[administrator]

Wow, i didnt hear about that.

But some research got me this:

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins each dismissed franchise mainstays Thursday, as Toronto fired coach Pat Quinn and Pittsburgh decided not to renew the expiring contract of GM Craig Patrick.

The moves had been discussed, if not expected, in the media and in hockey circles recently, as both teams missed the playoffs despite major expectations heading into the season.

Quinn had been Leafs coach since 1998, compiling a 300-222-52 with 26 shootout and overtime losses. He assumed the team’s GM duties from 1999-2003, relinquishing the job to John Ferguson.

Quinn, who had one year remaining on his contract, stands fourth all-time in NHL coaching victories with 657, trailing Scotty Bowman (1,244), Al Arbour (781) and Dick Irvin (692).

Toronto amassed a 41-33-8 under Quinn this season and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference, missing the last playoff spot by two points. The 63-year-old’s relationship with Ferguson has been the subject of much speculation, with most believing it to be seriously strained.

The Maple Leafs did not immediately name a replacement for Quinn, although former Carolina Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice – now guiding Toronto’s AHL affiliate – is expected to be a leading contender for the job.

Patrick, GM of the Penguins since 1990, guided the team to two Stanley Cup championships (1990-92), one President’s Trophy title (1993-94), and five division titles, building a 530-392 regular-season record. The 59-year-old also coached the team on four separate occasions, amassing a 66-81 record with 22 ties.

The Penguins haven’t made the playoffs since the 2000-01 season, and flopped miserably this year with a 22-46-8-6 mark. Patrick brought in a number of high-priced, veteran free agents this summer to augment a lineup that featured young stars such as Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury. But nothing went as planned for Pittsburgh and Patrick, who hired and fired three coaches in the last five years.