Arizona Coyotes fire GM Don Maloney
Apr 11, 2016, 8:00 AM | Updated: 5:30 pm
The Arizona Coyotes wrapped up their fourth consecutive non-playoff season Saturday night with a loss to the San Jose Sharks.
On Monday, they responded by shaking up the front office when they relieved general manager Don Maloney of his duties.
Maloney, 57, has served as the Coyotes general manager for the last nine seasons after taking over the post in 2007.
“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 Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc in a press release. “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.”
In 2010, Maloney was the first-ever recipient of the NHL General Manager of the Year Award in 2010 after the Coyotes finished with 107 points and broke an six-year playoff drought.
The high point under Maloney’s watch came two years later, when the Coyotes finally broke through and won a playoff series, beating the Chicago Blackhawks in six games to advance to the Western Conference semifinals. There, they’d easily dispose of the Nashville Predators in five games to punch a ticket to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.
Head coach Dave Tippett has two years remaining on his contract and will stay on behind the Arizona bench in 2016-17.
Dave Tippett has 2 years left on contract and remains committed to Arizona as head coach. Tip is also to be very involved in hiring of gm.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 11, 2016
The Coyotes are cleaning out their lockers for the offseason Monday at Gila River Arena.
