The New York Islanders fired head coach Jack Capuano on Tuesday.
Capuano had been the Islanders' head coach since he was hired on an interim basis in November of 2010.
He led the team to three playoff appearances in their previous four seasons, and the team won its first playoff series in 23 years last season.
But the Islanders lost two key forwards - Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, who are All-Stars this season - as well as forward Matt Martin, to free agency in the offseason. Their replacements have struggled, and so have the Islanders as a whole. They are currently last in the Eastern Conference standings with just 42 points.
"It's an honor to have served this historic franchise and its passionate fans," Capuano said in a statement released by the team. "I'd like to thank Garth and our ownership group for the opportunity to be the Head Coach of the Islanders. I'd also like to recognize our coaching staff, training staff and players for all of their hard work."
Doug Weight, who is the Islanders' assistant GM, will take over as head coach on an interim basis. He is a former Islanders captain who also played for the Rangers.