Vladislav Tretyak, a three-time Olympic champion who was elected in April as the head of the Russian Hockey Federation, said it was an important decision that could not be hurried.
"We are currently holding talks with many specialists, including with Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, Vyacheslav Bykov, Boris Mikhailov, Pyotr Vorobyov and Valery Belousov," he said.
Vladimir Krikunov resigned as Russia coach after the Olympic team finished a disappointing fourth at the Winter Olympics in Turin this year, failing to reach the finals after losing 0:4 to Finland in the semifinals. It then lost 0:3 to the Czech Republic in the playoff for the bronze medal.
He said the coach would be appointed for a term of from two to three years.
"If a coach shows no results in two years we will make the appropriate decisions," Tretyak said. "I consider places on the podium as a success."