Savard replaces Yaney as B'hawks coach

CHICAGO, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Assistant coach Denis Savard Monday replaced Trent Yawney as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Yawney had posted a 33-55-15 record since taking the help of the Hawks last year.

"The bottom line is wins and losses and we needed to win more," general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement on the team's Web site. "We've had some injuries, but in spite of that we're a better team than our record shows."

Tallon said he believes Savard, a Hall of Famer who has been an assistant in the organization since 1997, can bring a more up-tempo style to the team.

"I've always wanted to be a head coach," Savard said. "The circumstances are not the greatest because when you take over for somebody mid-season it means things did not go as well as we all expected.

"We're not happy over the last few years as far as our win-loss record is concerned," Savard added. "The players have to share that responsibility. But we're looking to move forward and go in a new direction."