First NHL head coach firing of the season!

The NHL has seen it's first head coach firing of the season just a little over a quarter of the way through the 2014-2014 campaign. The Ottawa Senators have announced the termination of their head coach, Paul MacLean, a man who won a Jack Adams award in 2002, his first year with the club. According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports this is a move the Senators organization have been contemplating as far back as last season.

Senators management had strong discussions about making a change behind the bench after last season. Its now a done deal. — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 8, 2014

Maclean leaves Ottawa having complied a record of 114-90-35 over the course of his three season with the club. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun believes there is some serious bad blood between MacLean and the Senators management, something that would seem to corroborate Lavoie's version of events.

Assistant Dave Cameron is the leading contender to be named interim coach. GM Bryan Murray will address media at 2:30 p.m. #Sens — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 8, 2014

 

Players are surprised after win last night. The Senators had warned Paul MacLean several times they weren't happy. #Sens — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 8, 2014

Garrioch also believes current Assistant coach Dave Cameron is the likely replaced for MacLean at least in the interim.

Assistant Dave Cameron is the leading contender to be named interim coach. GM Bryan Murray will address media at 2:30 p.m. #Sens — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 8, 2014

We will keep you up to date if anything breaks during the press conference this afternoon.