Willie Desjardins fired as Canucks coach

Willie Desjardins was fired as coach of the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

Vancouver also fired assistant coaches Doug Lidster and Perry Pearn.

"We made a very difficult decision to relieve Willie Desjardins of his duties as head coach today," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Monday. "It's been a challenging season and we all share responsibility for the results however, we felt this change was necessary as we continue to develop a young team and look ahead to the future. We're grateful to Willie, Doug, Perry and each of their families for their dedication and hard work and wish them every success."

In three seasons with Vancouver, Desjardins had a record of 109-110-27. After making the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his first season, the Canucks have missed the past two.

Vancouver finished the season on an eight-game losing streak and also had a nine-game losing streak earlier in the season. The Canucks had 69 points (30-43-9), second-fewest in the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche had 48 points.