Arizona’s Don Maloney era is over.
The Arizona Coyotes general manager was relieved of his duties Monday.
Arizona will not name an interim general manager at this time. The search for a new GM begins immediately and should conclude in two to six weeks.
The rebuilding Coyotes have missed the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, finishing 24th overall this seasons with a record of 35-39-8.
Coyotes majority owner, chairman and governor Andrew Barroway, alternate governor Gary Drummond (who oversees the Coyotes hockey operations department) and president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc will lead the hiring search, and a new GM should be in place for June’s draft.
Leblanc pointed to philosophical differences with ownership and not the Coyotes’ playoff drought for Maloney’s firing.
Assistant general managers John Chayka and Chris O’Hearn will manage Coyotes’ hockey operations until a new GM is selected.
“On behalf of our ownership group and the entire Arizona Coyotes organization, I would like to sincerely thank Don for all of his hard work and the many contributions he made to our organization during his tenure,” said LeBlanc. “The Coyotes had some success with Don, but we believe a change in leadership is needed in order to move our franchise forward in a new direction.”
Head coach Dave Tippett, who has two years left on his contract, is expected to get an elevated role with a franchise now flush with young talent. Tippett’s advice will be sought during the GM search.
Maloney, 57, served as GM of the Coyotes since 2007. He was named the NHL’s General Manager of the Year in 2010 — the first season the award was handed out.
An NHL forward with 765 career games with the Rangers, Whalers and Islanders, Maloney served as GM of the Isles from 1992 to 1995. He then worked in the Rangers’ front office under Glen Sather before taking the Coyotes job nine years ago.
“We want to get on a winning page and get back in the playoffs, so obviously someone takes the fall for it,” No. 1 goaltender Mike Smith told reporters.
“We’ve had a lot of growth in our organization this year. I think the fans should be excited about what’s to come going forward.”
Arizona has a 6.5 per cent chance of winning the first-overall selection and a chance to select hometown prospect Auston Matthews at the NHL Draft.
LeBlanc said the team will be active in free agency, looking to add a defenceman.
