SUNRISE, Fla., April 11 (UPI) -- The NHL's Florida Panthers announced Friday Jacques Martin will not be their coach next season but can stay on in his role as general manager if he desires.
The club said it expects to announce whether Martin will remain as general manager next week.
"Over the past few days both Jacques and I have spent significant time together discussing what is in the best interest of this franchise," Alan Cohen, the Panthers' owner and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "It is now up to Jacques to decide if he wants to remain with the club."
Martin took over as head coach for the Panthers prior to the 2005-06 season, and added the general manager's duties in September 2006. Under his guidance, the Panthers went 38-35-9 this season, good for 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
Florida finished with a winning record in each of his three seasons, but has not qualified for the playoffs since 2000.
