Panthers cut ties with coach Boughner after 2 years

The Florida Panthers have fired head coach Bob Boughner after two years on the job, the team announced on Sunday, and they apparently have targeted his successor. ESPN reported that the Panthers have asked for, and received, permission from the Chicago Blackhawks to speak to their fired coach, Joel Quenneville. Sources told ESPN that the Panthers would offer him a multiyear contract worth more than $6 million a year with bonuses.

As that went on behind the scenes, Florida's public focus on Sunday was Boughner. "We made a tough decision today and have relieved Bob Boughner of his duties as head coach," Panthers general manager Doug Tallon said in a statement.

"We didn't meet expectations this season and share responsibility for that fact. After careful evaluation, we have determined that this is a necessary first step for our young team and we will seek to identify a transformative, experienced head coach with (a) Stanley Cup pedigree to lead our team going forward." The Panthers were 79-62-22 in Boughner's two seasons at the helm, missing the playoffs both times. This season was the 16th time in 18 seasons that Florida missed the playoffs.

Boughner's assistant, Paul McFarland, also was fired. The Panthers and Tallon will hold a news conference on Monday to address the decision and the team's outlook for the future.

Whether that will include Quenneville remains to be seen. The Blackhawks won three Stanley Cups during Quenneville's tenure that began in 2008 and ended in December 2018, and they missed the playoffs just once. He left with a record of 452-249-96 in 797 games.

He also coached a combined 11 seasons in Colorado and St. Louis and has an overall career record of 890-532-77-137.

(With inputs from agencies.)