Bob Boughner is leaving Florida Panthers after spending just two years as the team’s head coach. Panthers announced the decision to fire Boughner on Sunday after the team finished the season with a 36-32-14 record and on the fifth spot in the Atlantic Division. The organization also decided to let go of assistant coach Paul McFarland.
The news was confirmed by Panthers general manager Dale Tallon who issued a statement to the media following Boughner and McFarland’s exit.
“We made a tough decision today and have relieved Bob Boughner of his duties as head coach,” – said Tallon. “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 Stanley Cup pedigree to lead our team going forward. We’re grateful to Bob, Paul and their families for their hard work and their dedication to the Panthers organization and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
Bob Boughner, who previously played in NHL as a defenseman, started his coaching career at the helm of Windsor Spitfires in Ontario Hockey League in 2006. After almost 10 years with the team, during which he won Two Memorial Cups, he joined the San Jose Sharks as an assistant before landing a head coaching job with Florida Panthers.
In his first season with the Panthers Boughner managed to lead the team to 43-30-8 and ended up missing the playoffs by just one point. Florida was expected to make a step forward this year, but that didn’t happen despite the monstrous season of Aleksander Barko, who shattered the club record by finishing the 2018/19 with 96 points.
