Devils make a coaching move, fire former NHLer after awful start to the season

This just in, the New Jersey Devils have announced that they have fired AHL Utica Devils head coach Kevin Dineen and have replaced him with assistant coach Ryan Parent on an interim basis.

From the Devils:

This news comes after a dreadful 0-8 start to the season for Utica. The team has also added former NHLer Eric Weinrich as an assistant coach.

“Unfortunately, after the start we had to this season, the organization felt it was time to make a change while the season is still young,” said Utica GM Dan MacKinnon. “We thank Kevin for his time with Utica and wish him and his family all the best moving forward.”

"In his seven years with our AHL affiliate, Ryan Parent has established a track record of transparently communicating with young players and teaching good habits, while drawing on his own playing experiences," said MacKinnon. "Those characteristics will serve him well in this new role where he will need to develop, lead, and relate to players at all different stages of their pro hockey careers."

This move is in complete lock-step with other moves from the Devils organization in recent months. New Jersey obviously made a huge change behind the bench this past offseason by hiring former Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe as their new head coach. Now, they've changed direction at the AHL level. It'll be interesting to see how things trend for the team moving forward.

As for Dineen, his legacy in Utica will be that of a coach who struggled to get his team over the hump. Despite strong regular season finishes the past two years, Dineen wasn't able to get Utica past the 1st round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. He's a quality coach though, but maybe he's just not cut out for a head coaching position. Stay tuned for his next move.