Out-of-sorts NHL side takes action as its season continues to slips away.
The Florida Panthers, mired in a seven-game NHL losing streak, sacked head coach Kevin Dineen and two assistant coaches.
Executive vice president and general manager Dale Tallon said Peter Horachek would take over the coaching duties on an interim basis, assisted by Brian Skrudland and John Madden.
“After 16 games it was clear that our team needed a change in philosophy and direction,” Tallon a day after a 4-1 loss at Boston dropped the Panthers to 3-9-4.
“We have not met the expectations that we set forth at training camp and it is my responsibility to make the necessary changes to ensure that our club performs at its maximum potential.”
Dineen’s tenure with the Panthers began with a 38-26-18 record and a Southeast Division title in 2011-12.
The Panthers’ first playoff appearance since 2000 ended with a double-overtime defeat to New Jersey in game seven of the first round.
Beset by injuries, Florida sank to the bottom of the standings last season, finishing with an NHL-low 36 points and a 15-27-6 record.
Horachek, who was in his first season as coach of the Panthers’ minor league affiliate in San Antonio, takes over a team with an NHL-worst minus-25 goal differential.
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