Rookie coach Bryan Trottier was fired by the New York Rangers on Wednesday as the league’s highest-paid team faces a sixth straight season without a playoff berth.
The Rangers have a payroll over $70 million but are last in the Atlantic Division.
Trottier, who starred for the rival New York Islanders for 15 years, replaced Ron Low in June but held the job just 54 games in his first head-coaching stint.
New York was outscored 16-5 during its current three-game losing streak.
“I had to do something and had to do it quickly if we were going to salvage the season,” Rangers GM Glen Sather said.
The Rangers plan to announce a new coach Thursday. Rangers assistants Jim Schoenfeld and Terry O’Reilly are likely candidates.
Hurting
The injury-riddled Los Angeles Kings placed goaltender Felix Potvin on the injured reserve list due to a sprained right knee. . . . Buffalo Sabres forward Chris Gratton will miss the next two games because of a mild concussion.
End of the line
Defenseman Joe Reekie, 37, who played 17 games with the Blackhawks last season, retired Wednesday after 17 seasons in the NHL with five teams. He had 14 straight seasons with a positive plus-minus rating.
RESULTS, WEDNESDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Toronto 3 at Carolina 2
Mats Sundin had 2 power-play goals for the Maple Leafs, who snapped an 0-for-30 slump with the man advantage.
Calgary 1 at Dallas 4
Marty Turco made 28 saves to stretch his unbeaten streak to 12 games, and Jere Lehtinen scored 2 goals for the Stars.
Minnesota 1 at Edmonton 5
Jason Chimera had 2 goals and an assist, Dan Cleary had a goal and an assist, and Tommy Salo stopped 28 shots.
Ottawa 2 at Anaheim 3
Steve Rucchin scored the go-ahead goal with 5:12 remaining, and Paul Kariya had a goal and an assist.
