SUNRISE, Fla., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The Florida Panthers Friday fired Coach Kevin Dineen and his staff after a seven-game losing streak, and named Peter Horachek interim head coach.
Dineen, 50, was in his third season of leading the Panthers. The streak left Florida 3-9-4 on the season and next-to-last in the NHL's Atlantic Division.
Panthers' General Manager Dale Tallon said Brian Skrudland and John Madden will replace Dineen's assistants Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsey on the coaching staff.
"After 16 games it was clear that our team needed a change in philosophy and direction," Tallon said in a statement Friday.
"We have not met the expectations that we set forth at training camp and it is my responsibility to make the necessary changes to ensure that our club performs at its maximum potential. We thank Kevin, Gord and Craig for their hard work and dedication to our organization and the professionalism that they displayed throughout their tenure."
The Panthers were 38-26-18 and Southeast Division champion in 2011-12 under Dineen in his first season as an NHL head coach. Florida dropped to 15-27-6 last season for an NHL-low 36 points in the standings.
Horachek, 53, was coaching Florida's American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio. He was with on the Nashville Predators' coaching staff from 2003-13, including the last two as associate head coach.
