VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks have fired head coach Willie Desjardins.
The Canucks missed the playoffs for a second straight season, finishing with 69 points -- only better than the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. They lost their last eight games to fall behind the Arizona Coyotes into last place in the Pacific Division.
Assistant coaches Doug Lidster and Perry Pearn were also let go.
"We made a very difficult decision to relieve Willie Desjardins of his duties as head coach today," general manager Jim Benning said. "It's been a challenging season and we all share responsibility for the results; however, we felt this change was necessary as we continue to develop a young team and look ahead to the future.