TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning fired coach Barry Melrose on Friday, just 16 games into the season.
Assistant coach and former Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet was appointed interim head coach.
The announcement Friday came less than five months after Melrose was hired. The Lightning have a record of 5-7-4.
General manager Brian Lawton says it was a tough decision, but the team’s results were unacceptable.
The Lightning have lost three straight games, dropping to fourth in the Southeast Division. Despite the presence of Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay ranks last in goals in the NHL.
