Tampa Bay Coach Fired: Guy Boucher Let Go By Lighting

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Guy Boucher was fired today.

The team will play Winnipeg tonight with assistant coaches Martin Raymond and Dan Lacroix sharing coaching duties.

General manager Steve Yzerman said: “Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done … But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise.”

Boucher joined the Lighting as head coach in June of 2010. He led the team to the Eastern Conference finals during his rookie coaching season but failed to bring the team back to the playoffs the following year. The Lightning are currently 13-17-1 and are at risk of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

The Lightning are currently 14th in the Eastern Conference.

The team hasn’t made any announcements about coaching candidates but Yzerman said that he had a few people in mind and hopes to hire a new coach soon. Lindy Ruff, who was recently fired by the Buffalo Sabres, could be a top contender.

Yzerman said: “I’m not looking to drag things out … I have an idea of what I want to do and I have a plan for what I want to do. And I hope to accomplish that as soon as possible.”

Are you surprised that the Tampa Bay Lighting fired coach Guy Boucher?