Tampa Bay Coach Fired After Slow Start, Lindy Ruff Emerges Top Candidate

Tampa Bay Lightning coach, Guy Boucher was fired according to a statement on Sunday.

The head coach was fired as the team's playoff dwindled for the second straight season.

"Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done," general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement.

"But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise," Yzerman added.

Assistant Coaches Marty Raymond and Dan Lacroix were to share coaching duties for Sunday night's game at Winnipeg. However the Tampa Bay Times said there is early speculation of former Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff could be up for the job.

Boucher led Tampa Bay to the 2010-2011 Eastern Conference finals in his first season however complied a 13-17-1 record this season and it appeared the team will miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Ruff maybe the logical choice as when he served as assistant coach for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team while Yzerman was executive director. Hockey fans believe Ruff would and should get another chance in the NHL, and it appears this could be it.