Hired to Be Fired 2013-14

As sure as there are wins and losses (usually associated with the latter), there also will be change somewhere along the way between now and the end of June.

The day eventually comes for many NHL coaches, where they receive the phone call, or tap on the shoulder to go see the GM or owner.

A summons where the usual things are said, "you gave it a good shot, but we're going in a different direction", or variations of the theme.

Of the thirty members of the NHL coaching and managerial fraternity, sometime this year, maybe early, maybe late, the word will come that their services are no longer required.

We will provide the compilation of the summoned from this spot, listing those unlucky members of the club that find themselves outsourced in this 2013-14 season.

The archive of our list can be quickly referenced on our right hand side bar, in the Owner's Box section.

January12-- Winnipeg Jets-- GM Kevin Cheveldayoff announced on Sunday that the Winnipeg Jets had dismissed both head coach Claude Noel and assistant coach Perry Pearn. The underachieving Jets have struggled through most of the regular season and with each loss, many suspected that Noel's time was growing short to turn around the skid.  Replacing him behind the bench in Winnipeg will be Paul Maurice, he was set to arrive in Winnipeg on Sunday evening and would be on the ice with the Jets for their morning skate. The Jets play the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday night. Maurice's tenure for the moment is limited to the remainder of the season, discussions on themes beyond this season will according to Cheveldayoff take place soon.  The Jets outlined the nature of the decision at the press conference of Sunday, with a synopsis of the day found on their website. NHL.com had this review of events posted to their website on Sunday as well.

You can review our HockeyNation perspective from this item.

December 12-- Calgary Flames-- Head of Hockey Operations Brian Burke took over the reins on what was called an interim basis on December 12th, dismissing General Manager Jay Feaster and his assistant John Weisbrod. An event that while a bit of a shock, probably didn't come as much of a surprise when the announcement was reviewed with a few hours of reflection.  The Flames have not achieved the lofty standards that many thought would be theirs of but a few years ago. And when Burke was brought into the executive offices in September, many no doubt had started some form of a silent countdown towards some fairly major changes. The first order of the day it seems will be to add some toughness to the Flames personna, making a trip into the Saddledome a night that makes for a full shift at the office. Whether the results of any turnaround will come quickly will depend on how many of the current roster take the message to heart, one suspects if they don't they won't be Flames much longer. The Flames announced the changeover here, the NHL offered up this review of the days events.

You can review our HockeyNation perspective from this item.

November 13-- Buffalo Sabres-- Owner Terry Pegula, finally heeding the call of many in Western New York and Ontario's Niagara region finally made the move that all had demanded. Dismissing Darry Regier and Ron Rolston from the Sabres management ranks. Bringing back some iconic names of Sabres history to try to right their ship. Taking up duties as President of the team will be Pat LaFontaine, moving back behind the bench with the Sabres is Ted Nolan, last seen in that location some sixteen years ago. The Sabres revealed some of the background on the change through their website, the NHL.com version of the news can be found here.

You can review our HockeyNation item on the Buffalo shuffle here.

November 8-- Florida Panthers-- With the Panthers stumbling out of the 2013 gate, General Manager Dale Tallon clearly believed that a major shake up was required for his squad. Making the decision on Friday morning to fire Kevin Dineen and his assistants Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsey. Bringing in Peter Horachek, coach of the Panthers AHL franchise in San Antonio to take over, with the interim tagged firmly attached to the announcement. You can review the details on the days developments in Sunrise by way of the NHL.com article here, the Panthers posted two items to their website on the developments, the notice from  Dale Tallon here, and a follow up letter to the teams fans from owner Vinnie Viola, which you can read here.

You can review our HockeyNation item on the Florida developments here.

October 7-- Philadelphia Flyers-- GM Paul Holmgren seemingly didn't need too many more sleepless nights to determine that Peter Laviolette had apparently lost the attention of his team.  The Flyers, a team known for being somewhat quick on the firing trigger, dispatched Mr. Laviolette but three games into the regular season. The Flyers announcement can be explored further from NHL.com. Over on the Flyers website, they were trying to put the best spin on a controversial decision.

You can review our HockeyNation item on the theme here.