The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Jeremy Colliton on Saturday.
With the team mired in a 1-9-2 start, interim general manager Kyle Davidson made the decision, naming Derek King the interim coach.
Chicago has lost two straight since posting its first victory and has allowed a league-high 47 goals.
The decision comes a day after another puzzling effort, a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Marc-Andre Fleury, in his first season with the club, made 28 saves but allowed some questionable goals in front a porous defense.
"It's been hard on the players, the stretch we've been going through," Colliton said after the loss.