Times wires
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
DALLAS — This season, Marc Crawford guided the Stars to the most points of any team in NHL history that missed the playoffs. It wasn't enough to keep his job.
Crawford was fired Tuesday after two seasons. Though Dallas' playoff bid went to the final minutes of the regular season, general manager Joe Nieuwendyk seemed to have already decided his club needed a change to contend for the Stanley Cup.
"We have a lot of good things in place," Nieuwendyk said. "The hardest thing for Marc to probably accept (is) that I don't feel he's the guy going forward that takes us to the next level."
ISLES KEEP CAPUANO: The Islanders removed the interim tag from coach Jack Capuano. Under Capuano, who took over after Scott Gordon was fired Nov. 15, New York went 26-29-10, including 25-21-8 to close.
DRAFT LOTTERY: The Oilers will pick first overall in the draft for a second straight year. The Devils won the draft lottery, but teams can't move up more than four spots, leaving Edmonton with the first overall pick. Colorado and Florida will draft second and third, respectively, followed by New Jersey, the Islanders and Ottawa. The draft is scheduled June 24-25 in St. Paul, Minn.
CAPITALS: Michal Neuvirth, who won five of his final six regular-season starts, was named the starter for tonight's Game 1 of the first-round series against the Rangers.
COYOTES: Defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Nolan Yonkman were recalled from the minors.
FLAMES: Acting general manager Jay Feaster, the former Lightning GM, said Calgary is keeping captain Jarome Iginla for a 15th season. "Jarome isn't going anywhere," Feaster said. "Jarome is the face of the franchise in many ways."