EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 13 (UPI) -- Following an early exit from the playoffs, the New Jersey Devils Thursday fired Kevin Constantine as coach and replaced him with Pat Burns.
Constantine lasted only a few months, after he was named to succeed Larry Robinson in January, and posted a 20-8 record in the regular season, earning the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
After making back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Devils were ousted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs this year. On Thursday, an impatient General Manager Lou Lamoriello decided it was time for another change and went for Burns, who
will be coaching his fourth NHL team.
"Pat Burns was my first choice and this was a thought process over the past few weeks," said Lamoriello, who may find another job for Constantine. "Kevin and I are going to speak the first of the week. He was very professional."
The 51-year-old Burns, who has a reputation as a disciplinarian, was fired as coach of the Boston Bruins eight games into the 2000-01 season. He began with the Montreal Canadiens in 1988, and also has coached the Toronto Maple Leafs, posting a combined record of 412-314-129.
Burns has a winning record with each team, and guided the 1989 Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Calgary Flames.
"I'm excited," Burns said. "I wish we could start tomorrow morning. I love a lot of the players that are there and I know them. They know how I operate and I think it's going to be a great challenge."
Coaching changes have become commonplace in New Jersey despite its recent success.
Robinson lost his job in January in circumstances similar to those that prompted his hiring. With eight games remaining in the 1999-2000 campaign, Lamoriello felt the Devils needed a change to go far in the playoffs. Robinson replaced Robbie Ftorek, even though the Devils were 21 games over .500.
The Devils responded under Robinson and beat the Dallas Stars in six games in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Even with the limited security, Burns awaits the challenge.
"It's a very solid organization and their commitment to winning is very important to me," Burns said. "This club is very, very capable of winning. It has a good mix of solid veterans with some younger players."
The Devils were the third coaching post for Constantine. He was fired as coach of the Penguins 24 games into the 1999-2000 season. He coached the San Jose Sharks from 1993-96.
