the World Cup is over.

"I'm very passionate about what I'm doing in Southhampton right now," he told reporters after the game Thursday, according to Postmedia's Michael Traikos. "It's what I'm committed to."

Whether it's Las Vegas - which begins play in 2017-18 - or another NHL vacancy that arises beforehand, one would have to assume Krueger will be considered after exceeding expectations with Team Europe.

Related: Zuccarello likens Team Europe to 'Miracle on Ice' squad

The 57-year-old former Edmonton Oilers head coach brought a collection of players from eight nations together in a short tournament with very little preparation time and led them to the final, when few expected them to emerge from the preliminary round.

While his loyalties lie across the pond for now, Krueger demonstrated his coaching ability on the international stage and may have improved his chances of earning another NHL job.