Multiple teams make big changes

LOS ANGELES — Coach Darryl Sutter and general manager Dean Lombardi were the Los Angeles Kings’ leaders during the best years of the franchise’s mostly ordinary history.

When they couldn’t replicate that success over the past three seasons, not even their Stanley Cup pedigree could keep their jobs secure.

The Kings fired Sutter and Lombardi on Monday, abruptly dropping the duo that led the franchise to its only two NHL championships.

The Kings promoted former defenseman Rob Blake to vice president and general manager after four years as Lombardi’s assistant. Longtime team executive Luc Robitaille was promoted to president in charge of all hockey and business operations.

The Vancouver Canucks are trying to jumpstart their stalled rebuild with a new head coach.

Willie Desjardins was fired by Vancouver on Monday after missing the postseason for the second consecutive season. The team announced the move a day after ending the season with its eighth straight loss.

In three years with Vancouver, Desjardins went 109-110-27.

The Florida Panthers have reinstated Dale Tallon as general manager and removed Tom Rowe as interim coach.

The team also said Monday that Tallon will remain president of hockey operations. The Panthers finished 14 points out of a playoff spot after winning the Atlantic Division a year ago.

Rowe became general manager last May, part of a front- office reshuffling.